Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ray Haynes: Schwarzenegger Learns How Democrats Negotiates
ChronWatch ^ | Dec. 18, 2003 | Ray Haynes

Posted on 12/17/2003 10:27:22 PM PST by FairOpinion

Governor Schwarzenegger learned an important lesson this last week. He came to Sacramento with a desire to ''negotiate'' a ''bipartisan'' solution to our budget crisis. He honestly believed that this ''bipartisan'' solution was possible. He even proposed a ''bipartisan'' solution to the crisis. The Democrats then threw his ''bipartisan'' solution in the trash can, and told the world he ''refused to negotiate.'' Welcome to Sacramento, Governor.

Let me explain.

For each of the past three years, Democrats have spent $8 billion more than they have received in revenue. In the 2001-02 budget, this was not a problem, because the state had four years of record surpluses. That surplus was burning a hole in the pockets of the Legislative Democrats, so they spent it as fast as it would come in, but even still, in June, 2001, the state ended the year with a $6 billion surplus.

That surplus didn't last long. By July of 2002, the state had spent the entire $6 billion, plus $2 billion more. By the end of the 2002-03 budget, the state had a $10.8 billion debt. That debt was financed with a one-year loan, due in May, 2004. In addition, the state owes the state employee pension fund (Cal-PERS) $2.5 billion that it cannot pay. To get state finances through 03-04 (the year the state is in now), and to get the debt off the books, the state borrowed $2.5 billion from the state pension fund, and approved a $10.8 billion bond to be sold as soon as possible. A court has recently ruled the pension loan illegal. Some believe the $10.8 billion bond is illegal, too.

The state is, therefore, faced with three options to deal with this accumulated debt: (1) raise taxes; (2) cut spending drastically; or (3) refinance the debt over a period of time longer than one year with voter approval (to remove any legal doubt). Schwarzenegger promised not to raise taxes, so he is left with two options. He chose the refinance option, mainly because the Democrats won't cut spending enough to pay off the $13.3 billion in debt we already owe. He said, however, that he would not borrow the money unless the state imposed a strict spending limit. Republicans reluctantly agreed to go along with the borrowing, if the spending limit was part of the deal.

The Democrats then complained about the bond. Now, wait a minute. You either cut programs to pay for this accumulated debt, or you borrow the money; the choice is one or the other, not inaction. The debt will come due, and the banks will get real unhappy if the state doesn't pay. The bond helps the Democrats avoid massive program cuts. Most Republicans I know want the cuts. The Democrats do not.

Republicans want the spending limit, since overspending got us into this mess in the first place. Schwarzenegger's plan bridged this partisan divide by giving the Democrats a way to protect their programs, and Republicans a way to swallow a bitter bond pill. The Republicans swallowed the pill, the Democrats whined.

That is how Democrats negotiate. We'll take what we want, they say, give you nothing of what you want, and then cry about how difficult you are to negotiate with. The lesson to the Governor should be: kick them first, just to get their attention, and then negotiate. In this case, the Governor started out with the best solution, in light of the depth of the problem. The Democrats, who created the problem, then sought to blame the whole thing on him, and then deny him a solution.

That is Sacramento under Democrat domination. Maybe, just maybe, the people will get the idea, and change the Legislature like they changed the Governor. One can only hope.

Ray Haynes represents the 56th Assembly District in the California Legislature.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: calgov2002; rayhaynes; schwarzenegger
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-68 next last
Ray Haynes has the right idea:

"The lesson to the Governor should be: kick them first, just to get their attention, and then negotiate. In this case, the Governor started out with the best solution, in light of the depth of the problem. The Democrats, who created the problem, then sought to blame the whole thing on him, and then deny him a solution.

That is Sacramento under Democrat domination. Maybe, just maybe, the people will get the idea, and change the Legislature like they changed the Governor. One can only hope. "

1 posted on 12/17/2003 10:27:22 PM PST by FairOpinion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion; Carry_Okie; forester; sasquatch; B4Ranch; SierraWasp; hedgetrimmer; christie; ...
Governor Schwarzenegger learned an important lesson this last week. He came to Sacramento with a desire to ''negotiate'' a ''bipartisan'' solution to our budget crisis. He honestly believed that this ''bipartisan'' solution was possible. He even proposed a ''bipartisan'' solution to the crisis. The Democrats then threw his ''bipartisan'' solution in the trash can, and told the world he ''refused to negotiate.'' Welcome to Sacramento, Governor.

LMAO!!!

2 posted on 12/17/2003 10:29:26 PM PST by farmfriend ( Isaiah 55:10,11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: farmfriend
This will boomerang against the Dems two ways:

-- by the time his term is up, Arnold will have lost any illusion about Democrats and bipartisanship

--- hopefully people of CA will get a better idea about how damaging the Dems are to CA and vote them out in Nov. 2004
3 posted on 12/17/2003 10:35:13 PM PST by FairOpinion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
hopefully people of CA will get a better idea about how damaging the Dems are to CA and vote them out in Nov. 2004

Don't think I will hold my breath.

4 posted on 12/17/2003 10:37:05 PM PST by farmfriend ( Isaiah 55:10,11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
PFFFT...Arnold was more than willing to sign anything. He didn't even try to "negotiate" with the Dems. He basically told the Republicans to take a hike.

Arnold didn't "learn" anything, he was a willing accomplice.
5 posted on 12/17/2003 10:38:51 PM PST by Fledermaus (Fascists, Totalitarians, Baathists, Communists, Socialists, Democrats - what's the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: farmfriend
You don't negotiate with 'Rats. ;)
6 posted on 12/17/2003 10:39:08 PM PST by Frohickey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: farmfriend
Well, getting rid of Davis was a major step -- many people didn't think it could be done.

