Posted on 10/31/2006 2:27:31 PM PST by calcowgirl
There's a disconnect this election between what voters say they want, and what they're being offered by the candidates of both major political parties. A CNN poll released Oct. 27 shows that most Americans want less government. Yet in recent years both Republican and Democrat leaders nationally and in California – and often despite pledges to do otherwise – aggressively have increased the size of government.
According to CNN, 54 percent of those polled "said they thought [government]was trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Only 37 percent said they thought the government should do more to solve the country's problems."
In California under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's three years in office, general fund spending rose 29 percent (fiscal 2003-05 to fiscal 2006-07). By contrast, under the last three years of Gov. Gray Davis – recalled because of his massive spending leading to budget deficits – general fund spending rose less than 1 percent (fiscal 2000-01 to fiscal 2003-04). Of course, in Gov. Davis' go-go first two years in office spending rose 35 percent (fiscal 1998-99 to 2000-01).
Meanwhile, the Democratic challengers to Republicans at the federal and state levels say the GOP spendthrifts have spent too little. Phil Angelides, the governor's Democratic opponent, promises to spend even more on "investing in college opportunity and technical education," and "will invest in educational excellence and innovation for our children, among other spending programs listed on his Web site – paid for with tax increases.
It all leaves one wondering: What's a voter to do next Tuesday?
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
This could bode well over time for the conservative belief of limited government if Republicans would actually try to reign in government. As it stands now, I'm not betting the farm that they will. And it truly pains me to say that.
Most voters (and most everyone) are inconsistent. They want total spending cut. They want the other guy's programs cut. But they don't want their own program cut.
For example, Ag Aid clearly destroys the family farm and favors the global firms. But the remaining family farmers and farm community non-farmers who glorify the family farm illogically support the ag aid that destroys what they value.
Likewise with a 1,000 other progams. The regulated control the regulatory process and thus the concept of regulation is a joke. But those most opposed to the regulated companies are precisely those who most strongly and illogically support regulation.
And then there's the issue of missing cajones......
Remember, when comparing Davis to the Austrian, Davis had control (mid year corrections) over the last half of 98-99 and the Austrian over the last half on 03-04.
Davis: last 1/2- 98-99 to first 1/2 - 03-04; essentially calender 1999 thru calender 2003 (5 years)
Arnold: last 1/2 - 03-04 to first 1/2 - 06/07; essentially calander 2004 thru calendar 2006 (3 years).
The outlook for conservatism is very bright in the long term. Not because of politics, but because of economics and technology.
I disagree. You go over the cliff slow, no one seems to notice and take corrective action.
Vote with both middle fingers fully extended. Neither party deserves respect at this point.
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