Page 12 - February 09, 2012 be?”


“True,” I said cheerfully, “and since we’re in the neighborhood perhaps, as a professional courtesy, we should stop in.”


Cactus Jack, a friend of Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth email: pvanmid@yahoo.com The Computer Factory


Cactus Jack’s New “Fiddle”


Last weekend we took the scenic drive up to Rainbow on Rice Canyon Road. The road twists and winds its way north from Hi-way 76 through the back- country to Rainbow. We stopped for dinner at The Rainbow Oaks Restaurant. To us, it is the best comfort food restaurant in San Diego County.


After our great meal with home- made pie Nome seemed quite mellow so I took a chance. “I wonder if Cactus Jack is open today?” I asked innocently.” Nome glared at me across the table.


“You know darn well he’s open. He lives in that rat-hole computer store of his. Where else would he


Nome snorted, “Professional and courtesy are two words that don’t fit Jack.” She paused “If you really want to see Jack, buy me another glass of wine and promise me that I won’t have to get out of the car or talk to that snake.”


“It’s a deal,” I said.


I do understand why Nome doesn’t like Cactus Jack. He drinks, cusses, chews tobacco and bad-mouths everyone. He’s unethical, lies right to your face and will cheat you every chance he gets. I think it’s the fact that Jack has no redeeming qualities whatsoever that makes him so interesting. I like him.


Jacks store is a couple of miles East of Rainbow at a dusty cross- roads. We pulled into the dirt parking lot at the Rainbow Computer Emporium. Jack was in a chair on the porch of the old bunkhouse that is his home and place of business. Nome pre- tended to be asleep, snoring loudly with her mouth wide open. “Hi Jack how’s business?” I said as I climbed the steps. Jack


pushed a whiskey bottle into my open hand.


“Take a tug on this and have a seat. I’ll tell you somthin that’ll blow yer mind,” said Jack excit- edly. I hesitated but I figured the alcohol would kill any germs that Jack had backwashed into the bottle so I took a long pull and handed it back. “So what’s up Jack”?


Jack wiped the bottle top on his shirt and took a swig. “I’m in the equipment rental business and makin a fortune.” He grinned.


“What kind of equipment?” I asked.


“Stereos, TVs, sound stage ampli- fiers, computers, tablets, kitchen appliances, camping equipment, you name it, I rent it”


I turned my head and looked through the open door of Jack’s store. It was nearly empty. “Where’s your rental equipment inventory?: I asked.


“That’s the best part of all,” said Jack “I don’t need no stinking inventory.”


“I don’t get it Jack. How can you run an equipment rental business without any inventory?”


Jack leaned toward me and low- ered his voice as if he were shar- ing a dark secret. “Most of them big box stores like Fry’s and Best Buy has 15 day return policies right?” I nodded. “Folks rent from me, I go buy it, when they bring it back I return it and git my money back.”


What if they keep it for more than 15 days? I asked.


“That’s the best part,” Jack cack- led, “my rental contract says if they keep it past 10 days they own it. I got their credit card number so I charge em 20% mor’n I paid fer it.”


With that Jack stood up. “I gotta git this notebook back to Fry’s afore they close. Rented it to a feller for a business trip, he paid $25 a day for 10 days and now I’m gittin back the $495 I paid fer it. Easy money.”


Jack headed for his pick-up and I got back in the car. Nome asked, “what was that all about?” I said, “you don’t want to know.”


845 W. San Marcos Blvd, 760.744.4315 We build the best and fix the rest!


An Avoidable Cash Crisis


Last week’s action by the legisla- ture demonstrates one of the worst practices by state govern- ment: poor fiscal management. After the State Controller warned lawmakers that without action the state would run out of cash by the end of March, the majority party voted to borrow almost a billion dollars from other funds to solve the prob- lem. The liberal Democrats claimed the maneuver was neces- sary; however, the cash flow problem was avoidable.


When the liberals passed a budg- et in July, they knew that it was built upon revenue projections that were overly optimistic and unlikely to materialize. Regardless, Democrats passed their budget with a majority- vote and now, months later, rev- enues are coming in well below their estimates.


Furthermore, this “borrowing” goes against the will of voters, who just two years ago over- whelmingly


supported


Proposition 22, a measure that was designed to protect special funds from similar raids.


Californians deserve budgets that are honest and balanced, and not based on phony rev- enues or higher taxes. Stand with me and fight to ensure that government stops spending money that we don’t have.


Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes San Diego (Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley) and Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Escondido, Vista the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.


School Buses Stay on the Road


Misplaced priorities by majority Democrats resulted in recent budget reductions on several vital programs such as public safety and education. As part of the 2011 budget, the Democrats passed an unbalanced budget that called for “trigger cuts” to specific programs if rev- enue projections fell short. To make matters worse, Governor Brown has threat- ened to cut education by another $5 billion if voters do not pass his $35 billion tax increase.


One of the more unfair trig- ger cuts, caused by mis- placed priorities, took effect on January 1st of 2012 and


involved school busing pro- grams. Students left without viable transportation or those who live in rural dis- tricts are facing a serious threat to their education. In order to combat the budget shortfall, many school dis- tricts will be forced to cut into vital classroom pro- grams just to transport kids to school.


I worked with my colleagues to amend this unfair reduc- tion and restored funding to the busing program. Senate Bill 81 is currently on the Governor’s desk awaiting action. If you would like to voice your support for this important measure, please call (916) 445-2841 and urge Governor Brown to sign it.


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