I always read Jon Coupal's California Commentary for a chuckle, but the July 1 commentary was particularly laughable.

Mr. Coupal, our congressional leaders and president do not “hold the levers of power,” they were actually elected by the vast majority of voters (unlike Mr. Obama's predecessor). These voters, who far outnumber you “tea-bagger” types, do not believe that health care reform, economic stimulus, etc. are similar as you claim to the “demands of the King of England.” Mr. Coupal, you whine that Democrats want to “perpetuate their own power,” but never once did you or your organization complain about the Bush presidency which used raw power to win “elections” and give gifts to their corporate benefactors. But then Mr. Coupal, you and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association know how to cow-tow to corporate benefactors.

You and your organization were paid millions of dollars to assist Meg Whitman spend her way into the Republican nomination for governor. Your advertisements totally misrepresented the views of Mr. Poisner regarding Proposition 13. Ever since the US Supreme Court ruled on Proposition 13, homeowners have never, ever been threatened with a property tax increase. The only changes to Prop. 13 Mr. Poisner and others have suggested are to limit corporate loopholes. These loopholes allow corporations to sell land many times with no reassessment - a privilege not available to homeowners. But your big lie is that you protect homeowners when you actually protect corporate benefactors.

Spare me your ridiculous, appalling lecture on voting. You never worried about voting when you and your organization accepted money from your hero, Meg Whitman, who hasn't voted for 30 years or so because she “had better things to do.”

I would much prefer that public services be provided by people who are elected and accountable rather than corporations such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and BP who are only accountable to their shareholders or board of directors.

Jim Evans