Posted on 02/26/2005 8:37:01 PM PST by NormsRevenge
GOV. Arnold Schwarzenegger seems to be realizing that being governor of California is nothing like starring in action films.
Change does not always come by blowing things up. That looks good on the silver screen, but real life requires some give and take, some finesse.
Schwarzenegger has backed off one of his campaign reform efforts by withdrawing his proposal to eliminate or consolidate 88 boards and commissions, and fold many of their functions into state departments.
A year ago, the governor promised to "blow up the boxes."
But he shouldn't completely give up on that idea; he just needs to approach the problem as a statesman, not a stunt man.
Last year, the California Performance Review board commissioned by the governor came up with 1,200 suggestions on how to streamline government, the suggestion to cut some boards has met with strong opposition.
In some cases they serve a useful function and shouldn't be eliminated.
Among them were several medical boards. The California Healthcare Association, strong backers of the governor, opposed killing the Board of Registered Nurses, which set standards for the profession and reviews misconduct cases.
And, the Legislative Analyst's office found that several of the CPR's reform recommendations would save less money than originally estimated.
Freedom of information advocates also were concerned that if boards and commissions were dissolved, the issues they discuss and decide by public votes would be made behind closed doors by bureaucrats, restricting public scrutiny. That was also one of our concerns.
They are all legitimate concerns, and the governor is right to withdraw the abolishment of some boards and commissions, but he should not abandon the idea all together. There may be some boards, commissions and state agencies that can and should be eliminated, trimmed or combined to function more efficiently without losing public oversight.
We suggest that the governor's office take another look, perhaps adapt, refine and shorten the list — not junk it completely — to reflect new, reasonable expectations.
We're still convinced, as is the public that elected him to change state government, that some streamlining — prison reform among them — ought to take place.
To realize you're overreaching, pull back, reassess and alter a proposal is much better than blindly trying to push something through that's wrong. It reflects some political maturity on the part of the governor and his advisers. But we also need to continue looking for ways to streamline and reform state government.
he admits he is a marketer. it's what he does.
I thought this was a nice piece of commentary and contains some good advice.
hopefully, we'll see how others feel.
>>To realize you're overreaching, pull back, reassess and alter a proposal is much better than blindly trying to push something through that's wrong.
Can't argue with that. Now... about that new debt...
maybe he'll be back after he's done raising money for his reforms in Ohio, New York and another stop back East next month.
Ooh, heck yeah. Let's let those galldarned eastern'rs pay for it all.
Remember Cheryl Peace? Wife of Gray Davis' finance director Steve Peace. Appointed to the Integrated Waste Management Board, with no experience in the field, but pulling in $117,818 a year plus benefits for her esteemed opinions at the once a month board meetings.
Come to think of it, maybe being married to the writer/director of "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" does qualify one as a garbage specialist.
I hate to be the broken record here,But it seems like I could think of a Republican running for Governor that wouldn't be pulling this silly spicot crap!
Oh you're right! Gary Coleman would never have tried to pull junior high hijinks on us. :)
What qualified Mrs. Peace was her love of the enviornment..( I called then Gov DAvis office and asked).I love children too, but that does not qualify me for a teaching job...what am I missing....
I think Arnold is at least willing to listen to people, which is a lot more than could have been said about Jesse Jackass Ventura, who didn't have two brain cells to rub together.
Oh, yes. There's a lot of that in politics. I still haven't figured out Ventura. I guess it was all just an ego trip.
I can think of a Republican who would be sitting around having his veto overridden every other second and getting 0 through the initiative process as well.
I can also think of one that couldn't get elected without a normal primary.
Funny, I think they are the same person!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.