Arnie Rhymes with Blarney

Perhaps you didn't see this last week, being preoccupied turning yourself into a turduckhuman (now with more human!) or watching too much football (I saw over a down--way too much) or plotting your 4 a.m. shopping strategy (shopping carts make even more effective battering rams on people pre-sunrise, I've heard), but the AP reported and even people in Kansas City (motto: "is NOT an oxymoron!") cared:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says photographs of his Porsche illegally parked in a Beverly Hills red zone are proof that even he makes mistakes.

The Republican governor said Tuesday his Saturday violation shows "no one is perfect--not even me."

Frankly I'm shattered. If I thought there was anyone perfect in this world, I thought it was the governor of a state whose unemployment rate is 12.5 percent, its highest level in nearly 70 years; the governor of a state whose once glorious universities will raise tuition 32% next year; the governor of a state where tax revenue won't bounce back until the 2014-15 budget year, while near term, the state faces a nearly $21-billion deficit.

I mean, that's perfect. If not as perfect as Kindergarten Cop.

So Much for Mr. Freeze on Taxes

October 9, 2003 from CNN.com:

Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger says his first action upon taking office will be repealing the car tax, one of the factors in Gray Davis' demise as California's leader.

Schwarzenegger, speaking Wednesday at his first news conference since sweeping to victory in Tuesday's recall election, also promised not to hike taxes. "I campaigned that I will not raise taxes and I say this again: I will not raise taxes," Schwarzenegger said.

November 7, 2008 from the LA Times:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a plan Thursday for a steep sales tax increase, new levies on alcoholic drinks and the oil industry, and deep cuts in services to wipe out a budget shortfall that is expected to swell to more than $24 billion by mid-2010.

The linchpin of the plan is the sales tax increase -- 1 1/2 cents on the dollar -- that could raise $10.8 billion through fiscal 2009-10. In Los Angeles County, where voters Tuesday appear to have passed a separate half-cent sales tax hike to fund transit projects, the rate would shoot up to 10.25%. The statewide sales tax rate is now 7.25%.

[...]

The plan also calls for extending the sales tax to appliance and furniture repairs, vehicle repairs, golf fees, veterinarian services, amusement parks and sporting events. Schwarzenegger proposed a 9.9% tax on the extraction of oil within the state, the expansion of sales tax to some services and a 5-cent-per-drink tax on alcohol. His plan also includes a $12 increase in annual vehicle registration fees.

Somehow the article fails to point out not only is he breaking his no new taxes pledge, but he's also specifically raising the very tax that got him the job and got Gray Davis recalled.

Ah, politics.

I won't fail to point out that taxing alcoholic drinks and veterinarian bills is hitting me where I live.