Schwarzenegger Proposes Billions in Cuts

[pinto]

By TOM CHORNEAU
Associated Press Writer

January 9, 2004, 3:16 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a $99.1 billion budget plan Friday and proposed cutting billions of dollars from public health and welfare programs to help pay for it.

Without cuts or higher taxes, California is expected to face a $14 billion deficit by June 30, 2005, the end of the upcoming fiscal year.

<snip>

The biggest hits are aimed at the state's Medi-Cal program, which would lose close to $900 million next year under the governor's proposal. The state's program to bring welfare recipients into the work force is also targeted in his plan with a $800 million cut.

City and county governments, already upset by the loss of about $4 billion they were expecting from a car tax increase that Schwarzenegger repealed, also would lose out.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-calif-budget,0,2782899.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

well, the other shoe falls

[tom_paine]

1. Like, DUH, who could've seen THAT coming?

Could it be the same people who knew from Day 1 that the Busheviks were lying about WMDs?

Naah. Anyway, such views, even if they turned out to be true, are labelled "wacko" under the New Politikal Korrectness of Imperial Amerika.

[indepat]

2. I love it. California, like the USA, will get the government it deserves

[Zhade]

8. HEY! I didn't vote for the pro-Nazi sexual predator!

How do I "deserve" this kind of crap?

[twilight]

13. me either!

I did NOT vote for this damn creep as did many others in the State. I resent such statements myself as I was active with the NO RECALL campaign and fought those shills being paid to collect signatures.

The whole thing was another stolen election plain and simple. People stupidly went for the "I will TERMINATE the VLFs!" that Schwartenazi promised. I WAS NOT one of them, nor were many others here on the DU!

The ones that went for his lying game are just beginning to see the price that will be paid. Its called trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and disabled. How loathsome and how unforgiveable.

:dem: :kick:

[Zhade]

15. Let's not forget the weird totals all over the state...

...which, of course, fell off the radar almost immediately.

http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/ (do a "find" for DIEBOLD MACHINES YIELD FISHY RESULTS - the post anchor feature seems to be screwy.)

[schultzee]

20. I bet the rePIGlican stole it! I just bet he did.

[Sapphocrat]

16. Just like you deserve Bush*, eh?

This is one Californian who doesn't deserve Herr Gropenfeuhrer, thank you.

[Journeyman]

24. From your comment, indepat, I presume. . .

you believe you deserve Smirk as your pretzeldent?

[indepat]

31. We deserve the government we get until we the people, in mass,

voice our dissent to the fullest extent by every constitutional means possible, loud and clear, until we the people, in mass, bombard every Congressman and Senator with demands that the interests of we the people be be met rather than the interests of corporate and wealthy patrons, until we the people demand every law, including tax law, passed since early 2001 not in the best interest of we the people be rescinded, including every unnecessary/unconstitutional encroachment on our liberty and freedom, until we the people, in mass, bombard every mainstream media outlet voicing our outrage at their failure to keep the people informed in the spirit of the Pulitzer Credo especially what is being and has been done under the veil of secrecy, until we the people do this and so much more, including overwhelmingly voting out of office every rascal who has voted for special interests rather than in the interest of we the people, then we the people will get the government we so richly deserve. And yes, IMNSHO, Californians will deserve the government they get until they send the Gropanator a strong message, until they loudly dissent his every action that is counter to his campaign promises, until they mount another recall movement with unbridled fury.

[Piperay]

26. Thank you

and I guess that you deserve the chimp too. :argh:

[pinto]

4. yeah, some surprise, huh?

here's more from LA Times (reg may be req'd)

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-010904budget_lat,1,5308403.story?coll=la-home-headlines

<snip>

Those who saw the proposed budget before its release today said it includes at least $1 billion of the kind of borrowing that Schwarzenegger criticized when he was elected and that a Sacramento judge declared illegal last year.

The budget plan would involve selling bonds to cover the state's annual payment to the pension fund for government employees, freeing up other money to pay down the state's deficit.

<snip>

Schwarzenegger's proposal would involve taking property tax money from local governments and using it to pay some of the state's obligation to schools. City and county officials say they are still suffering from the last time the state made such a shift, during a budget crisis in the early 1990s. That move was supposed to be temporary, but the money was never restored.

