It's Time to Sing a New Tune on the Budget(Schwarzenegger vs. Republicans)

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap8jul08,1,3602142.column?coll=la-headlines-california ^ | July 8, 2004 | George Skelton

[ElkGroveDan]

But more glaring has been the Republicans' carping about Schwarzenegger's apparent caving in to Democrats on spending — especially for higher education and the disabled, aged poor and welfare moms.

"Republicans are really a sack of ingrates," asserts one Schwarzenegger advisor, who asked not to be identified.

[ElkGroveDan]

You really have to read the whole thing. Click on the link.

[RockinRight]

Arnold is a RINO. He's definitely not the same as the last actor-turned governor--he doesn't hold a candle to Ronnie Reagan, but then again, who does?

I like Arnold but he needs to get with the program. Even in his campaign he said spending was out of control.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

You must register to read rest of story.
Every time you register at a liberal site it helps
their ad department!

[goldstategop]

George "Slumberin" Skelton is the Los Angeles Times liberal Sacramento Bureau chief. As usual, he paints the State Legislature's Republicans as the font of all evil. We don't need this budget and better no budget than one that brings us back to the same situation next year. Skelton doesn't really get it.

[tobyhill]

Now companies with over 50 employees must provide a fund to allow employees half normal paid time off for care of specified individuals. I see abuse written all over it. It's the only state to do this. Talk about Bankrupt state! Companies will be moving out of California in groves. In 2008, I expect at least a reduction in half of their electorial votes.

[ElkGroveDan]

As usual, he paints the State Legislature's Republicans as the font of all evil.

More importantly this diehard tried and true liberal is criticizing Republicans for not caving in on Arnold's budget deals with Democrats. What does that say about Arnold?

[NormsRevenge]

" more of the same " Bump

[Ghost in the Machine]

A click on the link takes me right to a registration page.

I'm not giving the LA Times the time of day, let alone an email address, or IP hit.

[eyespysomething]

http://www.bugmenot.com

[goldstategop]

If you want to know what Skelton wants, he wants Republicans to raise taxes in exchange for a Democratic willingness to cut spending. As if increasing the already oppressive tax burden on Californians is the moral equivalent of the state's reckless spending on all manner of social programs that has driven California's budgets into the red year after year. What he really wants is to see the Republican Party self-destruct. If the Governor and Republicans are stupid enough to take his advice, that may happen. They can avoid this trap if they consider whar Skelton says below:

Republicans have good reason to moan, but — with the exception of Richman — they also should be pointing fingers at themselves. Richman was the only Republican lawmaker last year who advocated a tax increase to help make ends meet.

You can't expect Democrats to pare back state employee pensions and benefits, let alone cut healthcare for the poor and disabled, unless Republicans lift their blockade of new taxes. Democrats aren't going to make welfare moms and middle-class civil servants sacrifice without extracting higher taxes from California's richest residents.

And any governor or legislator who believes California can truly balance its books — stop cooking numbers and rerunning gimmicks — without raising taxes is haplessly fantasizing.

Hill consistently has said the state "will not be able to simply grow its way out" of the structural deficit, even with a rebounding economy. ...

When will Sacramento politicians summon the courage to put everything on the table — spending and taxes? When the governor gets brave enough to risk his political capital and lead, especially his own party. Most likely next year.

Liberal media bias? Say it ain't so. Skelton's cheerleading on behalf of the Democrats' tax and spend agenda and his slam against Governor Schwarzenegger and the Republican Part for having the temerity to resist it, is as clear as the light of day.

[Ghost in the Machine]

That is *way cool!* Thanks!

I don't think it increased my knowledge, however. That's the fault of the writer, not your kewl website.

[Carry_Okie]

You can't expect Democrats to pare back state employee pensions and benefits, let alone cut healthcare for the poor and disabled, unless Republicans lift their blockade of new taxes.

This is blatant misrepresentation. The State can't pare back those benefits because they are contracts with unions and Skelton knows it.

[goldstategop]

I was never under the illusion Arnold was a conservative. So far he has held the line on taxes. That may go by the boards if he does what Skelton wants. In that case, it'll be decades before conservatives get elected in California again for Republicans will be blamed both for the spending cuts and the tax increases. The Democrats haven't blocked cuts for nothing. They simply want to shift the cost of their own folly onto the other party which will get blamed anyway even though its not a majority in the State Legislature.

[goldstategop]

Yes. And the Democrats refuse to tear up the union contracts since the unions happen to be major contributors to the politicians here.

[Carry_Okie]

It doesn't work unless one accepts cookies.

I don't.

[eyespysomething]

Ahhhh, thanks for that info.

[goldstategop]

I'm registered with the three big print national dailies. Its good to keep your friends closer and your enemies closer still.

[Carry_Okie]

And the Democrats refuse to tear up the union contracts since the unions happen to be major contributors to the politicians here.

I'm not sure they have the legal power to do it. The only real alternative is to outsource and the state has all kinds of legal walls in the way of that.

[ElkGroveDan]

his slam against Governor Schwarzenegger and the Republican Part for having the temerity to resist it

Far from resisting it, Schwarzenegger is egging it on. He has done little or nothing to reign in government growth. All he has done to balance this budget is to embrace the same smoke and mirrors borrowing gimmicks that Davis did.

[goldstategop]

Either way a handle on the budget is not going to happen any time soon. My guess is they'll paper over this problem for years to come and ignore the constitutional requirement of a balanced budget because the politically easy way out is also the least painful one. They're not going to get punished for passing a "balanced budget" built on funny money and other gimmicks.