Arnie If You Want Real Reform Here's Where You Start

So the Governator's second round of ballot measures got the perverbial smack down last night. Every Propostion with the exception of 1F which called for cap on Legislator salaries in an economic downturn. With low voter turn-out California voters sent a very clear message they're not happy with Schwarzenegger. Why should we be. He rode in on his "Savior Horse", using the myth of his movie hero status and a wife part of a political dynasty promising to "PUMP UP CALIFORNIA". Well now that such ideas have not only been deflated but kicked to death and stuffed under the baseboards - we can turn our attention to the 2010 election and who else people think is going "save" them. Hint: it will NOT be Newsom so try not to fall for the okey doke AGAIN people!!

In the meantime an second recall initiative is officially underway. For real this time. With an October deadline and a 1M signature requirement I think it will go through. The state is currently $21B in the hole for this year alone AFTER this past budget shortfall of $53B. Now I know other states have high unemployment, high taxes and Governors who may not be the most popular *cough New York cough* BUT their states are in no way near as bad shape as California. Patterson and the NY Legislature BALANCED their budget. What's up with California? 

They can't keep blaming it on the economy. Not with Pelosi, Boxer and Feinstein being such poltical powerhouses. Not when the Governor and President have a cordial relationship. Not when the state is getting BILLIONS in stimulus funds. Sure we can point to individual politicians and the fact that passing a budget here requires a 2/3s majority - which is just plain FOOLISH. If Ah-nuld had run as a REGULAR candidate, mounted a great campaign and had won fair and square (ha) then perhaps we could take all of these other factors into consideration. Except his political ambitions got the best of him and he listened to the bees buzzing in his ear about how awesome he was....about how they could change OUR constitution to allow for a foreign-born to run for President....and the Republicans still had an iron grip on local, state and national politics in collusion with their corporate media bedmates. 

When Gray Davis was trying to get MILLIONS back to the state from ENRON who supported BUSH and BILKED us in fake fees, rate hikes and rolling blackouts, the Republicans planned for a little hostile takeover of California. And so many people fell for it that I still find it scary to this day. People were really sleeping at the wheel. Davis was no "saint" but he certainly wasn't a villian either. As soon as Arnie got in office, the Enron recompense effort was halted and I bet many people would love to have that money back NOW. He also tried to go right-wing in California of all places, by going after the unions of teachers, nurses and fire fighters and cutting our vital services. It failed spectacularly! Can you imagine if the fire fighters had held a grudge and told us to bugger off with all the wildfires that have been unleashed? 

His first set of ballot measures FAILED and there was grumbling about getting rid of him less than two years into it. He quickly saw the writing on the wall, retreated and miraculously found money to put back into education that he'd taken away. How do you "find" $2B? By the way are you aware the state spends more on incarcerating people than education? Let's think about that for a minute. Instead of PREVENTION the solution is to LOCK EVERYBODY UP. That Lynwood facility where they send all the celebs to, process and spit out due to overcrowding is one such example.

So we can blame nearly ALL the politicians for having their priorities askance. We can vote them out. But I take offense to the very idea that a man who had NO EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER made wild promises about fixing the State only to make it worse in every way possible. He should be held accountable because he said he could handle it. The budget should not be based on future projections of earnings and overinflated home prices. Non-violent criminals should be released (with discretion of course). We shouldn't have to pay a fee on top of a fee with yet still another fee. 

Yesterday's ballot measures failed because they called for an open-ended period of time of tax increases and a reduction of services to divert funds. There was no guarantee that IF the State did get that money that they'd be responsible with it. Now I know people don't like the idea of paying more taxes but if there was an even exchange for vital services it could be argued to pan out in the end. These recent increased coupled with double-digit unemployment just are just a blanket pile-on because they can't add and subtract. So now I've got to give serious consideration to living in a state that may soon resemble a third world country with the expense of the Soviet Union. 

I want to see a PLAN Arnie about how you're going to turn things around and STAT! Taxes should be proportionate. Firing teachers at public schools when you send yours to private ones is NOT a good look man. Don't threaten to "let criminals run loose" in (white) neighborhoods to manipulate votes. Don't say you're looking for buyers for State-owned properties that hold value with people. Don't force the SEIU to work for minimum wage when the average politician earns six figures AND a per diem. You look desperate, undisciplined and just plain MEAN. use some of that charm to convince people we're all in this together and you have solutions that are different from the ones you've proposed before. Otherwise I can see that recall effort picking up speed by July I guarantee it. 

