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Taxes is taxes - ‘Bipartisan’ statism [CA Schwarzenegger]
California Political Review ^ | January 17, 2007 | Bill Saracino

Posted on 01/17/2007 10:05:19 AM PST by ElkGroveDan

A lame-duck governor morphs into a Bill Clinton-Phil Angelides composite on policy and rhetoric.

“That depends what the definition of ‘is’ is.”

— Soon-to-be-disbarred William Clinton, speaking to the Lewinsky grand jury and showing that weasels know well how to use weasel words.

Of the many indignities Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has inflicted of late on common sense and fundamental Republican principals, his support for the long-held socialist dream of state-run health insurance is perhaps the worst. As if his support for this deformed monster of public policy weren’t enough, he adds the insult of hiding behind weasel words as shamelessly, and ham-handedly, as Bill Clinton, insisting that what clearly are taxes are not.

His insistance that a levy based on a percent of income — applied to doctors and hospitals in his proposed health policy plan — is not a tax (who knew that every April 15 we paid an “income fee”?) presumes that most California Republicans are idiots or English-as-a-second-language students or that they don’t pay attention to what’s going on in Sacramento.

As George Skelton pointed out in the Los Angeles Times, you don’t have to use the Wayback Machine to visit the mists of ancient history to discover when the governor believed exactly the opposite of what he is now saying. In fact you only have to go back a few months to his re-election campaign.

Phil Angelides, the corpse that masqueraded as Democrat nominee for governor, had proposed a mandatory, state-run health insurance plan that in many important respects is identical to what Schwarzenegger is trying to force upon Californians. Way back when, back in the day when the governor needed Republican votes, he had no trouble calling what was plainly a tax increase a tax increase. In fact he was positively alarmed at the prospect.

These taxes, he said, “would drive California’s economy backward.” But apparently only Angelides mandatory health insurance tax increases would do that. According to the governor, his mandatory health insurance tax increases are vital to moving the state forward — toward a post-partisan nirvana.

But wait — there’s more! Speaking to the Republican state convention last September he specifically attacked the Angelides health insurance proposal as part of an overall Angelides message of “more taxes.” He followed that up with this rhetorical red meat: “We say no to more taxes. No to more government spending. No to more government control.”

One wonders whom he meant by “we,” a group clearly no longer including himself. His first two speeches of 2007 — his inaugural and state of the state — became an orgy of calls for more taxes, more government spending, more government control.

Regarding taxes, the governor has two reasons to do his version of spinning the meaning of “is.” One: his “no new taxes” pledge is about the last tether he has to any even vaguely Republican idea or philosophical point. Another is that legislation involving taxes requires two-thirds support in the Legislature. That means it won’t pass without GOP votes, giving Republicans some bargaining power.

On point one, he’s apparently been feeling heat from his recent abandonment of GOP ideas and philosophy and doesn’t want to inflame that wound at the moment. (His gratuitous state of the state slap at President Bush on global warming raised Republican hackles. A sure sign Schwarzenegger thought fence mending was in order was his subsequent transparently self-serving declaration that he supported President Bush’s “troop surge” in Iraq.)

Gee swell governor. That and $1.50 will get us a small coffee at Starbucks. I await release to the media of the transcripts of the calls to your pals Sen.s Feinstein and Boxer urging them to vote for the additional troops. Fact is your comment cost you nothing and will have no effect. But your “post-partisan” march in lockstep with Democrats toward more state control in every aspect of our lives will sap our freedoms for years to come. Somehow that just doesn’t seem like a fair trade.

On the second point, empowering legislative Republicans would appear to be precisely what this governor wants not to do. Having Republican ideas as a serious part of discussions puts the kibosh on deals he can make with Democrats. Having tasted Schwarzenegger “bipartisanship” last year (a freeze-out of Republicans and their ideas), Democrats have no intention of giving back ground they rightfully consider conceded to them already.

