California's "Stuck on Stupid!"

November 16, 2005 | Rick J. Radecki

[DesertGOP]

In the wake of Governor Schwarzenegger’s efforts to do exactly what the populace of the Golden State theoretically elected him to do when they voted him into Sacramento to replace Gov. Gray Davis a while back—that is, to initiate practical reform in California—I’d like to suggest that the power-hungry, Democratic Party-controlled unions in this state use whatever money they have left in their war chests and call attention to the need for just one more special election.

This time around, let’s see if they (the unions) might be successful in passing a proposition that officially lists the state motto as the following: “California—Stuck on Stupid!”

Oh sure, I realize that there still exist some –though not nearly enough to make a difference—decent-minded, common sense, traditional family values folk here on the Left Coast who believe that to steal money (without their permission) from public employee union members is wrong (Prop 75); that to require a parent to be notified of their child being taken out of class for an abortion only makes sense (Prop 73); that public school teachers should first be mandated to prove themselves worthy of their position before being granted tenure upon their five-year anniversary (Prop 74); that the state should only spend as much money as it takes in (Prop 76); that a workable prescription drug program that would have helped millions of Californians is a good thing (Prop 78); that any big-government drug plan is a bad thing (Prop 79); that flawed and unfair electricity policies from Sacramento are wrong (Prop 80); and, that redistricting shouldn’t be left in the hands of corrupt politicians (Prop 77).

Just a note that propositions 79 and 80 were voted down by state voters, but that is little consolation when it appears that this entire election was generally a citizen referendum against any courageous attempt on the governor’s part to reform state government.

There must be plenty of likeminded Californians who are as frustrated as I am who woke up this morning, read our local newspapers or jumped onto the Internet, only to discover that, the same people who joined us from the other side of the ideological aisle—battling alongside us against the powers-that-be when former-Gov. Gray Davis was fighting for his political life way back when—the same activists and just plain, normal, hardworking folk clamoring for Change! Change! Change! back then—want nothing of real change or any lasting reform after all, but, rather, are comfortable with the status quo of “business as usual” up and down the state.

While this is only one special election, and it’s not exactly Armageddon, the only hope I have left for California is that when the inevitable “train wreck” happens—when an anti-family, anti-parent, anti-marriage, anti-public employee, anti-financial restraint, anti-fairness and common sense Democratic-controlled state legislature runs the state smack dab into a brick wall of incompetence, moral decay and out-of-control spending—that there aren’t many passengers, if you will, still left on the loco-motive (as in the Spanish word for “crazy”) when it crashes.

So, when’s the first bus out of California leaving?

[DesertGOP]

Hey Folks,

I make no claims to be the next-great Thomas Sowell, Charles Krauthammer, or George Will, but I am a concerned Californian who continues to be disappointed--time and time again--with mounting frustration, to boot, at the lack of common sense, lack of common decency and lack of logic here in the once-Golden State on the Left Coast.

Case in point is the defeat of each and every one of Governor Schwarzenneger's bold (but smart) propositions put out there for a people--who, at least, I thought voted him into office for this very reason (other than to see "Gray-Skyes" Davis get the boot)--for CHANGE--not just any change, however, but realistic and necessary change for the better, for the future.

What truly frustrates me is the utter lack of any backbone or resolve on the part of conservatives (including self-professed Evangelical Christians who's values SHOULD line up more closely with the GOP than with today's Democratic Party) to stand up, sound off and say to "you-know-where" with political correctness. But, as with most folk in my home state, it's "whatever out there is popular is what I'll do--as long as I don't step on anybody's toes or offend my fellow citizen." It's the "go-with-the-flow" mentality, I guess, that gets my dandruff up more than anything else.

So, in the end, folks like me who actually take a stand for morality, decency and common sense are automatically branded as "religious, right-wing zealots who want nothing less than to shove one's Bible down one's throat!"

Well, off of my soapbox for now.

I actually sent this same commentary ("California's 'Stuck on Stupid!'") to the editor of our local High Desert (Victorville) newspaper--though, I'm not holding out any hope that they'll be printing it anytime soon.

Thanks for allowing THIS disgruntled Californian to sound off.

Rick Victorville, CA

[EagleUSA]

The recent election was a real tragedy for the state that WAS once great. I know, I have lived here most of my life and saw the state when it was VERY good. Now, it is a cesspool of liberalism, illegal immigration, radical liberal taxation, and a thriving welfare state.

The people of the state can only thank themselves for the destruction of what we had.

[Tzimisce]

I love how the Dems (who always fight for the little guy and want the big money out of politics) out spent the GOP in this election and used Union/Hollywood money.

[xusafflyer]

After the special election, even my parents stated they were considering following my wife and I to Jesusland. The failed election may have a happy ending for me yet.

[laney]

I am a NATIVE CALIFORNIAN, we have the best state in the entire USA that is why everyone wanted to come here and some have ruined the great state it was, but the ones who were born raised here and have roots will do there part to help heal this state and bring it back to the wonderful place it was for so many many years...

