Sunday, October 29, 2006

Dean Martin's Failed Memory

Dean Martin says we should support Proposition 300 because the Governor vetoed HB 2030 in 2005. Odd he didn’t mention what the Governor’s veto message said. It says she agrees that public programs should not be available to those who consciously decide to come here illegally, but HB 2030 would punish even long-time residents of this state who were brought here as small children by their parents.

Napolitano’s position happens to be shared by prominent Republicans with the familiar names of Hatch and Bush. When Orin Hatch introduced the DREAM Act in 2003, he said “We have a choice to either keep these talented young people underground, or give them a chance to contribute to the United States. I believe that our laws should not discourage these bright young minds from seeking higher education." Then-governor George W. Bush said “I believe it’s good policy for Texas to make sure immigrant children are educated so that they’re available for the workforce later on.”

Dean Martin should listen to Governor Napolitano and other Republicans who agree controlling the border is crucial, but denying education opportunities to children who are here through no choice of their own isn’t the way to do it.

Who IS the Arizona Republican Party?

I’ve reached the conclusion that our Republican legislators cannot possibly represent the views of the majority of Arizona Republicans in particular or Arizonans in general. Their positions are more right-wing Libertarian than mainstream Republican. Are they really Libertarians running as Republicans but can’t be honest about it? Look at the polls, examine their views and decide yourself.

Most Arizonans want the legislature to invest the surplus in roads and schools, but legislators want a tax cut. Most Arizonans want a reasonable approach to illegal immigration while the legislators want to create families of felons. Most Arizonans want both parties to work together, but our legislators believe no compromise is ever justified.

Our Republican legislators preach government is too big, yet they control it. They say spending is out of control, yet they hold the purse strings and forget we’ve had several years of deficits. They say government shouldn’t put its nose in our personal lives but want to dictate health choices to women.

If this isn’t proof Republicans are out of touch with voters, I’m not sure what other proof you need. It’s time to elect people who think like we do. It’s time to clean house.

CAGW President's Amnesia

In an entertaining example of hypocrisy, the president of Citizens Against Government Waste rants against Jim Pederson for wanting to bring our tax dollars home claiming "Arizonans need Senators who will challenge the spending culture in Washington, not champion it."

How he can say that with a straight face when he supports Jon Kyl, J.D. Hayworth, Trent Franks, John Shadegg and Rick Renzi, all of whom have all voted to increase government spending well over revenues thereby creating the largest deficit in history, is comical. Even when one learns the above Arizona representatives voted for the famous "Alaskan Bridge to Nowhere" among thousands of other pork projects, it makes his complaint even more disingenuous.

Where’s his criticism of the Republican incumbents? Where's his outrage for their deficit and pork spending? Nowhere, that's where.

The unfortunate thing is this hypocrisy cheapens the efforts of the CAGW and purposefully misinforms the voters. People expect them to be watchdogs, not political rubber stamps. But that’s what we got. Tom Schatz’s criticisms should be aimed at those have a record of spending more than we take in: Republican incumbents. There’s no question on their spending record.

Russel Pearce's "Apology"

Renowned poet Maya Angelou said, "If someone tells you who they are, believe them." These wise words should be used to judge what is in Russell Pearce's heart and what he believes about Hispanics, Jews and who knows whom else.

What is Russell Pearce doing reading a white supremacist web site? What is a man who tell us he looks at the state budget with an eye on every detail doing by –not--reading the entire message he copied from said white supremacist web site? What do these simple facts say about Russell Pearce?

This issue has nothing to do with illegal immigration. It has nothing to do being an American. This has nothing to do with being law-abiding. The criticism of him has nothing to do with political correctness. It has everything to do with morals and character, which we can now see Russell Pearce is of limited supply. It’s painful to learn that someone in such a powerful position as Mr. Pearce harbors such views, but he has told us what is in his heart and who he is. Regardless of how uncomfortable it may be to do so, we must believe what he tells us.

Len Munsil's Case of Denial

Len Munsil’s assessment of Gov. Napolitano’s performance indicates a plain misreading of who is responsible for what. He blames the Governor for a high crime rate, yet most of the state’s elected police officials and those who set crime-prevention policy are Republicans. He complains about poor schools, yet the State Superintendent and the legislature that funds Education is controlled by Republicans. He says the Governor wants to raise taxes yet those who control the budget process and have a demonstrable lack of foresight that would make any tax increase necessary are Republicans. He criticizes the Governor for the record number of vetoes, yet forgets the leaders of the legislature who sent to the Governor bills that deserved to be vetoed are Republicans. He blames the Governor for not spending state resources to defend the border, yet those who really are responsible for doing nothing to protect the border are Republicans.

Well, Mr. Munsil, it sure looks to this voter like Republicans are the problem and not Janet Napolitano. And yes, this means you won’t be getting my vote.