Why Subscribe?

** When you read below, you will see that those who upgrade to a paid subscription by 9/15 get a special discount, and a guaranteed lower rate forever!**
A Special Message From Jon Fleischman

This Substack is your guide to California policy and politics — sharp, candid, conservative, and refreshingly independent from any pressure to write a particular story or a particular way. Whether it’s breaking news, deep analysis, or behind-the-scenes perspective, I cut through the noise to flag what matters, and why.

While I have a clear point of view, I’m not beholden to any party, politician, or power structure. I call it like I see it — and let the chips fall where they may.

Since launching in May, thousands of readers have joined. The momentum is real. THANK YOU!

If you’re new here, or you haven’t subscribed yet — now’s the time to jump in.

👋 Who’s Behind This?

I’m Jon Fleischman, and I’ve spent over 35 years in the trenches of California politics. I’ve worked at every level of government, advised hundreds of campaigns, and written more than 2,500 political columns.

You may have seen me on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC or election night coverage in California. My work or my analysis has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Politico, New York Times, and virtually every major California paper and tv stations in every market.

What readers say they appreciate most is this:

✅ Candor.

✅ Clarity.

✅ Consistent insight you can’t get anywhere else.

✅ I don’t pretend to be neutral. I promise to be honest.

🎯 What’s the Mission?

So, Does It Matter? is for people who care about what’s happening — not just what happened, but what it means.

This isn’t punditry from the sidelines. It’s an inside perspective on how policy gets made, who’s pulling the levers, and what’s coming next.

🆓 What Free Subscribers Get

You don’t need to pay a dime to get value. Free subscribers receive:

✅ Daily weekday column

🎥 Weekly video commentary or Substack Live

🗞 “ICYMI” news round-up each weekend

📬 Occasional free access to afternoon posts

🚨 Breaking news alerts (further analysis is behind the pay wall)

💰 What Paid Subscribers Unlock

The price? $6/month or $60/year (but if you sign up before 9/15 you get a lifetime guarantee of $5/month or $50/year).

If you want more depth, more frequency, and more access — this is the tier for you.

In addition to everything you get for free, you also get…

✅ All weekday afternoon columns

📎 What Jon Is Reading – curated stories and insights every Saturday

🗣️ Exclusive interviews every 1–2 weeks

🌙 Evening posts as warranted, and analysis

💬 Ability to comment and join the discussion

🔎 Full breakdowns when I deliver breaking news — not just the hard news, but what it means

🏛 Want to Go Bigger?

Join the Patriot or Elite Tier

Some readers want to do more — to help expand the reach of this work and support independent journalism in a deeper way. Substack allows one special tier beyond paid subscriptions — the “Founding Member.” I’ve split that into two supporter levels:

💼 Patriot Tier — $150/year

Offered via Substack’s Founding Member option

Patriot Members receive:

✅ All paid subscriber benefits

🎥 Invited To A Quarterly Zoom call

📬 Insider tidbits and nuggets that regular paid members do not receive.

💡 Priority input on column topics

📱 My private cell number (for texting questions, tips, or feedback)

Subscribe at the $150 level…

🦅 Elite Tier — $299+/year

Manually join via the Founding Member box by entering $299 or more, or contact me directly for PayPal/Venmo options. (Jon@SoDoesItMatter.com)

Elite Members receive everything from the Patriot tier, plus:

🍳 Coffee, breakfast, or lunch when you’re in Orange County

🎥 A Zoom session for you, your group, or organization

🙏 My deepest appreciation — and personalized acknowledgment

To join:

  • Select “Founding Member” and enter a minimum of $299+, or

  • Reach out for an alternate payment method

    📌 Final Word

    California shapes the future of American politics. What happens here matters everywhere.

    So, Does It Matter? is for readers who want to understand the why behind the headlines — from someone who’s worked behind the scenes, followed the money, and knows where the pressure points are.

    Whether you’re here for the free posts, full subscriber access, or as a top-tier supporter.

    Thanks for being here. I’m all in on making it worth your time.


    — Jon


    P.S. Do you have any questions? Drop me a line at jon@sodoesitmatter.com.

User's avatar

Subscribe to So Does It Matter? - with Jon Fleischman

All CA politics and policy penned by longtime CA political strategist Jon Fleischman. Jon's analysis and opinions have been featured on FoxNews, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Politico, WSJ, NY Times, WashPost, and all of California's major dailies!

People

Publisher and columnist for the FlashReport.org Website on California Politics. My opinions are my own.