Posted on 01/09/2007 11:10:05 AM PST by ElkGroveDan
I feel like a chump.
This entire past year, Arnold Schwarzenegger had as a central theme to his campaign for re-election the fact that he would oppose any increase in taxes. I think it would be fair to say that this was a central theme to his campaign. As a matter of fact, in a candidacy that often times stressed issues that were not very appealing to core Republican voters, it was his focused contrasting of Phil Angelides' "The Tax Man" against his own rhetoric of opposing new taxes that helped to mollify, and excite the GOP base to support his candidacy.
Yet, the very first business day following his inauguration to a second term, the Governor rolls out a new massive government incursion that is straight from the playbooks of the Democrat Party, with a centerpiece being tax increases. I don't get it. This Governor understands that what makes this country great is the idea of individual liberty and individual responsibility. Yet, he has thrown out the notion of individual responsibility, trading it in for this new "shared responsibility" rhetoric which is no more than a justification for a massive explanation of government intrusion into, and further regulation of healthcare delivery in this state.
We have already had numerous FlashReport contributors weighing in on this plan, including Barry Jantz, Jennifer Nelson, and Mike Der Manouel. Mike succinctly asks one question about universal health care, where has it ever worked? Britain's system is bankrupt. Canada's is beset with rationing and long wait times. Tennessee abandoned its system. Maine has had nothing but problems.
I am sure that as they read their newspapers this morning, tens of thousands of Republican donors and volunteers are wondering how Governor Schwarzenegger could so easily (and quickly) break his promise to Californians not to raise taxes. At the center of this new healthcare proposal is a requirement that employers that have a least ten employees provide insurance, and if they don't, a new 4% payroll tax is imposed on them. In addition, there are new taxes proposed on doctors and hospitals. Then there is a huge increase in socialized medicine as state-provided healthcare programs are massively expanded to cover millions more people. And over-arching the entire proposal is a mandate that every Californian is required to have healthcare insurance, a slippery slope towards the notion that it is no longer the responsibility of individuals and families to provide for their own well being, but rather that healthcare insurance is a responsibility of the government.
Of course, none of these concerns cover the huge concern that the Governor wants to include in his program the biggest illegal-immigrant-magnet of all time -- providing free health care coverage to criminal aliens. Good grief.
I'm not sure which is worse. Having the Governor renege on such a major campaign promise as he starts his new term, or the actual plan itself which is such poor public policy.
Either way, this morning I am just really disappointed in the Governor. Like I said above, I feel like a chump. And I'm not alone.
Anyone seen FO lately?
Oh, why, oh, why, am I totally unsurprised?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Re-Call
Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call
Mr. Fleischman needs to wake up and smell the coffee.
Yooohooo. Over here.
See what sleeping with a member of the Kennedy family will do to you.
Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall Recall
Fully expected this day to come. Just wasn't sure of the "when". Ahnold is nothing more than a big spending liberal, which CA voters should have know by who he hangs with (the Kennedy Clan).
How can we get the ball rolling?
As you should, Jon. Just Saturday, you said
"I guess I'll wait for the roll-out of his new health care proposals and his "state of the state" address to see if the Governor who was elected as a fiscal conservative still is one. "
My immediate thought was "If you haven't figured it out yet, you may never get it!" Massive borrowing; massive spending; 25 million acre land grabs' subsidies for stem-cell research, solar roofs, hydrogen highways; etc. You've been a chump for quite a long time, Jon... but I'm glad to see you are finally getting it!
I don't get it. This Governor understands that what makes this country great is the idea of individual liberty and individual responsibility.
No, he doesn't, Jon. Never has, never will. Look at the actions. He's an Austrian socialist married to a Kennedy. His words often sound great... his actions don't follow.
It is time to serve Arnold with his divorce papers from the Republican Party, else this folly will infest GOP elections for the next decade.
Total Recall.......
Arnold was just sworn in and he is already DEAD in the water.
And he thinks he will run and win against Barbara Boxer?
What's the difference?
What courage!... I detest a politician who is so desperate to be in office, even his a-- is for sale.
It's the Third Way... the Arnold Way. Beware of government made up of this breed of politician.
.. over at TWirP.com ?
Beware of government made up of this breed of politician.
--
aw,, come on now,,
They're really quite cute and cuddly,,, but all they seem to push is more socialism, with a big smile, of course.
In the end, they're Nothing but a bunch of Progressive TWirPs, imo.
What is a "Republican" without character or convictions good for?
Answer: To be a Democrat! :)
This guys is and has always been a lefty... Married a Kennedy! What more proof do you want?
:)
Calling Eric Hogue! Melanie Morgan!
I have to agree. Arnold had his chance and blew it.
I'm one of those right wing crazies Arnold talked about who refused to vote for him. I was always concerned that his version of pragmatism is never anything more than thinly veiled expressions of self-interest. Hoping that he'll stick to any conservative principle in this left-wing state is pretty Pollyanna, I think.
ALL PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA: GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN! I REPEAT, GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!!!
I hope this plan is DOA. But with the leftists controlling the legislature anything is possible. I voted for Arnold to counter the nuts in the legislature. Now it looks like he is joining them.
Anyone that sleeps with a Liberal is a Liberal.
Recall time again!
No, he is not 'joining' them. He was always integral to their leftist philosophy.
If he kinda walks like a duck; Kinda quacks like a duck= $$$$$$$$$$.
HA!
Be assured, you don't just FEEL like a chump, you ARE a chump. CHUMP!!
NOW the only thing any of us need is a practical EXIT STRATEGY.
He/she is probably at a $5,000-a-plate GOP dinner.
I've been to those. They simply don't allow in people who feed squirrels.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call Re-Call"
===
Sure -- after all, Bustamante is looking for a job, is that whom you had in mind to follow Arnold?
"They simply don't allow in people who feed squirrels."
===
Sure they do, in fact they gave me a "squirrel bag" full of walnuts and peanuts to take home to my squirrels. ;)
I am so proud, even my squirrels voted straight Republican ticket. Have YOU?
I remember the battles on FR between the conservatives and the Ah-nold folks. Bet the Ah-nold supporters feel like a bunch of idiots right now.
Well, do you prefer the Dems proposal of government run socialized medicine for everyone? Remember, that's the bill the Dem Legislature passed and Arnold vetoed.
Yeah. Socialism from a Republican is better socialism.
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