Officials familiar with the spending plan said it includes about $11 billion in cuts, borrowing and accounting maneuvers that delay the payment of various state expenses.

Reagan put the mentally ill out on the street and Schwarzie may put the rest of the state's disabled out there, too.

[benfranklin1776]

12. Great example of the momentous snowjob known as compassionate conservatism

Balancing the budget on the backs of the poorest and the sickest citizens after vowing to be a govenor of "all the people." Yeah real compassion. A royal shafting delivered with a vacuous, dung-swallowing grin, which is supposed to make it palatable to those being screwed. If that is compassion I would prefer not to see der Gropenfuhrers idea of sadism.

[Democat]

3. Notice that when Davis had a registration fee increase it was a "tax"

But the media says Arnold's school, park, and other increases are "no new taxes".

The right wing U.S. media is out of control.

[tom_paine]

6. Actaully, it's very much under control

of the Imperial Family. But not Soviet-style, nothing so hamfisted (a PR and marketing disaster) for Imperial Amerika. Control methodologies are much more subtle, belying the culutral differences in 1930s Soviet Union, 1930s Nazi Germany, and 2003 Imperial Amerika.

Gleitschlaung (bringing into line) is what the Nazis called it. In Imperial Amerika, Gleitschlaung is closer to being over with than being started.

Nothing Corporate TV Prtavda says shocks me anymore. The Imperial Amerikan Pravda is rapidly becoming a global laughinstock, kind of how we used to snicker at Old Soviet Pravda. I am guessing the Free World is snickering in the same way at Imperial Pravda.

And of course, would any Totalitarian Empire like Amerika be complete without a Party-Loyal Sub-Media to further exercise implicit control of the dialogue in favor of the Imperials while making sure that the wretched remnants of the Formerly Free Press adhere to the New Policial Korrectness.

[Character Assassin]

27. That would be 'Gleichschaltung', not 'Gleitschaltung'.

[rocktivity]

5. Rocknation Proposes Billions From Energy Company Lawsuit Settlement

rocknation

[tom_paine]

7. Now now, that's Imperial Family Friend Ken Lay's money

Just who are YOU to challenge the will of the Emperor and the Imperial Gouvernor of Kallie-fornia, Serf?

[twilight]

9. well I've lost so much its not funny

Homeowners insurance - just got the bill - up 20% this year.

Health insurance via State of CA retirement - seems no more subsidies being paid out to retirees - hung-up in the bargaining units - this is about another $800.00 a year apparently gone.

Car insurance - went up about 15% this year.

So, my VLF stays the same. BIG DEAL! I would have gladly paid the tags if they'd left the rest of my life alone.

I say, lets TERMINATE the Groping Governator! :grr: :grr: :grr:

:dem: :kick:

[pinto]

14. note that your pension fund is being floated with bonds in this plan..n/t

[JeebusH]

10. but, but ... I thought Ah-nold would share some of his money with ...

the people of California???

I bet there's a number of people who thought that

[Snappy]

11. SOS

No surprise. The Republicans have a new motto. "Steal from the bottom."

I wonder, how many here believe that America is a Plutocracy?

[CarinKaryn]

17. Another stolen election

Another thieft bought his way into office and now the citizens must pay.

[CarinKaryn]

18. Another stolen election

Another thieft bought his way into office and now the citizens must pay.

[twilight]

19. too bad Ahnuld

After reading both articles throughly, what I can say is this: It doesn't stand a chance in hell of being voted YES on! There is no way this will be voted for. There are too many people with their own special interests involved.

What will Arnold do? Is it recall time again when we see there is no $15 billion coming in via bonds?

JUST SAY NO TO THE $15 BILLION IN BONDS! BOTH SIDES AGREE ON THIS ONE!



:dem: :kick:

[pinto]

22. imho, let's not use recalls as elections......

or, for that matter, propositons as legislation.

Both abrogate the responsibilities of elected officials.

[Bandit]

21. How are Californians reponding to this?

Anyone read any newspapers concerning this? Are Californians all for this money grab for the wealthy? Any "I told you so"s being published?

[twilight]

23. did you read the articles?

If you have read the two articles referenced above, you will quickly see that this is not going over so hot with ANYONE!

