Isn’t it nice that the Citizens of California are picking up the tab for Schwarzenegger’s visit to his hometown …

California is facing desperate times … roiling in unemployment, rising home foreclosures, a severe reduction in state revenue, an increase in government size, more taxes – and the state is borrowing money from its taxpaying citizens – all while Schwarzenegger traipses about the world feathering his own future political nest on our dime.

According to the Sacramento Bee …

“Governor adding one more stop on whirlwind trip”

“After visiting Israel and Iraq the past few days and going to his Austrian hometown Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will stop in Milan, Italy on Wednesday to speak about climate change ahead of the World Regions Forum.”

Spreading the stupidity …

“The conference will focus on issues that ‘subnational’ governments are facing, similar to the two Governors' Global Climate Summits that Schwarzenegger has held, according to spokesman Aaron McLear.”

California is already operating in a hostile business climate, made just that much more hostile by illegitimate policies based on non-existent, non-controllable weather changes. Could it be that Schwarzenegger is trying to be Al Gore; capitalizing on climate change for personal profits, prestige and power?

If Schwarzenegger’s opinion was that important, why is he not addressing the conference?

The conference does not open until Thursday, so Schwarzenegger will hold a press conference in Milan and give a speech about what California and other subnational governments can do to combat climate change, McLear said. He is expected to return home Wednesday night.”

Californians are really the ones paying                         for this trip …

“The governor's travel is being paid for by the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit financed by business groups. CHP is providing security for the trip.”

In the final analysis, the taxpayers of California are financing the trip – including his massive entourage – and which is likely to produce nothing for Californians except  more media attention for our narcissistic and dysfunctional governor.

First, the costs of the California Highway Patrol security team is a direct charge to the California taxpayer. As for the California State Protocol Foundation, this appears to be a tax-dodge which allows lobbyists and others who may have business before the State of California to provide money to the Governor’s travel slush fund which allows him to travel the world in a manner befitting the jet-setting movie star he once was. Does anyone think that these relatively minor contributions by lobbyists do not result in massive rewards to the special interests – the costs coming directly out of the taxpayer’s pocket?

Schwarzenegger is what is wrong with California. No leadership, slavish subservience to the democrat spending machines and total concentration on that which will benefit Schwarzenegger once he is out of office. He should have been recalled long ago.

Do it right in 2010 … send them a message – do not return incumbents, professional politicians and celebrities to office.

-- steve

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Capitol Alert: Governor adding one more stop on whirlwind trip