Governor Jerry Brown

File this under Now I've Seen Everything:

Jerry Brown, the philosopher-prince

From the inside cover: Jerry Brown has the largest constituency of any American politician except the President. As governor of California, he has achieved record popularity in public opinion polls. He repeatedly humiliated Jimmy Carter in the 1976 primaries and is considered the most likely Democratic challenger of 1980.

Yeah, look how well that turned out. Carter humiliated himself with great regularity, so how hard could it be for Jerry Brown?

~~~

When I was a much younger man, I never thought of then-governor Jerry Brown as anything more than a skilled, if misguided politician (I'm being generous here) .

Now, as an older curmudgeon, I think he's a cynical, calculating, statist quasi-socialist politician.

I'm sure the astute reader can comment about psychological projection and whatnot, but I think my observation stands on its own.

Jerry Brown.
Philosopher? I think not.
Prince? In America? WTF?

(Yes, I know the author is speaking metaphorically, but c'mon, give me a break.)

California tries to kill another golden egg-laying goose

California-based Amazon affiliates have been receiving this email from Amazon.com, in preparation for California's ill-advised and unconstitutional effort to force state sales tax collection duties upon Amazon.com.

Hello,

For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of California residents. Unfortunately, a potential new law that may be signed by Governor Brown compels us to terminate this program for California-based participants. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers - including but not limited to those referred by California-based marketing affiliates like you - even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.

We oppose this bill because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It is supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside California, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.

As a result, we will terminate contracts with all California residents that are participants in the Amazon Associates Program as of the date (if any) that the California law becomes effective. We will send a follow-up notice to you confirming the termination date if the California law is enacted. In the event that the California law does not become effective before September 30, 2011, we withdraw this notice. As of the termination date, California residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before the termination date will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule. Continue reading or add a comment»

Sources: 

Thanks a Lot, Jerry Brown: Amazon Cancels California Contracts (reason.com)

25000 BUSINESSES AT RISK (25000businessesatrisk.com)

Best-Selling Author Cancels California Affiliates (www.sfgate.com)