Demo's winning ways....

Oh, this should advance Davis' and the Democrats' hopes in resolving the state budget crisis and retaining office in the upcoming recall election!

SACRAMENTO — In a meeting they thought was private but was actually broadcast around the Capitol on Monday, 11 Assembly Democrats debated prolonging California's budget crisis to further their political goals.

Members of the Democratic Study Group, a caucus that defines itself as progressive, were unaware that a microphone in Committee Room 127 was on as they discussed slowing progress in an attempt to increase pressure on Republicans to accept tax increases as part of a deal to resolve the state's $38-billion budget gap.

The conversation was transmitted to roughly 500 "squawk boxes" around Sacramento that political staff, lobbyists and reporters use to listen in on legislative proceedings.

For my many readers residing outside the State of California, a little background. Since July 1, the state of California has been lumbering along with no budget because legislators and Governor Gray Davis cannot resolve a $38-billion (!) budget gap. The conservative Republican leadership opposes any and all tax increases, including a recently tripled state vehicle license tax. (Considering the impact of the car culture on California, a justifiable increase if ever there was one.) And ultra-conservative Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, from just north of where I live, has financed what looks like a successful bid to recall Davis, with one of the likeliest replacements being Arnold "The Terminator" Schwarzenegger.

I kid you not.

In the meantime, while road repair work is cancelled, libraries cut back hours even further, school districts lay off thousands, state workers face job cuts and reduced wages, our Democratic "allies" in the state legislature are conspiring to prolong the crisis for their political gain.

With friends like this, who needs enemies?

Complete story here.