Voter Revolt Goes On...

ChronWatch ^ | 10/12/2003 | Bob Chandra

[jagrmeister]

Voter Revolt Goes On...

The landslide victory of Arnold Schwarzenegger in California should have sent a clear message to state legislators: ''Quit the petty partisanship and get work done for the people.'' The recall passed by double digits and Arnold was elected over his Democrat opponent by 17 points – a massive margin. If that doesn’t give him a mandate, it’s not clear what would. Californians are expecting Arnold to usher in a fresh brand of politics that puts the people first. And they’re expecting that the Legislature will work with him. Unfortunately, many Democrat legislators have failed to hear that message.

The governor-elect struck a conciliatory note with his acceptance speech, pledging to be the governor of all the people and stating, ''I will call all the leaders of the Legislature, both Democrats and Republicans, and I will let them know that my door will always be open. That I want to work with them together for the good of California.''

While Arnold extended an olive branch, the Democrat legislators would have none of it. Democrat State Senator Shiela Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) said about Arnold’s upcoming ''State of the State'' address, ''I don't know if everybody is going to go to the State of the State because frankly I don't think there is going to be a lot of content that anyone's interested in. What's this guy got to say to us about the state of the state? Nothing.'' So much for bipartisanship. So much for putting the interests of the people before partisan strife.

And that’s not all. Democrat State Senator John Vasconcellos (D-San Jose) demonstrated the statesman-like qualities that Sacramento Democrats are known for by calling Schwarzenegger ''a boob.'' Worse, he mocked the decision of California voters and said they had ''made a mistake.'' His Democrat colleague Kuehl claimed that she must ''save the state…from ignorance.'' The message of political elites like Vasconcellos and Kuehl is clear: the Democrat elites know what’s best and California voters simply cannot be trusted.

But for sheer sleaziness, Democrat assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) takes the cake. Rather than pledging to work with the governor-elect, Leno said he would introduce a bill named ''Arnold's Law'' to increase the punishment for sexual battery in the workplace. Never mind that there is not one iota of proof that Arnold committed sexual battery. While these appear to be the shenanigans of children, these are unfortunately the actions of our representatives in state government. Californians put these kinds of career politicians on notice with the recall of Gray Davis. It was meant to put an end to ''puke politics'' and elitism. It was a clear message that ''politics as usual'' had to end. But given their language, Sacramento Democrats haven’t taken the hint. They have gone right back to their usual tactics of smearing their opponents and insulting the will of the people.

A key element of the recall was voter anger over Gray Davis’s tripling of the car tax. Arnold has made rescinding that tax increase a first priority in office. However, leftists within the state finance department are already claiming they’ll fight the governor-elect over the issue. And Democrat State Senate leader John Burton is shaping up to be the chief obstructionist in the legislature. About the car tax, he has said, ''There is not going to be any backfill from the state of California to local government for any cuts in the VLF (Vehicle License Fee) because we do not have the money.'' Translation: ''Over my dead body.''

The people have voted for change. But that hasn’t gotten through to Sacramento Democrats. Led by the crusty, difficult Burton, the state Democrats may well suffer the same fate of Gray Davis if their antagonistic, obstructionist language translates into obstructionist behavior. Sacramento Democrats appear tone-deaf and eager to give us one thing: gridlock. In 2004, voters go back to the polls. And with the recall under their belt, they are confident of their own power to reshape the political landscape. Democrat State Senator Vasconcellos said recently, ''If people want this actor to govern ... they don't need or deserve me.'' He’s absolutely right. Californians deserve much better.

--

Bob Chandra is a Bay Area Republican activist and writer.

[goldstategop]

The Democrats are whining like little kids cause they know the adults are back in charge.

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[nunoste]

I watched the election results on tv with a bunch of political science graduate students and they really are counting on people like Burton to undermine Schwarzenneger even if it means California suffers.

I think Arnold is going to have to appeal to Bush. Bush has everything to gain by making Californians better off before the next election.

[FairOpinion]

On the other hand, some Dem strategists are advising against such actions by the Dems, fearing it will boomerang back on them.

====
From another article:

"It's tempting to let Schwarzenegger fail, Sragow said. He's splitting from other Democratic elected officials and consultants who suggested that strategy, however.

The car tax Schwarzenegger wants to repeal "is hugely unpopular with California voters," and can be used as a wedge issue by Republicans if it remains. And continued budget gridlock may be self-defeating for Assembly Democrats who must all seek re-election next year, while -- barring another recall -- Schwarzenegger won't face voters until 2006.

Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson thinks Sragow "offers some good advice and at this point does not disagree with it," said a spokeswoman. Schwarzenegger spokesmen had no immediate comment.

