I suspect anybody who's been paying any attention at all whilst reading any of my screaming diatribes against the rampant stupidity of Liberals everywhere will already know my opinion of the current brou-ha-ha regarding the recall of soon-to-be former California Governor Gray "Don't Call Me Joe" Davis. You may, however, be slightly surprised by my reasons for wanting him gone.
Let's Get Rid Of All The Liars
There's a terrible old joke about how you can tell when a politician is lying ("his lips are moving!"). It would be a great deal funnier if it weren't so true. In this, all politicians are pretty much the same, whether liberal or conservative, foreign or domestic. Here in the Big PX, however, we have some real reality issues. The first, of course, is that there is a great deal of false advertising going on. In America's "Two-Party" system, there are supposed to be the Democrats and the Republicans. As I've noted before, these two are actually mere millimeters apart on the political reality scale. The problem comes in when you start to consider what the "Democrat" end of the equation really is.
It's a standard axiom of Big-Time International Relations that, when you see or hear the words "Democratic," "People's," or "Republic" in the name of a country, chances are it's actually none of the above. Doubters are referred to mainland China ("The People's Republic of China"), the former East Germany ("Deutsche Democratische Republik," or the "German Democratic Republic"), or the former "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." Clearly, there are truth issues when our friends on the left try to hide their true nature by hiding behind misleading weasel-words.
There's a terrible old joke about how you can tell when a politician is lying ("his lips are moving!"). It would be a great deal funnier if it weren't so true. In this, all politicians are pretty much the same, whether liberal or conservative, foreign or domestic. Here in the Big PX, however, we have some real reality issues. The first, of course, is that there is a great deal of false advertising going on. In America's "Two-Party" system, there are supposed to be the Democrats and the Republicans. As I've noted before, these two are actually mere millimeters apart on the political reality scale. The problem comes in when you start to consider what the "Democrat" end of the equation really is.
It's a standard axiom of Big-Time International Relations that, when you see or hear the words "Democratic," "People's," or "Republic" in the name of a country, chances are it's actually none of the above. Doubters are referred to mainland China ("The People's Republic of China"), the former East Germany ("Deutsche Democratische Republik," or the "German Democratic Republic"), or the former "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." Clearly, there are truth issues when our friends on the left try to hide their true nature by hiding behind misleading weasel-words.
The Irony Of Democracy
But what, you may ask, does this have to do with things here in Amurrica? Well, glad you asked. Clearly, the Left loves to prevaricate. That's why the "Democrats" call themselves that instead of what they really are. If this political party were placed anywhere else in the world, they would be known by a slightly different sobriquet: they would be the Socialist Party.
Unfortunately for them, Socialism never played well in Peoria (although they did do quite well in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the mid-30s, which may explain Harleys, but I digress). And the final nail in their coffin was the political party of a madman from Austria, who nearly took over the world with his National Socialist Worker's Party (more commonly known here as "Nazis").
So the last thing in the world they would want to do is to align themselves with what was seen as a failed political system. So we have "Democrats" rather than "Socialists." Naturally, they do their best to hide their "workers control the means of production" beliefs behind rhetoric naming themselves the "party of the people" or the "party of the working man." The fact that most of their leaders have never had to work a day in their lives is an irony that is second only to one known as the "Irony Of Democracy."
But what, you may ask, does this have to do with things here in Amurrica? Well, glad you asked. Clearly, the Left loves to prevaricate. That's why the "Democrats" call themselves that instead of what they really are. If this political party were placed anywhere else in the world, they would be known by a slightly different sobriquet: they would be the Socialist Party.
Unfortunately for them, Socialism never played well in Peoria (although they did do quite well in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the mid-30s, which may explain Harleys, but I digress). And the final nail in their coffin was the political party of a madman from Austria, who nearly took over the world with his National Socialist Worker's Party (more commonly known here as "Nazis").
So the last thing in the world they would want to do is to align themselves with what was seen as a failed political system. So we have "Democrats" rather than "Socialists." Naturally, they do their best to hide their "workers control the means of production" beliefs behind rhetoric naming themselves the "party of the people" or the "party of the working man." The fact that most of their leaders have never had to work a day in their lives is an irony that is second only to one known as the "Irony Of Democracy."
The What Of Which?
