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About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in add... (More)

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Elon Musk knows how to tap the government till

Uploaded: Jul 23, 2015

There is lots to like about entrepreneur Elon Musk and his various enterprises.
He has launched a successful car company, Tesla that has surpassed the Prius as the vehicle of choice for those wealthy enough to afford it.
His SpaceX program has demonstrated that private enterprise can launch satellites successfully and return the rocket for re-use.
His solar panel company, SolarCitiy Corp. is a leader in that industry.
He also has mastered the art or practice of tapping Uncle Sugar and his states for maximum contributions to his enterprises.
Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times ran a long piece detailing how much government money has gone into his various companies. Neither Musk nor the executives of the three companies would comment to the Times for the record.
The story points out that Musk has garnered $4.9 billion in government incentives to build and install solar panels or to locate a massive battery plant near Reno, NV. The Nevada deal alone was $1.3 billion.
In Buffalo, the state is spending $750 million to build a factory for SolarCity that the firm will rent for $1 per year. The deal also includes no property tax for 10 years, saving another $260 million.
The solar panel company also received $497.5 million in direct grants from the federal government.
Tesla also has collected more than $517 million from competing auto companies buying environmental credits.
Musk is a talented engineer and businessman, who sure knows how to tie his companies into the troughs filled with taxpayer's funds.

What is being lost in the discussion about gay marriage and the explosion of out-of-wedlock births is a focus on the children.
Marriage between one man and one woman has been foundational for centuries because it is the best way to nurture and raise children. Both mom and dad have key roles.
As American society has evolved or deteriorated depending on your viewpoint, the focus has been on what the adults want, not what's best for the kids. Research shows that outcomes are best for children when they are raised in a stable home with a mom and a dad. Long-term marriages also follow demographics: the better educated the parents, the more likely the marriage will endure and children will have brighter futures.
Move down the demographic ladder and the chances of out-of-wedlock birth soar.

Comments

Posted by Formerly Dan from BC, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 8:29 am
Formerly Dan from BC is a registered user.

Quick question: So if Bruce Jenner = Woman, can't Mom = Man?

>Tongue planted firmly in cheek<

Of course you are correct regarding Mothers and Fathers but you know some will come on here and INSIST that biology is a social construct.

Regarding Elon Musk, he receives nothing that couldn't be taken away easily if our politicians had the stones to stop the practice. And just how much has Mr. Musk contributed to campaign funds...eh?

p.s.

His space company IS kinda cool though!

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 9:09 am

The Washington Post 2014 - Web Link

What matters most is if children are loved, receive proper medical/dental care, attend excellent schools, and are able to initiate and sustain healthy relationships with family, friends, and within their communities.

VIVA CHILDREN! VIVA!

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Posted by john, a resident of another community,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 9:10 am

for some reason the media and other experts seem to be fascinated with government subsidies going to solarcity and other alternative energy organizations.

at the same time the massive subsidies (many times that which solar receives) for oil, gas and coal, are ignored,despite those companies being the most profitable on the planet.

why don't we eliminate ALL subsidies. the only thing that going to happen is the true cost of burning fossil fuels will be clear and solar will be shown to be an even better deal that it already is.

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 9:47 am

Wedlock is not necessarily one of my values. If a single parent does his/her best and provides their child with love, medical care, puts their child/children in good schools, and has a loving family/supportive friends, children will thrive.

Life is not perfect and raising children is a blessing and seriously hard work.

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Posted by Damon, a resident of Foothill Knolls,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 12:19 pm

"What is being lost in the discussion about gay marriage and the explosion of out-of-wedlock births is a focus on the children."

Interesting that you're tying the two separate issues - gay marriage and the explosion of out-of-wedlock births - together, Tim. In fact, there's a bit of irony in it because the explosion of out-of-wedlock births as well as children in broken homes points to a failure and breakdown in traditional marriage as practiced by many hetrosexuals. Less than half of all kids in the US today live in 'traditional families'. If children can find happiness in a family with two Dads or one with two Moms, and if you sincerely care about the welfare of these children, don't you agree that they are better off in such a family than one run by a single mother or single father or a dysfunctional 'traditional' family?

Oh, BTW, that champion of traditional family values and critic of gay marriage recently announced that she was pregnant with yet another out-of-wedlock baby.

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Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 12:30 pm

Marriage is a business arrangement and not a whole lot more.

Children that are loved and cared for are always better off in this world.

The number of parents and or whether or not they het/hom doesn't matter.

I believe that parents who have an extended family can all contribute in some way so that a child has a better life.

Give a kid a chance and they will THRIVE! If that's not cool, then I don't what is.

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Posted by Wayne Smith, a resident of Dublin,
on Jul 23, 2015 at 6:19 pm

What a load of crap. Utter religious drivel. Marriage is nothing but an ownership contract. Research has proven that atheist families are saner, more intelligent, have more empathy and are more honest than crazy religious families.

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Posted by San Ramon Observer, a resident of San Ramon,
on Jul 28, 2015 at 11:46 am
San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

Well I was going to post the same things Damon and Cholo said, but they said it fine. A good home is what the people inside of it make it, not what the people outside of it perceive.

Roz

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Posted by Casanova_Frankenstein , a resident of Old Towne,
on Jul 29, 2015 at 7:16 pm
Casanova_Frankenstein is a registered user.

"Marriage between one man and one woman has been foundational for centuries because of homophobia."

Fixed that for ya!

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