PROPS. 74-77
PROPS. 74-77 - A WRAP UP: A YES VOTE IS A NO-
BRAINER AND AN ABSOLUTE MUST
by
Ken Eliasberg
Perhaps the simplest way to validate an affirmative vote on Props. 74 through 77 is to remind yourself of why we are going through this special election process. Why should you be called upon to do the legislature’s job? To ask the question is to answer it—BECAUSE THEYARE NOT DOING IT!! At the risk of being repetitious, let’s just go through the steps of where we are and how we got here. From 1998 to 2002 our then Governor, Davis, and a derelict legislature—both bought and paid for by California’s Unions—increased our expenditures by over 40%. Unfortunately, there was no corresponding increase in revenues with which to pay for these expenditures. Ergo, a serious and substantial financial crisis. Notwithstanding this situation, and aided and abetted by dishonesty and an inept Republican effort to unseat our good Governor, he was reelected in 2002. Shortly after his re-election, the magnitude of his mendacity was made public, and a Recall quickly followed thereafter. Schwarzenegger won the Recall, and he did so by promising voters that he would reform California. However, after taking office and making every reasonable effort to fulfill his promise of reform, he had to face the realities of how we got into this mess—an irresponsible and intransigent legislature. They refused to act on his reform measures. Since the people’s representatives would not act on behalf of the people, the Governor had no choice but to take matters directly to the people. Thus, our special election. In short, it’s in our hands now, and, as indicated in previous columns, our decision, notwithstanding 200 million dollars worth of pure baloney put out by the public unions, is a no brainer—just do the exact opposite of whatever the Unions are telling you to do; they’re not concerned with California; their only concern is their jobs, not yours.
Let’s get a couple of things straight right up front. This is not personal for the Governor; it is highly personal for the unions—their future may well be at stake, and their cover has been blown. Schwarzenegger wants a better California—that’s his only dog in this fight. His love for our State comes across in everything he does. Also, why take the job and go through the abuse that the Unions have heaped on him if he didn’t really care. He doesn’t need the job; we need him! The Unions, as is customary in dealing with the Left, has made this personal. Why? Because they haven’t got a chance on the merits. They haven’t got the facts, and they haven’t got the logic. What’s left? A personal attack on Schwarzenegger. For me personally, I love cops, firemen, teachers, and nurses. I was a teacher. I grew up with cops—my father was the attorney for the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) in New York City for over 40 years. I was in Manhattan 10 days after 9/11, and no one who saw what our firemen did could come away with anything less than reverence for them. And at my age you can’t afford not to like nurses; they may be your last best chance. I also like fiscal responsibility and value standards of excellence - matters which seem to be of little concern to our public unions—and wish to see both restored to California.
As an indication of just how desperate the Unions are, the California Teachers Association mortgaged their headquarters in Burlingame to throw even more money at Schwarzenegger (the debt to paid down through additional member assessments) with which to further distort reality in their presentations to you). Why are the Unions going to such great lengths? It’s not because they’re worried about your future; it’s because they’re worried about theirs!
The following statement by a Teacher’s Union rep to his minions indicates just how either dishonest or out of touch with reality they are:
“The upcoming