Alan Markow

Professional writer and communicator 40+ years. Senior corporate communications exec in high tech, telecom, banking, and chemicals. Navy journalist during Vietnam era. IVN blogger since inception. Political views range from liberal to libertarian.

Imperial County Scouting: Shoot First

Explorer Scouts: they're the top-of-the-line Boy (and Girl) Scouts, and they take on environmental programs, create charities and generally do good throughout the land. So

By Alan Markow

May 20, 2009

They Like Us; They Really, Really Like Us

California has once again become a Favored Nation in the eyes of Washington. After eight years in the political doghouse, we have been returned to our national leadership position - at

By Alan Markow

May 20, 2009

NIMBY Thinking Everywhere

It's all about NIMBY - Not In My Backyard - thinking in California. Cut the budget, except for my sacred cow. The Sacramento Bee reports that a community group is

By Alan Markow

May 20, 2009

To Vote or Not To Vote; There is No Question

There is no clearer statement of the direction of any organization than its budget. Given the opportunity to impact the direction for all of California through this month's

By Alan Markow

May 18, 2009

Yes Means No: The Game Continues

California's citizens are again being asked to navigate the bizarre landscape of political discourse in order to make decisions that we pay our legislators to make for us.

By Alan Markow

May 13, 2009

Solar Future Dims Despite Promise of Stimulus

California'sgreen initiatives may well be aided by President Obama'sstimulus package, but for the time being, the economic collapse isputting the kibosh on many of the state&

By Alan Markow

February 14, 2009

Think We Have it Bad? Look East

For Californians who feel they are part of anAlice-in-Wonderland budget process, check out what's going on in theneighboring state of Nevada. Governor Jim Gibbons recently announcedsome

By Alan Markow

February 4, 2009

Asking the Impossible: Governor Seeks Sacrifice by Politicos

GovernorSchwarzenegger had the nerve to suggest that legislators take a paycut as a symbolic gesture and to save the state some money. As heput it in his State of the

By Alan Markow

January 29, 2009

Gotcha Politics and Its Journalistic Enablers

After years of attack dog politics, the American people may not be able to let go of constant invectives and dueling gotchas. The latest example is the case of Illinois’

By Alan Markow

December 15, 2008

The Voters' Guide to the Direct Democracy Blues

I knew we were in trouble when the official Voters' Guide arrived earlier this year. It was the size of a small-town phone book, studded with legalistic and

By Alan Markow

December 10, 2008

Addicted to Money: California and Campaign Finance Reform

In 2008, more than half a billion dollars was donated to help elect California lawmakers, with another $360 million going to support or oppose the state’s various ballot measures.

By Alan Markow

December 5, 2008