  Now that California is my adopted state (for the near future, anyways), I feel I am obligated to make a post about our (as of today) urlLink new Governor. * Arnold's first act was to recall the massive car tax increase, and while I commend him for sticking to his promises, the actual promise itself is completely asinine. For me, California's fiscal problem was put into light when I attended the Medical Board of California board meeting two weeks ago. Because of the massive fiscal crisis, there is a hiring freeze on all government positions (except those that are absolutely necessary) and there have even been layoffs. Government layoffs! The Medical Board escaped layoffs because they have a special fund, but they haven't escaped the hiring freeze or the position cuts (a few months ago, all vacant positions in the government were "deleted", i.e.
they will never be filled because they no longer exist). The Medical Board's "raison d'etre" is to protect the consumer. They do so by licensing doctors and by policing them. Now that their staff has been significantly cut, they are unable to follow up on any complaints save for the most grievous (like "My doctor shot me."). This means fraud, incompetence, and other such problems are going uninvestigated. What does this have to do with Arnold?
His first act was to further California's mounting debt by eliminating a perfectly useful tax increase. Tough times call for tough measures, and as is usual with Republicans, Arnold has stepped up and pandered to the most basic (and fiscally irresponsible) group - the "No Car Tax" crowd. I saw them sweep another Republican into the governor's mansion in Virginia a few years ago, and am saddened that "enlightened" Californians have done the same thing.
Yeah this is a bit of a rant (Arnold -> Medical Board -> Car Tax? ) but it just pisses me off to witness the short-sightedness of voters. Please, cut my car tax! I don't need police, or fire protection, or any other essential government services if I can pay $100 less every year! *I hate the San Diego Union-Tribune, so I tend to link to better (better meaning "readable") papers if possible. 
