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A fresh start (Schwarzenegger brings new approach, hope)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/mon/opinion/news_mz1ed17top.html ^ | November 17, 2003

Posted on 11/17/2003 12:31:58 PM PST by South40

Arnold Schwarzenegger will take the oath of office today at one of the most trouble-filled moments in California's modern history.

In an unprecedented display of dissatisfaction, the voters have recalled the incumbent governor less than a year into his second term. The Legislature is incapacitated by partisan paralysis. The budget is submerged in red ink. Jobs are fleeing because of the high cost of doing business here, including a bloated workers' compensation system that threatens to bankrupt many small firms. And the state's economy is only beginning to show signs of rebounding from a prolonged slump.

Yet, the actor-turned-officeholder exudes an unyielding optimism that contrasts sharply with the conventional political view. Therein lies Schwarzenegger's strength – his unique capacity to articulate a brighter future for California and mobilize public support for an agenda to achieve it.

More than any governor in years, Schwarzenegger has an uncommon chance to carry out wholesale reform in Sacramento. One reason is that the electorate is demanding it. But another is that, unlike any governor since Ronald Reagan, Schwarzenegger has the ability to appeal directly to Californians, to go over the heads of legislators when necessary, and to whack through the partisan thicket that long has stymied progress in Sacramento.

Starting today, Gov. Schwarzenegger must deliver on his own call for "action, action, action, action."

The place to begin is by bridging the destructive chasm that divides Democrats and Republicans, not only in the Legislature but also among statewide constitutional officers. Schwarzenegger already has signaled, through bipartisan appointments to key positions in his administration, that he intends to reach across party lines. Democratic leaders who control the Senate and Assembly have an obligation to meet the new governor half-way, to work with him, not against him, in tackling the enormous problems confronting the state. The extreme political polarization of the last decade must end.

The first challenge to be addressed, of course, is the budget. In the special session Schwarzenegger is expected to call next week, a flurry of critical decisions must be made. The governor is moving toward asking voters next March to approve a bond issue of as much as $20 billion to carry the state through to economic recovery.

As stated in this space when Gray Davis still occupied the governor's office, our preference is to eschew bonding for normal operating expenses. But Democrats who now rail against such huge borrowing should be prepared to propose the very steep cuts in spending that are the only real alternative. Schwarzenegger has rightly made it clear he won't raise taxes except under emergency circumstances – and he is entirely correct that tax hikes are the worst possible response to a sluggish economy.

Despite the bleak circumstances that confront Sacramento, Arnold Schwarzenegger's inauguration offers a historic opportunity for a fresh start – one which Democrats and Republicans alike must make the most of.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: catrans
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1 posted on 11/17/2003 12:32:01 PM PST by South40
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To: onyx; goldstategop; My2Cents; FairOpinion; doodlelady; BibChr; EggsAckley; Poohbah
.
2 posted on 11/17/2003 12:33:35 PM PST by South40 (My vote helped defeat cruz bustamante; did yours?)
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To: Jessamine; Bob J; RonDog; Tony in Hawaii; Outraged; diotima; Mercuria; dalereed
bump
3 posted on 11/17/2003 12:35:07 PM PST by buffyt (Can you say President Hillary? Me Neither!!!!)
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To: South40
I love the RX. We need more action less talk and somehow it seemed on target that Arnold happens to be a guy who is not big on small talk. :)
4 posted on 11/17/2003 12:35:08 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: South40

God bless Arnold, Maria, their children, and all of California. Best wishes for a great governorship of a great state. May God guide and bless you during this transition and always! (And it was fun to see Arnold's kids, lovely family!)
5 posted on 11/17/2003 12:37:11 PM PST by buffyt (Can you say President Hillary? Me Neither!!!!)
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To: buffyt
Great pic! I wonder if his kids (the young ones) have a grasp on exactly what's happened and what it means to their family, the state, and all Californians.
6 posted on 11/17/2003 12:39:37 PM PST by South40 (My vote helped defeat cruz bustamante; did yours?)
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To: South40
I have great hopes for Arnolds governance, however, I am a bit dismayed by a inagural luncheon for so many people. Who is paying for this extravagance when the state is broke?
7 posted on 11/17/2003 12:42:49 PM PST by LaraCroft (Grrr baby, very grrrr)
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To: goldstategop
Will the Schwarzenegger Administration really benefit California? Only time will tell. One thing is sure...we've got to be 100% better off than had davis stayed or bustamante had won.

