Posted on 07/24/2003 2:00:14 PM PDT by DesertGOP
Slap in the Face
Senator Diane Feinstein’s recent remarks (Don’t sign that recall petition, May 30) in the Daily Press Opinion section are a slap in the face of every informed and concerned California citizen supporting the recall of Governor Gray Davis. Somebody should possibly throw cold water in her direction to wake her up from an apparent slumber through Fantasyland. Perhaps she’s spending too much time on Capitol Hill and has lost touch with her constituents back home.
She asserts that this most recent recall effort of a California governor is “misguided” and is an “unnecessary cost to the state.” Maybe she should have explained a few things to Governor Davis about unnecessary costs when he ineptly crossed the wires on California’s energy supply by negotiating costly long-term electricity contracts that he’s now desperately trying to wiggle out of. As Opinion page editor, Steve Williams, aptly observed, in a blatant disavowal of responsibility, Davis is now saying that the state’s word—it’s agreement to abide by the contracts with the energy providers—is worthless. Perhaps the next time California goes shopping for the best energy deals available, there will be a faint echo or, worse yet, an eerie silence after the state cries out, “Can you hear me now?”
Senator Feinstein also says that the state is facing a very difficult economic crisis and that our public schools are broke; not to mention, we need to boost public safety and guard against future energy crises. Really? And, under whose watch during these last four years has the Golden State seen a once-burgeoning surplus evaporate, only to be replaced by a sea of budgetary red ink? Why, under the management (or lack thereof) of our “Education Governor” Davis. The same Governor who, instead of cutting pork spending in Sacramento, is now suggesting that we take money away from the public school system in California to help solve a fiscal debacle that he created and oversaw in the first place. Then, we probably wouldn’t be facing an energy crisis, either, if the state’s political top dog didn’t bungle his way through the mess by initially stalling for six critical months, only to then shift the blame to others—those he charged as “rapacious “ energy traders.
To assert that the recall effort is a “waste of money” is to place a price tag on public service accountability. How else will we ever hope to send a clear message to those state politicians who are inclined to act in their own self interests? What ever happened to Abe Lincoln’s famous words, “government of the people, by the people, for the people”? Even if the recall of Governor Davis fails, shouldn’t we, at least, be expected to rise up as a sovereign people and tell selfish professional public servants everywhere that enough is enough?
The Senator has the gall to tell us not to overturn the results of a gubernatorial election (through a recall campaign) because of “political differences.” From firsthand experience while driving up and down the Cajon Pass everyday with my “Dump Davis” bumper sticker on the car, I’ve had more than my share of professed Democrats, no less, tell me that even they are behind the recall effort, and can’t wait to sign a nearby petition. The only one playing partisan politics here seems to be Diane Feinstein, not the greater majority of my fellow Californians I’m running into these days.
Governor Davis has created his own competence and credibility debacle, and should be recalled from political office. He lied to the public about California’s budgetary hemorrhaging solely to gain reelection; he lied to voters about his plans to raise taxes; he pushes for new forms of taxation—including slapping a tax on Internet sales; he fuddled his way through California’s energy short-circuiting by first dragging his feet, then whining to the White House that it wasn’t his fault; and, he has reportedly, time and time again, sold out the people’s government with shady campaign cash for special favors in return.
Finally, Ms. Feinstein insults and embarrasses us all when she inquires whether or not the people of California will initiate another recall campaign if we don’t happen to like the next governor who might be chosen. Well, yeah! And, the next time, and the next time after that, if necessary. Again, isn’t that the whole point of the recall option in the first place, to hold public officials accountable to the people? Who cares how many times we are forced to go down this road! However many times it takes, that’s all.
Senator Feinstein, there’s too much at stake not to go down the road of recalling Governor Gray Davis.
Yes, sign the recall petition and encourage others to do the same, at recallgraydavis.com.
Rick J. Radecki Victorville, CA 760-486-3740
Thank you for your time, and I haven't stopped writing (and seeing published) more letters since then to various print and Web publications--doing my best to bring common sense and government back to the people.
Thank you,
"High Desert Rick"
Unfortunately, arguing accountability with tax and spend liberals is often fruitless. Perhaps the recall, should it be successful, will send an important message that we're not going to take it anymore!
I own four vehicles with the registration of my Chrysler hovering at around $450 a year. And they want to triple that to cover their incompetance?!
I don't think so.
It's been rumored that if feinswine ran she would win handily.
So what, then, would her solution to the budget crisis be?
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