Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger plays three-dimensional chess on fiscal crisis

Sacramento Bee ^ | Jan. 10, 2004 | Dan Walters

[FairOpinion]

If anyone still doubted that Arnold Schwarzenegger is not just another chiseled face, but is serious about governing -- and about repairing the state's disastrous fiscal condition -- his presentation of a new state budget on Friday should be the clincher. Faced with a $14 billion deficit in next year's budget -- about half of which stemmed from his unilateral decision to reinstate a two-thirds cut in taxes on cars -- Schwarzenegger laid out a plan that, while not entirely gimmick-free, is refreshingly straightforward. It leaves virtually no major state spending category untouched, and dips a bit into the coffers of local governments.

[FairOpinion]

Arnold playing chess with world chess champion Kasparov.

[Support Free Republic]

Hey, I don't mean to be nosey...

... but I'd really like some bacon,
or some help for FR.

[FairOpinion]

Brilliant Arnold ping.

[Texas Eagle]

Faced with a $14 billion deficit in next year's budget -- about half of which stemmed from his unilateral decision to reinstate a two-thirds cut in taxes on cars --

I want to see the numbers. I would be willing to bet that repealing the car tax will result in an increase in revenues to the state Treasury.

[Mentos]

[DoughtyOne]

I may be off base with this comment, but it had been my understanding that reducing the license fees only cust the state around $3 billion.

[lewislynn]

I would be willing to bet that repealing the car tax will result in an increase in revenues to the state Treasury.

I bought 2 new vehicles...one for the (SUV) business deduction and the other cause I can.....

[AmericanVictory]

Bump!

[lewislynn]

I'm going to vote FOR his bond measure because I want him to succeed. It will be a slap in the face to the Democrat legislators and Gray Davis

[Sloth]

[Texas Eagle]

I want to see what the revenues to the Treasury were in the months before the increase and since its repeal. If, as I suspect, that increasing the car tax resulted in a decrease in revenues and repealing it resulted in an increase, I will vote no on the bond measure. There is no reason to borrow money for 30 years when the budget can be balanced by the end of the year.

You have to remember what were talking about here is "projected" deficits, "projected" budgets, etc.

I want to see the actual numbers.

[FairOpinion]

"reducing the license fees only cost the state around $3 billion."

===

Bite your tongue! You are adopting the Dem terminology! When we keep our own money, instead of giving it to the government, that is NOT a "COST".

Also -- the article is totally misleading when it says: " Faced with a $14 billion deficit in next year's budget -- about half of which stemmed from his unilateral decision to reinstate a two-thirds cut in taxes on cars ".

Helloooo!! The overspending, and huge deficit came FIRST, BEFORE Arnold -- then Davis try to mitigate it with tripling the car tax. Arnold did NOT cause the deficit by reducing the car tax, which should never have been raised in the first place. Arnold merely REVEALED the true extent of the DAVIS DEFICIT.

[FairOpinion]

Definition of a chess player

"Everything Arnold does to advance himself (which is to say, everything Arnold does) is carefully thought through by an analytical mind that always looks many steps ahead and is acute and coldly realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of everybody in the game, himself included. "

--- quoting HENDRIK HERTZBERG from his article about Arnold in the New Yorker.

STRONGMAN

[Bommer]

"Everything Arnold does to advance himself (which is to say, everything Arnold does) is carefully thought through by an analytical mind that always looks many steps ahead and is acute and coldly realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of everybody in the game, himself included

Right. Explain his choice to star in "Last Action Hero", "Junior" and "Jingle All the Way"?

[FairOpinion]

well, nobody is right all the time, but Arnold has a pretty darn good bettin average, I would say.

Going from penniless immigrant to being in charge of the World's 5th largest economy is no small feat. Especially, since he did it through hard work and determination, brains and brawn.

[onyx]

Thanks for the ping.

