[Redleg Duke]

"Most of those so called California conservative critics, who didn't vote and stayed home in a temper tantrum are those who perceive themselves as the Pure Walk on Water Conservatives. They had rather bitch about something in their lunacy than do something about the problem. They spend more time stabbing Arnold and GW in the back than eliminating liberals."

That is it in a nutshell, the single-issue, conservative "purists" who, if they can't get everything their way, will sit it out and "send a message". The message is "Liberals survive another election!"

[Earendil]

Bottom line is even some of those who call themselves "conservatives" are at the trough getting money from taxes. My co-worker, a so-called "conservative" has a wife who is a teacher. He couldn't wait to get to the polls to defeat the propositions because "teachers work hard for what they get and they are entitled to their benefits and the Union helps them get those". This same co-worker, who is staunchly anti-abortion, who decries liberalism in our culture, is for lower taxes, supports the military and resents social programs can't wait to get "life time medical benefits" from his wife's teaching career, at no cost to him. He also says adamantly she should do everything she can to draw social security because "she paid into it and is entitled to it".

It is "conservatives" like this who support the status quo in this state. Their hands are in the public trough and I really doubt there is the will to change it. As long as people are benefiting from public funds like this they are not going to change their votes. The problem is systemic and can only be changed by a complete overhaul, which is not going to happen anytime soon.

[Grampa Dave]

"That is it in a nutshell, the single-issue, conservative "purists" who, if they can't get everything their way, will sit it out and "send a message". The message is "Liberals survive another election."

Amazing isn't it. My wife voted late after she finished working just before the polls closed. She was able to scan who voted in our cul de sac as she signed the roster.

Every liberal voted at least once. We were the only conservatives/republicans out of 3 couples, who voted. Since then I have talked to the two conservative guys who didn't vote. They were mad at Arnold for something he did or didn't do. So they didn't bother to vote. I told both of them that the union thugs and libs in Sacramento thanked them. They just shrugged.