I am an old man. I am without any impressive credentials. I am simply attempting to think things through. What I have are questions about the Gov. Gavin Newsom recall election.
It is a challenge for me to understand why the Republican Party pushed through the easy-to-obtain Newsom recall election 14 months before the next general election. It also is a challenge for me to understand that in doing so, why the fiscally conservative Republican Party did not consider the reported estimated $276 million California taxpayer cost for the recall election, a cost that amounts to $7 for each Californian. And that does not include the massive and unnecessary campaign monies being spent for this unnecessary recall election.
The real California cost consideration is that if there are fewer than 50 percent voting “no” on the recall, any of the listed 46 recall candidates could possibly be elected governor with only an extreme minority of California voters voting for the winner.
I hear the opposition Republican candidates make all kinds of charges against Newsom, but I fail to hear how they could explain the way that they could do better than Gov. Newsom.
Newsom attended a birthday party at the Yountville French Laundry Restaurant without wearing a mask. True, but the party was being held outside, that was within an open-sided outbuilding, and at the time of the party Napa County was at an Orange Tier level, allowing for some indoor dining. Because the party was loud, other diners in the garden complained and the restaurant closed the glass sliding doors making the party an indoor event. Furthermore, how does one eat at a restaurant while wearing a mask?
Newsom is not responsible for the many California wildfires. Which of the recall candidates is addressing the rapid climate change and methods to slow it?
Newsom is not responsible for COVID. Who are the political, along with some religious leaders advocating for large gatherings, avoiding COVID vaccinations, and not wearing protective masks?
Newsom is not responsible for the many homeless living in California. Jobs paying less than an obtainable living wage share some responsibility. Common sense would tell the public that the historically low interest rates for buying a home are driving the home-buying prices sky-high. In addition, consider the fact that California has limited urban land for housing development (about 67 percent of California is desert and forests, and the state has nearly 40 million people). What land is available for housing development as housing demand increases? In addition, how many high-end conservative residential neighborhoods would allow high-density, low-cost housing in or near their neighborhoods? And how many of the homeless in California are recent transplants from conservative states, particularly in the American South and Midwest, with the possibility that some arrive here with one-way tickets paid by the less supportive conservative state welfare agencies?
Newsom is not responsible for the more than 36 million California registered vehicles on the roads today, and that does not include vehicles in California from other states. Yes, fuel is expensive here, for if fuel formulas to reduce pollution were not required, the state could easily slip back to the smog-covered days of the 1960s. How many communities are willing to permit oil refineries to locate in their communities? Which of the recall candidates are willing to address the need for rapid mass transit to eliminate the number of vehicles on California roads?
Newsom is not responsible for the drop in California education achievement. First, local school boards are the primary controlling governing bodies. Proposition 13, much favorable to long-holding corporate properties, has helped to reduce the educational funding levels once enjoyed by California when their educational achievement levels were the highest in the country. One needs to learn which political party was primarily responsible for reducing education funding.
So, recall candidates, tell us, the California voters, your solution to funding education.
One last note, let us consider that San Luis Obispo County had the third highest number of recall petition signers, 25,750, yet the country ranks 23rd from the highest in county population. What is the motivation? Did people signing petitions in front of supermarkets read what they were signing?
In my opinion, it is best for California voters to vote “no” on the recall election and allow some time and thought about the recall candidates’ claim that all their listed California problems were caused by Gov. Newsom, and for the recall candidates to list what they propose will make California better than what it is, as well as how they will implement the proposals and pay for them. Δ
Buzz Kalkowski writes to New Times from San Luis Obispo. Send a reply through the editor at clanham@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Student Guide 2021.
Despite protestation to the contrary, it is best to vote ‘Yes’ to recall this failed Governor Newsom, he cannot lead.
A “minor point.” Governor Newsom was not “dining outside” or in an “open walled” room at the French Laundry. He was photographed dining inside a closed room in close contact with six or eight people including at least one lobbyist.
And it is time to get rid of the political dynasty which runs California. The wealthy Newsom and his aunt Nancy Pelosi are funded by the very wealthy.
And to claim that Newsom has no part in the homeless crisis, our rising crime problems, the decline in our educational system and other failures is preposterous. The concept of organizational leadership is that the organization’s failure leads first to the removal of the leader. My favorite example was the navy removing the captain of the submarine which struck the sea mount when the captain was off duty. In response to people claiming that he had no culpability because he was asleep, the navy pointed out that the captain is ALWAYS responsible for the safety of the ship.
It is true that Newsom did not personally create all the failures of California’s Democratically-controlled government, although some of his acts like releasing criminals certainly contributed. However, a Republican governor will be able to veto the future brainfarts which come bubbling out of the legislature, and help slow our deterioration.
Unfortunately, the Republican Party has capitulated to Trump and is filled with delusional raving QAnon nutties who will drag California into the Dark Ages with hateful and unscientific rhetoric and action. If we had solid Republicans trying to get into office and not conspiracy theorists dressed up as Republicans, it would be better.
Newsome has hurt CA and needs to go. Whoever gets his job will be banging their head against a wall until the next election and they have the support needed to pull this ship around and Make CA Great Again. Until then, continued division and stupid decision making from the Liberal radicals in elected offices.
So is Newsom not responsible for enacting legislation that makes property crimes under $950 basically cite and release crimes? As far as homelessness, has it not gotten worse under his leadership? And what about power? Why should we have threats of no electricity when it gets hot, the time when it is needed most? Pushing a green agenda and forcing plants like Diablo Canyon is bad policy. State subsidies for solar? So non solar users pay for people to obtain solar and sit in the dark when it’s 100 degrees? How many businesses did he crush with the Covid mandates? If those policies were useful and neccessry why hasn’t he re-enacted them with the latest surge? Is he sacrificing lifes for votes or was he trying to kill businesses before to make more people dependent on the government dole? I don’t have the answers to how to fix our problems but I will trust anyone but Newsom to create better solutions. What about you Mr. Kalkowski? Are you saying keep the Devil that we know? With 3 years in office we know exactly what to expect from Newsom and it’s not satisfactory.
“Why Recall Newsom?”
Because Republicans can’t win elections because Republican voters are out numbered 2 to 1 in California.
Even the so called Independents swing towards the status quo of Progressive polices coming from Sacramento.
School nationwide have taught young Americans that government is the solution when, truthfully, government is the problem because of all the unintended consequences of all the rules, regulations and laws.
TRUMP FOR KING !!!!
Fascism 101: “Heads I win, tails you cheated.” Larry Elder is already hiring lawyers to contest the results of the recall. A small consolation to those of us who believe in the American experiment, but the people throwing around the word ‘tyranny’ will shortly learn its true meaning.
New times mag is great when you run out of tolit paper!!
Steve felten…
SAY WHAT??