Governor Arnold is a smashing success thus far. We backed and supported the right man.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with your comments and would go futher, to remind these folks that we're over $35 billion in debt, not headed for $14. Talking about $14 is rediculous in light of our current fiscal situation.

[DoughtyOne]

Most actors make their big break based on looks, or being in the right place at the right time. Schwarzenegger had to fight tooth and nail to get where he is, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obsticles, his accent and miserable initial acting abilities.

I think his having to work so hard educated him to some real world truths that most Hollywierd types have no insights about. His business acumen seems far superior to most, inclucing those holding office in Sacramento.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think his having to work so hard educated him to some real world truths that most Hollywierd types have no insights about. His business acumen seems far superior to most, inclucing those holding office in Sacramento.

The "Professional Politicians" in Sacramento have no business acumen!!!

Arnoold has proven that he has an immense amount of business knowledge.

[FairOpinion]

"The "Professional Politicians" in Sacramento have no business acumen!!!

Arnoold has proven that he has an immense amount of business knowledge."

==

It was time to send a real businessman to Sacramento.

[ex-Texan]

*BUMP*!

[goldstategop]

The Los Angeles Times is touting Democratic State Treasurer Phil Angelides in today's edition as the Anti-Schwarzenegger. Angelides is best known as a liberal who hasn't met a spending program he didn't love and who has never found a tax increase objectionable. He's the waay to the left on fiscal policy next to Big Breasts and y'all remember that hapless candidate (still Lt. Governor) got the LOWEST percentage of the popular vote for a Democrat since 1930. The State Treasurer didn't get the message from last October's election result. Its too bad Angelides wasn't recalled as well back then.

[kingu]

Arnold, I still have high hopes for you, but I'm starting to wonder...

The budget for the Governor's office is higher than Davis', the same for Big Breasts. At a time when the budget is in the red, can't you show the rest of the state government the way to go by cutting your own budget first?

Come on, Arnold, I know you can do it!

[Brian Allen]

<< .... Going from penniless immigrant to being in charge of the World's fifth-largest economy is no small feat. Especially, since he did it through hard work and determination, brains and brawn. >>

Arnold has previously made only one other career change.

Having absolutely dominated his first-chosen career by retaining the Championship of the World for more than half a decade, he then became the most successful entertainer in the history of the Human Species.

And now, starting out with more than 60% of the vote, he is the Republican Governor of California?

I'll stick with Arnie!

[Notwithstanding that I won't kid myself that a "bond issue" is anything but a (Deferred) tax increase by any other name]

[NormsRevenge]

One unanticipated side benefit, It's keeping Maria from fulfilling her duties with NBC as an "unbiased reporter".

Thanks for the post. I bet his kids can beat him at checkers, tho. ;-)

[Clinging Bitterly]

>> When we keep our own money, instead of giving it to the government, that is NOT a "COST".

YES!
I get sick of hearing media reports discussing things like tax cuts in those terms. Tax cuts and the like don't "cost" anything, especially to the state. The "state" is not an entity that owns anything with which it could pay any supposed "cost". The state can "take" from one and "give" to another, but doing as little of that as possible is a good thing, and it is clearly not a "cost", but a savings, as those who would have to pay it get to keep it.

[dennisw]

Great post and great photo. I have one of Arnold holding a Hanukka Menorah with long beard Hassidic Jews.

[FairOpinion]

"Great post and great photo. I have one of Arnold holding a Hanukka Menorah with long beard Hassidic Jews."

===

Please post it. I have seen the picture, but not in a while.

[FairOpinion]

Also --- Chessbase.com -- where the original pictures of Arnold playing chess with Kasparov were published picked up this article and this thread. (which in turn was posted here)

Schwarzenegger – playing chess with the budget (FR mentioned)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1056060/posts

[McGavin999]

Pretty impressive.

[Libertina]

and the other cause I can.....
LOL

[dennisw]

I have to scan the photo but I will try.

[Mojave]

We backed and supported the right man.