Posted on 03/22/2011 8:05:42 AM PDT by SmithL
Perhaps one of the most dangerous sentences in the English language is: "It can't get any worse."
Anyone who doesn't know that should not be trusted with sharp objects or political power. And yet there are California Republican Party convention-goers who made that claim in a city where everyone else asks what's wrong with the Republicans.
On the one hand, hard-liners want to punish any GOP lawmaker who cuts a deal to put Gov. Jerry Brown's five year car-fee, income and sales tax extension on the ballot. On the other hand, few Republican lawmakers voted for spending cuts - leaving Democrats to carry that heavy burden. Thus GOP leaders come across as inflexible and worthless.
Only five Assembly Repubs voted for a measure to pare state welfare checks and save the state $156 million. Only one Republican Assembly member, Chris Norby of Fullerton, voted to end redevelopment so that $1.7 billion can go to essential services like schools and public safety.
What are they thinking? That's what Democrats, independents and those Republicans who wouldn't be caught dead at a GOP confab ask me.
GOP faithful and legislative staffers tell me that voters already rejected a ballot measure to extend the 2009 tax increases by a 2-1 margin - there's no need for a do-over. GOP lawmakers see no percentage in risking their jobs by voting for spending cuts when there is no real budget - because the Dems won't put forth a budget that only cuts. Besides, they shrug, things can't get worse.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
The GOP is essentially dead in that state. It should rename itself “the other Democrat Party.” It might confuse enough people to make a difference.
She used to be considered the Chron's token conservative.
Adam Sparks was better; whatever happened to him?
Saunders usually is smarter than this.
Nowehere in this bilge is any acknowledgment of two facts.
One, we Republicans have tried her “pragmatism” for DECADES, and this is the result. Arnold Taxenhiker was quite pragmatic.
Two, TAXES ARE ALREADY REPELLING JOBS FROM THE STATE. Extending what were always supposed to be “just one more temporary hike” is a nonstarter, EVEN IF the Dems’ offer pension reform, etc (which they should do anyway). Even if taxes WERE increased, such would only hasten California’s descent to Big Hawaii status: nothing but tourism, wealthy elderly, govt employees and welfare leeches, amidst great beauty.
Saunders is wrong. The solution to California’s problems is NOT to raise taxes, and anyone who votes for a tax increase or supports Jerry Brown in this initiative needs to be driven out of office.
Arnold agreed to increase debt and increase spending and cripple the economy with “green” legislation. How’d that work out for Republicans?
Well, Governor Moonbeam won in a landslide. Now let him fix it. But NOT by raising taxes and increasing spending.
Any plan going forward HAS to be made up entirely by democrat compromises - they've had it 100% their way up till now.
Any talk about sharing the pain simply plays into the liberals hands. Saunders is out of touch.
The place to start cutting is with state employee benefits and the costs related to 10 million plus illegal aliens.
Sounding more and more like Deb took a bite of the poisonous apple. I’ll bet she thinks the last governor was a howling success...
Republicrats!
What I'm thinking is that Saunders is a complete moron.
The rats have destroyed California and spent the place into oblivion, and Saunders thinks the Republicans should now come along and do the heavy lifting? Why? So the rats can then turn around and blame the Republicans for cutting this and cutting that, and being mean and hateful?
Hahaa..! I don't think so.
No.. The rats created this mess; let them "carry that heavy burden", just like they deserve.
GOP pragmatists: people willing to let the Democrats win
Kalipornia is lost.
Just move out.
Sparks got caught in one of the Chronicle’s purges. So did Cinnamon Stillwell, but she still writes for Campus Watch. I don’t know what happened to Sparks, but I miss his writing.
And how many elections have they won chasing after those “pragmatics?”
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.