Seriously we are. And despite sudden popular belief in California, it is not because of this man featured here. We're screwed because of State Attorney General Bill Lockyer.
So why is this man so important? He's the attorney general that's why. Oh wait, it's because he has the say so on the language on our State Ballots. Ohhhhh... Why is this important? Well...
I was out eating dinner at a local favorite of mine, Taco Loco. I happened on the usually liberal Sacramento News and Review, a weekly magazine featuring things going on downtown, reviews of movies, music and local arts and entertainment, as well as being usually over the top on liberal subjects like the environment (which is a conservative issue too) , War, or Politics. Usually the magazine leans left on the issues. Usually I call it bull and read on to the more important things in it. It also features great stuff about downtown which is of interest since I live real close.
Today, I happened upon an article called "Governor Pighead" by Jill Stewart. She was quick to point out the arrogance of Schwarzenegger. But then I read a little deeper, into what's really going on, Partisan Politics by our State Attorney General Bill Lockyer. Bill is a "union guy" who as Jill puts it, "wants to be fair in his Ballot wording, but wants to run for Governator in 2006". Way to be fair Bill, by confusing the issues. How so you say? Well, Ms. Stewart here points out how a Republican Assemblymen Keith Richman wrote the legislation for state pension reform that the Terminator endorsed. Yet, Bill, the guy who approves the language on the ballots wasn't quite truthful in his work. It all came down to the issue of death benefits. Basically 10 to 15 state police and firefighters lose there lives in California on average, annually. Richman, the author of the legislation, purposely did not address death benefits for these public safety workers because he did not want them changed in the reform. However Mr. Lockyer went forward to appease his "union backers" by insisting that the "death benefits" were at risk. Way to be fair Billy, good luck in 2006 because you just made Mr. Schwarzenegger look bad because you weren't "fair and honest" which is your obligation as Attorney General. Way to scare the hell out of firefighter and police unions which are traditionally Republican. Stewart then goes on to hammer out that Lockyer confused the state pension system reform by saying the 401k like plan would be "too risky" to the socialism minded state workers. Hold up second, yeah I said socialism because what else is a system that is doomed for failure called? I bet if you asked the average state worker what a 401k plan was, they would not know exactly but I bet they'd think they were evil. After you explained the plan to the same state worker, with the pros and cons included, I'd think they'd think it was a great idea. Lockyer made it sound scary but sort of hid it from public knowledge that current state employees would continue on with their current, state-funded, financially-irresponsible plans and the 401 k program would only effect new employees in 2007.
Stewart then goes on to say how Governor Schwarzenegger basically has denied what Bill Lockyer says but hasn't been great at backing it up with facts. Schwarzenegger is being cocky and arrogant about it. I think the author is right and I agree with her. Schwarzenegger is not doing a good job at defending his reform. However, this thing is not over. Schwarzenegger is going to the polls to clean house. He will get his way. He will look better, I think, in the end. Stewart sites something from Slate.com where they say that Arnold is creating "insurmountable challenges" to emerge as a big WINNER in the end. Gutsy, if true? Yes!
But Arnold, I got your back and you have my household's support. But remember Cruz Bustamante, the man you beat:
Reporter: Mr. Bustamante, your critics are saying that---
An interrupting Bustamante: Oh what?!? What are they going out and saying now?
Reporter: ...that you are too condescending.
Save us from that Arnold.
So why is this man so important? He's the attorney general that's why. Oh wait, it's because he has the say so on the language on our State Ballots. Ohhhhh... Why is this important? Well...
I was out eating dinner at a local favorite of mine, Taco Loco. I happened on the usually liberal Sacramento News and Review, a weekly magazine featuring things going on downtown, reviews of movies, music and local arts and entertainment, as well as being usually over the top on liberal subjects like the environment (which is a conservative issue too) , War, or Politics. Usually the magazine leans left on the issues. Usually I call it bull and read on to the more important things in it. It also features great stuff about downtown which is of interest since I live real close.
Today, I happened upon an article called "Governor Pighead" by Jill Stewart. She was quick to point out the arrogance of Schwarzenegger. But then I read a little deeper, into what's really going on, Partisan Politics by our State Attorney General Bill Lockyer. Bill is a "union guy" who as Jill puts it, "wants to be fair in his Ballot wording, but wants to run for Governator in 2006". Way to be fair Bill, by confusing the issues. How so you say? Well, Ms. Stewart here points out how a Republican Assemblymen Keith Richman wrote the legislation for state pension reform that the Terminator endorsed. Yet, Bill, the guy who approves the language on the ballots wasn't quite truthful in his work. It all came down to the issue of death benefits. Basically 10 to 15 state police and firefighters lose there lives in California on average, annually. Richman, the author of the legislation, purposely did not address death benefits for these public safety workers because he did not want them changed in the reform. However Mr. Lockyer went forward to appease his "union backers" by insisting that the "death benefits" were at risk. Way to be fair Billy, good luck in 2006 because you just made Mr. Schwarzenegger look bad because you weren't "fair and honest" which is your obligation as Attorney General. Way to scare the hell out of firefighter and police unions which are traditionally Republican. Stewart then goes on to hammer out that Lockyer confused the state pension system reform by saying the 401k like plan would be "too risky" to the socialism minded state workers. Hold up second, yeah I said socialism because what else is a system that is doomed for failure called? I bet if you asked the average state worker what a 401k plan was, they would not know exactly but I bet they'd think they were evil. After you explained the plan to the same state worker, with the pros and cons included, I'd think they'd think it was a great idea. Lockyer made it sound scary but sort of hid it from public knowledge that current state employees would continue on with their current, state-funded, financially-irresponsible plans and the 401 k program would only effect new employees in 2007.
Stewart then goes on to say how Governor Schwarzenegger basically has denied what Bill Lockyer says but hasn't been great at backing it up with facts. Schwarzenegger is being cocky and arrogant about it. I think the author is right and I agree with her. Schwarzenegger is not doing a good job at defending his reform. However, this thing is not over. Schwarzenegger is going to the polls to clean house. He will get his way. He will look better, I think, in the end. Stewart sites something from Slate.com where they say that Arnold is creating "insurmountable challenges" to emerge as a big WINNER in the end. Gutsy, if true? Yes!
But Arnold, I got your back and you have my household's support. But remember Cruz Bustamante, the man you beat:
Reporter: Mr. Bustamante, your critics are saying that---
An interrupting Bustamante: Oh what?!? What are they going out and saying now?
Reporter: ...that you are too condescending.
Save us from that Arnold.
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