We’re taught since kindergarten that the best way to get
something is to be nice and reach a compromise.
Unfortunately, that message seems to have gone over our
governor’s head.
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s latest push for a special election
in November is blatant brinksmanship and counterproductive to
having a functioning government.
Due to strong opposition, the governor is directing his minions
to prepare for a special election that would put his reform
proposals and a measure targeting union backers of Democrats before
the voters.
Not only would a special election be a waste of the
state’s money and time, but it signifies a troubling shift in
thinking from Sacramento. During his first year as governor,
Schwarzenegger extended a hand of friendship ““ and sometimes
a cigar ““ to his opponents, and things got done.
Now he is telling people who don’t agree with him that he
will not play ball, which is the sort of bipartisan bickering that
can shut down the state government for months.
While political infighting is inevitable, it is the
governor’s responsibility to stay above the fray and work
things out.
This isn’t Hollywood, governor. This is real life on the
political playground ““ and in real life it’s better to
play nice with people who don’t agree with you, instead of
trying to steamroll over them.