Yesterday I had an opportunity to spend 30 minute on the John and Ken program on KFI radio. If you get some time, I encourage you to listen to the audio of our segment, which you can access on their website here (6/28, 3 p.m. segment), or by clicking the attachment below. We spent our time lamenting the about-face of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom we all helped in both of his election campaigns, bolstered and motivated by his fierce campaign rhetoric opposing any tax increases. Of course, the Governor is now touting a multi-billion dollar sales tax increase as a responsible solution for our state’s overspending problems. Or to put it another way, the Governor feels that taxpayers should increase the amount of money that is fleeced from California taxpayers to continue to feed the massive spending that has been largely driven by the liberal Democrats who control the state legislature. That position is irresponsible.
The Governor is on the road, on his “we need higher taxes, not borrowing” tour. It’s kind of funny that Schwarzenegger, of all people, is trying to be the champion of no borrowing. This Governor has supported more bonded indebtedness by Californians than any Governor in California history. His legacy to California will be a pile of borrowing. Yet, he makes a good point – that borrowing money to solve the state’s budget crisis is no real solution. But then neither is raising taxes, as he has proposed. The solution is rather obvious – more cuts. Lost on many is the fact that the current state budget on the table, if adopted, would actually spend more money than last year. We get the “double speak” about how we are really cutting – it’s a “decrease in the increase” – seriously!
Yesterday the Governor appeared with Los Angeles County officials to oppose any plans to take from local government funds to balance the state’s books. This morning he will appear with San Diego County officials as well. I reached out to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, with whom the Governor appeared yesterday – who assured me that he is opposed to the Governor’s proposal for a “temporary” sales tax increase. I also reached out to San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn, with whom the Governor is appearing today. His Chief of Staff confirmed for me that he, too, is strongly opposed to the sales tax increase component of the Governor’s plan.
**There is more – click the link**
August 30th, 2008 at 12:00 am
First, thanks for your website and stand for proper conservative government.
Second, shame on you, John & Ken, Hugh Hewitt, and all the others who supported Arnold TaxandSpender in the recall. The argument was that McClintock couldn’t win, so we had to support a Republican who could. You got the model RINO. You got exactly what you asked for. Sadly the rest of us didn’t ask for it, and got it anyway.
So, what to do? Sooner or later a Republican will cave. California will take another step towards bankruptcy. My children and grandchildren will have to leave the state. Sad.
August 30th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I agree with Tim. We made a mistake with Arnold. I am part of that as I supported Arnold because I didn’t think Tom could win. But at that time Arnold was sounding like a conservative.
Nonetheless we are here at a crossroads. We need to congratulate our State Senators for being responsible and taking a stand for holding firm against no new taxes and for spending cuts. There is tremendous pressure on them to give in so they can go home.
Our State Senators (and Assemblymen) should be congratulated for their principled stand in the face of huge opposition to their position.