Inland Empire Progressive

                                                                 Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Every democracy relies on trust in the courts. Without it, laws mean little more than the whims of whoever happens to be in power. But in America today, that trust is being shredded by conservative activist judges who have decided that restraint is optional, precedent is disposable, and conservative ideology is the law of the land. Politico  recently reported that a powerful immigration appeals court just declared anyone in deportation proceedings who entered the U.S. without authorization is automatically barred from even asking for bond. Translation: immigrants can now be locked up indefinitely with no chance to argue for release, even if they have jobs, families, or strong legal claims t...

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash Rep. Jay Obernolte lack of oversight of  ICE  detention facilities in our district threatens those facilities to become the Auschwitz of Adelanto and Dachau of Desert in California City. The reopening of California City Correctional Facility (CCCF) as an ICE detention center, operated by the private prison company CoreCivic, is a troubling development that demands oversight.  CCCF was once slated for closure as part of Governor Newsom’s broader effort to reduce California’s prison population. But with the federal government ramping up deportations under the Trump administration, the facility has been repurposed to detain immigrants—many of whom have no criminal record and are simply seeking a better life. Representative Obernolte has stated otherwise in a Facebook post when he visited the facility but provided no concrete evidence except to trust his word.   Economic gain should never come at the expense of human dignity. ...

                                                                      Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash Democrats need to hold a Mid-Term Convention. Given the stakes, that’s not just a good idea, it may become essential. During this fucked-up timeline that we are all living in, Democrats need to think creatively and always be on offense, instead of constantly reacting to what Republicans. I'm tired of Democrats being a day late and a dollar short. A convention provides a platform to unify around a coherent theme. Democrats can similarly use a midterm convention to frame what’s at stake in 2026 (Congressional control; protecting democratic institutions; defending rights) and focus on the future. A large, visible gathering can generate energy: fundraising, media attention, vo...

Photo by Lea Kobal on Unsplash Something ugly is happening in our district: we are becoming a two-tier economy. The top earners are roaring ahead with inflated asset values, low mortgages rates, and strong returns on investments — while the bottom is sliding into stagflation! Make no mistake, the conservative economic policies supported by Representative Jay Obernolte and his MAGA republican allies failing the district.  The data paint a stark picture: Wage growth for the bottom third of earners is doing almost nothing, only 0.9% in August 2025. That’s the smallest gain since 2016. The top third saw 3.6% growth in the same period. That’s a huge divergence, and it’s only getting worse.  Spending patterns mirror this gap. The higher earners are spending more; the lower earners are cutting back, squeezed by higher housing costs, inflation, limited wage growth, and tougher job prospects.  These trends aren’t just statistics. They translate into households that can’t make end...

Shane Shifflett from Bay Citizen has reported on debt that local school districts have indebted the taxpayers with and it ain't pretty. SBVC had to retrofit buildings that were built on fault lines back in the day and the campus looks very modern and professional. If only Capital Appreciation Bonds can be renegotiated, leaving the taxpayers on the hook for half a billion dollars in debt just seems criminal. Just look at these interest payments! We need to replace that caps that were in place pre-2009 as Shifflett reports: "Ohio, for instance, prohibits the type of ballooning debt structures found in many California deals by requiring bonds to maintain a flat debt service. That means the annual payment amount must remain roughly the same each year. California removed its flat debt service requirement on long-term bonds in 2009 with the passage of AB 1388. The bill was sponsored by the California Public Securities Association, which lobbies state lawmakers on behalf ...

With the recent release of portions of Jeffrey Epstein’s “birthday book” the public deserves a full accounting of what the FBI is hiding and why over terabytes of documents, videos, and recording remain withheld by Jay Obernolte and the Trump administration. Jay Obernolte's reluctance to sign the Discharge Petition by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna is a lesson in cowardice. The release of these files is about justice for the victims, the rule of law, and restoring trust in institutions that are meant to protect the vulnerable. However, Rep. Jay Obernolte continues to side with the pedophiles by protecting the powerful. According to the discharge petition direct the Department of Justice to publicly disclose all records pertaining to the investigation of Jeffery Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.  This would include unclassified records referring or relating to Epstein's detention and death; flight logs of aircraft owned or used by  Epstein ,  individuals named in conn...

  Fight the Oligarch! Eat the Rich! While I agree with the sentiment, I just do not see the policies that channel this anger into policy action. While the moderates, such as Third Way and Center for American Progress are steadily building their power by making policies that can be sold, I do not see the same planning going or work from the Progressive side.   If anyone knows of an organization working on these issues let me know. What I'm looking for is a deep dive into the policy weeds on how to leverage government to enact our vision for the world. A Project 2025, but for the Left that lets us change government on Day One. Progressives believe in government to solve problems and be the bulwark against powerful business interests. I do not believe that the current representation of Progressives is a building the foundation necessary to achieve long term results.  The one thing that I have to thank President Trump for is that he has thrown out the norms and shown wha...

Trump had asked the United States Tennis Association to limit the reactions that it showed to audiences on television. But resistance comes in many forms and Trump received mix reactions as of both cheers and boos when his image was shown.  But what does this mean for Jay Obernolte and the Inland Empire?  Trump's popularity has severely dipped since he took office in January. This means that Obernolte has to tread with caution on how hard he can embrace Trump. Trump might be popular with the base, but Progressives, Moderates, and Independents are souring on Trump. Democrats would be wise to tie Obernolte to Trump as closely as possible to ensure that the coattails of Trump's unpopularity carry Obernolte out with him.

  I was listening to a Health Advocacy groups webinar and one of the staff said in Washington there is a lot of anti-California sentiment from the Congressional Republicans and the President. This made sense to me because every time I hear Jay Obernolte talk about California and the laws he passes concerning it why does he have glee in his voice. He was a proud sponsor of  HR 89  to block California's emission standards.  He was a proud co-sponsor of  HR 88  to block California's efforts to combat climate change. I thought conservatives were all for state's rights, but I guess that only applies when Republicans are in charge.  In 2026, we have to send a message to the California Republican delegation that either you stand with California, or you stand with President Trump. Defend California and its laws and institutions are find yourself on the outside looking in. 

President Trump has thrown the gauntlet down by scheming with Texas Republicans to pursue mid-decade redistricting.  California has understood the assignment and know that these times are not the time for strongly worded letters but for action. Modern Republicans only understand one thing and that is power. California Democrats are flexing that power to protect the Republic. Now, California Republicans are crying about it. From the piece in  Politico  about California Redistricting efforts:  “It’s a guillotine,” said Dale Quasny, a party delegate and real-estate broker from suburban Los Angeles County. “We won’t be able to pick up the pieces and move forward. I mean, we were making a little headway, but this would be a catastrophe.” Obedient Obernolte has kept his head down, so our district will pick up more territory in Riverside County and we won't be hit too hard with more conservatives entering our district. This means Dems from CA23 have to hustle harder to lear...