Total Recall 2009 Blog

We are continuously being force fed fear in order to facilitate the retaliation tactics we are seeing in lieu of the May 19th defeat of Propositions 1A-1E, and we are expected to be okay with this. I, for one, am most definitely not okay with this and I am appalled even more deeply than ever having bore witness to this approach first hand. In my opinion, Governor Schwarzenegger’s strength of character is roughly the same as his physical stature, which was surprisingly short. Then again, I’m quite tall, but no matter…

Once again, we are being told that California is on the brink of collapse. Once again we hear that the Legislation knows it cannot spend beyond its means. Once again these words are backed up by unfathomable actions, brought forth in measures currently being passed through Legislation and, even more terrifying, by the Unions themselves. Where is the true reform? Where is our Governor’s backbone?

The largest of Schwarzenegger’s cuts are coming from the most sensitive and necessary aspects of a functioning society (Public Health, Education and Incarceration), while the administrative back ends for these conglomerates are allocated the same working model that has driven our economy into the ground. With a 30:1 ratio of Administrators to Teachers, in some areas, Sacramento has chosen to go after the classrooms and not the cubicles. Comparatively, there was almost no discussion as to how to deal with the new corporate giant in California: our Government.

Yes, Sacramento offered up pay cuts, but not until the end of 2011 for Legislators. This is not sacrifice, this is stupidity. The private sector has sacrificed and is willing to continue to sacrifice in order to save our once great State. The public sector is in a complete and total state of delusion in their entitlement mentality and is expecting exemption from sacrifice to facilitate their selfish agendas. Do not tell me that your actions are for the benefit of my child, when my child will be suffering for your digressions well into his adulthood. We only expect you to be willing to compromise as we have been doing all along. Evidently, this is too much to ask. Evidently, it’s not even important enough to discuss in a Budget Presentation touted to enlighten the public.

While we are on the brink of fiscal insolvency, our legislation is trying to create even more bureaucracy: A Blueberry Committee, a Commission to ensure that Pomegranate Juice is Pomegranate, and legislation to make sure Medical Name Tags are in an 18pt font, to name a few. Add to this, that we now have Unions attempting to force tax increases to cover their own self interests… NONE of which was touched upon by the man we elected to control government spending and reduce waste.

Our Governor bragged that he used his Executive Authority to condense and/or remove “over a dozen” redundant offices (out of how many hundred??). He joked about his first movie, “Hercules in New York” while he boosted his ego by explaining his choice of Escondido because “this area was so kind to me in the elections” giving him 80% of the votes. He touted the digital text books for schools concept. While this is a great concept, we cannot spend our way out of debt, Governor. Where will the funding come from to implement this when, as you said, “Our wallet is empty, our bank is closed and our credit is dried up”. Once again, band aid solutions are being applied to an arterial wound.

This “presentation” was nothing more than more rhetoric and hot air. Rather than wasting time gallivanting around the state to “explain” the situation, I would highly recommend you focus on your duties as Governor, Governor. WE do not need to be talked to, your colleagues and their Unions do. Not only is this your last chance to do the job we hired you to do, this is our last chance for our State to be salvaged. We elected you to keep things in line, and instead you have allowed the government to cross every line we have drawn in the sand.

While you speak of Sacramento’s denial having to come to an end and our day of reckoning being at hand, ridiculous legislation continues to be pushed through, government is still increasing and Unions are telling you how to run the state. Rather than focusing and working on the three main issues that will solve our budget woes (Immigration Enforcement, Union Reform and Legislative Reform), you focus on removing necessities and niceties from we, the people. Explain to us how closing State Parks which bring in $2.35 for each $1.00 spent on operating costs makes sense when there are Legislative Aid positions paying upwards of $80,000 per year. That’s right… you can’t.

In response to a question about keeping jobs here in California, he touted that “we are the only state to make the biggest commitment to infrastructure” and then stated that infrastructure keeps jobs here. If that is the case, explain our unemployment rates and the number of businesses leaving this state due to our “Worst Business Climate” title for the entire country. Oh wait, you meant public sector jobs, right? That brings another question… with businesses and private citizens leaving in droves, who is going to pay for these jobs? He stated that “There are a lot of jobs that will be available in the future, but the key thing now is to get out of this economic crisis and out of this financial crisis as quickly as possible”. We’ve heard that before.

Yes, Sacramento, we have told you that things have to change. That was the premise upon which each of you were given your authority and the privilege of being our voice. You turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to our warnings for a very long time. Our great mistake was entrusting you to do what is best for our selves and our homeland. It is with great sadness that I now know, beyond any shadow of doubt, that the state I was born and raised in, where I would choose to raise my child, must fail completely for any hope of true reform. Until you follow up your well scripted words, Governor, how can any another conclusion be made?