The American Spectator has a good article reviewing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's remarkable, and unfortunate, turn since he came to office. Tellingly it's titled "Benedict Arnold". In short, he entered as a reformer, who would take on the over-spending, over-taxing, labor-union interests (while, mind you, staying liberal on social issues, so it was not by any stretch a 'Conservative' take over of California.) When his attempt to reform met resistance, he settled for being popular. Now, he's neither a reformer nor popular.
Here's how the author, Chris Reed, sums it all up:
It's hard to believe this is happening. Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to defend taxpayers. Instead, he's ended up being the tax collector for the public employee union state. Betrayals don't get much more extreme than this.
Ouch, pretty tough stuff. But Arnold's flip has cost Californians--on their way to becoming the highest taxed state citizens in the U.S.--and the CA GOP an enormous chance to truly change and improve the state. Now we'll just wonder "what if"?
Taxing times,
Thomas More
The American Spectator article is a good one, but I'd like to recommend a few others, just to amplify your comments.
States of Distress: Our local politicians want $200 billion without any shaping up.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123292993332813959.html
Where does all that state money go? California is spending 40% more than four years ago, but on what, exactly?
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-matsusaka17-2008jul17,0,7957570.story
California spending more but enjoying it less
http://www.halfwaytoconcord.com/california-spending-more-but-enjoying-it-less/
Posted by: Steve K. from the Failed State of California | February 11, 2009 at 05:12 PM