Those who have not read it are invited to find and read a copy of "The Irony Of Democracy," Thomas R. Dye's rather pointed and famous "Uncommon Introduction to American Politics." Its main point is that those who are most suited and capable to lead this country are least inclined to do so, while those least suited and capable are inevitably drawn to "public service." In other words, business leaders and very wise men are busy running conglomerates and guiding captains of industry, and have no interest in running the country. Those who are inevitably drawn to the reins of political power are charlatans, liars, criminals, and other mental defectives who should be incarcerated rather than inaugurated.
Those who have not read it are invited to find and read a copy of "The Irony Of Democracy," Thomas R. Dye's rather pointed and famous "Uncommon Introduction to American Politics." Its main point is that those who are most suited and capable to lead this country are least inclined to do so, while those least suited and capable are inevitably drawn to "public service." In other words, business leaders and very wise men are busy running conglomerates and guiding captains of industry, and have no interest in running the country. Those who are inevitably drawn to the reins of political power are charlatans, liars, criminals, and other mental defectives who should be incarcerated rather than inaugurated.
Get To The Point!
Okay, you want it, you got it. California Governor Gray Davis is exactly this kind of person. He will do anything or say anything to gain elected office, because he is drawn to the power of an elected office like a moth to flame. His actions since his re-election make that abudantly clear, if the lies he told to get re-elected did not prove it before.
What sort of actions, you ask? Pick any, though the clearest abuse of public trust has to be his attempt to steal the privately-owned power grid for the State. Those who live in California will recall the Public Utilities Commission's refusal to allow publically traded utilities PG&E and Southern California Edison to raise their rates when the spot power market rates spiked. Both utilities, unable to raise rates, could not pass on increased costs to consumers, and only narrowly avoided bankruptcy.
Okay, you want it, you got it. California Governor Gray Davis is exactly this kind of person. He will do anything or say anything to gain elected office, because he is drawn to the power of an elected office like a moth to flame. His actions since his re-election make that abudantly clear, if the lies he told to get re-elected did not prove it before.
What sort of actions, you ask? Pick any, though the clearest abuse of public trust has to be his attempt to steal the privately-owned power grid for the State. Those who live in California will recall the Public Utilities Commission's refusal to allow publically traded utilities PG&E and Southern California Edison to raise their rates when the spot power market rates spiked. Both utilities, unable to raise rates, could not pass on increased costs to consumers, and only narrowly avoided bankruptcy.
But Wasn't He Trying To Help?
Governor Davis, in the fabulous Socialist tradition of his party, proceeded to attempt to "eminent domain" the power grid, and actually set up a chartered state agency to put the state in the utility business. He signed completely idiotic contracts with power suppliers at enormously inflated prices, completely wiping out the state's budget surplus and plunging us into deficit. If I thought he were smarter, I'd be checking for who got the kick-back on that little exchange.
Okay, to be fair, the dot-com meltdown had a great deal to do with the state's economic woes, and a national recession didn't help one little bit, but let's be honest: would Davis have been re-elected had we not been lied to about the size of the deficit? Doubtful in the extreme. Now, add in the drop-in-the-bucket amount of funds that were supposed to be raised by the tripling of car registration fees, and you begin to see a state government completely disconnected from the people it's supposed to be serving. The Demoncrats hate cars, because cars represent personal freedom, something they would cheerfully stomp out if given the opportunity, and how better to crush the spirit of the public than by making it economically impossible for them to exercise their personal freedoms?
That's why Davis' latest treasonous excess has me so flabbergasted. Why, if his party so hates cars and those who operate them, did he sign a bill allowing illegal aliens to obtain drivers' licenses? A cynical man might point out that the vast majority of those illegal aliens are Latinos, who have demonstrated their disdain for our laws and culture by refusing to take part in either. The vast majority of these people will cheerfully register to vote and do so, even if it is patently illegal for them to do so (and even more ridiculous, it's actually illegal to ask a voter to identify themselves--by state law!). The only question that remains: if these people refuse to obey our laws, are they entitled to the protection those laws afford? The Demoncrats answer an enthusiastic "Yes!" As you might guess, my answer would be somewhat different.
Governor Davis, in the fabulous Socialist tradition of his party, proceeded to attempt to "eminent domain" the power grid, and actually set up a chartered state agency to put the state in the utility business. He signed completely idiotic contracts with power suppliers at enormously inflated prices, completely wiping out the state's budget surplus and plunging us into deficit. If I thought he were smarter, I'd be checking for who got the kick-back on that little exchange.