California Dreamin!

[Nea Wood]

You're so right. I've seen this state go from Paradise to Hell in 30 years.

[laney]

So Jesusland as in Israel?

[fish hawk]

Note to the last guy leaving California: Don't bother turning out the lights, there wont be any power to worry about anyway.

[Pajamajan]

"We have the best state in the entire USA"

Yes, we do. It is a beautiful place. (I was born and raised here too).

Unfortunately, I fear it is damaged beyond repair from years and years of socialist policies.

[BurbankKarl]

Pretty amazing CA is still overspending its budget by the tune of $16 million per day....

[xusafflyer]

No...the midwest (Indiana in my case).

[laney]

I think Jesus is returning to his homeland *Jersusalem* not Indiana or the Midwest...:)

[laney]

Well you never know...I say: Never say Never...

I have thought of moving to Arizona or Colorado but I feel like I would be leaving my best friend who is dying...:(

[Pajamajan]

"still overspending it's budget to the tune of $16 million per day"

EeeeeeeeeeeeeGads...... I didn't know it was that bad. Not only have we hit the ice berg, we are sinking fast. Something is going to have to give. It's not going to be pretty.

[B.O. Plenty]

Rick:

California, they say, is the first state to implement socal things...so California naturally would be the first American State to be totally destroyed by socalism, greed and stupidity.

Note this:

This memorable quotation is from Sir Alex Fraser Tytler (1742-1813). Scottish jurist and historian, he was widely known in his time and was professor of Universal History at Edinburgh University in the late 18th century.

The quotation is from the 1801 collection of his lectures:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

The average age of the world's great civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:

from bondage to spiritual faith;

from spiritual faith to great courage;

from courage to liberty;

from liberty to abundance;

from abundance to selfishness;

from selfishness to complacency;

from complacency to apathy;

from apathy to dependency;

from dependency back again to bondage."

So....you see...the socalists, welfare class and other "progressives" outvoted you. Probably because most of the people who love freedom and free markets were working and didn't bother to vote. On the other hand, you can bet your ass that the union bosses, the 'rat party, the communists, socialists, naacp, et al got out the rock bands, free lunches and had plenty of transportation to take all the "progressive" voters to the polls after they all got up....sometime after noon.

The same senario will soon spread everywhere.

My contention is that none of the founding fathers ever intended for everyone to vote....for they understood that before long, the welfare class would be in charge.

California is just the first to fall and it won't be long now that they will come whining to the feds to bail them out.

The "governator" needs to get out now, or he will be blamed for the coming disaster.

[EagleUSA]

I love how the Dems (who always fight for the little guy and want the big money out of politics) out spent the GOP in this election and used Union/Hollywood money.
-----
They are lying hypocrites -- it is how they survive. No matter what the issue, they will be on the side that they benefit from POLITICALLY.

[kellynla]

Have faith!

Those of us who went out and got the signatures for the recall haven't thrown in the towel just yet...

Schwarzenegger squandered away his popularity that he enjoyed the first few months in office when he could have taken McClintck's "13 Percent Solution" and ran with it which would have totally eliminated the budget defiicit to the point that he then could have promoted total elimination of the state income tax which in turn would have not only convinced companies not to leave but other companies to move to California.

Unfortunately, Schwarzenegger had "Dumb & Dumber", Pete Wilson & Dick Riordan as "advisers" and well...you know the rest.

Now Schwarzenegger is in China, hat in hand trying to encourage the Chicoms to buy our products? ROFLMAO

The Chicoms can't afford to "pay attention" and couldn't careless about purchasing products that they make cheaper at home from slave labor.

So, at this point, all we can hope for is that Mrs. Schwarzenegger convinces hubby that they can't afford to live off what he's making especially since he had to return magazine endorsements, pack it in and go back to L.A. and start making movies again...at least he'll know what to say and do with a script in front of him...

and maybe, just maybe he'll do what he should have done in 2003 and endorse McClintock for Governor.

Lunchtime!
cyaaaaaaaa

[Pajamajan]

"I would be leaving my best friend who is dying:-("

How did this state become such a socialist nightmare? We have more FReepers than any other state. It's such a great place (when you leave Sacramento out of it).

I want to make the California bashing rule- If any FReeper bashes our state, they have to move here.

Now, if I could just find enough money to fund the Move-A-Liberal-To-Canada program- the state might be saved. I would even gladly support a tax increase for this program.

[laney]

LOL..I agree with you! WE need to rid the ones who have come here to sabotage everything we stood for... My mother has so many great stories about her childhood living here as well as *ME* who spent my summer vacations hanging out at the beach with the wonderul weather we had... Going to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Lake Tahoe, San Diego Mammoth the great neighborhood I lived in, I really feel sad what I see now..:(

[Reagan Man]

Well said, kellynla.