The Fourscore Project

In this episode of The Fourscore & Seven Project, Ken Miller, a distinguished professor at Claremont-Mckenna and author of Texas v. California, discusses California's energy policies and their repercussions on consumers. Ken compares California and Texas policies, economies, and cultures. As national polarization intensifies, these states champion divergent political agendas and view themselves as competitors for control of the nation's future. Ken emphasizes the dilemma California confronts while integrating renewable energy structures amidst its scenic landscapes, contrasting it to Texas's vast terrain. Despite California's renewable energy emphasis, its residents face high electricity costs, an irony validated by Ken, who cites supply-demand issues and the state's omission of nuclear energy. The discussion also centers on the unintended socio-economic pressures of California's policies on its economically disadvantaged populace. Furthermore, Professor Miller and Host Roger Clark explore solutions like socializing electricity bills and the potential of fusion energy. They recognize the challenges each energy form presents, especially the erratic nature and storage demands of renewables.

In the podcast, Roger and Ken Miller, a distinguished professor at Claremont-Mckenna and author of Texas v. California, discuss the economic, political, and cultural differences between Texas and California. They explore young people's challenges with homeownership, contrasting economic models, and the implications of political culture and union influence on each state. While California offers extensive government support and faces a boom-or-bust revenue system, Texas maintains a low-tax, low-service model with more stable finances. The conversation also delves into cultural wars, like immigration and abortion, reflecting the broader national divide. Ultimately, they ponder the sustainability of these models and the future cohesion of the nation amidst deepening ideological divisions, expressing hope for a united path forward despite the challenges.

Steve Cooley, former Los Angeles County District Attorney, discusses the recall effort against George Gascon and provides a critical perspective on current criminal justice policies in California. Cooley discusses the complexities and controversies of the recall process, including signature verification and voter roll issues. Cooley vehemently criticizes Gascon's approach to prosecutorial discretion, arguing it compromises law enforcement and public safety. He extends the conversation to broader criminal justice reform themes, like the three strikes law and Prop 47, advocating for a balanced approach that incorporates mental health and homelessness considerations. Cooley emphasizes the need for legislative changes that reinforce law enforcement's role in safeguarding communities, while also pushing for reforms that address underlying issues within the criminal justice system. His views reflect a deep-seated concern for the implications of current policies on public safety and advocate for a more integrated approach to criminal justice reform.

In the second part of his interview, Steve Cooley, a former District Attorney, talks about important topics like crime, drug abuse, and policies. He believes that making drug possession a less serious crime, allows drug users to return to the streets prematurely to resume their drug consumption, and financially sustaining drug cartels. Cooley thinks the homeless problem in Los Angeles is caused in significant part by drug addiction and he says that jails, with appropriate treatment programs in place, could aid people to recover from their dependency on illicit drugs. He is unhappy with how mental health and addiction are being ignored. Cooley disagrees with a new rule about bail because he thinks it lets more criminals go free, risking public safety. He talks about how drug use is changing, focusing on fentanyl, and the danger from drug cartels in China and Mexico. Cooley also looks back at crime trends and criticizes the current laws and prosecutors for making public safety worse.

In the New Majority’s debut podcast episode, Steve Cooley, former Los Angeles County District Attorney, provides a candid and illuminating interview on the intricacies of public safety in California. Delving deep, he traces historical crime patterns, highlighting significant spikes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The period between 2000-2012 brought some relief as the determinate sentence law led to a notable decline in crime. Yet, the landscape shifted post-2012 with the roll-out of Propositions 47 and 57 and AB 109, resulting in unintended spikes in crime rates—most noticeably thefts, which had a domino effect on business closures. Emphasizing the pressing need to strike a balance between rehabilitation and accountability, Cooley advocates for community programs and fostering partnerships between law enforcement entities. This groundbreaking interview serves as a compelling call for collective action toward forging a safer California.