The rest of the Dems are next.

I think people of CA are mad "we are mad and we are not going to take it anymore".

The Dems are forgetting the lessons of the recall at their own peril.

Hoping for a Bush win and Republican sweep in CA.
7 posted on 12/17/2003 10:39:08 PM PST by FairOpinion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion; Grampa Dave; SierraWasp
The Dems are forgetting the lessons of the recall at their own peril.

I agree!!!

8 posted on 12/17/2003 10:41:53 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Davis is now out of Arnoold's Office , Bout Time!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Fledermaus
"Arnold didn't "learn" anything, he was a willing accomplice."

===

Ah, the Arnold bashing is starting...

I wasn't going to bring this up, but since you started to bash Arnold.

Note the positive tone of Haynes article, vs. the whiny, accusatory, unrealistic, unhelpful tone of the McClintock articles and compare the two.

Haynes is a conservative looking for solution, McClintock claims to be conservative, but all he does is obstructs, but has no realistic solutions.

9 posted on 12/17/2003 10:43:11 PM PST by FairOpinion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
The lesson to the Governor should be: kick them first, just to get their attention, and then negotiate.

After Arnold has hired so many leftist Democrats to key positions, after failing to talk to any Republicans in the legislature during the passage of his revolving credit bailout bills, after having only TWO Repblican Senators vote for said package... I don't think it's sinking in.

Of course, we told you it would go this way, that the Slave Party would kick him in the nuts no matter how hard he tries to meet them halfway, but you failed to heed the warnings, preferring instead to fling your spew at a man who understood that it was war from the beginning and made no apology about stating it honestly. Now all you offer is spin.

There's only one positive development after Arnold's win: Republicans have more reason than ever not to support a RINO for the coming Senate election, and good reason not to believe a word the "moderates" say about "social liberal and fiscal conservative."

10 posted on 12/17/2003 10:44:35 PM PST by Carry_Okie (The environment is too complex and too important to manage by politics.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
I'm not bashing Arnold. I'm reporting the truth as I've read it in many publications. He willingly agreed to the Dems and locked out the ideas of Republicans.

He threw the spending caps out the window. That's all I need to know. But I really don't care, I don't live there and I couldn't care less if went bankrupt, feel into the ocean or was taken over by Mexico.

Doesn't effect me whatsoever.
11 posted on 12/17/2003 10:45:30 PM PST by Fledermaus (Fascists, Totalitarians, Baathists, Communists, Socialists, Democrats - what's the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
Sawrzzy will have to go and ask the people to vote for something besides Democrats.
12 posted on 12/17/2003 10:46:38 PM PST by GeronL (Saddam is out of the hole and into the quagmire!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
Bump
13 posted on 12/17/2003 10:52:21 PM PST by PRND21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fledermaus
feel into the ocean

The irony of that typo!

14 posted on 12/17/2003 10:52:38 PM PST by farmfriend ( Isaiah 55:10,11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
Maybe Arnold should have a podium built outside the Governor's Mansion and start holding press conferences, so people will call him "Give 'em ____ Arnold." As in "I don't give 'em ____. I just tell the truth on 'em and they think it's ____."
15 posted on 12/17/2003 10:54:52 PM PST by 185JHP ( "What seest thou, Jeremiah?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
hopefully people of CA will get a better idea about how damaging the Dems are to CA and vote them out in Nov. 2004

I admire your optimism and wish I could share in it. Unfortunately, Californians have a long history of doing the same dumb things over and over again while at the same time expecting different results. : (

I don't hold out much hope for a state that keeps re-electing Feinstein and Boxer...

16 posted on 12/17/2003 10:55:03 PM PST by Prime Choice (Leftist opinions may be free, but I still feel like I'm getting ripped off every time I receive one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Fledermaus; FairOpinion; Poohbah
You've got it right. The fans of Arnold will have trouble facing that Arnold spit in the faces of the GOP legislators by negotiating behind their backs. Only 2 GOP state senators (Brulte and his heir apparent) backed Arnold's deal; the rest opposed it. Forget fiscal reform in California for a while.

I can't wait for Arnold to support drivers licenses for illegal aliens next year (of course with stricter security provisions; ha, ha, ha). Arnold's fans are in for a LONG THREE YEARS.
17 posted on 12/17/2003 10:55:04 PM PST by sruleoflaw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Frohickey
You don't negotiate with 'Rats

We negotiated with Davis, didn't we?

18 posted on 12/17/2003 10:56:23 PM PST by PRND21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: FairOpinion
Bring it on buddy. It's good to see you attacking McClintock. Just like the good days.

Are you looking forward to backing Arnold next year when he supports drivers licenses for illegal aliens? -- and sticks the knife in our backs.

I hope you are perceptive enough and honest enough to understand that the CRA and McClintock qualifying the referendum is what stopped licenses for illegal aliens. I doubt you are able to admit this.
19 posted on 12/17/2003 10:58:01 PM PST by sruleoflaw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: sruleoflaw
I see:

Speaking the truth about McClintock is an "attack" -- but twisting things and making up outright lies about Arnold and what Arnold will do in the future, is not. Got it. Democrats are good, that's why McClintock votes with them, but he is the conservative hero.

Republicans who try to make a positive change within the hard exsiting constraints are RINO-s, but those who want to see California really destroyed are hero conservatives.

(/sarcasm)
20 posted on 12/17/2003 11:01:59 PM PST by FairOpinion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-68 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson