In California, a state that firmly embraces the flawed theory of government by plebiscite, voters soundly rejected 4 proposals pushed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to reform the California political scene. One proposal would have increased the probationary period for teachers before they could attain tenure. Another would restrict the use of union dues for political uses (the unions used those same dues to ensure this proposal’s defeat). Schwarzenegger also sought a change in how legislative districts are drawn and called for limits on state spending.

In all four cases, Schwarzenegger’s plans went down to defeat. Now the once popular governor has been forced to eat humble pie. Frankly, Schwarzenegger has only himself to blame. Schwarzenegger is the leader of the most liberal state in America. The leftists have a stranglehold on California politics. There is no way the California governor could seriously have expected the bastion of leftist ideology to cut off its nose to spite its face. Indeed, by opening up the process to the mindless drones that make up the left wing of the California electorate he played into the hands of the unions, leftists and the Democratic Party.

Perhaps, Schwarzenegger was fooled by his perceived star power. Once this fight was taken to “the people” the demagogues on the left were ensured of victory. They were able to employ their familiar scare and Mussolini-esque distraction tactics to manipulate the electorate into voting no. Schwarzenegger was further crippled by the fact that he alienated several groups simultaneously, allowing them to pool their resources, painting the governor as a villain and thereby ensuring victory.

Though Democrats control the legislature, he would have faired far better in Sacramento. Schwarzenegger could have used the momentum of his election victory to push through such reforms in more palatable doses. Now the actor turned governor, must go on a charm offensive, not only to repair his stature, but also to ensure that the broken system that is California can be meaningfully repaired. Schwarzenegger should focus on more pressing issues, paramount among those issues is the state’s outrageous spending habits. Battles with teachers and unions can be reserved for another day.
Link to "Globe and Mail" article