I was going through the archives here today and came across this post. At the time I had my fingers crossed that Californians would actually exhibit some common sense. Alas no.

What I said then (2005):

I have to say I am heartened by the results of this survey regarding the upcoming special election here in California next month. To hear the local media tell it, Arnold is in a ditch and isn’t getting out and the negative ads being run by the teachers’ unions are getting down-right nasty. From GOPBloggers:

Prop. 73 (parental notification prior to abortion for minors): 59% Yes 39% NoProp. 74 (extend teacher probationary period from 2 to 5 years): 55% Yes 44% No

Prop. 75 (”paycheck protection” – require written consent from union members to use dues for political activity): 60% Yes 37% No

Prop. 76 (limit state spending growth): 58% Yes 36% No

Prop. 77 (eliminate gerrymandering by having retired judges to draw districts instead of Legislature): 59% Yes 36% No

I am voting YES on all of these.

Arnold is doing exactly what I expected him to do when I cast my vote for him and I can tell it is working – the liberals are howling something fierce.

This, sadly, is how reality played out:

   Propositions                    Yes Votes  Pct.   No Votes  Pct.

73    Minor's Pregnancy          3,676,592  47.2   4,109,430  52.8

75    Public Union Dues          3,644,006  46.5   4,190,412  53.5

76    Spending/Funding           2,948,243  37.6   4,877,735  62.4

77    Redistricting              3,130,541  40.2   4,641,633  59.8

Are you kicking yourself in the ass yet California, particularly on Prop. 76? Here you had an opportunity to vote for some real change in the way things run in this state and you allowed your vote to be swayed against all because of the rhetoric coming from the special interest groups in this state.

You could have broken the hold labor unions had over politicians in Sacramento. You didn’t.

You could have broken the gerrymandered hold a single party has over the state government. A party who, I would remind you has been in charge of this state’s legislature for the last 13 years. You didn’t.

You could have taken a stand against Planned Parenthood helping your 13 year old daughter get an abortion without your knowledge. You didn’t

You could have finally given the governor the ability to cut spending in emergencies just like this one and undo one of the worst ballot measures in the state’s history, providing constitutional funding guarantees to education – something that has produced absolutely abysmal results. You didn’t.

You could have given school administrators the ability to actually get rid of bad teachers. You didn’t.

But you sure showed Arnold, huh?

1. Massive state government employment and budget reform. Across the board 30% budget cut. Nothing is spared. The state has 235,000 workers – lay off 20% and force the public service employees union to accept drastic cuts in benefits to bring them in line with other states. Move state workers from a guaranteed retirement benefits plan to a contribution-based one.

2. A Constitutional Amendment requiring voter approval to raise income taxes and property taxes, 65% majority voter approval required for passage. Repeal Prop. 13.

3. Part-time Legislature.

4. Repeal Ballot Initiative Law or severely restrict it to ensure that any ballot initiative requiring spending also requires that it be paid for through an off-setting tax hike (see #2).

5. Reduce Corporate business taxes by 50%. Make California an attractive place for businesses again and jobs will return, revenue will go up, and the state will prosper once more.