GOP vows to fight Jerry Brown's tax measure

Sacramento Bee ^ | 5/4/12 | Kevin Yamamura and David Siders

[SmithL]

After years of being labeled the "Party of No" by majority Democrats, California Republican leaders stood under rainy skies Thursday outside the Capitol to dub themselves the "Party of Yes."

The newly christened party kicked off its campaign by asking for a "no" vote on Gov. Jerry Brown's tax hike.

California Republican Party leaders organized the press conference to launch a statewide whistle-stop tour just as Brown finished collecting signatures for his $9 billion tax initiative.

"Jerry Brown is turning in his signatures as we speak to make that (top tax rate) the highest rate in the country," said California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro. "We think that's the wrong way to go."

Standing next to a "Party of Yes" banner proclaiming "yes" on jobs, solutions and tax relief, they said the governor's plan would drive businesses and residents out of the state. They promoted their own budget proposal, which relies on deep cuts and one-time revenue maneuvers but does not raise taxes.

Del Beccaro wouldn't say how much he expected the cash-strapped party to spend against the governor's measure.

"I'm not concerned about the cost," he said. "We're using alternative media. We're out there with volunteers. We're the party of volunteers, and we're going to continue to pursue that."

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

California Republicans are utter failures for one major reason. They try to be as inclusive as possible by being as liberal as possible. They shun conservatism, which is why they are condemned to minority status. They offer no alternative to the chaos fomented by the Democrats.

Perhaps only the promise that they will drive California off the cliff slower than the Democrats would. But it’s still off the cliff.

[deadrock]

Your premise holds for all states/provinces/countrys in western world, not just Cali.

I would add that there are not enough conservatives anywhere to make the necessary changes. The iceberg is in view and the sane action of avoiding it is labeled as extreme.