Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Always an Arnold fan

The other night Arnold Schwarzenegger was interviewed on Jay Leno and my husband John recorded it so we could watch the interview together. While I was watching the interview, I remembered why I've always liked the man and appreciated his term as governor of California.

He wouldn't talk about who he voted for as the new governor, or how he felt about who won, but he repeatedly insisted that we've got to get past party politics, learn to compromise, and move ahead in California. As always, I appreciated both his tact and his humor. My ever frugal husband John adored when he heard that Arnold makes his family stick to 5 minute showers since we have issues with having enough water in California!

It's been hard times in both California and the rest of the country these past few years and I hate that it's all been blamed on Arnold here in California. I want to take a few moments to note some of the wonderful things Arnold did manage to do while in office:
  • As a person who ran a business, I was over the top delighted with the workers compensation reform that's taken place.
  • Then there's the endless list of environmental laws, of reducing greenhouse gases and of having our energy come from 33 percent renewables
  • He pushed though proposition 49, referred to as "The After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002."
  • He pushed through propositions 57 & 58, both of which were not popular but were necessary. They were a valid attempt to help solve some of the state's financial problems. But, obviously, they did not solve the problems. He's had to make a lot of unpopular cuts but what else could he do given the state's economic crunch?
  • He's always been supportive of gay rights and civil unions but has not supported same sex marriages. A fact that I've appreciated and for which he's been highly criticized.
  • I don't know that it has helped California per say, but I've always appreciated his wife and his involvement to the Special Olympics which are a cause near and dear to my heart since I've spent many years working with Developmentally Disabled adults.
I appreciated the comment he made during the Leno interview that:

"You can't go around and declare victory about all of the things we have done when, in fact, too many people are out of work, too many people suffering and too many people have no homes or losing their homes,"

There's definitely still a lot to be done in California.

6 comments:

RCUBEs said...

It is sad when people always look for the negative and not say much about the positive. There was already a big mess before he became a governor. I admired the courage he took to be in that position and leave his role as a superstar, to help the state of CA. God bless.

J Curtis said...

It was betwen him and Ariana Huffington. I would have voted for Arnold as well.

J Curtis said...

One more reason to like Arnold.

David-FireAndGrace said...

Well, I am glad that some folks felt that Arnold did a good job. And Arriana Huffington is loon!

It seems as if he had to compromise a lot - CA has some real liberal hot spots for sure. That's not easy, and I probably would have just caused a dead lock (which I hope the new Congress won't).

I hope that lives the rest of his life caring about people, and valuing truth. JD's article was quite extraordinary.

Now if he could just keep his wife off the cell phone in public!

Tracy said...

Rcubes I always appreciated that he didn't take any salary whatsoever as governer and was not allowed to make any movies, even cameo appearances during his terms.

JD - Huffington has always been a somewhat embarassing Republican. Thanks for the link; as I read it I remembered that whole event. I remember at the time how much I admired Arnold for sticking to what he believed in the fact of opposition.

David - I think politicians must compromise some or nothing ever gets accomplished. At our house we've talked about how that's part of why my oldest son Devon, although he has a good education, and is passionate about this nation and the political arena, could most likely never be a politician.

David-FireAndGrace said...

@Tracy - Arnold did a couple of things in the movies.

His film appearances after becoming Governor of California include a 3-second cameo appearance in The Rundown (a.k.a., Welcome to the Jungle) with The Rock, and the 2004 remake of Around the World in 80 Days, where he appeared onscreen with action star Jackie Chan for the first time. In 2005 he appeared as himself in the film The Kid & I. Schwarzenegger voiced Baron von Steuben in Episode 24 ("Valley Forge") of Liberty's Kids.

But for sure nothing major.

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