Ah-Nold Channels A Little Palin & Shrub in 12 Minutes or Less

Sigh. Big Sigh. What can I say that hasn't already been said? During his latest State of the State address Schwarzenegger claimed the Dems and Repubs won't play together to agree on a budget and yet - and yet - he keeps vetoing everything put in front of him. He wants all of the non-elites to feast on cake because they'll be NOTHING LEFT after they've gutted EVERYTHING. California officially runs out of money in two weeks and he's still making excuses!! I mean this is ridiculous. He wanted to be Governator and that requires REAL LEADERSHIP. All he does is flap his gums and make excuses. He had the nerve to try to suggest that our Constitution be changed to allow foreign-borns to run for President. California is one of the largest gross national products in the world. Can you imagine how badly he would've messed up this country? Well we already have our example of ineptitude and callousness from really rich people who could care less and are incompetent. We are NOT going there again. I have my concerns (and joys) about the Obama administration but I know he's not anywhere close to some of the people running things. Geez. 

Photo: AP

Link Time

Where the future of media is headed.

Gov. Ah-nold joins Twitter but he still won't sign a budget without trying to cut the school year or raising the state sales tax to 10-10.25%. His previous attempts at gutting the SEIU, Teachers, Police, Nurses and Fire Fighters were unsuccessful though. One more year. One more year.

Coldplay joins with Oxfam in fighting global poverty. 

Blago got a recommendation for impeachment. Why didn't they do this in the first place? If you can recall so did Billy Jeff Clinton. We see how successful that one was. Fitzpatrick put in an extension request. If you're a prosecutor who needs an extra three months to do your job, you are either a hack or you have no real evidence. Which one is it?  

Host a movie screening of Violence Against Women and the Darfur Genocide and speak to experts on Feb 11th for Save Darfur and see their latest campaigns.

If you have a mother, wife, sister, cousin, or friend who's a female please support pay equality legislation. The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is back and up for vote later today. Sign or call your representative!! 

Request your representatives adopt a fair and balanced policy in negotiating a cease-fire with the Israelis. From the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

For the CA residents. Voting for delegates takes place this weekend. This is the time to get involved in the political process to gear up for the 2010 election and beyond. Despite the crappy state of the economy, it's very important to stay on top of the gatekeepers and decision makers now when the chips are down! We don't need to our interests being sold out to the highest bidder by politicians who don't care or don't have the support of enough voters to make positive changes.

A California Carol for Our Gov

T'was the day before Xmas and all through the state, disgruntled citizens are sharpening their stakes. Is that Morgan Freeman I hear or a really good impersonator? Yup, it's him. I am so relieved to know I'm not *crazy* about my outrage over the Governator's failure to lead. He tried blatant right-wing tactics when he prepared to attack nurses, fire fighters and teachers but that was quickly slapped down. He's let the budget balloon from $7B to $15B while ignoring the pending calendar year that adds on another $28B the State does not have. Now the State will run out of money in February 2009. He's claiming that he'll pass a budget without fellow Republicans to save Kah-li-fawn-ya. I'll believe it when it happens. 

The Courage Campaign put out this satirical piece (note to all the racist regurgitaters who tried to be 'cute' with the Obamas - this is how it's done) and is asking for our signatures. The end.

Our Crappy Rethug Governor Just Vetoed the Latest Budget Proposed By Democrats

Thanks for trying Assembly Speaker Bass! You're surrounded by a bunch of obstinate tools. In what can only be thought of as short-sighted and partisan, Ah-nold shot down the Democratic plan to balance a large portion of the $40B + total operating debt for the state. Lovely. New York has a similar amount of debt but their Governor is going to add a few cents to things people like, but don't necessarily need: music downloads, soda, candy and such. The Republicans want to cut an additional $10B from education (because it's for a bunch of illegals and poor folk). Let the little people eat cake, but they won't be able to s-p-e-l-l it. You know they don't send their children to public school. 

Ah-nold has been sticking it to what's left of the working class ever since the Rethugs tricked people with that recall election. It's not possible for me to be silent when it comes to the huge disaster the faded movie star has been as Governor. Thanks a lot, you downstate voters! I'm not going to repeat my thoughts on that. You can see my previous posts in the archives. My head hurts because nearly six hundred thousand people applied for unemployment this month and these power plays don't do anyone any good! They've been squabbling over this for months and not putting the voters first. California is not going back to being a Red State no matter how hard the Republicans try to screw with the infrastructure. 

No Gov't Care & Feeding Of Its Citizens

It's a Capitol Meltdown Coast to Coast! 

