Schwarzenegger is a poor choice to replace the charmless Gray Davis. His notoriety rests on his “Terminator” roles in which he plays an action (read: “violence”) hero in starkly unrealistic good versus evil plots. That is not the real world and his “Hasta la vista, Davis” approach is no answer to real questions concerning funding for public schools, highways and other infrastructures, law enforcement, prisons and health care. Bully tactics is no solution.
Davis, for all his personality shortcomings, has had to accept funding commitments made under earlier governors, including prison expansion for 3-strike offenders and other “get tough” measures, smaller class sizes and health care for children.
Schwarzenegger’s mentor, former governor Pete Wilson, initiated some of these costly commitments.
Regarding health care, Schwarzenegger promises to expand that program for children, but that is a budget buster because medical costs increase much more than general inflation. The recall would worsen California’s credit rating because a Republican governor with a Democratic legislature would create delay and instability in dealing with revenue and spending questions. Gray Davis, while not popular, is a safe, stable bet for the next three years. He and the legislature are dealing with this year’s budget shortfall of $19 billion, and they will deal with next year’s budget needs in an improving economic climate. Schwarzenegger and his talk represent “magical thinking” and this is no time for illusory rabbits in hats. “No” on the recall.
Ralph Erickson, president
Malibu Democratic Club