The governor can insist that the sun rises in the west. It does not. He can insist that levies based on a percentage of income are not taxes. They are. Baloney is baloney, no matter what the meaning of “is” is.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: arnold; arnoldlegacy; arnoldschwarzenegger; ca; california; callingallilk; moretaxes; schwarzenegger; socialism; statism; taxes
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The governor can insist that the sun rises in the west. It does not. He can insist that levies based on a percentage of income are not taxes. They are. Baloney is baloney, no matter what the meaning of “is” is.
1 posted on 01/17/2007 10:05:22 AM PST by ElkGroveDan
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To: ElkGroveDan
you don’t have to use the Wayback Machine to visit the mists of ancient history to discover when the governor believed exactly the opposite of what he is now saying


2 posted on 01/17/2007 10:08:20 AM PST by ElkGroveDan (When toilet paper is a luxury, you have achieved communism.)
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To: calcowgirl; SierraWasp; NormsRevenge; Amerigomag; Czar; FairOpinion

ping


3 posted on 01/17/2007 10:09:02 AM PST by ElkGroveDan (When toilet paper is a luxury, you have achieved communism.)
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To: ElkGroveDan

All liberals suffer from the same self-declared reality. They create their own reality -- this is a fine case -- taxes are not taxes. California has set a record of debt unseen in U.S. state-level history. Thanks Gub. Again, the Repubs vote for a "Republican" and get ANOTHER LIBERAL.


4 posted on 01/17/2007 10:09:28 AM PST by EagleUSA
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To: ElkGroveDan

The gov hasn't "morphed" into anything. He's the same he's always been.

I can't imagine why anyone would think Maria Shriver would marry a true Republican, much less a conservative. And what's the chance of someone being conservative in Hollyweird, anyway?

I am so grateful not to be in CA; it's on a sure course towards disaster.


5 posted on 01/17/2007 10:15:27 AM PST by Zechariah_8_13 (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.)
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To: ElkGroveDan
A moderate is really a liberal without the guts to declare he is a liberal.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

6 posted on 01/17/2007 10:16:24 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: ElkGroveDan; FairOpinion
Ad now, AGAIN, an oldie, but a goodie!

FO, you are going to get this post every time one of these articles comes up until you explain your support for the higher taxes this dishonest fascist you so adore is inflicting on this State.

CA: Angelides Mum on Health Care Bill (universal healthcare -- SB840)

Angelides then launched into a impassioned description of his own plan, which includes expanding health care to all children, cutting the profit margin for HMOs, requiring large companies to provide insurance for employees and then bringing "business leaders, consumers and health experts together to move California toward universal health care." Source

Gosh, that does sound familiar... Note, the clear understanding of the disastrous import of such a plan, as detailed by the poster of that precient article...

Angelides is definitely for "working towards" socialized medicine, he just can't come out and say he would definitely sign this socialized medicine bill, because his focus groups told him, that most people in CA are against it.

But note the large difference between Arnold and Angelides.

This socialized medicine bill could destroy CA on its own. Source

Oh the horror!

Oh please FareOpinion, explain for us this "large difference between Arnold and Angelides."

Please? We know you can do it.


7 posted on 01/17/2007 10:32:42 AM PST by Carry_Okie (There are people in power who are truly evil.)
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To: Carry_Okie

Heh, heh. Good catch. I knew that stuff was out there. Good of you to dig it up for us all.


8 posted on 01/17/2007 10:58:50 AM PST by ElkGroveDan (When toilet paper is a luxury, you have achieved communism.)
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To: ElkGroveDan
Saracino nails it.

Minor correction.

you don’t have to use the Wayback Machine to visit the mists of ancient history to discover when the governor said he believed exactly the opposite of what he is now saying.
It is questionable that he ever believed most of the things his speechwriters added to his scripts. They have been nothing more than marketing promotions of Arnold.
9 posted on 01/17/2007 11:17:00 AM PST by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: ElkGroveDan

Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man. Arnold is a girly man.


10 posted on 01/17/2007 11:39:01 AM PST by lowbridge ("I wonder if he's in touch with the critics out there, like Matt Damon, the actor" -Chris Matthews)
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To: calcowgirl
It is questionable that he ever believed most of the things his speechwriters added to his scripts.

Disagree there. An actor's craft absolutely depends upon the ability to believe what one is saying at the time... and then drop those beliefs and adopt a completely different set for the next role.

It's an acquired talent, similar to telling women what they want to hear.

11 posted on 01/17/2007 12:07:26 PM PST by Carry_Okie (There are people in power who are truly evil.)
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To: ElkGroveDan; Carry_Okie; calcowgirl; NormsRevenge; dalereed; Amerigomag; Czar; tubebender; ...
My favorite "punching bag" is sure busy creating a "target rich environment" for me and all other thinking conservatives! I'll say it again... in less than 25 months he'll have more voters pist off with him than were at Gray Davis the day he was recalled!!!

