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Author: Leslie Eastman

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Leslie Eastman

I am an Environmental Health and Safety Professional, as well as a science/technical writer for a variety of news and professional publications. I have been a citizen activist since 2009, and am one of the co-founders of the San Diego-based group, Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition.

The Obama administration once touted Covered California as a wonderful example of state health insurance exchanged. However, in the wake of more freedoms offered to Americans under President Trump (e.g., the end of the individual mandate), it turns out many Californians are opting out of forced purchase of health insurance.  This is especially true as premiums are set to soar.
According to an analysis by the Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP), enrollment drops in exchange based plans managed by Covered California could result in as many as 1.2 million more uninsured Californians in 2019.

The U.S. has trumped Hong Kong to retake first place among the world’s most competitive economies, thanks to faster economic growth and deregulation that is promoting innovation. The Switzerland-based IMD World Competitiveness Center, which conducted the analysis, had Singapore, the Netherlands, and Switzerland rounding out the top 5 spots.

As this is Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to share with you details about an engrossing book I just finished, which is related to both World Wars.

Earlier this week, my colleague Mary Chastain reported that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is pouring money into key districts in southern California. The Democrats are counting on taking seven seats in deep blue California to help get them to the 23 seats needed to win to take back the House of Representatives from the Republicans.  After a Democrat-majority House takes over in January, then it's time for impeachment of President Donald Trump.

We have been following "The Most Interesting Governor's Race in the Nation", as California's "jungle primary" system offers a sizeable selection of gubernatorial hopefuls. Because of the primary rules, it is quite possible that two Democrats will be the ones on the General Election ballot. However, it is hoped that the Republicans can consolidate behind one of their better-known candidates: Businessman John Cox or State Assemblyman Travis Allen.

President Donald Trump hosted another roundtable with citizens this week. This one focused on California's contemptible "Sanctuary State" polices, and he praised several California political leaders for fighting against Sacramento rules.
City and county officials from across the state who oppose California's sanctuary-state law sat down with President Donald Trump Wednesday to voice their objections to the law, and they got a pep talk from the president who slammed the state for failing to crack down on illegal immigration.