Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger plays three-dimensional chess on fiscal crisis

Sacramento Bee ^ | Jan. 10, 2004 | Dan Walters

[FairOpinion]

If anyone still doubted that Arnold Schwarzenegger is not just another chiseled face, but is serious about governing -- and about repairing the state's disastrous fiscal condition -- his presentation of a new state budget on Friday should be the clincher. Faced with a $14 billion deficit in next year's budget -- about half of which stemmed from his unilateral decision to reinstate a two-thirds cut in taxes on cars -- Schwarzenegger laid out a plan that, while not entirely gimmick-free, is refreshingly straightforward. It leaves virtually no major state spending category untouched, and dips a bit into the coffers of local governments.

[FairOpinion]

Arnold playing chess with world chess champion Kasparov.

[Support Free Republic]

Hey, I don't mean to be nosey...

... but I'd really like some bacon,
or some help for FR.

[FairOpinion]

Brilliant Arnold ping.

[Texas Eagle]

Faced with a $14 billion deficit in next year's budget -- about half of which stemmed from his unilateral decision to reinstate a two-thirds cut in taxes on cars --

I want to see the numbers. I would be willing to bet that repealing the car tax will result in an increase in revenues to the state Treasury.

[Mentos]

[DoughtyOne]

I may be off base with this comment, but it had been my understanding that reducing the license fees only cust the state around $3 billion.

[lewislynn]

I would be willing to bet that repealing the car tax will result in an increase in revenues to the state Treasury.

I bought 2 new vehicles...one for the (SUV) business deduction and the other cause I can.....

[AmericanVictory]

Bump!

[lewislynn]

I'm going to vote FOR his bond measure because I want him to succeed. It will be a slap in the face to the Democrat legislators and Gray Davis

[Sloth]

[Texas Eagle]

I want to see what the revenues to the Treasury were in the months before the increase and since its repeal. If, as I suspect, that increasing the car tax resulted in a decrease in revenues and repealing it resulted in an increase, I will vote no on the bond measure. There is no reason to borrow money for 30 years when the budget can be balanced by the end of the year.

You have to remember what were talking about here is "projected" deficits, "projected" budgets, etc.

I want to see the actual numbers.

[FairOpinion]

"reducing the license fees only cost the state around $3 billion."

===

Bite your tongue! You are adopting the Dem terminology! When we keep our own money, instead of giving it to the government, that is NOT a "COST".

Also -- the article is totally misleading when it says: " Faced with a $14 billion deficit in next year's budget -- about half of which stemmed from his unilateral decision to reinstate a two-thirds cut in taxes on cars ".

Helloooo!! The overspending, and huge deficit came FIRST, BEFORE Arnold -- then Davis try to mitigate it with tripling the car tax. Arnold did NOT cause the deficit by reducing the car tax, which should never have been raised in the first place. Arnold merely REVEALED the true extent of the DAVIS DEFICIT.

[FairOpinion]

Definition of a chess player

"Everything Arnold does to advance himself (which is to say, everything Arnold does) is carefully thought through by an analytical mind that always looks many steps ahead and is acute and coldly realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of everybody in the game, himself included. "

--- quoting HENDRIK HERTZBERG from his article about Arnold in the New Yorker.

STRONGMAN

[Bommer]

"Everything Arnold does to advance himself (which is to say, everything Arnold does) is carefully thought through by an analytical mind that always looks many steps ahead and is acute and coldly realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of everybody in the game, himself included

Right. Explain his choice to star in "Last Action Hero", "Junior" and "Jingle All the Way"?

[FairOpinion]

well, nobody is right all the time, but Arnold has a pretty darn good bettin average, I would say.

Going from penniless immigrant to being in charge of the World's 5th largest economy is no small feat. Especially, since he did it through hard work and determination, brains and brawn.

[onyx]

Thanks for the ping.

Governor Arnold is a smashing success thus far. We backed and supported the right man.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with your comments and would go futher, to remind these folks that we're over $35 billion in debt, not headed for $14. Talking about $14 is rediculous in light of our current fiscal situation.

[DoughtyOne]

Most actors make their big break based on looks, or being in the right place at the right time. Schwarzenegger had to fight tooth and nail to get where he is, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obsticles, his accent and miserable initial acting abilities.

I think his having to work so hard educated him to some real world truths that most Hollywierd types have no insights about. His business acumen seems far superior to most, inclucing those holding office in Sacramento.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think his having to work so hard educated him to some real world truths that most Hollywierd types have no insights about. His business acumen seems far superior to most, inclucing those holding office in Sacramento.

The "Professional Politicians" in Sacramento have no business acumen!!!

Arnoold has proven that he has an immense amount of business knowledge.

[FairOpinion]

"The "Professional Politicians" in Sacramento have no business acumen!!!

Arnoold has proven that he has an immense amount of business knowledge."

==

It was time to send a real businessman to Sacramento.