These changes include public pension cutbacks, spending constraints on the state, and an overhaul of the tax system. With fewer than 140 days left in office, the “Governator” is making his last stand for goals that have so far eluded him, clinging to “an overdue state budget for a last bit of leverage before he fades from relevancy,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times on August 23, 2010.

The budget process in California is rather convoluted but, essentially, the State Constitution requires that a budget be in place by June 15.  Well, the Constitution is really only a piece of paper—and the budget process has become a quagmire in recent years.  Political posturing, unprincipled legislators and voter-approved spending mandates have all contributed to the fiscal woes of the Golden State—not to speak of the economic recession that has hit the state hard.  And the Governor ain’t helping!

As of today, the state budget is 54 days overdue. Governor Schwarzenegger has made it clear that he will not sign a spending plan until the State Legislature retrofits the broken fiscal system that has bedeviled California, and him personally, for years.  If his conditions are not met, the Governor threatens, he will leave the budget in his successor’s lap—a successor to be elected in November.

Increasingly, the Governor’s “wish list” for the state budget is being interpreted as a ransom note.  “This is a governor that holds the state hostage,” said Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa). “How irresponsible is that?” State worker furloughs resumed last Friday, wreaking havoc with state agencies that had to reschedule appointments. How much time was wasted doing this, rather than dealing with what these agencies are supposed to be doing?  An emergency fund to pay health clinics that serve the poor has run dry; the final payments go out next week on Monday. What will be the effect on the people dependent on these services, and on the state as the health of its poorest deteriorates further?  And state Controller John Chiang has warned that IOUs could be as little as two weeks away as the State of California will be unable to meet its obligations.  Not good news for the reputation of one of the largest economic engines in the world!

“I have two choices as governor, especially since this is my last year,” Schwarzenegger told a group of Bay Area business leaders earlier this month. “Do I want to go and just make everyone happy and … go along with them, or do I want to go and, you know, wage this battle?”  Most Californians probably would agree that it is not the job of a Governor to ‘make everyone happy.’  However, the problem with Schwarzenegger’s position is that he is threatening the Californians who have the least, while those who have the most have nothing to worry about on a daily basis.

Democratic lawmakers have chafed at the governor’s ultimatums, arguing that this year’s fiscal imbalance needs to be tackled first. They are pressing for more than $4 billion in tax hikes to balance the books. Schwarzenegger, on the other hand, wants more cuts.  He wants to eliminate California’s welfare program and daycare for 142,000 children of low-income families; to further pare down education funds; and to cut money for home health aides to help the elderly, blind and disabled.  Furloughing state workers will create only problems for residents who need services while cutting into the livelihoods of state workers, thus impacting the economy even further.

“If he wants to achieve some of the legacy items that he consistently refers to, it’s not going to be done—will not be done—with the kinds of cuts that he is calling for,” Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) told reporters recently. “Period.”  So, there we are!

This current budget impasse is the fifth longest in California history. There is no breakthrough on the horizon, although Schwarzenegger has said repeatedly that he wants to strike an accord.  “It’s not just my way or the highway,” he has said.  Yet, looking in from the outside, that is exactly how it is!  There doesn’t seem to be any negotiating on the Governor’s part, only threats.  And thinking about the legacy of this Governor—well, need we say more?

My insurance company assessed zero liability for me—after all, she hit me coming from behind.  Then, this very same woman obtains a lawyer (for minor bumper damage!) and, a week later, files an injury claim with my insurance company.  Only in California, is what I am thinking.  I am still awaiting the conclusion of this minor disaster.

Collisions, fires, mud slides, earth quakes

Recently, I have rediscovered my enthusiasm for jigsaw puzzles.  They are a fun way to relax your mind and exercise the eyes.  My current endeavor is a 2000-piece photo of Las Vegas at night.  Every day I spend an hour or two at it.  On a recent afternoon, as I was working on a particularly tricky section, I heard a loud boom and the whole house shook for a short while.  Funny, I didn’t think that the space shuttle was supposed to land at Edwards Air Force base in the desert.  When it breaks the sound barrier, this same boom-and-shake effect takes place.

Well, this time it was not the space shuttle.  Instead, we experienced a 2.9 earthquake, with the epicenter about two miles from my house.   Such small earthquakes usually go unnoticed but having it centered almost under one’s house does make a difference.  It made me think of the 1994 Northridge quake.  Epicentered about 20 miles away, it felt and sounded like a freight train going through my living room.  And some of the aftershocks made the earth move in waves—something that I actually found unbelievably fascinating.

As I was driving home from work on Tuesday afternoon, I noticed a plume of smoke coming from the San Gabriel Mountains.  The news announced that a fire had broken out in the dry brush and the fire crews were on their way to the scene.   But this one is far away; nothing to worry about too much, especially since the weather is calm.

By Wednesday afternoon, we had our own local fire burning in the mountains above our house.  As I took my dogs for a walk Thursday morning, I saw the fire trying to make it over the ridge of the mountains and watched the planes diving into the smoke to drop fire retardant.  Those pilots are truly amazing!  By the evening, the fire was out of control and spreading, causing voluntary evacuations in the mountain areas of the neighboring town.

I woke up this morning gagging on the thick smoke.  The sun, rising above the horizon, was a blazing orange ball.   The air was completely still, ashes were raining on the cars parked in the driveway, the sky was grey and visibility pretty much zero.  As I am writing this blog, I hear the airplanes flying over constantly; we are directly on the path of the planes dropping the fire retardant.  It sounds like a war zone!  From our front yard, we can see the grey-and-black smoke billowing over the mountains against a backdrop of orangey glow.

Welcome to life in Southern California!  And what are we going to do about it all?  Nothing, really.  The only thing you can do is to go with the flow—and be prepared.

Päivi Hoikkala
La Crescenta, California

Born to privilege, Ted Kennedy was the youngest of a band of brothers who changed America.   John F. Kennedy was the youngest man ever elected to the presidency of the United States and, although not necessarily effective politically, gave the nation new energy and focus.  His assassination in November 1963 also galvanized the nation as well as created the legend of the Kennedys.

Robert F. Kennedy, who served as JFK’s Attorney General, made a run for the presidency in 1968 with a platform that focused on issues of economic inequality in the wealthiest nation on earth, as well as ending the war in Vietnam.   RFK’s platform was the most progressive ever experienced in this country, giving hope to the disadvantaged regardless of color or creed.   His assassination, following his victory in the California primary, marked the end of the promise of America and the beginning of a conservative backlash.

Edward Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962.  Early in his career, he was dismissed as a lightweight and an unworthy successor to his revered brothers.  Yet, over time he grew in stature.  He was the third-longest-serving Senator in the history of the nation.  He was also a leading spokesman for liberal issues, standing up for the rights of the working class and the disadvantaged, regardless of his own privileged background.

The hallmark of his legislative success was his ability to cross the partisan aisle to enact legislation.   Ted Kennedy was a statesman—a quality amiss in today’s Washington, D.C., and in today’s American political rhetoric.

What makes Kennedy’s passing even more poignant at this particular time in history is the debate over health care reform in the United States.  Instead of a reasoned exchange of ideas, this debate has dissipated into a shouting match that provides little substance and lots of rhetoric.  Providing health care coverage for all Americans had been the goal of Senator Kennedy.

His statesmanship and his leadership could have brought some sense to the current debate.  I am left wondering what will come of it all.

Rest in peace, Teddy.