In an election race that has so far seemed to pit Moderate Arnold against Conservative Arnold, Gov. Schwarzenegger struck blows for both sides by signing one bill raising the minimum wage just days after announcing his plans to veto a universal healthcare plan. Reaching deep down into a grab bag that apparently has something for everyone, the Governor has surged into a comfortable lead over Democratic challenger Phil Angelides, who has been pushed waaay into the background.
At the Sept. 12 signing of the bill that will raise the California minimum wage to a nation-high $8/hour over the next 15 months (despite the objections of the business community), Moderate Arnold exclaimed,
"Raising the minimum wage is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am happy that this year, we have the right bill and the powerhouse economy we need to get this job done."
Just a week earlier, Conservative Arnold gave a wink and a nod to fiscal conservatives and insurance companies (over the objections of consumer advocates and labor unions) by saying that he would veto the State Legislature’s bill establishing a single payer universal healthcare plan that would cover all Californians. Here, the Governor added,
"Such a program would cost the state billions and lead to significant new taxes on individuals and businesses, without solving the critical issue of affordability."
These are but a sample of an election strategy that has also seen Multiple Personality Arnold pander to Christian fundamentalists and outright bigots by vetoing a bill banning discrimination against LGBTs in school textbooks; and cozy up to Hollywood by endorsing Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. To his credit, Arnold also signed groundbreaking legislation establishing California as a leader in the fight against Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming (see Diana's Sept. 1 post) right on the heels of a symbolically significant agreement with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the same topics (see my Aug. 1 post).
Tough questions lie ahead of us as we approach the Nov. 7 election. Major issues like alternative fuels/oil dependency; campaign financing, eminent domain and eternal punishment for sex offenders (plus the usual anti-choice irritation) remain to be debated as Initiatives. The quality of California's future infrastructure hangs in the balance. Where are California's schools and prisons headed? And what will become of our Invisinle Neighbors--the illegal immigrants?
There will be plenty of opportunities for all of the Arnolds speak up and let their views be known. Maybe Phil might even get a word in somewhere.
Let the debate begin in earnest.
Posted by Richard at September 14, 2006 03:32 AMWe are being treated to Arnold the merciful some days and Arnold the not so merciful on other days.
But I have to correct you (don't feel bad, this has been misreported in so many articles and press releases) and point out that California's minimum wage will not be the highest in the nation, even when we get stepped up to the $8 per hour in a year and a half. Other states have cost of living increases that will exceed that hourly amount in 2008 when it kicks in here in California, and other states may also raise their hourly rate above that before 2008.
Posted by: Frank D. Russo at September 14, 2006 08:37 AMThat other states could pass higher minimums before $8 kicked in did occur to me, but as of now, none have (though they still might). I was unaware of the COL increases.
Thanks for the clarification, Frank. I should have gotten my facts straight before making such a claim.
Posted by: Richard at September 14, 2006 03:54 PMAnd what worries me is that if Arnold does win reelection, he won't have to face voters again, so he will be totally unrestrained. We all remember what happened the last time he did this...This is not the California I want to return to in a little over a year...
Posted by: Sara at September 15, 2006 12:04 AM