[UNLOCKED] Jon’s Weekend Political Reading Recommendations! Articles, Charts, A Video And The Anniversary of It's A Wonderful Life!
I am perusing the web all week, and I write about some of the things I find. But I there is so much great stuff that I do not write about, but I collect for this Saturday column. Enjoy.
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Reading Recommendations!
TOP 50 GAVIN NEWSOM DISASTERS OF 2025
In “Top 50 Disasters Gov. Gavin Newsom Has Ushered into California: 2025 Edition,” the incomparable Katy Grimes, Editor-in-Chief of the California Globe, presents a forceful list of what she describes as the most consequential policy failures under Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership. Grimes combines official data with incisive commentary to outline 50 examples of governance decisions she argues have undermined economic vitality, public safety, and quality of life across California this year.
ED RING’S SOBER POST-PROP 50 ANALYSIS
In “How California’s GOP Wasted $45 Million for Nothing,” Ed Ring examines the strategic failures of the California Republican Party in the wake of the 2025 special election. Ring argues that the GOP’s problem is not just the state’s Democratic dominance but its own misallocation of resources. Rather than building grassroots strength, mobilizing voters, or saving funds for critical 2026 congressional races, the party spent $45 million on an unsuccessful advertising campaign opposing Proposition 50. Ring contends this approach accomplished little and highlights the broader decline of Republican influence in California’s political landscape. There is a lot in here. Ed’s point of view is worth a read.
WHY CALIFORNIANS WILL PAY MORE FOR ELECTRICITY
Warning: Wonky!
In the American Prospect article Why Californians Will Pay $340 More for Electricity Next Year, executive editor David Dayen and James Baratta explain how a decision by the California Public Utilities Commission could raise average household electricity costs by about $340 annually. The authors argue that allowing investor-owned utilities to collect a high “rate of return” on equity effectively overcharges ratepayers by billions, even after modest reductions, contributing to some of the highest energy prices in the nation. They frame the issue as a broader struggle over utility regulation and affordability in California.
TREMENDOUSLY INFORMATIVE DATA HERE…
Totally worth some of your time. My friend Patrick Ruffini always has informative stuff - this post is no exception.
END OF YEAR LISTS!
My friend John Hawkins writes many lists. At the end of the year are the “best of” lists. Here’s a fun one, and a painful one…
Quick Hits…
They Found A LOT of Dinosaur Tracks in the Italian Alps
How Much Do You Remember About This Year? Take The AP Quiz
Which Countries Drink The Most Wine?
Reuters Best Aerial Photos of 2025 - So Cool
One Good Chart…
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS SOURCES ON THE BIAS CHART?
One Good Video
This week, the State of Gold Podcast team released an interview with my longtime friend, Lance Christiansen of the California Policy Center. It is well worth the time…
(Note, State of Gold Podcast interviews are conducted by Jon Slavet, who is now a candidate for Governor. My running their videos should not be interpreted as an endorsement of his candidacy.)
One Long Form Story
“How the Trump Administration Is Taming the Administrative State,” by Professor Ronald J. Pestritto of Hillsdale College, examines the Trump administration's efforts to rein in the modern administrative state and restore constitutional republican governance. Pestritto, a scholar affiliated with the Claremont Institute, situates the administration’s actions within a broader historical context of the expansion of unelected bureaucratic power. He argues that recent legal and executive measures represent a concerted attempt to make federal agencies more accountable to elected officials and to curb what critics view as unchecked regulatory authority. The piece opens a symposium on reclaiming democratic control over government administration.
On This Day… In 1946…
THE PREMIERE OF IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
On this day in 1946, the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life premiered in New York. Directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore, the film tells the story of George Bailey, a small-town man who comes to believe his life has amounted to little—until he is shown what the world would look like if he had never existed.
Though now considered one of the greatest films in American history, It’s a Wonderful Life was not an immediate box-office success. Its darker themes and postwar tone initially limited its appeal. Over time, however, television broadcasts introduced the film to new audiences, allowing its message to resonate across generations.
Set in the fictional town of Bedford Falls, the movie celebrates personal responsibility, quiet sacrifice, and the enduring importance of community. Today, It’s a Wonderful Life remains a cherished holiday tradition and a powerful reminder that ordinary lives can have extraordinary meaning.
Have a great weekend! If you are a free subscriber reading this, now is the time to upgrade so you can read these every week of the New Year!
Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate!
Jon