This morning, around forty Republican legislators have to look back at the bleary mess that was their President’s Day Weekend (and somewhere in there was Valentine’s Day, too), wondering exactly what happened to them. With the seeming speed of the flip of a switch, Republican representatives to the “Big 5” signed off on a Big 5/Big Taxes budget “deal” that would make any professional sausage maker proud.
The problem with the plan is that at its center is a massive increase in taxes (sales tax, car tax, car fee, income tax) that totals over $14,000,000,000.00 (multiply that out a few years to really see that number grow – all of those zeros, by the way, make it BILLIONS). Completely conceded in this Big 5/Big Taxes plan is the notion that Republican lawmakers were elected to office with a pledge to protect Californians from higher taxes (let alone tax hikes of this record-making magnitude). There are two underlying assumptions to this plan that are flawed – the first of which is that there is simply no way to balance the state’s books without a tax increase. The second is that there is no way to get a plan that will resolve the issue that will pass the legislature, because of the need for votes from liberal Democrats.
Republican legislators should soundly reject both of these notions.
**There is more – click the link**
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Exactly on point. If the Republican party doesn’t stand up to the tax increases, then why have a Republican Party? It is just a “Me too” wannabe Democratic Party.
Scott Peotter
Irvine
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Of course out founding fathers and most respected political leaders have agreed that we elect individuals, not party members to excercise their judgement as to what the voters in their districts would want if they had time to study the issue. If we ever really get to the level of party loyalty and a hope for political unity trumping independent judgement, then eventually we will have the same problems most European countries have had with fighting in the streets to settle quarrels.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
John- Who of the Republican Assembly Members are voting for this outrageous bill?
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
OK -Answering my own question:
ALL OF US need to flood the phone lines NOW – of Assembly Members Mike Villines, Anthony Adams, Roger Niello and State Senators Dave Cogdill, Roy Ashburn and Abel Maldonado – to VOTE NO on this outrageous ‘raw deal’ for taxpayers.
Republicans need to take a lesson from House Republicans in Washington and stick together for the sake of California taxpayers. Do a Nancy Reagan and ‘just say no’! The democrats and Arnold need to finally take responsibility for their outrageous spending these past years!
The best thing for this State is for it to collapse start over.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
CALL THESE NOW! VOTE “NO” ON BUDGET RAW DEAL!
State Senators:
Abel Maldonado (San Louis Obispo) 916-651-4015
Dave Cogill (Fresno) 916-651-4014
Roy Ashburn (Bakersfield) 916-651-4018
Assembly Members:
Mike Villines (Fresno) 916-319-2029
Anthony Adams (Claremont) 916-319-2059
Roger Niello (Sacto) 916-319-2005
Their votes affect ALL Californians- not just their District!
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Come one you stinking RINOS….why not chirp in now with your GET-A-LONG goombyeahhhh pap….your hiding under your beds and PC literature covered desks praying that your administrative and political careers are still in play….TORRIES working both liberals and conservatives to suck donations, salaries and perks out of allcitizens and taxpayers… your the worst of the worst enabling this budget nightmare….sickening.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
With this logic, I guess you can blame California Democrats for the country’s Recession, even in those states with Republican Governors. Wait a minute, Ca has a Republican Governor. Arnie said Bush Jr knew what he was doing with the wars and the economy. You Reap what you Sow. Wait a minute, Bush Jr is not responsible for the worst Recession since the 1930’s- its Jimmy Carter’s fault. Message to Republicans- be transparent and start taking responsible for the economic mess Ca is in. And another suggestion to the Republicans in Sacramento- turn into those taxpayer paid cars. Bob Mulholland
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
wow, you would think someone Bob Mulholland’s age could produce a coherent post.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Mulholland? Coherent? Not likely.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Bob M. – Republicans lost the House and Senate in Washington because they did too much spending. So,is the democrat answer now to do the same?
ANSWER: YES IT IS
Your Party with Arnold’s assent,has increased our State’s spending AND BORROWING enormously these past years.
Republicans readily admitted NOT agreeing with President Bush when he signed those big government spending bills and we disagree with Arnold on this as well.
Correction – the worst recession since the Great Depression is not what we have right now. The mess Ronald Reagan had to clean up after Carter was worse.