Skelton: Pay Attention to the Guys Who Lose All the Time

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Because somehow they deserve some attention.  Or to put in Skelton's own words from his column today:

Give Republicans some sort of budget reform and business regulatory relief. Toss in more spending cuts. Then they'd doubtless help close tax loopholes and balance the budget.

The Capitol could use budget discipline, and Republicans need some wins.

They're right-wingers, but sometimes they're just plain right.

Look, I think Skelton is one of the better columnists covering Sacramento. Not sure that's saying all that much now that there are like 3 people covering our state politics/policy issues, but it's true. Occasionally he's dead-on.  And sometimes he's David Broder for California, which is apparently where he's headed with this piece.

The Republicans will get wins...as soon as they win at the ballot box. That is how politics works. Wins aren't handed out based on columnists opinions that they are "overdue" like some slumping ball player. (No, Barry Zito, I'm not looking at you.) The Republicans could care less about fiscal discipline when it comes to tax cuts and building dams, why have they become the authority on "fiscal discipline."

By the way, one of the so-called reforms is the imposition of a two-thirds requirement. I can't think of a bigger example of fiscal irresponsibility than holding up the state budget and revenue process than the 2/3 requirement. Every year the Republicans use their leverage over the budget process to get other "wins." And every year, the Reps block common sense reform of the tax code. Skelton just tosses this one out the window, but you can't pick the sane ideas ignore the insanity when determining "fiscal responsibility" titles.

By the way, the Republican Senate Caucus put up a video (WMV) on their budget website. Apparently they haven't mastered the "YouTubz" yet, so I'll not do them any favors by posting it.  But, check it out. See the depth of their hatred of government, and their free-rider mentality.  Basically the video outlines a day in the life of some random Californian, pointing out certain taxable events.  Apparently the CA GOP doesn't want roads, garbage pickup, electricity, consistent and safe markets, and clean air.

And these are the people that we should give a "some wins"? No, but thanks.