You know I'm getting sick of all this media attention on the juvenile antics of the Serbian Governator. He's corrupt! Get over it and get rid of him already. You know he's not going to voluntarily step down when that's his main base of power - and cover. He might be arrogant and a little gangsta but he ain't that stupid! President-Elect Obama stayed far away - as did apparently most of the elected officials in IL who wanted to dodge mud and poo. Nice try corporate media and thanks for continuing to sleep on Bush's final F-U to the American people like allowing concealed weapons in national parks or rolling back environmental protections. Of course let's not forget about his threat of martial law and subsequent parting gift: $900B and counting to the "Wall Street Elite/Crooked Class of 2008" with no questions asked. Now can we PLEASE move on!

The $14B bailout requested by the titans of the auto industry failed to pass the Senate 52-35 thanks to the Republicans! They want to whittle away pensions, health benefits and paid leave so the UAW members earn similar (MUCH LESS) benefits than the foreign-based auto employees. The UAW has drawn its line in the sand. They may end up on the unemployment line though. Apparently this is the new (but old depending on who's history you recall) American way! Bust all unions until there's nothing left so a few people can become even richer off the backs of workers. Of course they had no problem building wealth with forced enslavement and breeding before so I guess this is just a  minor screw-over. Gee thanks!

*Might I add these politicians have not given up THEIR health benefits or paid time off.

Rounding this Oh-So-Fun-To-Watch-A-Politician-Not-Give-A-Damn-Day, we tour the lovely halls of (in)justice in Sacramento, where the CA state budget deficit has nearly doubled to just shy of $14B. Ah-nold reminds us every day this is what happens when you hire an action star to pretend to be a politician away from the movie set when you can't say, "Cut!" No budget has been passed - and surprise surprise - it's the Republicans mucking it up here as well. In case anyone thinks I'm being unfair and biased against the Rethugs I'd like to remind you they held a special election that cost $30M+ to oust Grey Davis when he was trying to get back the millions that Bush proxy company Enron had stolen from electric customers and caused fake rolling blackouts. When your bill jumps from $60 to $500 from one month to the next with no change in usage you are being robbed! I'm trying to spruce up my employment skill set but still can't register for Spring Semester because my school has suspended enrollment. 

New Rule: 

NO POLITICIAN SHOULD GET PAID OR BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE FOR A VACATION WHEN THEY ARE HOLDING UP LEGISLATION THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS US.

I mean it only seems fair that they should suffer a little inconvenience when millions are in REAL AGONY! Can somebody explain to me why we're living the title of a Chinua Achebe novel? I know there's a lesson that needs to be learned but this is very disconcerting. What do you think? 

Update 12/19: So Bush has decided to throw the US Automakers a bone. It comes with lots of strings attached and demands the reduction of pay and benefits of the UAW to those of the foreign automakers. Now how are they supposed to do that? Cut off the pensions of the retirees? Cut out their health insurance? This is how the gov't busts a union while claiming to help. It seems this was the plan all along.

Schwarzenegger Wants to Tax the Poor to Fix the Budget

Can this please be the LAST TIME people fall for an unqualified Republican Hollywood actor for Governor? What were people thinking??!! The State of California is even more in the hole than expected, like $11B. First he tried to reduce the SEIU employees to slave-wage status and illegal union busting and now he wants to slap all of us with a 1.5% increase of the state sales tax. It would go from the super high 8.5% to the uber ridiculousness of 10%. That would increase the expenses of every person by several thousand dollars per year. Add that to the cash-strapped, out of work citizenry and I see a massive riot on the horizon. I will definitely take to the streets for this one! 

This guy was supposed to 'save' us remember? He was smart, married to a Kennedy and promised to shake things up. You cannot tell me with all his connections and resources that he didn't see the pending housing bubble implosion. He has access to information we could have used to prepare ourselves. He based the state budget on revenues from over-inflated sources. It was never going to last. I bet he was hoping it would until he left office then like Bush he could dump the entire mess on the next person to take office. 

Leaders are supposed to LEAD. I am tired of the Republican excuse of "gov't spends too much" to cover the fact they can't balance a budget. As far as I'm concerned he should not be allowed to get away with this. Find another way, Arnold. Reduce the per diem for state employees already making more than $100K. Better yet - get rid of it. They'd still have their jobs and right now they should be glad for that. Sell more bonds. Kick in some of your money, but stop hitting the pocketbooks of the least amongst us by cutting vital services AND raising taxes.   

I urge EVERYONE to PROTEST!!! I wish we could hold a recall election but it's too late. 

SF Governor's Office:
455 Golden Gate Avenue
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San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803
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