The California Governor's Race - A Wolf on the Prowl

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger can't even wait for the election to take place to begin removing his sheep's clothing.  Except for the timing, possibly, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that he has already begun dismantling the very same global warming legislation that he took so much credit for establishing, earlier this year.

Yesterday, the president pro tem of the California Senate fired off a letter to the governor, accusing him of subverting parts of the law by signing an executive order to fast-track plans for a system that would allow industries to sell or trade pollution credits.  In the letter, Don Perata (D-Oakland) asked the governor to rescind the order, but Arnold said "no."

"The governor cut the era of good feelings short with his executive order," said Bill Magavern, an environmental lobbyist for the Sierra Club.

There's an unproven, but very logical theory, that if you want to anticipate the actions of a politician, just examine where his campaign donations come from and how much they amount to.  In the case of Governor Schwarzenegger, it may be of some significance, relative to his executive order, that he has accepted more than $1.4 million from oil affiliated contributors.  And his total take, this year alone, has been over $32 million so far, much of it from industrial companies and associations.

This, from a candidate who said he would spurn special interest donations, and use his own money, of which he said he had "plenty."

So it's beginning to look like Arnold's basic strategy is to lure the slightly liberal voters of California with seemingly appealing legislation, and then cut the legs out from under this same legislation for the benefit of his financial supporters.  Certainly, the short, young life of the global warming law, to date, would seem to bear this out.

And, a possible additional ploy in the governor's game plan may be to plant a time bomb in such legislation, affording him the opportunity to literally blow it right out of the water, when and if he so chooses.  Let's not forget - (but, really, how many actually know?) - the governor insisted that the global warming legislation contain a "safety valve" that will allow him to suspend the emission caps in case of "significant economic harm," which is evidently his option to determine.

Proposition 89 on the California ballot would inject some much needed reforms into the system of campaign financing.  Governor Schwarzenegger is listed as an opponent of this proposition.  Phil Angeledes, his challenger, is listed as a proponent.

How important is it?  In a word: "Very!"  Continuing reforms are desperately needed.  Clever lawyers, employed by special interests, have already found ways to circumvent previous efforts to control the money pouring into the political money pit. It is necessary to continue to take two steps forward for every step backwards that these manipulators cause us to lose.

In California, as in most states, and at the federal level as well, political consultants and wealthy interest groups have learned to skirt existing contribution caps and disclosure requirements and pump millions of dollars, at will, into the campaigns of their chosen recipients.

They do this by financing independent campaign war chests or county campaign committees with checks in the amounts of hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is considerably more than the law allows them to give directly to candidates.

The recipients of these funds then turn around and transfer the money to pay the expenses for candidates in close races throughout the state.

While there are limitations and disclosure requirements regarding funds donated directly to candidates, there are no limits on the amounts that wealthy interests can spend on campaign activity done independently of candidates, and the disclosure requirements are considerably more lax.

Furthemore, as an example of how campaign financing can be utilized as a virtual bribe, four Southern California Indian tribes that happen to own casinos, have just recently poured $3.1 million into a new independent campaign finance committee.  At the same time, the tribes released the following announcement:

"We have come together to help Democrats and Republicans who understand the challenges facing Native Americans and who care about moving California's economy forward.  A strong economy is important to all Californians, including Native American families."

Left unsaid was the fact that legislation enabling the expansion of the tribes' gambling operations is stalled in the Assembly.  Is there any doubt how those who accept these funds will vote on their issue?

Our political system has become a morass.  It is essential to continue to gnaw away at its ugly structure with reform legislation.  That is the only way that a final solution can be reached and the practice of giving money to politicians can be eventually snuffed out like the toxic candle that it is.

And as for Phil Angeledes, whose major difference with Arnold Schwarzenegger, is arguably the question of campaign finance reform - just how is he doing?

Well, at last look, Arnold was enjoying a double digit lead in the polls.

How discouraging is that?