I wrote the following oped for the Fresno Bee which runs today. You can see it online here (free sign up required). I submitted in response to a column penned by the Bee’s Opinion Page Editor Jim Boren entitled, Cogdill, Villines Did Right Thing. Boren’s praise for the "courage" of former Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines in helping to orchestrate a budget deal that included the largest tax increase in state history warranted a rebuttal… It is imperative that readers understand that the Republican Party opposes tax increases.
Broken Promises of Cogdill, Villines Costly To California Taxpayers
By Jon Fleischman
Republican State Senator Dave Cogdill and Assemblyman Mike Villines recently orchestrated and voted for a state budget “deal” that included the largest tax increase in the history of this state.
**There is more – click the link**
April 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Jon,
Great article! I couldn’t agree with you more!!
April 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Truer words were never spoken.
April 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Think on it…Dems trot out qualified winners at every turn…SO….an aspiring deadbeat, burnt out attorney is smart enough: you cannot run in a primary as a Dem, you got no brains, no money and no conscience to beat continued winners….
So what do you do…you become a RINO appealling to the FOREHEADS, assorted malcontents, true believers, gun running, bible reading Republicans who get you through a far less ardious primary by singing “Bringing in the Sheep”.
Everyone knows just running gives you a statistical chance of winning; unfortunately, some of these coniving RINOS win a few elections…
They are off to the races, fine wine, exotic trips, a career after politics on state boards and commissions taking down $150,000 stipends for doing, of course the usual, nothing….
This is the state of affairs….Republicans do not get the finest and the brightest….they get the deranged RINOS….follow the money, for a washed up attorney can do no better!
April 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Beautifully put, Jon.
April 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Hmmm… Broken pledges. I guess they are following the fine example set by their fearless “leader”, Arnold!
April 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Ah yes; there you go again Jon, off the rails to the far right, cheer-leading the good old Republican circular firing squad. Be careful – very careful. As my dear old mother used to say, “be careful about what you wish for, you just might get it.” And what do you wish for, Jon? Do you wish for the defeat of any and all Republicans who don’t toe your line? So, what will you get? Lots of Democrats elected. Is that what your working for, Jon? To make sure the Democrats are veto proof so they can pass any and all legislation their favored few can dream up to line their pockets with? “Be careful what you wish for” Jon. BTW, Jon. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Bob Evans’ definition of “off the rails to the far right”: anyone who doesn’t shut up and pay their taxes and keep the state workforce in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
So…. what does the Republican party stand for anyway?
April 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Republicans will keep losing as long as they keep acting like Democrats, which you seem to be promoting, Bob Evans! Put down the kool-aid buddy. You seem to sing the same song in every post. Wake up and smell the TEA that is brewing!