Okay, to be fair, the dot-com meltdown had a great deal to do with the state's economic woes, and a national recession didn't help one little bit, but let's be honest: would Davis have been re-elected had we not been lied to about the size of the deficit? Doubtful in the extreme. Now, add in the drop-in-the-bucket amount of funds that were supposed to be raised by the tripling of car registration fees, and you begin to see a state government completely disconnected from the people it's supposed to be serving. The Demoncrats hate cars, because cars represent personal freedom, something they would cheerfully stomp out if given the opportunity, and how better to crush the spirit of the public than by making it economically impossible for them to exercise their personal freedoms?
That's why Davis' latest treasonous excess has me so flabbergasted. Why, if his party so hates cars and those who operate them, did he sign a bill allowing illegal aliens to obtain drivers' licenses? A cynical man might point out that the vast majority of those illegal aliens are Latinos, who have demonstrated their disdain for our laws and culture by refusing to take part in either. The vast majority of these people will cheerfully register to vote and do so, even if it is patently illegal for them to do so (and even more ridiculous, it's actually illegal to ask a voter to identify themselves--by state law!). The only question that remains: if these people refuse to obey our laws, are they entitled to the protection those laws afford? The Demoncrats answer an enthusiastic "Yes!" As you might guess, my answer would be somewhat different.
So What Would You Suggest?
Well, I was always told (by people who should know) that you shouldn't say nasty things unless you have a better suggestion on hand. So what would I suggest instead of a proven moron and liar? Well, thanks to a forward-thinking founding father here in Califrisky, we citizens have the right to recall bad governors. After all, if the CEO of a publically-traded corporation screwed up this badly, the Board would have booted his butt out onto the street months ago. Why should the chief executive of the fifth largest economy on the planet be treated any differently?
That said, the recall must go forward, silly ancient (and probably senile) Democrat judges notwithstanding. The next question becomes, once we kick Gray Davis' butt out of Sacramento, who do we put in? Never being one to vote down strict party lines, I cannot in good conscience point to any politician and say, "Vote for that!" One one side, we have a solid Republican congresscritter with good ideas on fiscal responsibility, who is absolutely unelectable. On the other hand, we have a career Democrat politician who has been tied to a racist Latino organization that advocates the overthrow of the lawfully elected state government. Not a good choice, is it?
There is, however, a third opportunity. This man has a degree in business, so he can handle being a chief executive. He's an immigrant himself, so he understands what it's like to come to a new country and not be able to speak very well. He's been in the public eye for years, so the press shouldn't bother him too much. He's also rich as Croesus, so special interests and bribery can't touch him.
His name is Arnold Schwartzenegger, and he's the best chance California has to turn itself around and get back to some semblance of sanity. Vote as your conscience dictates, but you can bet where my vote is going.
Well, I was always told (by people who should know) that you shouldn't say nasty things unless you have a better suggestion on hand. So what would I suggest instead of a proven moron and liar? Well, thanks to a forward-thinking founding father here in Califrisky, we citizens have the right to recall bad governors. After all, if the CEO of a publically-traded corporation screwed up this badly, the Board would have booted his butt out onto the street months ago. Why should the chief executive of the fifth largest economy on the planet be treated any differently?
That said, the recall must go forward, silly ancient (and probably senile) Democrat judges notwithstanding. The next question becomes, once we kick Gray Davis' butt out of Sacramento, who do we put in? Never being one to vote down strict party lines, I cannot in good conscience point to any politician and say, "Vote for that!" One one side, we have a solid Republican congresscritter with good ideas on fiscal responsibility, who is absolutely unelectable. On the other hand, we have a career Democrat politician who has been tied to a racist Latino organization that advocates the overthrow of the lawfully elected state government. Not a good choice, is it?
There is, however, a third opportunity. This man has a degree in business, so he can handle being a chief executive. He's an immigrant himself, so he understands what it's like to come to a new country and not be able to speak very well. He's been in the public eye for years, so the press shouldn't bother him too much. He's also rich as Croesus, so special interests and bribery can't touch him.
His name is Arnold Schwartzenegger, and he's the best chance California has to turn itself around and get back to some semblance of sanity. Vote as your conscience dictates, but you can bet where my vote is going.