Make a deal - Progress begins in budget responsibility

Arnold Schwarzenegger is plainly underrated as an actor. At a campaign-style appearance Tuesday in San Diego, the governor held aloft a giant mock credit card labeled "California," then crumpled it and threw it away, declaring he was taking the credit card away from politicians. The performance left us marveling at his ability to enter the realm of pure fantasy.

This article makes no sense.

First they mention the merits of LONG TERM financing, then attack Arnold's plan although it is the longer term plan, requiring fewer budget cuts.

We are winning, the Liberals are losing their minds.

The governor is right that Californians want budget action. But any action the Legislature takes this week ought to improve the state's fiscal situation, not make it worse, as Schwarzenegger proposes.

For all the hype, pro and con, Schwarzenegger has shown little leadership. His two "achievements" were both accomplished because of the will of the people, not by any significant leadership on his part. Both the illegal increase in the VLF and the unwise inclusion of illegal aliens in our society were already headed to the legal dumpster before Schwarzenegger hitched a rid.

And know we come to Schwarzenegger's solution to the budget crisis. No heroics from the governor's office. Instead a plan to further indebt the state and creation of a legislative boggey man, the spending cap. Under the spending cap no one has to take a risk to lead, you just get to squabble away under the protection of the limit. No risky calls for the obvious, moderate reductions in spending, 9% -12% for only 18 months, but instead a call for massive borrowing that spares necessary cuts in a utopian budget.

From my perspective Schwarzenwegger/(Wilson/Rove) is an oppurtunist rather than a leader. He/(they) put his/(their) finger into the wind, gagued the public temperment and took the path more frequently traveled.

Ouch! re: your assessment. Opportunity knocked and look what waltzed in. LOL (adjusts my asbestos undies) Want a pair for Xmas? I get 'em Real Cheap, Made in China. ;-)

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