In CA, Schwarzenegger Completely Abandons The Poor

We all know that Governor Paterson has been fighting with the Assembly and the Senate to make paycuts, increase various taxes and cut programs here and there. As bad as the budget crisis is here in New York, the situation is far more grievous in the Golden State. While the Legislature in Sacramento is quite liberal, the Governor, or more aptly, the Gover-nator is not and his solution to the budget deficit is akin to a sledgehammer for those that are barely getting by.

From RawStory:

Schwarzenegger's budget proposals would see spending cuts of 12.4 billion dollars and include the elimination of California's welfare-to-work program and virtually all child care for low income families.

"California no longer has low-hanging fruits," Schwarzenegger said in Sacramento. "We have to take the ladder away from the tree and shake the whole tree. We must make very difficult decisions."

Schwarzenegger said his spending cuts would eliminate 60 percent of funding for community mental health. Low income families would also lose access to state-subsidized day care for children, the governor added.

Schwarzenegger's grammatical problems pale in comparison to his apathy for the millions of Californians that live in poverty. He also talks of shaking the tree in search of fruit, but ignores the truly hard decision to roll back tax cuts that have been given to corporations and wealthy individuals throughout his tenure and from decades past. Californians must remind Arnold that the poor have been spit upon plenty by corporate America already, the government must not continue the same despicable practice.

Gov. Arnold To Gov. Jindal, Show Me Your Stimulus Money!

While on the show yesterday, Arnold was asked to Sanford's statement over taking stimulus money, but since he took his state's share, the request by California's Governor goes to his fellow Republican Executive in Louisiana, Gov. Jindal. Bobby Jindal denied his state approximately $90 billion in unemployment monies because he erroneously though that it would raise taxes. So, Gov. Jindal, hand that money over to California, they need the finances just as bad as you do. Oh and citizens of Lousiana, you know what to do with Jindal next time he's up for re-election (or if he goes after the party's ticket in 2012).

Ron Paul Wouldn't Appreciate Bloomberg's Efforts

Our Mayor/potential candidate for President got together with Governor Ahhhhnuld and Governor Rendell to talk about infrastructure recently. Although their politics differ in many regards, apparently having good roads to drive on and rails to carry freight is something they all agree on. I wish that our current President cared, but we already know that he doesn't give a shit about anything. That goes for much of Congress and all of the Republican candidates for President, especially Ron Paul, who wants to do away with the IRS because, well, we survived as a nation before the income tax started in 1913. Um, Ronnie, you know you couldn't have driven across the U.S. at that point in time with any kind of speed or efficiency because there wasn't a national highway system at the time (funded by taxes in case you Paulites didn't know, roads just don't grow on trees). Ok, thats enough about Paul, its time to get down to business.

From The NY Times:

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg attacked Washington politicians on Saturday for what he called short-sighted, politically motivated spending while the nation’s roads, bridges and airports fall apart.

“Infrastructure isn’t sexy or glamorous, and it doesn’t make for great headlines,” Mr. Bloomberg said in Los Angeles, “but it is one of the most important issues facing our country.

“And make no mistake about it, we have an infrastructure crisis.”

Joined by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, a Republican, and Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania, a Democrat, the mayor announced the creation of a nonpartisan organization that will advocate for more, and smarter, federal spending on infrastructure.

The organization, Building America’s Future, will comprise elected officials and others, and it will be financed by the Rockefeller Foundation, a frequent collaborator with the mayor on pet projects.

Oh yeah, that asphalt is smokin! Of course it is even hotter to ride those rails. Thats where America's future should be built more and more.

NY And Others To Sue Bush Over Auto Emission Standards

The Bush Administration obviously does not care about combating global warming in an aggressive way, but that doesn't mean we must follow his lead. Bush had his E.P.A. headed by Stephen Johnson to deny emission waivers to New York, California and others who wanted to curb auto emissions with better efficiency than the President's legislation dictated. Of course, that isn't going to stop the multitude of states that care about mandating environmental change, despite what the auto industry wants gift-wrapped by George.

From The Times-Union:

ALBANY -- New York will sue to challenge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's blocking of efforts by major states to reduce vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is not the last word on this crucial issue. We will be suing," said Judith Enck, deputy environmental secretary to Gov. Eliot Spitzer. "We need every tool we can get to combat global warming."

On Wednesday, the EPA denied a request by California, which has its own vehicle emissions standards, for a waiver under the Clean Air Act to make further cuts starting in 2009. New York and 16 other states were waiting for federal permission to follow California standards.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also said Thursday he will sue to reverse the EPA's decision, which was given two years after California's request, and only after the state sued to force action. The EPA initially argued it had no authority over greenhouse gas emissions, but the Supreme Court ruled otherwise in a Massachusetts case.

With a little over a year left in his term, Bush is limping out (despite Congress' best efforts) as the worst President ever and despised by more Americans than any other in history. Out of 43, he is in dead last. Everyone knows he'll side with a campaign-contributing industry that hurts the environment over the health and well being of the people in a heartbeat. His decision is no surprise to anyone, but that does not mean we need to take it. Thankfully there are Governors out there like Spitzer and Schwarzenegger that are willing to challenge him on this important issue.

Glenn Beck: Heartless And Irrelevant

Since the moment CNN foolishly put Glenn Beck on the air, the crap coming out of his mouth has offended millions of people. Yet CNN continues to broadcast his show despite terrible ratings and ridiculous behavior. He is quickly becoming their own fatheaded Ann Coulter. She'll say anything to sell her books and he will do the same to get people to watch his sad excuse for a television show. Yesterday he turned his venom towards the hundreds (if not thousands by the time its over) that have lost their homes due to brush fires raging in Southern California.

From Media Matters:

On the October 22 edition of his nationally syndicated radio program, host Glenn Beck stated, "I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today." Beck continued: "There are a few people that hate America. But I don't think the Democrats are those. I think there are those posing as Democrats that are like that." Beck's comment came as forest fires ravaged parts of Southern California, leaving one person dead, four firefighters wounded, and forcing about 1,500 people from their homes, according to The New York Times.

Beck's comment immediately followed his statement that "we're all one America" and "just because I disagree with you doesn't mean you hate America, and I love America. We all love America. We just disagree on how we should function." Beck had been distinguishing his views from those of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who, according to the Financial Times, "has urged Republican presidential candidates to capture the political centre ground ahead of next year's election by focusing on healthcare reform and education." Beck criticized Schwarzenegger's proposed strategy as "not the way to win on any front" and offered the following clarification: "When I say on the air, and I've said it a lot lately, that we need to come together, and we need to get back into the center, we're being pushed on to the edges -- I want you to understand, that is not on policies. I don't mean that we come in the center on policies. We come to the center on principles."

Not only is he a freakish maniac, he's a hypocrite as well. Even though he said it on his radio show CNN is still responsible for him being on their network. Coming to the center would be a huge change in our political climate and to some degree, that is what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is trying to do. Beck trashes Arnold for his efforts and heartlessly goes after people that supposedly voted for him just because they happen to live in CA and their homes are being burned....therefore they hate America.

WTF is that?!? Seriously, does this man have even a hint of a conscience? I know what those people are going through. Two years ago I watched my mom's house threatened by the Chatsworth fire but miraculously the winds were light when the flames got to the area. If the conditions were what they are now, there would be no home. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that has been affected by these fires....and I want to demand that CNN pull Beck off the air.