Baloney is baloney, no matter how intensely you parse it like another Bill Clinton, Schwartzenegger!!! Americans, and especially Cauleeforneeuns, are extremely patient and long-suffering with most politicians. Even more so if they have a little charisma, charm and the ready ability to admit mistakes and say they're sorry enough, for awhile.

But like Winston Churchill once said... "Americans usually end up doing the right thing, after they've tried ALL the alternatives!" (emphasis added)

12 posted on 01/17/2007 12:17:07 PM PST by SierraWasp (There is no one else in the hollow "center" except CA's celebrity collectivist compellinator!!!)
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To: ElkGroveDan; Carry_Okie; calcowgirl; LexBaird
I think you'll enjoy the linked reply and the balance of the thread as much as I did!!!
13 posted on 01/17/2007 12:22:17 PM PST by SierraWasp (There is no one else in the hollow "center" except CA's celebrity collectivist compellinator!!!)
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To: Carry_Okie; goldstategop
"It's an acquired talent, similar to telling women what they want to hear."

And nearly identical to the way far too many lawyers practice law!!! It was sure interesting to listen to Rush talking about the "Boston Legal" TV show and the faux CONservative "Denny Crane" character, today!

Sorry about the redundant linkage of your reply on the other thread before reading this thread... oh well... can't be said too much IMO!!!

14 posted on 01/17/2007 12:29:06 PM PST by SierraWasp (There is no one else in the hollow "center" except CA's celebrity collectivist compellinator!!!)
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To: SierraWasp; Amerigomag
The Austrian is, indeed, a pragmatic liberal.

So true!

15 posted on 01/17/2007 12:49:47 PM PST by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: ElkGroveDan

The writer poses an interesting question: Why doesn't the governor stand with the California Republican Party?

Three possible answers:

1) He's not a Republican.

2) He exercises everything but his brain.

3) He thinks he's ruler of France.


16 posted on 01/17/2007 12:50:55 PM PST by sergeantdave (Consider that nearly half the people you pass on the street meet Lenin's definition of useful idiot)
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To: ElkGroveDan
"As if his support for this deformed monster of public policy [health plan] weren’t enough, he adds the insult of hiding behind weasel words as shamelessly, and ham-handedly, as Bill Clinton, insisting that what clearly are taxes are not."

Before our very eyes, the Austrian is morphing into our worst nightmare. Left free to proceed with his socialist/communistic agenda, he will eventually take the state down. I suggest we recall him first.

17 posted on 01/17/2007 1:02:26 PM PST by Czar ( StillFedUptotheTeeth@Washington)
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To: SierraWasp
"I'll say it again... in less than 25 months he'll have more voters pist off with him than were at Gray Davis the day he was recalled!!!"

The Austrian really didn't need 25 months to do that. For me, he hit the outrage part of the scale in about three months.

18 posted on 01/17/2007 1:06:16 PM PST by Czar ( StillFedUptotheTeeth@Washington)
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To: Czar; ElkGroveDan; SierraWasp; Carry_Okie; NormsRevenge
For me, he hit the outrage part of the scale in about three months.

I don't know why it took some of us so long. ;-)
For ElkGroveDan, it was T minus 13 (days).
I think C.O. was there in T minus 5.
For me, it was adopting the Davis borrowing scheme, on steroids (T+53).
SW made it almost a year, until the SNC!

11/04/2003  Schwarzenegger Names Bonnie Reiss as Senior Advisor to Governor
11/12/2003  Schwarzenegger Appoints Sunne Wright McPeak as Business, Transportation and Housing Secretary
11/12/2003  Schwarzenegger Announces Three EPA Appointments [Tamminen, Branham, Gorsen]
11/14/2003  Schwarzenegger Appoints S. Kimberly Belshé as Health and Human Services Secretary
11/17/2003  Schwarzenegger Sworn-in As The 38th Governor of California
01/09/2004  Schwarzenegger Presents Responsible Budget, Outlining Recovery Plan For State [Borrow, borrow, borrow]
09/23/2004  Schwarzenegger Signs Historic Legislation Creating Sierra Nevada Conservancy

19 posted on 01/17/2007 1:40:39 PM PST by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: calcowgirl
Ouch....your tenacity and patience in research is frightening. remind me never to cross you.

I can just see it now:

calcowgirl:"It appears that when ElkGroveDan was 13 he was detained by police for hanging toilet paper all over a neighbor's house (see the Northridge News for Jun 12, 1974)

20 posted on 01/17/2007 1:47:33 PM PST by ElkGroveDan (When toilet paper is a luxury, you have achieved communism.)
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