Watching the train wreck of the California budget process for the nth time, a last-minute visit by a canvasser prompted me to say something. Shakespeare it's not....
Hi all. It's taken the trashing of the California budget to move me to write my first diary here. I hope it's not the start of a trend...
I live in California's 10th Congressional District. My neighbors and I have a special election to replace Ellen Tauscher. Goody. My wife and I are heavily leaning towards Anthony Woods, but we're keeping our options open.
I had a Joan Buchanan campaign canvasser at my front door yesterday. After exchanging pleasantries, and taking the offered literature, I asked one question. "Will Assemblywoman Buchanan support and vote for the current state budget deal?"
The young lady gushed, "I believe so. We need to straighten out the fiscal mess the state's in, and this is a first step." My blood pressure cheered that she didn't use the modifier "this is a 'good' first step."
"A cuts-only budget, that slashes social programs, takes money from cities and counties, and allows for tax-free oil drilling off the coast?" I replied. "As I understand it, there are a lot of Republicans in both Houses who won't vote for this budget. Why would any self-regarded Democrat vote for something like this?"
"The Governor won't support any new taxes," she said. "It's why the budget stalemate has gone on so long. We have no other options to keep programs running."
It was almost evening and I didn't want a debate. "A legislator has no options?? It sounds like we're on vastly different sides," I took the door to close. "If Assemblywoman Buchanan hasn't the backbone to stand her ground in Sacramento, I don't want to send her to Washington. Please know that."
There's a narrow window before the budget voting begins and Congressional candidates Joan Buchanan and Mark DeSaulnier will be voting there. I'll call both candidates' local offices today to voice my simple message - if you vote for this wreck of a budget, I can't vote for you.
Just as I was about to post, I saw this interview which seems to be a good sign - DeSaulnier says he will "probably vote against most" of the budget. It smells a bit weasely, but it's better than blind acceptance of the status-quo. If any of his votes allow this budget to be enacted, I certainly can allow my vote to elect someone else.
Update - No commitment from either office. Assemblywoman Buchanan's office said she is "not happy" with the proposed budget, but "hasn't seen anything" to gauge a vote upon. Senator DeSaulnier's office simply recorded my opinion that he vote against the budget in it's present form.