In a press conference this
evening to explain the budget stalemate, Arnold repeatedly blamed
special interests for getting in the way of resolution. It was exactly
these kinds of distractions that led Arnold-the-Campaigner to promise
that he would put an end to fundraising while budgeting.
But what about all that special interest money that Arnold has been
raising this budget season, like the $54K from mega-mortgage firm
Ameriquest this week?
Or how about the fact that one of the biggest sticking points in this
budget is whether or not to repeal a bill that has nothing to do with
the state’s budget but everything to do with Schwarzenegger’s special
interest campaign contributors? The law under attack by the Chamber of
Commerce and others in Arnold’s Army allows employees to challenge
employer labor violations.
Schwarzenegger is apparently prepared to shut down the government if
lawmakers refuse to repeal this employee protection law. Using the
budget to toss out a duly enacted law is to turn the government over to
the special interests. Will Arnold continue to hold the state’s $100
billion budget hostage and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of
state employees and their families, in order to pull a special interest
coup d’etat?
Arnold’s press conference platitudes about special interest control of
government is not such a good alibi when he has been aiding and
abetting the crime.