Any idea if those of us who have already paid the tripled car tax will get a refund? I have three personal vehicles. The registration on one was due in Oct. One was due in November, and the third is due next month. I've already paid the first two. $459 to register a Jeep Wrangler? I know liberalism is costly but that's ridiculous.

8 posted on 11/17/2003 12:44:24 PM PST by South40 (My vote helped defeat cruz bustamante; did yours?)
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To: LaraCroft; Lazamataz
...I am a bit dismayed by a inagural luncheon for so many people. Who is paying for this extravagance when the state is broke?

Not to worry.

Laz had a good week last week, said lunch is on him.

Dan
(c;

9 posted on 11/17/2003 12:45:24 PM PST by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: LaraCroft
I have great hopes for Arnolds governance, however, I am a bit dismayed by a inagural luncheon for so many people. Who is paying for this extravagance when the state is broke?

I have no idea. I do know the usual Inaugural Ball with all its extravagance will not take place.

Davis’ mismanagement was/is costing Californians 30-35 million a day. If the cost of a luncheon is the price to pay for booting his sorry butt it's money well spent.

10 posted on 11/17/2003 12:48:14 PM PST by South40 (My vote helped defeat cruz bustamante; did yours?)
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To: South40
When he cuts the budget by 25% to stop the bleeding we will know he is the man for the job.

Here is hoping he has what it takes to do that.

11 posted on 11/17/2003 1:01:26 PM PST by Voltage
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To: South40
Best of luck to the new governor. One thing's for sure - he'll be a heckuvalot better than Gay Davis.
12 posted on 11/17/2003 1:02:35 PM PST by Saundra Duffy (For victory & freedom!!!)
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To: LaraCroft
How silly to worry about who paid for the lunch. There's ALWAYS some sort of inaugural festivity. Usually it's MUCH more extravagant, so this lunch was by all rights much more sensible.

Or are you just looking for something to slap Arnold with?
13 posted on 11/17/2003 1:03:42 PM PST by EggsAckley (..................."Dean's got Tom McClintock Eyes".........................)
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To: South40
I've already paid the first two. $459 to register a Jeep Wrangler?

How much did you pay last year? I already paid my first two. One was $68 (down from $76 last year) and the other was $74 (down from $81 last year). The next one isn’t due until February. I’ve been looking for someone that has paid triple and have yet to find anyone.

14 posted on 11/17/2003 1:16:30 PM PST by Who dat?
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To: Who dat?
I paid $362 for my three-year old GMC Sonoma pick-up. Last year, I paid $146.
15 posted on 11/17/2003 1:20:33 PM PST by Chairman Fred (@mousiedung.commie)
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To: Chairman Fred; South40

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs executive order S-1-03 to repeal the California car tax as his first order of business after being sworn in as the state's 38th Governor during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento November 17, 2003. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

16 posted on 11/17/2003 1:45:44 PM PST by Tamzee (EARTH FIRST!!! We'll stripmine the other planets later...)
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To: Chairman Fred
I paid $362 for my three-year old GMC Sonoma pick-up. Last year, I paid $146.

It looks like it must only apply to newer vehicles. 1n 1992 when I brought the car into CA (that I just paid the $74 for), it cost me $680 to register including some sort of tax. It was four months old so I guess CA thought they needed to collect sales tax or something.

I'd be semi-inclined to buy something newer and get rid of some of my junkers, but then maybe not if they think I'm going to pay $300, $400, $500 to register - I've played that game in the past.

17 posted on 11/17/2003 2:15:28 PM PST by Who dat?
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To: Tamsey
That's one cool picture. We're getting our tax dollars worth. GO ARNOLD!!! :)
18 posted on 11/17/2003 2:20:04 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Tamsey; Sabertooth; Joe Hadenuf; Grampa Dave
"California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs executive order S-1-03 to repeal the California car tax as his first order of business after being sworn in as the state's 38th Governor during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento November 17, 2003. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson"

Pfft. Too 'm long enuf!

19 posted on 11/17/2003 2:23:20 PM PST by Southack (Media bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: South40
A fabulous day and the car tax is already repealed! A man of his word, I am certain.

We backed the right candidate: Governor Arnold!

He's so humble, sincere and optimistic. It's contagious!
20 posted on 11/17/2003 2:25:25 PM PST by onyx
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