McClintock Responds to Bustamante's "Tough on California" Plan

Tom McClintock for Governor ^ | 8/20/2003 | Tom McClintock

[kellynla]

Senator Tom McClintock today issued the following response to Cruz Bustamante's "tough on California" statement.

"I was hoping for more of a message of hope and optimism from our Lt. Governor. What California received was more of the failed Gray Davis type leadership from the second most powerful person in the state. When the Lt. Governor says we have to 'sacrifice' he is not kidding. Unfortunately, it is the hard-working, taxpaying families of California that will suffer and not his special interest and public employee union friends.

"At a time when state government is taking a higher percentage of California's personal income than at any time in our history, Mr. Bustamante proposes a TEN BILLION dollar tax increase. This will mean that working families and small businesses will have to find another $1,150 somewhere in their budgets to continue the Sacramento spending spree.

"Much like Governor Davis, who called his illegal tripling of the car tax a 'cut' in state spending, Mr. Bustamante includes the transfer of some $2 BILLION of mandated socialized medicine costs to small businesses as a 'savings' for the state.

"As for my three simple questions that I asked of Cruz this week, it is obvious that he will not join with me in abolishing the car tax, since he is only willing to return about half of what Gray Davis illegally took from motorists. There was nothing tough on energy—as he said nothing about the $42 billion of overpriced power contracts.

"Finally, there was certainly nothing tough on the applicant attorneys and special interests since he did not mention the third major crisis of the Davis administration. My plan to replace California’s broken Workers’ Comp system with the successful Arizona model would save state and local governments at least $2.5 billion annually.

"It’s time Cruz Bustamante explains why we should vote no on the recall but support him for governor. He can’t have it both ways. If he thinks Davis' dismal record is worth defending, he should make that case. If he really wants to replace him, how would he do things differently?"

[RS]

"The bill next moves to the California State Assembly."

and if it dosen't pass there is nothing he can do -

and if it does pass there is nothing he needs to do -

His new bureauacracy will take the decisions out of the hands of elected officials and put it in the hands of appointed "independant" management experts.

[risk]

The power contracts are not part of the budget and cost the State relatively little.

But we know that a thriving economy produces tax revenues. What the recession of March 2000 has shown us is how irresponsible and greedy state leaders have been. There was no margin for error because they were taking every last surplus and much, much more for their pet programs.

The energy crisis hurts the vigor of the economy in two ways:

1. Like a tax, paying skyrockting prices for non-investment style energy contracts drains opportunities for economic renewal from the state.
2. The uncertainty over viable power sources discourages corporate investment and reduces faith in California based companies.

Davis and the Assembly were responsible for buying us affordable power that could be taken for granted well into the future. Besides Davis' obligation to secure reasonable prices, where was the local power generation infrastructure reinvestment? How about new power plants, for example? Of course not -- better give our money away to greedy, unchecked outsiders disinterested in expanding our own independent energy sources!

Tom McClintock knows that keeping California's capital here is the best stimulus package we can find. Californians always know how to spend their own money on development. That's how this state became famous around the world as a land of opportunity.

[RS]

"You know Tom doesn't mention cutting the 4 things you listed in your Demo canard, and that's patently obvious."

Please review all my posts - Tom never mentions ANYTHING specific - so how does he even know he can cut 9.5% ( a pretty specific number )

I mentioned things that he will NOT be able to cut, which are some of the biggest money wasters.
If he cannot or will not cut ther, just where are the cuts coming from ?
He must have some idea - or perhaps he will use his plan of letting some outside management experts do his work for him ? ( and take the blame if theings go sour )

[risk]

HEY TOM - How about spending a few minutes now and telling us just ONE State Agency you will De-fund that first day ?

Are you even from California? Why are you going after the Republican candidate who has been the most specific about what he would do to help us here in California? Sure we could use more data. Sure we're all interested in what Tom has to say. But he has given numerous speeches, interviews, and so forth. Dig around a little to see for yourself. And remember we actual Californians are excited about McClintock for some excellent reasons. He's speaking our language -- keep California capital here, keep it free for reinvestment, and use the veto!