From the L.A. Times:

<<Those who saw the proposed budget before its release today said it includes at least $1 billion of the kind of borrowing that Schwarzenegger criticized when he was elected and that a Sacramento judge declared illegal last year.>>


<<Just as former Gov. Gray Davis did, Schwarzenegger is seeking help from Indian casinos in balancing the budget. He is proposing renegotiating gambling compacts to generate $500 million for the state. Tribes have expressed little interest in doing that.>>

From Newsday:

<<But even if legislators approve Schwarzenegger's budget plan, which will be revised in May, it will mean little if voters don't approve the $15 billion bond deal in March. So far, administration officials said, early polls indicate voters don't like the measure and may not pass it.>>



:dem: :kick:

[pinto]

25. don't see anyone waving the Bear flag here, met w/my boss this PM

to help plan staffing cuts, budget, etc in Public Health.....

[baggypants]

28. I know it's unpopular but someone has to stop spending money we don't have

[Lindacooks]

32. Oh, the money is there

lining the pockets of the richest Americans. That's the typical Repuke argument - break the band giving bags of money back to your rich buds, then whining 'but there's no money to pay for anything'.

Burn in hell for this, Groper.

[patricia92243]

29. Are CA people having "buyers remorse" already?

[loudsue]

30. Don't you guys GET it??? Voting on the bond issue...

using the same machines that "voted" on the gropenator??

From the other linked article:

Wednesday, October 08, 2003
IRREGULARITIES IN CALIFORNIA RACE!!

Long-shot candidates do startlingly well in Tulare County

DIEBOLD MACHINES YIELD FISHY RESULTS!!


My friend in South Carolina writes:

I ran a number crunch of CA counties that use Diebold
machines to cast/count votes and found some weird
figures that show a skim of votes from top candidates
to people who were unlikely to affect the outcome. I
did my hand calculator work on the California election
results (from the secretary of state's site) when 96%
of precincts had reported. The website showed:

Counties using Diebold Touchscreens:
Alemeda, Plumas

Counties using Diebold Optiscan:
Fresno, Humboldt, Kern, Lassen, Marin, Placer, San
Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Trinity,
Tulare.

There were a total of 1,403,375 votes cast in these
counties combined. The CA total was 7,842,630 at this
stage of the count. Thus 17.89% of all the state votes
were cast/counted on Diebold equipment.

I had earlier noticed some lower order candidates
(ones who couldn't affect the result) were getting
unusually large numbers of votes in Tulare county. I
decided to test to see if the these and other 'fringe'
candidates might be used to receive skimmed votes in
other Diebold counties.

Method:
I added all the votes cast/counted on Diebold
equipment for each candidate and expressed it as a
percentage of their total votes cast state wide. The
following table lists: Candidate name, votes counted
for them in Diebold counties, CA state total votes
counted for that candidate and what percentage of that
candidate's total votes were counted in Diebold
counties.

It looks like, as one might expect, at the top of the
list as if there is a slight variance from an even
state wide distribution. However many 'lower ticket'
candidates have vote totals that ONLY correlate with
the use of Diebold equipment! I have included some
names chosen at random from the result list that show
that not all lower order candidates were used to
receive skimmed votes. Note that Diebold's counties
are spread geographically over the whole of
California.

I have checked background on the skewed result
candidates and they are not residents of the counties
where they got very high percentage results. In one
case, Palmieri, the candidate was surprised to hear
about Tulare county (I emailed him) and had not been
there nor had family or friends there. In fact, his
platform was "Don't vote for me." He described this
vote pattern as "strange."

State total 7,842,630.
Cast in Diebold counties 1,403,375
17.89% of the total votes cast.

Schwarzenegger 581,145 3,552,787 16.36%

Bustamante 447,008 2,379,740 18.78%

McLintock 186,923 979,234 19.08%

Camejo 39,199 207,270 18.9%

Huffington 7,498 42,131 17.79%

Ueberoth 3365 21378 15.74%

Flynt 2384 15010 15.88%

Coleman 1869 12443 15.02%

Simon 1351 7648 17.66%

Palmieri 2542 3717 68.3%

Louie 598 3198 18.7%

Kunzman 1957 2133 91.75%

Roscoe 325 1941 16.7%

Sprague 1026 1576 65.10%

Macaluso 592 1504 39.36%

Price 477 1011 47.18%

Quinn 220 433 50.8%

Martorana 165 420 39.28%

Gosse 60 419 14.3%

Conclusion
Based on the very unlikely distribution of votes for
some candidates (a meteor hit my car twice this week
sort of odds) a hand count of the affected counties to
compare with the machine reported count should be
done. This would show that the machines had been
tampered with to alter the results. As we already
know, it is not possible to audit touchscreen machines
because Diebold refuse to allow printing of a ballot
to be placed in a box as a back up for use in just
such an apparent tampering with votes.

