Free Republic

**SNIP** The expanded hardship exemption, for instance, "opened a major can of worms," wrote analyst James Capretta on the Weekly Standard blog. "The administration said for months that the mandate would not be waived for anyone, even those with canceled policies, and it vowed a veto of any delay legislation coming out of Congress. Now the rules have been changed, and some families who have committed to pay thousands of dollars in insurance premiums will feel very personally betrayed by an untrustworthy administration." They join millions of others who are reeling from massive premium increases under this onerous law. Over...

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger swept into office in 2003 promising to end the state's pattern of "crazy deficit spending," cut up the government credit cards for good and force the state to finally live within its means. So much for that. Experts say the state's spending habits are no more restrained than they were when Schwarzenegger arrived in Sacramento four years ago. The budget has grown by a staggering 40%. Costly programs have been launched. And spending has continued to outpace tax receipts year after year -- even years when housing and tech booms led to cash windfalls. Now...