Schwarzenegger meets his match

[struggle4progress]

For the first time most Californians disapprove of their film-star governor, as nurses' protests force a U-turn

Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
Friday April 15, 2005
The Guardian

Something is rotten in the state of Arnold. Just five months ago the governor of California seemed unstoppable: propositions were passed, opponents were reduced to "girlie men", and the talk was of Washington and the first foreign-born president of the US.

But, in the wake of a series of political miscalculations, Governor Schwarzenegger's poll ratings are in a slump, his closest colleagues are questioning his judgment, and he has been forced to reduce his ambitious plans to make 2005 the "year of reform".

Schwarzenegger's mistake was to take on nurses, teachers, police officers and firefighters. All at the same time. He couldn't have picked a more revered assembly. But the governor strode ahead regardless, convinced by his previous successes that he could overcome any obstacle.

The polls said otherwise, and last week, in a rare public reversal, Schwarzenegger withdrew many of the proposals that had infuriated some voters and given ammunition to his political opponents. <snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1460049,00.html

[Lindacooks]

1. Pride goeth before a fall!!

Couldn't happen to a 'nicer' guy!!

[LdyGuique]

2. These groups are more than revered --

They are the protection between ordinary civilians and the real world -- they supply services that interact directly with those in need (including teachers). They have strong unions. Schwartenegger never went through the ranks of "working class" people and is clueless as to the value these people have.

In fact, this is a major issue for nearly all politicians. They do not have to interact with the world around them in the same manner than ordinary citizens do. They don't even drive themselves around. They don't have to pay their bills, do their own shopping, do their own household and yard maintenance. They spend decades out of touch with the reality that the population faces and therefore have no innate sympathy with everyday issues. They don't even send their kids to public schools. They get VIP treatment at hospitals and have insurance coverage for anything that goes wrong with them.

House of Representative members are the closest to the roots of being ordinary people.

When will voters start turning down these high-priced whores and look for "real people" to elect?