Several communities in California are eliminating basic services and are hiring contractors to do the jobs.

San Carlos, the City of Good Living and a Silicon Valley suburb, is closing budget deficits by cutting out basic services and hiring contractors to do the jobs. San Carlos faces a budget deficit of $3.5 million on a budget of $25.8 million. Council members estimate that cutting out the police force will save $2 million. Another $500,000 will be saved by contracting out cutting of grass and cleaning restrooms. The council voted 4 to 1 to pursue the Mateo County Sheriff's Department on taking over the 32-member police force.

Earlier this year, officers and staff of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police informed government officials of a pattern of abuse surrounding allegations and the exposure of irregularities in the administration of RCMP pension and insurance funds. Since that time, CBC News has revealed that unrelenting pressure by rank-and-file RCMP employees has caused further investigation into the matter, which has resulted in the creation of a report by David Brown, the former head of the Ontario Securities Commission.

Mr. Brown's report is said to reveal that the lower-ranking force members who complained about problems "were treated very unfairly," and that officers who complained about perceived problems with administration of the funds "faced career damage." Brown's report is clear in it's suggestion that a task force be immediately put to work righting the administrative direction of the RCMP, and Brown further hints that the administration of a $3 billion financial fund structure might be beyond the capabilities of the current administration's talent.

Administrating $3 billion in pension and insurance funds ain't just buying horse chow, ya know?

A 64-year old man and his wife have holed up in their New Hampshire mansion after being sentenced to prison for tax evasion. Ed and Elaine Brown were convicted of concealing over $2 million in income, and sentenced to more than five years in prison. The couple skipped the court date, preferring to remain holed up in their home. The U.S. Marshals have said they will not use force to apprehend the couple, so everything is at a standstill for now. The Browns have apparently stockpiled an enormous quantity of food, and have an official website, MaketheStand.com, which features rambling entries questioning the right of the government to collect taxes:

The government simply says, "you must pay, because we say so," and "if you don't pay, we will throw you in jail and take all that you own."

THIS IS TYRANNY!!! If a law exists that requires the everyday average American working in the private sector in the numerous states to pay an "Income Tax," why can't the government show that law? When asked, they will never tell.

Hmm...This is an interesting case, and could be a precedent-setting one. If the government opts to allow the Browns to live out their days holed up in their mansion, will that mean that anyone who is satisfied to never leave their house won't have to pay taxes?

Call me a spend-thrift, but I'm willing to fork over a hefty chunk of my earnings if it means I can come and go as I please.