I struggle in writing for Fox and Hounds to not constantly sound like a curmudgeon…always criticizing Sacramento elected officials for their partisan antics, illogical behavior and otherwise nonsensical undertakings. I try to write about the positive and offer glimmers of hope that our government is working for us not against us. It’s a challenge, believe me.
But, after enduring almost three months of budget stalemate, I’m so frustrated I could scream. There’s no incentive for the Legislature to fix the budget mess. No carrots or sticks exist that can subvert partisan politics. Governor Schwarzenegger can encourage, scold and attempt to embarrass the Legislature…but, in the end, if both parties can’t move beyond partisan rhetoric, there’s no compromise to be had.
It’s completely logical for Democrats and Republicans to propose budgets that fit each party’s ideological preference. For Dems, minimize cuts and raise taxes on everyone…but position tax increases as taxing the rich. Unfortunately for all Californians, in the Democrats’ mind, we’re all rich. For Republicans, we’re witnessing an all-too-common phenomenon. Hold the line on tax increases but offer dramatic budget cuts and heavy borrowing to close budget gaps – in the short-term. Such positioning by both parties was perfectly acceptable in June and July. But, as August is now behind us and we’re almost a week into September, partisan rhetoric at this point is so empty there’s an echo.
Both parties are misguided. The phrase, “politics is the art of compromise,” is completely lost in Sacramento.
To make matters worse, both parties think they’ll score political points by attacking the other side for attending their respective party conventions. Last week, Sacramento Democrats flocked to Denver to rub elbows with Barack Obama and his liberal cohorts. This week, Republicans are doing the same in Minneapolis – except substitute conservative for liberal.
Rational individuals would think after proposing “budget solutions” that they know won’t pass, each side – Republican and Democrat – would get fed up, tired or even downright bored…and, ultimately, find a way to compromise. Unfortunately, rational thought and Sacramento should never be uttered in the same sentence.
What’s sad is virtually that no one cares that the budget is past due. Government hasn’t shut down; police still patrol; small business continue to sell products and services; freeway maintenance proceeds; and, regulators still regulate. In short, life goes on.
Maybe Legislators require that small business owners, hard-working families and society’s most needy truly feel pain before the necessity of compromise supersedes partisanship. Do they need large, vocal protests? Mass recall efforts? Locked hospitals and schools?
Governor Schwarzenegger is correct when he says that California needs long-term solutions to a long-term mess – i.e., no borrowing. Republicans should be willing to trade long-term budget fixes (caps on future spending increases) for a short-term (and very small) sales tax increase. Believe me, I hate taxes as much as anyone…but I hate borrowing – and taxing my children and my children’s children – even more.
Ultimately, we need comprehensive redistricting reform so that we have political moderates willing to at least acknowledge the existence of those with opposing perspectives instead of ideologues to whom everything is a “my way or the highway” scenario.
Next time…something positive, I promise.