by Kara Altshuler
Feb. 5, 2009
I've been avoiding this blog like the plague.
Not because I don't like blogging.......there were personal and professional reasons which prevented me from even thinking about this blog, let alone writing.
But the main reason I've been avoiding it is because the hopefulness and optimism I had upon returning from Washington, DC after the inauguration have been eroded by the reality of politics in California.
This state is in serious financial difficulty, there is no relief in sight, despite the governors' letter co-signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger begging the federal government for immediate assistance, and all we get from the state politicians is bumbling delays, platitudes about how we can't afford any more taxes, and a total lack of ideas.
Well, California, you are finally going to reap what you have sown. You will feel the full effects of electing an actor who lacks managerial and business acumen as your governor, you will feel the effects of passing a law that mandates a 2/3 majority for any new budget bill or tax increase, not only at the state level, but also at the local level, and you will feel the effects of allowing your economy to lose diversity necessary to withstand economic downturns. And Ventura County, you will feel the effects of repeatedly electing Republican representation who take honor in the fact that they have never voted for a budget bill while serving in the CA legislature.
I attended a meeting last week at my teenage son's charter school. The principal is announcing cuts this month, because of course, the school is over-budget. Many teachers are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm wondering if my other son is going to show up to school one day in TO and find he doesn't have a math teacher or English teacher. Stress levels are high, which doesn't lead to effective teaching or effective learning. Art, music, and language classes, sports and extracurricular activities may survive the ax for the remainder of this school year, but not next. I've heard rumors about the financial effects on CVUSD as a result of the lawsuit pushed by MATES parents who want to keep their school on the Meadows campus.
The Star is keeping a daily tab of the days without a budget and asking local residents their opinions. What do I read? People sandbagging in the usual racist fashion, blaming our current economic condition on illegal immigrants who despite moving back to their country of origin in large numbers, are also apparently at the same time sucking up all of California's resources. And the vast majority of those interviewed decline the opportunity to write a letter or call their local representative. Well, how do you expect to hold your representatives accountable if you don't tell them what you want from them? People are apathetic, and this is no time for apathy.
Democracy Watch is a blog devoted to debunking extreme right wing Republican rhetoric, media, printed material, blogs, videos and all campaign TV ads that are untrue.
Kara, I agree - this state is in a mess because we won't get REAL about the budget situation. The boundaries of our assembly & state senate districts are so jerrymandered that it is nearly impossible to oust either Strickland, because the districts are so lopsided in their registration. Let's hope our next reapportionment gives us a break & a fair chance to elect a Democrat to represent us.
We tried a few years ago to pass a referendum that would have required a super majority - 55% to pass a budget, not 2/3, but in was narrowly defeated. Now we are stuck with a minority of idealogs who signed a pledge for no taxes holding up the passage of a reasonable budget. Our great governator is not even trying to negotiate with his own party members. What goes here?
I attended the protest in front of Strickland's office in the rain & got cold, wet feet. I think our chanting & calls for action on the budget fell on deaf ears. Stricklands don't listen to their consituents. Maybe we need to protest every week, or every day until we get a budget. Anyone interested in a RECALL?
Sandy,
I'm all for a recall. The Stricklands are the worst--they're only in politics for themselves, and people that know them have admitted that in print! You shouldn't elect people to government that don't believe in government.
"You will feel the full effects of ........."
........electing a Democrat legislature with gerrymandered districts more suitable for Democrats.
It's not the guv nor the Repubs - it's what happens when Democrats are in charge.... eeeeeeeverybody loses....and the Dems blame it on anyone else they can think of.
A recall should be in order for all the ideologue Dem's. The guv's hands are tied. We're 40 billion in debt thanks to the idiotsticks. Don't blame it on the Stricklands. Look in the mirror. It's the idealogue dems who won't budge. Thank God for Prop. 13. Suggest you Dems factor out all the freebies for the illegals and you will start to have some conversation.
Oh yes, it's the good ol' "all the freebies for the illegals" argument. Gee, I haven't heard that one before.