Are we, the people, tired yet of corporate governance yet?  Corporations and the wealthy elite who make up the boards of directors of corporations have gained control of government at all levels in this country.  They do this by donating extravagantly to election campaigns, by recruiting their lobbyists from the cream of the public service sector, and by placing their lackeys in control positions in the bureacracy (through extravagant donations).  With their army of highly paid lobbyists, they hound elected officials and regulators tirelessly, mercilessly, until they get what they want.  If they have to ply our government representatives with sex, drugs, meals or travel, that is the cost o

More than $3 billion –billion with a B--in campaign funds were spent in the 2008 federal elections cycle (a). If you’re a typical American, you gave almost none of that. Most of the $3 billion was given by wealthy corporations and individuals who make up the top 2% of all earners. How much is $3 billion? It’s approximately equal to what BP will pay for its screw-up in the Gulf,(b) and about the same as the drop in value of all assessed property in Sacramento County due to the economic downturn.(c) It’s similar to what 1500 Americans with a bachelor’s degree will earn in their entire lifetimes.(d).  And it was given in only one election cycle. Three billion dollars is a lot of money.  And

 It's always been a struggle for me when I bring my bike to Yosemite or any other national park.  Because of the difficulty of siting any kind of mountain bike trail, you're stuck on the paved roads with the Winnebagos and tour buses.  Frankly, that scares the snot out of me.  I wind up riding in places I shouldn't be, and that's bad too.  The International Mountain Bike Association has been working for years to improve off-pavement bicycle access in National Parks and many other places.  The Park Service has finally come up with a proposed new policy which will make it a little easier to site some trails in national parks.  There is one week left for you to get your comments in on the new