Why we need to fight Arnold


Because when he's not busy being a bad governor, he's working to support a far worse President.

Let me get on the record one time saying that if our current Governor (and to a lesser extent people like Senators Hagel and McCain) typified the GOP, the country would be far better off. I might even occasionally consider voting for a Republican. I never would, but I might consider it. There: I admitted it. Arnold isn't a monster.

But he's still the opposition. And just because Arnie ain't so bad for a Red doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to kick his ass all over the place in 2006. Here's why:

Let's leave aside for the moment the fact that California is the flagship Blue state and ought to have a Democrat in the Governor's mansion, the end.

The fact is that no matter how well the Schwarzenegger star power allows him to poll, Arnold is a lousy governor. Now, he might be "effective" in a notoriously fractious state where it's particularly hard to be effective -- but if he's effective at doing the wrong thing, that makes him worse, not better.

So far, Schwarzenegger has failed to make a dent in the deficit. What's worse, his tiny steroid-shriveled attempts to do so have been regressive. Why is he unwilling to consider a tiny tax increase that might brush up against the richest Californians, but so eager to raise taxes on the most vulnerable and least well off? (Yes, Arnold, university tuition and fees are taxes, just the same as vehicle license fees.)

He's robbed the counties of several important income streams, guaranteeing a heavier burden on the providers of "local solutions" that Republicans are supposed to support.

He's strained to the point of absurdity the ridiculous ballot-initiative system that allowed his election in the first place. We have a representative system of government for a reason. (Yes, I'm implying that the people can't be trusted -- I'm a liberal with a Ph.D.; what did you expect?)

But beyond any single policy strategy or political tactic, the most damning criticism I can make of Schwarzenegger is the company he keeps.

Sure, he might be liberal on the environment, but that doesn't matter when the EPA is being crippled. Sure, he might be pro-gay rights, but that doesn't matter when the national GOP is winning elections on the coattails of anti-gay marriage sentiment. Sure, he might be pro-choice, but that doesn't matter when Bush's first nomination to a 5-4 Supreme Court will be a reactionary anti-choice sop to the values voters who have taken credit for his re-election.

To put it more concisely: The most damning criticism I can make of Arnold is that he's a Republican. He's not a monster, but he's willing to stand up and be counted among monsters, because they share a belief in — what? — saving a few bucks in the short run on taxes?

And late last October he was lending his star power to George W. Bush. Not from the governor's mansion but in Ohio. Perhaps you heard of it -- it's the state where a narrow margin in the popular vote cost us the White House.

If for no other reason than his support of the Worst President Ever, let's send him back to Hollywood.

Posted: Mon - February 7, 2005 at 03:04 PM   | Category:     |   |   | |


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