Schwarzenegger is behaving like a spoiled brat
Earlier this week Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told Californians that it was his way or the highway when it comes to the state budget. Schwarzenegger threw his tantrum on Monday, telling reporters he would not sign a budget if he didn’t get what he wanted and would leave it for the next governor to deal with. Childish and immature aren’t strong enough to describe Schwarzenegger’s behavior. He is holding California’s most vulnerable people hostage to get his way and refusing to negotiate.
Schwarzenegger and Republican lawmakers are insisting on a cuts-only budget which will devastate health and human services and education. They refuse to negotiate, consider any other solutions, or consider the horrific impact these cuts will have on the most vulnerable people in California.
Democrats in the legislature are standing firm demanding a budget that includes new revenue as well as strategic cuts. Senate President Pro-tem Darrell Steinberg said in a statement, “If the governor continues to insist on granting billions in corporate tax cuts financed by drastic cuts to public education and programs for working mothers and their children, I am prepared to grant his wish by waiting for the next governor.”
C’mon Governor, stop the childishness, grow up and work with Democrats to solve California’s budget crisis.
Congressman Garamendi Votes to End the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today voted against the $32 billion supplemental for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The supplemental passed by a 308-114 vote. He issued the following statement:
“Today the House of Representatives voted to lead our great nation down the wrong path in Afghanistan and Iraq. For at least another year, we will continue to spill brave American blood and spend tens of billions of dollars in the longest war in American history. I do not think a large scale military presence in Afghanistan or Iraq is in the best interests of our economy or national security. I want our troops home.
“I recognize that the threat from Al Qaeda is very real. With our allies, we must focus like a laser on eradicating Al Qaeda’s presence wherever it may be. I think a speedy withdrawal of most soldiers from Afghanistan furthers this goal.
“$32 billion is a lot of money. It’s enough to pay for the health care of 12 million children for a year. It’s enough to keep 500,000 police officers patrolling our streets for a year. It’s enough to employ 500,000 teachers for a year. It’s enough to provide 20 million households with renewable energy for a year.
“I am deeply disappointed by the deficit hawks who say that we can’t afford jobless benefits, we can’t afford to keep teachers in our classrooms, we can’t afford the infrastructure investments needed to continue our climb out of a recession, yet we can afford more war.
“We’ve been in Afghanistan for nine years, and it’s come at a tremendous cost. We’ve tragically lost more than 1,100 American lives and spent close to $300 billion. We’ve also been in Iraq for seven years, where we’ve lost more than 4,400 American lives and spent more than $700 billion. I do not want to see one more American lose their life in an internal Afghani civil war.
“I’m a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and I know that a foreign policy built in mutual respect and assistance can transform hearts and minds. I believe disengagement from war really means a return to the policies that put America’s best face forward in the international community. Diplomacy and development should be our goal in the Middle East, not the continued dragging out of wars without an exit plan.
“Regardless of where we may stand on war policy, we must always honor the troops. Our brave men and women in uniform and their families must always be honored, respected, and treated as heroes. It is an honor and privilege to serve Travis Air Force Base and the thousands of military personnel, veterans, and their families that call California’s 10th Congressional District their home. They deserve everything we can provide to make sure that they can thrive in uniform and in civilian life.”
Statement from Dr. Ami Bera on Dan Lungren’s vote against extending unemployment benefits
ELK GROVE, CA – In response to Dan Lungren’s vote today against the Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010, which would extend unemployment benefits for over 2 million unemployed Americans, Dr. Ami Bera issued the following statement:
“It is simply outrageous that, in the midst of the worst recession in recent history, Dan Lungren has shown the cold shoulder to Californians struggling to find work in this tough economy,” said Dr. Bera. “Millions of Californians have lost their jobs, but Lungren just doesn’t seem to care. In fact, this is just another example of hypocrisy from Dan Lungren – voting against extending emergency unemployment benefits while he’s simultaneously drawing a taxpayer-funded California pension and a full taxpayer-funded Congressional salary, which he’s voted to raise three times in the last five years. Californians deserve better.”
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Earlier this week Governor Arnold...
