cringinghere's blog

Most everyone supports a clean environment.  But many environmentalists fail to recognize the need for balance.  One of the latest examples of environmental extremism is the campaign to punish or even ban the use of plastic bags.

How is it that California’s unemployment rate can be at 11.6% and still soaring yet California’s public employees unions are getting more jobs? How is it that those taxpayers paying the bills are losing jobs by the thousands yet those taking taxpayer dollars are being hired right and left?

On August 4th, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association wondered this same thing noting that “During the 12 months that ended in June, state government added 3,600 jobs in California, a 0.7 percent gain.”

"I don't know how this can happen," said David Kline, a spokesman for the California Taxpayers Association. "A lot of people are having trouble keeping their jobs, paying their bills, and feeding their families. Most taxpayers would be incredulous if they see these numbers."

So, the unions are finding the worst economic crash in decades much to their liking because, while everyone else suffers, the unions are finding thousands of new jobs offered them by a compliant government. High times, indeed.

Governor Schwarzenegger has tried to get a handle on this budget mess by attempting to furlough these union workers in hopes of saving some cash here and there. But Ahnold is soon to depart the scene, so what will happen next will have to await the results of the upcoming elections?

For sure this situation is ripe for a hard charging, tax fighting, growth oriented Republican to come forward and win the next race for California governor.

With that in mind, what is State Insurance Commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner up to? Why, he’s signing onto letters that support the greedy efforts of the very unions that are bloating the budget in Sacramento, that’s what.

That’s right, State Controller and Democrat John Chiang drafted a letter back in February that demanded that the Governator stop all that union employee furloughing and saving of money business.

And who signed onto that union supporting letter but State Insurance Commish Poizner?! Poizner, along with all the other Democrats in state wide office were upset that the unions were being expected to feel any of the pain that those lowly taxpayers were feeling.

So much for Poizner being one of those hard charging, tax fighting, growth oriented Republicans that California so badly needs during this crisis.

Californians are soon to begin the process of deciding what Republican they’ll ask the voters to elect to the governor’s office. Apparently Insurance Commish Steve Poizner is claiming his right to that nomination. But what sort of “Republican” is he?

Why don’t we let him tell us?

"I am a frustrated moderate Republican, said Poizner.” “I don’t think either party in Sacramento does a very good job of representing people like me.” The Stanford Daily October 28, 2004

Poizner says, “I am not beholden to any party." That sure sounds like the making of the next Ahnold-Republican, doesn’t it?

Well, here’s the facts: Poizner made a $10,000 contribution to the Democratic National Committee on 10/02/00; $1,000 to John Forbes Kerry on 02/15/01; and a $10,000 donation he made to the '00 Gore/Lieberman Recount Committee. (Gary) Mendoza (former deputy mayor of Los Angeles and candidate for Insurance Commissioner), another self proclaimed moderate, says, “Less than one-one- hundredth of Republican primary voters supported the 2000 Gore-Lieberman recount, as did Steve Poizner, who is really a Democrat.” The Hotline, September 16, 2005, The Daily News of Los Angeles, June 26, 2005

So what is our lesson for the day? That Steve Poizner is not much of a Republican!