Voters feel vulnerable to terrorism, to the economy and job losses; victimized by corporate scandals and California' electricity crisis; and angry over the state's budget gridlock and massive deficit.

"That's why there was a recall," Sragow said. "They're mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore. Anyone in elected office ignores that at their peril."

"If this problem is solved there's plenty of credit to go around," Sragow said. "If the gridlock isn't solved, whoever's in power is likely to pay a price."






http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/10/11/state1908EDT0058.DTL

[FairOpinion]

And speaking of voter revolt going on: next objective, fix the gerrymandering:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1000129/posts

Ted Costa wants to overhaul the state's redistricting system, a notoriously partisan process that has helped preserve Democratic majorities — and protect Republican incumbents — in the Legislature and Congress for decades.

The initiative, now in the drafting stage, is slated to be made public within the next few weeks. If enough signatures are gathered, the measure would appear on the November 2004 ballot.

[Lancey Howard]

The naivette is startling.

California's legislators are entrenched in absurdly "safe" districts. When they are termed out, they are replaced by like-minded newcomers. They are largely elected by parasites who expect their representatives to do whatever is possible to extract more and more tax money from California's producers so that there is more "free stuff" for them, the parasites.

There is absolutely no incentive for most of these legislators to do what's best for California. None. The game is to get elected and then reelected to cushy offices with lots of perks and priveldge, and then to parlay that experience into government appointments or lucrative lobbyist jobs. To accomplish their selfish goals, Democrat legislators must continue to deliver the free stuff to the parasites who elect them.

Not Arnold, not anybody, is going to change this scheme any time soon. Sorry.

[I still care]

All the politicians mentioned are in safe districts. A San Francisco politician has nothing to lose by trying to thwart Arnold.

They would vote democratic if they were the only county in the US doing it. They are totally out of touch with reality and the rest of the country.

Actually, I think they should split CA and give SF it's own state. It would be interesting to watch the resulting social experiment. They would be set free to enact all their "progressive" reforms. I wonder how long it would be before they totally self destructed.

[ambrose]

If they prevent progress, progress will prevent them from being re-elected.

You think that a San Francisco Democrat failing to cooperate with Schwarzenegger will put his/her job at risk? You're joking, right? The recall was rejected in Frisco by an 80 to 20 margin.

[goldstategop]

That's right. They have nothing to lose by opposing Arnold cause their constituents are even more liberal than they are. On the other hand, some Democrats represent areas in which the recall won big. They may be the ones amenable to persuasion, especially if Arnold goes into their districts. So its by no means in the bag for the likes of John Burton and Sheila Kuehl.

[ambrose]

Is Herb Wesson safe?

Yes - so long as he obstructs Arnold... If he cooperates, Maxine Waters will send someone to challenge him in the primary.

[SteveH]

Take it a couple of more steps:

On his first day of office, Arnold cancels the tripling of the car tax.

The second day, local governments, who if I am not mistaken have the most to lose from the cancellation of day 1, start screaming.

What happens on the third day?

[ambrose]

Term limits also makes the situation even worse. You get a batch of amateur kooks running the asylum. These legislators have the same basic mentality as your average DUer. Since they're limited to only a few terms, they have more of a "I don't give a f-, vote against me" attitude.

It is time to admit that term limits in CA has been a colossal failure.

[capocchio]

clear message that ''politics as usual'' had to end. But Sacramento Democrats haven’t taken the hint

And I doubt they ever will. Just look at the US Senate, when have Democrats "taken the hint" there? The ballot box may be a solution, but it takes a while, voter memories are short and many just don't want to be bothered.

It will take more than waiting for next year. It will take a very vocal Governor to browbeat the Legislature into acting. If he is as passive with his pronouncements as Bush is, nothing will change. If he is as sharp and incisive as he was in the interview with Dan Rather recently, then the Dems will be quickly on the defensive and having to justify their tactics on a daily basis.

That, and only that, will assure the voters don't forget. That and only that will make the Democrats think about the Recall election. That and only that will get Arnold's agenda acted upon.

I think he has the wherewithall to pull it off. If so, California politics may soon have more fireworks than, say, a Swartzenegger movie!!

[goldstategop]

I disagree. Term limits have limited the ability of extreme liberal ideologues to do a lifetime of damage. Herb Wesson, John Burton, John Vasconcellos, and Sheila Kuehl may be enconcensed in safe seats but they're also term limited. And that is a good thing. No more career politicians. When we get rid of gerrymandering, the politicos will finally become responsive to public opinion. And that move us a great deal closer to re-establishing a part-time and citizen legislature in California.

[GeronL]

Question- why didn't the Green, Natural Law and American Independent Parties make sure they only had one candiate??

[GeronL]

Actually, I think they should split CA and give SF it's own state

Nah, make them a territory, like Guam.. they won't get Senators..