Posted on 08/26/2004 1:35:08 PM PDT by TexasCowboy
"There is apparently no limit to the insanity in California. For the umpteenth time in the long and sordid tale of AB-50, the California Assembly voted on the bill and the bill lost by a 35-36 margin.
That was voting by the rules.
But the rules seem to matter very little in Sacramento. Shortly after voting to send the fifty caliber ban to a well-deserved grave, California Democrats called for a "re-vote" and we watched as a handful of Democrats pressed the vote button at their own desk, then calmly walked to the empty desk of another member of the Assembly and voted a second time. This, we learn, is what California Legislators call "Ghost Voting." Nobody there is shocked because "they do it all the time."
Ah, I see...
As an American whose last "do over" was somewhere around the third grade, I was stunned.
What they casually call "ghost voting" seems to me like a complete abrogation of the whole voting concept. So who gets two votes? Does anybody get three? What can California residents hope for when their fundamental system of government has been reduced to a series of childish games?
These questions will boggle the rational mind until Californians decide to trust the reins of government to those who believe in silly, outdated ideas like rules and procedure, or "one equal vote for all." That matter is beyond our hands. What is before us is the last step on AB-50s road to becoming the greatest farce put into state law.
We are turning our attention to the new Governor of California, called to office by Californians sick of that very status quo and "politics as usual" mindset. This will be a chance for Governor Schwarzenegger to step up to the plate and put the fiscal needs of every tax-paying citizen ahead of backroom deals and wink-wink do-overs. We know he is strong, sharp and savvy. Let's see if he is also faster than AB-50's ghost runner on third base.
If you have been waiting for the "right moment" to take action, this is your last chance.
If you have fought tirelessly to defend your rights in California, it's gut-check time.
Please contact the office of Governor Schwarzenegger by email, fax or by phone and urge him NOT TO SIGN AB-50.
For the record:
The Governor announced his "10 Point Plan" for California's economic recovery.
In that plan he states critical elements to be (using his numbers):
Point 2: Freeze spending and launch an audit of the state budget.
Yet the Assembly passed a new budget item (AB-50) which contains a multi-million dollar "PR campaign" to warn citizens of nonexistent "dangers" that have never occurred.
Point 3: Call the Assembly into special session to make further spending cuts and reduce the budget imbalance. Cuts are expected to hit the elderly, children, education, highways, prisons and transit. In spite of this, the Assembly passed a multi-million dollar bill to outlaw a rifle that has never been used in a crime in the state.
THIS IS IT FOLKS, we are doing all we can but much is up to YOU.
Contact the Governor TODAY and urge him NOT TO SIGN AB-50.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
To send an Electronic Mail:
http://www.govmail.ca.gov
Bump!
Link?
Sounds like something that would happen in Pennsylvania...
I wonder how many laws have been passed by legislators who were not there. Astounding!
This is breaking news which came in e-mail from the President of the Fifty Caliber Institute.
They've been present at every vote on AB50.
Watch for it in the morning papers.
You're looking to Arnie Schwarzenegger to support your 2nd Amendment rights? That's funny.
I'd wager Ronnie Barrett would have a few select words about this.
Or New Jersey
One of the reasons my family and I left Calif...for stunts like this by "our representatives". The state's citizens would pass a PROP...and if the "Sac power brokers" didn't like it they would basically sue the citizens and get them overturned.
We had enough of it.....and moved.
BTW.....when this passes....( and it will eventually...) will .50cal Blackpowder weapons be illegal too?
God Save our Country...
FRegards,
I hope they got that on video. Now that's someting to cause a riot,.... but won't.
Here's a question: if they were not using a button system, and members were absent, would Democrats be able to vote twice by raising both hands?
Also, why couldn't some other (Republican) members of the legislature press buttons for the Democrats? It's not as if the absent members left any directions to their remaining colleagues as to what to vote for (otherwise, they were neglecting their duties by not pressing these buttons during the first vote).
Banana Republic is as Banana Republic does.
ping
living in this state makes my head explode....
This is what ALL Calif. legislators call "ghost voting" or just a Democrat practice? Can you find out from the guy who observed this and e-mailed you? Thanks.
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