[editor-surveyor]

What about prop 76 forces the legislature to "live within it's means?" - All I can see that it does is give them a bigger credit card.

[Map Kernow]

Facing widespread opposition to his special election, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday that if voters reject a proposed spending restraint on the November ballot, he might be forced to raise taxes.

Oh, ja! Trrrry it. You von't be BACK!!!!

[Amerigomag]

What about prop 76 forces the legislature to "live within it's means?"

It doesn't ... nor should it.

Under our system the legislature has no mandate or responsibility to live within it's means. That responsibility lies with two classes. The California Executive and the electorate. The electorate did their part. They removed an executive who wouldn't. Unfortunately the electorate was then deceived into believing, by a group of savvy businessmen and a political party desperate for power, that Schwarzenegger was a fiscal conservative and would force the legislature to live within it's means.

The sad result is that California's fringe left legislature is now being enabled by a fiscal liberal. Schwarzenegger is providing the money. If he can't borrow it (Prop 76) he's threatening to raise taxes in an attempt to coerce the approval for borrowing. I am dead certain that if Prop 76 fails Schwarzenegger will cooperate with the legislature to raise taxes ...again and again.

The legislature and Schwarzenegger's entourage should be treated as children. They are blameless. Children will be children. Liberals will be liberals.

The adults hold the responsibility for this fiasco. The California Republican Party should have been the adults and said "No". But, desperate for power, they didn't.

What could the Republican Party do to make amends? For starters they could publicly pressure Schwarzenegger to veto the excessive spending. That simple veto would return some power to the Republican minority in both houses of the legislature. It may not stop the spending but the ensuing legislative cat fight would shine a bright light on the big spenders. A bright light that an already irritated electorate might use as ammunition to remove or pressure a fringe liberal.

[sierrahome]

I don't have to live in California...I love the area. Nevada is looking better and better and as a small business owner about 7 other jobs go with me.

[BigBobber]

What about prop 76 forces the legislature to "live within it's means?" - All I can see that it does is give them a bigger credit card.

The teachers union doesn't agree and will spend $8M more to defeat Prop 76. I hope you're not planning to team up with them.