Arnold: I'm not getting a bailout, I'm just asking the feds for money.

A good article from the LA Times;
Schwarzenegger says he got voters' message 'loud and clear'

After California voters Tuesday rejected almost the entire slate of ballot measures he had been championing as a means to fix the budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Washington, D.C., seeking to secure federal stimulus money for the state.

Mom said no, so little Arnold ran off to ask Dad.

The steep state budget cuts Schwarzenegger has proposed to address it could violate federal rules against certain spending reductions, costing the state hundreds of millions - if not billions - of dollars federal assistance.

Holy crap! Not only did the Feds say Arnie could have the money, they said he could only have it if he ignored the will of the people!

California remains eligible to receive another $8 billion in stimulus money for its Medicaid program, the one bright spot for state officials after voters on Tuesday soundly defeated five ballot measures

Bright spot? Bright spot to let the officials keep up their incredible spending?

"We've made it very clear that we're not asking for a bailout. We're not asking for any money we don't deserve under the economic stimulus package."

They're not asking for a bailout, they're just asking for free money because they need it. Right. And we DESERVE it. You got that? DESERVE!

Schwarzenegger said he received the voters' message "loud and clear: an overwhelming majority of people told Sacramento, 'Go and do your work yourself, don't come to us with your problems...."

Your lips are moving, and sound is coming out, but I still don't think you've connected your words to your actions.

The "big five" elected leaders -- Schwarzenegger and the legislative chieftains from both houses -- are slated to begin closed-door meetings today upon the governor's return from Washington.

Amazing! Change is finally coming to California! They're going to use that four-letter word!

C U T S!

Good work California! Today is the first day of the rest of your fiscal life!

Worst-case scenarios also call for the release from state prisons of up to 19,000 illegal immigrants, who would face deportation, and the transfer of up to 23,000 other prisoners to county jails.

So the WORST CASE scenario includes the horrifying prospect of deporting illegal immigrants who have been jailed for breaking the law? What on earth were the best-case scenario cuts???

he told reporters after attending the White House announcement on tougher vehicle emission standards. "We need assistance. . . . I didn't come for any bailout. We're going to make the necessary cuts."

Right, so attend an announcement of further regulation and restrictions on the auto and oil industries, and talk about needing to make more money.

The irony was apparently lost on him.

Schwarzenegger helped behind the scenes to garner big contributions for the measure's proponents, who raised about $30 million and outspent foes by nearly 10 to 1.

Here's the money quote. Literally. All the heavy hitters were pulled out of the box for this one. Oil, tobacco, alcoholic beverage companies, sports teams, and Hollywood studios all contributed to get these props passed. Money wins votes right?

Not anymore.

1A: 66-34 Failed
1B: 63-37 Failed
1C: 65-35 Failed
1D: 66-34 Failed
1E: 66-34 Failed
1F: 74-26 Passed (no salary increases for legislators during deficits)

These tax increases and financial misdirection didn't just lose, they were soundly beaten.

Change is coming to California. It's going to be harsh medicine, everyone suckling at the teat will make certain of that, but it will get California back on the track to financial responsibility.

Good job, Californians!

UPDATE: Oh, I don't think everything is going to change right now. In fact, I'm positive there will still be more trickery and fake spending cuts before we make it down to the actual meat of the spending. But this is just the beginning.