For those who are unsure of figures:

California is huge and has a population similar to
many European nations. Lower order candidates had
little or no ability to spread any sort of message to
parts of the state beyond their own home and/or where
they have previously lived. One would expect some of
the 'fringe' candidates to do well in their home
county and then to have a very even distribution
across the rest of the state. That is not the case. In
Diebold counties (those who use machines made by
Diebold, a corporation that supports George Bush) the
results are skewed towards low scoring candidates by
unbelievably large amounts.

The probability of scoring twice the expected average
county % could charitably be construed as the upper
limit of the possible. Some candidates exceed that
figure in Diebold counties by a four or five fold
margin. If you have done statistics, you know that is
so far beyond what might be expected that you would
reject it as defective data. If it happened to one
candidate in this election, I would be surprised but
might accept it. There are a large number of
candidates who have this same systematic pattern of
receiving skimmed votes.

The California recall shows Diebold trying to affect
the election outcome by moving votes from high ranked
candidates to low ranked candidates.

By doing this, Diebold keep the total number of votes
cast constant but rob some candidate of their votes.
Before anyone makes this a partisan issue - it could
be a Republican victim next time."
:think::think::think::think::think::think::think::think::think:


Californians may just believe their "majority" voted "YES" on this upcoming bond issue, when in fact,

THE MACHINES VOTED!!

:think:

Get active with BBV NOW!!! We don't have much time left before they start chosing the candidate in the Dem primaries!

:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

[mrdmk]

33. As a Californian in the Los Angeles Area, I say this sucks!

If anybody did not see this coming, they need some professional attention. First of all the media was all over Arnold Schwarzenegger. The T.V. media played into Schwarzenegger corner with ten to fifth teen minutes on the local news almost every day of the week. The L.A. Times was not going for this election nor were they going Schwarzenegger’s candidacy. The L.A. times broke and ran with the story about Schwarzenegger’s problem with women and also his lack of experience as a political leader right up to the day of the election. The N.Y. Times had a picture Schwarzenegger’s picture on the front page with a story of praise. This election did not play well with many people here in California. The seventy-eight million dollar special election was just a start.

Schwarzenegger comment that, “For the past five years, the politicians have made a mess of California's budget," Schwarzenegger said. "Now it's time to clean it up." To coin a term used here, BUNK! In the year of 2001, California had a surplus budget in excess of sixty million dollars (?). This surplus was eaten up by the so-called energy crisis having the taxpayers cover the cost of new contracts for electrical service. This was Gray Davis screw up. The first time the electrical problems append in 1999, Davis ran behind the coat tails of Bill Clinton. Clinton in fingered Enron as the problem and gave an executive order stating that Enron was no longer able to deal in California’s energy market. In 2001 when the same thing happened, again Davis went to Mr. George Bush and Bush said this was a Californian problem for not deregulating enough. So between having a governor who tried to work things out in the back room and a White House that could care less about the common people our strong economy went quickly to hell because of this.

The whole mess here is very complicated in the Los Angeles area. The big media is a problem (CBS does own and operate two T.V. stations KCBS and KCAL) here; a lot of newspapers are very right wing, especially the ones that specialize in the local news and most of all, people are so busy at trying to keep their jobs they do not have the time to investigate the problems by the powers that be here. If you do not think there is a long history of manipulation in this state, just read City of Quartz by Mike Davis, it is a real eye opener to why the state is the way it is.

[cap]

34. this election was a non-election

and just a media show....

You had all these snazzy pictures of Arnold and Maria but not one word of substantive debate about what he was actually going to do!!!

What was presented on Friday should have been part of an ongoing series of debates BEFORE the election so that the people could truly decide.

But of course, Arnold couldn't get elected on Pete Wilson's platform (which is what this all really is).

[mrdmk]

36. You are correct

:grr:

[mrdmk]

35. Need to add

The special election California as not been certified as of this time. There will be a meeting January 15 2004 about this election. Stay tuned.