Posted on 02/19/2009 5:41:14 PM PST by Amerigomag
First and foremost, it's obvious on the face of it to be able to say that the six Republican legislators (Senators Ashburn, Cogdill and Maldonado and Assemblymen Adams, Niello and Villines) who actually voted for the bill that imposed over $14 billion in new taxes were critical to its passage. Shame on them.
But in taking some time to contemplate the politics of the final hours of this Big 5/Big Taxes deal passing out of the legislature, you have to say, how did it happen? You needed three Republicans to support the actual tax increase legislation, and they were one vote shy. Two GOP Senators who were "open" to voting for the taxes, and who presented private lists of demands -- Cox and Maldonado. Cox ultimately decided to vote against the deal, but Maldonado's demands were within reach, and so, the question ended up coming down to whether or not the advocates of the Big 5/Big Taxes deal could get enough Dems and Reps to go up on the Maldonado Open Primary measure (it takes a 2/3 vote to put a measure on the ballot).
I should interject at this point, by the way, that an open primary would literally open the floodgates for tax increases in California. Anyways, when you look at this scenario this way, smart people can easily deduce that when you look at the Republican legislators who voted to place the open primary on the ballot, and subtract those away who actually voted for the taxes, you are left with a group of Republican legislators who either supported an open primary because they actually think we should have then, but who also knew that supporting it early this morning was tantamount to supporting the tax increase.
Again, putting aside the six legislators who voted for the taxes directly (and who in this bizarre context may actually get strange brownie points for having the courage to be up front about it, instead of hiding behind mirrors), the legislators who supported the Big 5/Big Taxes plan are: Senators Dave Cox and Jeff Denham, and Assemblymembers Bill Berryhill, Tom Berryhill, Sam Blakeslee, Muke Duvall, Paul Cook, Connie Conway, Bill Emmerson, Nathan Fletcher, Jean Fuller, Danny Gilmore, Brian Nestande, Jim Nielson, and Cameron Smyth.
Let's have an honest debate, folks. It shouldn't take your friendly neighborhood blogger writing up an analysis like this to connect the dots, should it?
If you are a Republican activist and you see one of these legislators at the convention (many may "duck" it), ask them about this, and see if they are straight forward. Perhaps they will pull you into a corner and tell you their secret "Shhh. Really didn't see any other way out of this mess, and so I really did feel that massive tax increases were a necessary part of a solution..." They certainly won't put that in a press release.
"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
Cameron Smyth is quite the dandy! Now there’s a guy who could have REALLY used some time in the service, beginning with six months at MCRDSD. The really question is, how badly, if at all, will the California Republican Party be hurt next election?
"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
That I don’t doubt.
It is just that hubby’s job is here. He loves his job. I would love to go to Texas. At least there is a chance the history of that state will replay and become a republic again. California will never become a republic. They should get rid of the bear and put on a gang banger. Bletch.
Which bill was that? The two open primary bills?
"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
No need for that, I fled CA years ago and moved to TX.
I don’t live there. I won’t visit there. As far as I’m concerned the whole damn state could fall in the ocean and it couldn’t happen soon enough.
I wish the tax increases would have been higher so the stupid state would implode even sooner.
From Reagan to this. Incredible.
Electing new ones doesn’t seem to help - time to deprive CA of your tax dollars and go somewhere else where they are appreciated... like Texas.
With an “Open Primary” forget about the Republican Party in Kalifornia. Just move!
1. What does your husband do?
2. Is it really worth giving up your right to representation in government and your right to self defense to live there?
Welcome cousin.
I think I have a good mechanism for admission to Texas that will filter out the chaff and make sure the wheat gets in. It is simply asking two questions. Let me know what you think:
1) What do you think of Sarah Palin?
2) What does "reasonable gun control" mean to you?
There is no way a liberal can conceal their true (yellow) stripes when confronted with both of those questions back-to-back.
Really. Mexico is acquiring it for free...in slow motion. How much could it be sold for, if it came right down to it?
Anyways, when you look at this scenario this way, smart people can easily deduce that when you look at the Republican legislators who voted to place the open primary on the ballot, and subtract those away who actually voted for the taxes, you are left with a group of Republican legislators who either supported an open primary because they actually think we should have then, but who also knew that supporting it early this morning was tantamount to supporting the tax increase.
... the open primaries Maldanado is promoting are not about partisan politics. They are about cultural politics.
Someone educate me..what would be the benefit of open primaries? ... The chief benefit would be to cohesive groups outside politics .... as in cultural groups ... as in soon to be majority cultural groups ... as in Hispanics
I would add on the following requirements for entry:
1. Must be vouched for by an existing Texas citizen. In person. (Though they wouldn’t have to appear at the entry port, just at a branch office in a major city.)
2. Must pass a practical firearms safety test (liberals will automatically fail this one.)
And this question:
“If you are running a huge budget deficit, what do you do - increase taxes, or make budget cuts?”
Thank you.
I have a hard time reading Fleishman’s ramblings and pulling out the relevant factoids.
My apologies for my laziness in asking you to explain — I should have read through again, very very slowly. LOL.
It needs major overhauls and repairs. Definitely a fixer upper. Put it on sale and see what offers we get.
Oh, and given a sniff test, must be able to tell apart mesquite, Pyrodex, cigars, and single malt Scotch.
You get one wrong, BANG!, back to New Jersey with your Yankee butt.
Eh... you should get a pass on that one if you bring your own guns.
My husband is in the computer tech world. Right now he is saving the company by coming up with an option that has improved the performance of their machine by some astronomical amount that no one believes until they see it run. He has been at this company ever since he graduated college. Most of the guys who work there are in the same boat with tons of years there. It’s like a time warp. I have no idea if he could find employment that would fit him anywhere else, or who would be hiring these days.
As to giving up our rights to representation, well, you are right there. I would love to come to Texas, seems like there might still be a chance for freedom. Maybe after our daughter (15) is off on her own. Sigh.
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