[RS]

"But we know that a thriving economy produces tax revenues. "

Obviously... so his real plan is to get more money for the State to spend.
Sounds like a real budget slasher to me !

[risk]

Come on, you're being unfair. If you even are in California, wouldn't you want a balanced budget?

[RS]

"Sure we could use more data. Sure we're all interested in what Tom has to say. But he has given numerous speeches, interviews, and so forth. "

Seems strange that noone else has asked him these questions... or does he just not have any answers ?

When a post comes along about Arnolds solutions I'll ask about them also.

I want a politition that just dosen't give us nice sounding stuff, but real specific actions he will take so we can hold them to them.

[=Intervention=]

"I'm looking at the welfare budget and I don't see ...

ITEM 34564 Fraud and Waste
"

This is disengenuous dissembling.

[janetgreen]

How about the BILLIONS spent every year to support the illegal aliens roosting in our state? No one mentions that.

[=Intervention=]

You bash the recall and then you attack the guy with the most specifics lined up to fix things. Hmm.

[risk]

Tom's in favor of bringing back proposition 187 and enforcing it: http://www.google.com/search?q=proposition+187+mcclintock

[Teacher317]

Please review all my posts - Tom never mentions ANYTHING specific

Which of the 100+ gubernatorial candidates does?

so how does he even know he can cut 9.5% ( a pretty specific number )

It's called a target... a goal... it needs to be specific to give focused attention, and to indicate success. Duh.

Why do you harangue McClintock supporters with silly questions like this?

[RS]

" If you even are in California, wouldn't you want a balanced budget?"

If you even are in California, wouldn't you want a smaller budget so they would take less of your money ?

[RS]

"You bash the recall and then you attack the guy with the most specifics lined up to fix things. Hmm"

Bash the Recall ?? Who bashed the recall ???? The thing I want most is Davis out and gone for good - If we don't get him now we will have to fight him later.

As far as the replacement, I'll be happy to pick at each and every one of them to see what they are made of - I'm sick of nice sounding fluff - get enough of that from the Dems.

At least Busta tells the truth - now off with his head also !

[RS]

"Why do you harangue McClintock supporters with silly questions like this?"

Because, they are giving silly and evasive answers as if they know things even their candidate is not saying.

[kellynla]

I think you know where McClintock stands as far as the illegals are concerned. He is against the illegal drivers licenses and has pledged to enforce the laws regarding illegal aliens. What the legal Hispanics must realize is that the illegals who enter this country pull down the wages that employers must pay for labor. And the taxpayers wind up paying for the education and medical services that illegals receive without contributing.

[heleny]

rom Tom "“I'll spend the rest of my first day as Governor to personally de-fund every state agency that duplicates local or federal jurisdictions, or overlaps other state agencies or that is performing functions that the private sector could and should do anyway.”"
HEY TOM - How about spending a few minutes now and telling us just ONE State Agency you will De-fund that first day ?

The news a few weeks ago reported that he had already introduced legislation to do that, and that it actually was approved by the state senate or whatever committee in the state Senate. He would sign such legislation, but Davis might not. Sorry, you'll have to find the details yourself if you're curious about the bill, since I can't remember.

[RS]

"Sorry, you'll have to find the details yourself if you're curious about the bill, since I can't remember."

Been there, read that - His bill leaves it to "independant managements experts" to make the decisions subject to an up/down vote... with a Dem controlled legislature which way will that go ? HHmmmmmmm?

[heleny]

never mind, I see Terminattor has already posted news about it in #58. Thanks, Terminattor!

[kellynla]

"Because, they are giving silly and evasive answers as if they know things even their candidate is not saying." Either your remedial skills are lacking or you have not been paying attention. If you read the legislations, positions, articles, proposals and speeches by Tom McClintock that you can find on http://www.tommcclintock.com you will know the answers to your questions. I have been specific in my answers. "You cut expenditures across the board!" And you use the "Line Item Veto" to do so if the legislature fails to do so. Now what part of that don't you understand? BTW who is your candidate? And do you live, work or pay taxes in CA?