A Dose of Reality for Schwarzenegger (MClintock opposes California bond measure)

LA TImes ^ | Nov. 20, 2003 | Gregg Jones and Evan Halper

[FairOpinion]

"... the governor faced concerns from fellow Republicans over his plan to deal with California's fiscal difficulties without a tax increase.

Brulte said he expected the borrowing proposal to pass the Senate eventually. But Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) said he would vote against it, and other Republicans interviewed Wednesday echoed concerns already raised by Burton and other Democrats.

"I think it's fiscally irresponsible to use long-term, general obligation bonds to meet state expenses," McClintock said after the Senate session. "That is why, for over 100 years, the state Constitution has prohibited that practice — to prevent a prodigal generation from running up a huge debt while it parties, then passing the bill on to his children."

He added, "A deficit bond will not have my vote."

Brulte said the key to Schwarzenegger's fiscal recovery plan was a cap on state spending, a central Republican demand. "If the price I have to pay for a spending cap is a willingness to support a deficit bond, I'm willing to look at that," Brulte said. "But our prime objective is the spending cap."

[onyx]

There's little use in trying to 'eddycate' Arnold's critics regarding the amount of expenditures which are off-limit to cuts: read sweetheart pensions.

[Lancey Howard]

Your act is old. Grow up.

[onyx]

#81 --- duly noted. :)

[BibChr]

Exactly.

Either McClintock had no idea how the media would play this, in which case he's irresponsible.

Or he knew exactly how they would play it... in which case he's irresponsible.

Among other things.

Dan

[Brian Allen]

<< Obviously things need to be cut, but they can't be, overnight. >>

They can so too -- and must be!

[Austin Willard Wright]

No....lay down the gauntlet and make the point that they have no choice. It is called a game of chicken and appealing to great taxpaying majority, a strategy which Republicans seem unable even to contemplate. What does he have to lose by trying? Certainly, it is far more appealing than your "throw in the towel" before the opening bell strategy.

[Lancey Howard]

there is no way to cut enough quickly enough, without some revenue increase

"revenue increase"?
You're even talking like a Democrat now. That's a tax increase.

Taxes are monies confiscated by big government from the citizens under threat of fines, loss of homes and businesses, and jail. These monies are used by politicians to buy the votes they need to keep their cushy offices and all the power and perks that go with them.

The monies confiscated are not "revenues" - - they are taxes.

Regards,
LH

[LexBaird]

Can't it be a sincere difference of opinion?

Apparently not. No room for dissent in Fair Opinion's republican party. Anyone who disagrees has selfish motives, and is only doing it to derail the Terminator.

[FairOpinion]

"There's little use in trying to 'eddycate' Arnold's critics regarding the amount of expenditures which are off-limit to cuts: read sweetheart pensions."

===

AND:

"Economist John Matsusaka of USC estimated that about 32 percent of the state budget is tied down by mandated spending, primarily for education, and while not terribly significant on the surface, nevertheless influences spending decisions in the budget."

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20031115-014614-7517r

[FairOpinion]

"Your act is old. Grow up. "

===

Perfect thing to say to MCCLINTOCK.

[RKV]

Every day we wait the cuts will have to get deeper to make the budget balance. This is part of the RATs plan. I suggest we furlogh all state employees except police, firemen and other public safety workers NOW! Stop digging the hole deeper. Stop contracting for projects with approved bonds to limit the need for pay interest and principle. Treat this like the fiscal emergency that it IS.

[FairOpinion]

"No room for dissent in Fair Opinion's republican party."

==

Wrong. That's the way McClintock would like to run the Republican party: "It's Tom's way or no way".

[onyx]

Exactly. Good catch. Thanks for posting #109

[onyx]

Thankfully, you're in PA and thank God, Fair Opinion is here in CA with me.

[RKV]

We lose credibility when we play along - business as usual with the RATs. I agree that it is time to go straight to the taxpayers and say "the legislature wants to spend more than you want to be taxed." Set priorities and fund them, and can the rest. Then work on the state's business base by repealing regulations - by initiative if the legislature won't cooperate.

[LexBaird]

"Economist John Matsusaka of USC estimated that about 32 percent of the state budget is tied down by mandated spending, primarily for education, and while not terribly significant on the surface, nevertheless influences spending decisions in the budget.

And how did these thing become mandated? By bond issues.

The shell game works like this: The people won't pay for Project Porkbarrel, which costs $100 millon. So, the Porkbarrel folk get a bond funded for $100 million for the Firefighter's Orphans and Widows Fund, which they are currently paying for out of the general fund. Then, they eliminate the general funding for the Orphans and spend the formerly allocated money on Project Porkbarrel.

Net gain to the Orphan Fund:$0. Net gain to Pork:$100 M. Funds now mandated instead of general fund: $100M.

[FairOpinion]

As you point out, people from out of state have no vested interest.

But then again, we do have people here in CA who would like the state go bankrupt, just so they can blame Arnold -- and some of the people who think that way are right here on FR.

Makes you wonder about their real agenda, since they aren't rejoicing, as one would think real conservatives would, when Arnold is cutting the budget, proposes spending caps, proposing reforming workmans comp.

[Brian Allen]

<< The point is McC couldn't wait to voice his objection (sans his lofty solutions) of course. >>

Point taken.

I voted for Governor Swartzenegger and will continue to support him in every way possible.

But his raising taxes -- and a "bond issue" by any other name is only just a milimeter short of "inflation" among the most insidious ways of raising taxes [On the unborn!] -- is not one of them.

When you and I have max'd out all of our accounts to the point we are being charged "defaulter" rates of interest and can no longer pay our credit card bills, we do not go to Wells Fargo and/or Bank of America with any reasonable expectation of success -- and ask for more money to spend.

And Governor Swartzenegger had better be awake to them's-the-rules for the state gummint, too -- and make massive spending cuts -- or he's gunna be oudda there so quickly his feet won't touch the ground!

[onyx]

Their agenda is quite clear. Many of the Arnold bashers also bash Bush, a GOP sitting president.

[onyx]

Thnak you, Brian. As I stated, I haven't formed an opinion with regard to the bond issue. I am just sorely disappointed and a tad mad at McC for his pre-mature dissent without first offerring his solutions to Governor Arnold in private.