Commentary by Samuel Strait – August 7, 2022 We see it here in our local community. We see it throughout the State of California. We see it every where in this Country. What is it? The complete and total collapse of anything remotely related to the expert class of people that set themselves apart as unassailable in their opinion of how things work. The problem? Even the lowly Walmart shopper has tumbled to the fact that not all "experts" are in fact expert at anything, even that thing that they are supposed to be an "expert" at. It has become most transparent that the "Emperor isn't wearing any clothes". He has been found too many times to count as no longer competent to lead. The Media has spun so many tales that later turn out to be entirely false. Our academic class has become a riotous, collage of incompetence and fantasy land purveyors of utter nonsense. Government leadership a laughing stock, along side many of its once trusted institutions. The medical establishment has been exposed as frauds over the past two years and in many cases the source of dangerous misinformation. Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the thought police in America. Public schools, the sources of widespread consternation from parents who are suddenly and transparently greeted with what "goes on in the classroom". California, once the "Golden Child" of places many wished to call home has disintegrated at an ever more rapid pace to a violent lawless zone, full of homeless encampments, drug activity and trash laden streets. Illegal aliens flood across its southern border unchecked to its Sanctuary's open arms. Businesses and residents are fleeing to other locations. The same patterns that are infecting much of the rest of the Country, have found a home in Newsom's California. He can't seem to take care of ordinary business like provide sufficient water and electricity. A fascination with "Climate Change" as an existential threat and policies to match all the other failures under his leadership. A desert of ideas from the State's expert class. Not to forget the inability of our local leadership and government class to forget what their job is and place themselves above all else. Let the "regular people" enjoy the circuses we provides and eat cake. What more could anyone living in Del Norte County wish for? You have been given a fancy new swimming pool, toys for local law enforcement, and the fire department. Fix the roads? Too expensive! Provide better service? Not enough money. Stop whining! We in government don't see the problems that we have created. We, after all, can afford them. We gave ourselves generous raises, hired more people to lighten our load, and you expect something from us? What do you mean you can't pay your taxes, the rent, your home mortgage, your prescription drugs, gas for your car, the light bill, water and sewer. Let us in the "expert class", who got you into this mess in the first place give, you a "helping hand". But wait you say, your hand in my pocket is not the kind of help I am looking for. So much for the "experts". They come at an ever increasing, unsustainable cost. They, meaning the "expert class", have the means to shield themselves from the vagaries of the outside world and can become blissfully unaware of the trials that the "regular folks" endure. Our local "expert class" has been trumpeting the benefits of their brand of expert leadership and the utter wasteland that will ensue should their sales tax increase be taken away. Sorry, experts, we have already experienced the "wasteland" of no improvement in service, road repair, or any other benefit from the fleecing of our pockets for nearly two years. We cannot feed our families, buy food and gas, afford the increasing rent and cost of living to satisfy your need to "set yourselves apart" from those of us that did not get raises, lowering cost of living, or the ability to afford a $90,000 electric vehicle. We cannot eat the swimming pool nor the fantasy land of Front Street and Beach Front Park. Animal Control Officers, a Planner, another Code Enforcement officer, four new hires at "emergency services", rookie police officers, or fire captains will only become an additional burdens on an already overtaxed population. What is desperately needed is less "experts" and at the same time less government. Do your part in November by voting Yes on Measures "U" and "T" to reduce sales tax in this County. Enough of the "expert class".