Okay. I can't stop thinking about this Arnold dude. I'm either warming to his politics or I just watched the Schwarzenegger movie marathon on the Spike network. I'm going with the latter.

It comes down to this for me. California voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger but they really elected a gang of back room poker buddies (Pete Wilson, Willie Brown, George Bush...) who are going to tell Arnold what to say and do, and then sit back as the public eats it up because we all love to look at those perfectly chiseled muscles and his accent makes us happy like we're watching a Saturday Night live sketch.

I agree that Schwarzenegger is actually a really smart and successful guy. Anyone who can grow his pectorals that size really is motivated and dedicated to his work. No joke. But I don't believe he knows how to run a government. Which brings us back to the gang of back room poker buddies. Schwarzenegger will just listen to all the dudes who screwed us up in the first place. And then what?

Very gracious note, Matt. I agree that many problems were in place before Davis took office - but were exasperated by his administration's poor fiscal policy management, bad judgment (come on, did anyone think the dot-com era would never end?) and shady leadership.

We're all in a wait-and-see mode now. Let's hope CA can find its way our of this mess and back to high ground.

As for the digs on Ventura, take a look at where MN was before he took office, and where the state is today...I think you'll find that it's on the serious rebound.

Looking forward to our next meeting, my liberal friend.

I'm recovering from a cold today so this is one liberal that is not high on medical marijuana, at least not at the moment. So with a clear head I can tell you, Alan, and all the other muscle heads that voted Arnold into office, no amount of pumping iron is going to lift California out of its budget crisis.

Grey D. inherited much of his fiscal pains from his GOP predecessor, Pete Wilson, who I remember best for turning California's public school system into a scene out of "The Principal" (one of Jim Belushi's best performances). Then there's the dot-com bust, which depleated many city and county coffers of their tax base. Not to mention Enron and all the other fat energy pimps that strongarmed California into pricey energy contracts. Arnold's not going to be able to arm wrestle his way out of those.

I'll I've got to say is good luck, and I hope you make out better than Minnesota because Arnold may get himself a Saturday morning talk show but I doubt he'll balance your budget.

Politics. Want to alienate your coworkers? Bring up the subject at the office. Looking to cause a "scene" at Thanksgiving dinner? Tell your aunt why your political partly is better than hers. Want to confuse that hippy standing on the corner with an illegible sign screaming, "Impeach Bush!"? Tell him the rubber soles on his Birkenstocks were made using oil, not to mention the gas he put in his '62 VW Bus to get to the corner in the first place.

But I digress. Let's address the number one news item of the week - the California Recall. Many opponents to the recall ("many" might be too kind a word) argue that the recall makes CA the laughing stock of the country. I disagree. On the contrary, supporting the recall is one of the last pure forms of democracy available today. The recall is essentially a forum in which "we the people" tell our elected officials that we are disgusted by the manner in which they have served us, and we want them fired. This is what democracy is all about.

Too many liberals have forgotten that elected officials work for us -- they don't work for themselves. When the Governor of CA leads the state into an energy crisis (don't even try to debate me on this one, you will lose), plummets us into an insurmountable debt ($38 Billion) and lies about it to get re-elected, my political sense says, "Let's fire this guy."

Another argument you hear from the liberals (are all these people stoned?) is that if the recall succeeds, it will create an endless cycle of recalls nationwide, thus crippling the fragile decision making process at all levels of government. Hey, if your cause can gather 10-million signatures then by all means do what you have to do - but it's doubtful you will.

If the recall succeeds in one thing only -- sending the message to career politicians that they are our servants and must act in OUR best interests - or else - then the recall will have achieved its primary goal.

Don't fear the recall. Instead, direct your fear towards anyone who does not want you to have the opportunity and ability to exercise your political rights.