Go ARHHNOLD!

[Murrie]

Schwarzenegger is making me wish he could run for president:

http://tinyurl.com/5zghp
In his annual State of the State address on Wednesday night, the governor called on the Democratic-controlled Legislature to enact a fundamental overhaul that would include that most sacred of political cows, the way Congressional and legislative districts are drawn. . . .

Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, noted that of the 153 seats in the California Congressional delegation and Legislature that were on the ballot in November, not one changed party hands.

"What kind of a democracy is that?" he asked in his address.

"The current system is rigged to benefit the interests of those in office and not those who put them there," he said. "We must reform it."

"If we here in this chamber do not work together to reform the government," the governor said, "the people will rise up and reform it themselves. And, you know something, I will join them. And I will fight with them."


What kind of a democracy is that?

I dont even care that hes making a mistake saying that we are a democracy! damn its about time someone made some damn sense in politics! You may not agree, but its pretty hard to argue with...

[Swifty_Johnson]

Schwarzenegger is making me wish he could run for president:

I like Arnold too, but the last time an Austrian became president of a country other then Austria we had a major world war. Just a little something to keep in mind. :)

Swifty

[Murrie]

and how is that different from the current president? Other than that is Bush being a part of the status quo and as far as I can tell doesnt want to upset that status quo very much

[Aasimon]

and how is that different from the current president? Other than that is Bush being a part of the status quo and as far as I can tell doesnt want to upset that status quo very much

ooo ooo this one is gonna go 8 pages long at LEAST!

<grabs his popcorn>

[Allison]

You left out the best part, Murrie.
Mr. Schwarzenegger proposed turning over the drawing of the state's political map to a panel of retired judges, taking it out of the hands of lawmakers who for decades have used the redistricting process in a cozy bipartisan deal to choose their voters and cement their incumbency. He threatened to take the issue directly to the voters if the Legislature does not act on the plan in a special session he called for.

[Roscoes_C&W]

Yes please help us get rid of Barbera Boxer and Diane Feinstien.

[Swifty_Johnson]

and how is that different from the current president? Other than that is Bush being a part of the status quo and as far as I can tell doesnt want to upset that status quo very much

The Austrian lost that world war and the country was a ravaged wasteland! We shouldn't let history repeat itself!

Swifty

[Murrie]

You big dork, Arhnold wouldnt lose anything hes the teminator, conan, Hercules, asuper spy, kindergarden teacher and Danny DeVito's twin brother al roled into one.
His things ever started looking bad military wise ahrnold could just start kicking ass himself...

[Sparky]

We're not democratic because we chose the same people we chose last time? Did I miss something?

[spyder913]

we're not democratic because we have representitives....

[Boom]

Yeah, this country is a republic, not a democracy. Technically that is. But we can call it a democracy, we all know what we mean when we say democracy. Our leaders are democratically chosen, but the issues are actually decided by the leaders, which makes it a republic. A true pure democracy would be a mess since every single issue would have to be voted on by everyone.

But I think Sparky's question is in regards to Arnold's statement, "What kind of democracy is that?" in regards to the fact that no seats changed party hands. I think what Arnold is saying is that the way the districts are drawn have a lot more to do with who gets elected than anything else. It's not a democracy because the incumbants are insuring they will get reelected (or that someone from their party will get their seat) by controlling the way the districts are drawn. When the legislature has a way to control who gets elected to the legislature (in this case by district drawing) its really not a democracy (or a republic). The legislature shouldn't be able to influence the outcome of the elections so effectively.

The Governator rocks. I just wish he would admit he is really a democrat. Well, maybe he isn't a democrat but he sure as heck isn't a republican. He should start a new party of moderates. I would join that in a second.

[]LoL[Harm]

Don't tell anyone Boom, but Arnold is actually a member of the GSP. ;)

[Murrie]

It's not a democracy because the incumbants are insuring they will get reelected (or that someone from their party will get their seat) by controlling the way the districts are drawn.

exactly. politicians do everything they can to ensure they maintain their power and get reelected. Arnold is absolutely correct regarding this, the people that draw and approve the election districts should have absolutely no motivation other than attempting to make each district as equal in terms of population as possible.

Right now the districts look like someone with severe epilepsy drew them up:

http://www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/SEN/senplan/SENMAPS/SD_STATE_640.JPG

look at the 20s districts around los angeles what a mess. Why? because they were drawn to favor one side or the other. Little bits of various interest groups where sliced and diced to come up with the desired 'voter base' -

The districts need to be drawn by an independent non-biased un-politically motivated 3rd party.