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Posted on 09/29/2003 10:19:19 AM PDT by Delphinium
Check the most recent FreeRepublic survey (unscientific as it is). It shows more Freepers supporting Arnold than those supporting Tom. Arnold has plenty of conservative support -- here, in the Republican Party, and across the state. And conservative support for Arnold isn't simply because of expediency. Those who say that Arnold isn't a conservative haven't recognized that his key economic team members are thinkers at the Hoover Institution; didn't read his op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal last week; didn't hear his comments at the state GOP convention a couple of weeks ago; and apparently don't consider conservative his comments that Californians are overtaxed, that the fiscal problem is that the state spends too much money rather than takes in too little revenue, and that anti-business legislation needs to be opposed in order to improve the state's economic climate.
The following is from Arnold's speech at the Republican Convention (in any other election, these comments would be plenty for conservatives):
"I saw in Austria made me anti-communist. What I saw in California made me a free-enterprise, fiscally conservative Republican. Republican principles are what built California into the Golden State.
"I came to America 35 years ago as an immigrant. By working playing by the rules, my immigrant dreams came true. I want other people to have the same chances, the same opportunities. I am a Republican because of what Ronald Reagan said – government bureaucrats can never substitute for millions of individuals working night and day to make their dreams come true.
"That's what being a Republican means.
"Let me tell you what being a conservative means to me.
"I'm a conservative because I believe communism is evil and free enterprise is good.
"I'm a conservative because Milton Friedman is right and Karl Marx was wrong.
"I'm a conservative because I believe the government serves the people; the people don't serve the government.
"I'm a conservative because I believe in balanced budgets, not budget deficits.
"I'm a conservative because I believe the money that people earn is their money – not the government’s money.
"And when you look at this driver's license outrage, I'm a conservative because I believe in the rule of law not in political pandering. The driver's license issue is not about race; it's about law. It's about a fair playing field. It's about living by the rules.
"That's why people come to this country – because our laws mean something.
"As governor, I promise you – our laws will mean something."
Read my post, #62.
You made a very good point, S. When you get right down to it, they aren't worth the energy expended from our busy lives, huh? :o)
On a personal note: I'm doing well...busy and multitasking as usual. Rosemary grilled pork chops and spiced apples for supper. You and yours com'n over. :o)
:o)
The principles of hard work and never giving up. The principle of believing in yourself, even when people tell you your dreams are impossible. Arnold embodies the American Dream. He is a great leader.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991598/posts
If you want to know about principles, I think you are asking the wrong question. We are asked to choose between retaining Davis, on the one hand, or an alternative, on the other. If the choice is between Davis and Bustamante, there is really no difference, so I am willing to risk a Bustamante win and vote for the recall so long as there is a decent chance that someone better than Davis or Bustamante can win.
That brings us to our second choice, which is, assuming that Davis is recalled, who do we vote for? There, our realistic choices are Bustamante, AS and Tom. For those to the right of Lenin, the choice is between AS and Tom.
Your question should be, why vote for Arnold, and have him win, instead of vote for Tom and have Bustamante or Davis win, but feel better about your candidate.
Because that is the choice for Republicans, between a win by Arnold and a win by Bustamante/Davis. Tom cannot win in a race with Arnold and Bustamante in it, and he cannot expect Arnold to bow out when Arnold has double his support.
If we were looking at a race where Tom was the only Republican running, or where he was within a point or two of winning and of beating Arnold, then all of us would be more free to vote for the candidate with which we more agree. But that is not the situation we face, and failure to recognize that is similar to sticking your head in the sand.
So, your question, reduced to its essence is this: What do you hope to gain if you vote for Arnold instead of for Tom? The immediate gain of a vote for Arnold is, of course, the hope of a win of the governorship for Arnold, instead of a Davis or Bustamante governorship. From an Arnold governorship, what will be different and better for Republicans that we don't have now???????
There are many, many things that can be listed. Here's just what I can think of off the top of my head:
1. Repeal of car tax.
2. No new taxes (if you don't believe AS on this, fine, we'll see. However, if he did impose new taxes, they would be less than we would get from Cruz or Joe Davis).
3. An end to most of the lunatic legislation coming out of Sacramento lately, starting with the illegal alien drivers licenses. He is not talking about some of this now due to misplaced concern for the hispanic vote, but I think that the GOP in california will push for reversal of some of these things, and he certainly won't sign any new crazy laws.
4. Reform of workers comp.
5. Cutting the budget some. Not as much as Tom, unfortunately, but he will cut the budget from what the Dems want, and I think he will be willing to wield his veto pen.
6. National politics: He will make it easier for Bush to carry California, which will ensure a big Bush win in 04. He will help the GOP carry some close districts, like one in San Diego where we lost by a percent or two.
7. State court judges. Arnold will appoint people who are not Dem flacks. This is very important.
There are many other reasons I could list, but that's enough for now. There is no issue, none, where Arnold is worse than Davis or Bustamecha, and there are many, many matters of gubernatorial concern where Arnold is a major improvement on what we have now. As a homeowner whose livelihood and net worth is dependant on an improvement in the business climate in California, I will be very happy to see whatever improvement we can get in Sacramento. If things stay as they are, this state could be in serious trouble.
Those are the reasons I will vote for Arnold instead of Tom. Please don't throw your votes away voting for purity instead of improvement. Tom will make a great candidate for Boxer's seat, if he doesn't make too many people angry by playing the spoiler.
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