Over the past few months I have endured watching numerous TV spots paid for by the Meg Whitman for governor campaign. Former E-Bay CEO Whitman brings back fond memories of the ISO 9000 International Standard of quality management when in her ads she repeats that program that simplified can be stated as follows: “Say what you do, do what you say, and document it.”
In the mid 90’s we sold electronic sub systems into many high tech firms in the Bay area where it was mandated that our facility and process was certified as being compliant to the ISO 9000 series. Before getting any RFQ’s or Contract awards we had to document that every facet of our product, from design through manufacturing and test, followed that standard.
Isn’t it comforting when someone can point out problems in ads without providing any solutions. Quoting the ISO 9000 process may feel good but by itself is useless. In none of her many ads that I have viewed does she offer any solutions to our budget crisis.
While Mrs. Whitman surely is to be commended for creating jobs in the private sector, as CEO at E-Bay she had the power and authority to hire and fire as she led that corporation. However, while I often argue that there are times when we need to run government like a business, there is a major difference between the private and public sectors.
Simply look at the president of the United States who, for the past year, has promoted a national health care plan, which as of today, lacks support from Congress to see his dream become a reality. While he often reminds us that he won the election, as of today he is still losing that fight.
Every effective governor needs to work with our paralyzed state legislature. Let me use the current political sound bite of “winning the hearts and minds of the voters.”
As popular as he might have been when first elected, these past few years with Arnold at the helm has surely confirmed the limited power of that persona and position.
Although being governor is a powerful title, the members of our Legislature are the employees of the people, not the former CEO of any Fortune 1000 firm.
While he may not be perfect and made his share of mistakes, I gave my endorsement to Steve Poizner last year and see no reason to switch sides even after reading all the negative attacks he has recently endured. At least Insurance Commissioner Poizner has been out front with his “10-10-10” plan for all to read and challenge.
1. 10% cut in personal income taxes, the state sales tax, and the corporation tax
2. 10% cut in state spending over two years
3. $10 billion Rainy-Day Fund by the end of Steve’s first term
Commissioner Poizner has a proven track record of public service. Perhaps I’ve missed it but where’s the Meg Whitman for Governor detailed blue print for our recovery and job creation?
While Steve Poizner may have supported a Democrat in the past so too did Meg Whitman when she supported Senator Barbra Boxer’s reelection campaign in the 2004 election over Sec of State Republican Bill Jones. At that time, in addition to contributing the $4,000 maximum, she also “served on an exclusive committee of Technology Leaders for Boxer.” Source. Oct. 2009 SF Chronicle.
It is no secret that industry leaders donate to both major parties in key position posts.
Readers. Look all you want. There is no perfect candidate.
PS: Like myself, Steve Poizner told me that he opposes the proposed HSR project. I was pleased to see that Congressman Tom McClintock has just endorsed Mr. Poizner for Governor.
“However, while I often argue that there are times when we need to run government like a business, there is a major difference between the private and public sectors.”
Yes there is, in fact there are many major differences, and your commentary would strike as being even more objective if you assiduously pointed them out each time you advocate running government like a business.
Take for instance, paying government people like a business does. We often hear screams of pain when the Mission Viejo City Council doubles their own salary. Never mind that after doubling said salaries (apparently the only raise in the last two decades), the people in charge are now pulling down a whopping $12,000 to $14,000 a year!
Yet we would probably chastize incredulous people for lamenting that the CEO of XYZ BANK or INSURANCE COMPANY, made $10,000,000 in salary last year by saying that running a good business requires rewarding sharp people appropriately — you wouldn’t want a minimum wage worker steering the ship, would you? Or the more common mindless “SOCIALISM!” “COMMUNISM!” “FASCISM!” chants of various kinds.
“Look all you want. There is no perfect candidate.”
Couldn’t agree more! It still behooves us to take the time and study their respective stances. If fiscal conservatism appeals to you above all, then the candidate who is likely to land us in a $26 billion hole is still better than one who is likely to land us in a $26,000,000,001 hole.
Regarding the 10-10-10 plan:
1. 10% cut in personal income taxes, the state sales tax, and the corporation tax
2. 10% cut in state spending over two years
3. $10 billion Rainy-Day Fund by the end of Steve’s first term
1. will likely result in diminished revenues (definitely in the short term because of the economy), and unless 2. can cover the lost revenue, and I do not see how it can since currently expenses exceed revenues, it will worsen the deficit in the short term.
3. is not a plan, it is a pollyannish dream. The legislature is hopelessly log-jammed, and with term-limits firmly in place, there is no sword of Damocles that can be hung over the legislators. To convert what was a 26 billion deficit last year into a 10 billion reserve without cutting massively (or totally) into education, prisons would require voodoo economics.
I don’t blame him, he is simply playing the system. I would be satisfied if he could just do Item 2.
Here, to take a guess at what might be necessary, play around with this calculator from last year.
You can cut ALL of the items, and use all of the one-time measures, and slick gimmicks, and you still end up short.
The problem is US. We want more in education, we want more prisons, and we don’t want to pay for it, and we are taken in by populist messages. We deserve the government we get, and no, the fact that you voted for the “other guy” is not sufficient as an excuse — you need to force fellow citizens to think.
(You do that quite well Larry, and I say that even as I find myself disagreeing with some of your politics and stances)
Oops messed up the href. Darn! I wish there were a preview button.
I’d rethink this choice. Poizner made insurance companies take huge cuts to get headlines. At the same time the back door deal was that the DOI would approve any and all 6% rate increases because they stay off the radar. He’s as slimy as they make politicians and he’ll do more harm than good in CA. Do the research. The insurance stuff is sitting right on the top for God’s sake.
Shripathi Kamath says:
Although this is not about MV council stipends they gamed the system by taking credit for years of service prior to their being elected.
That’s my angst. Every one of them knows what the position paid when pulling papers to run for office.
Although I did not attend or watch the debate, I understand that Meg has finally come out with suggested solutions, something that was lacking in all of her ads pointing out problems that we can all acknowledge. The challenge is being able to work with the Legislature to have your agenda advance.
How many weeks and months has president Obama been beating the health care drum yet the House has yet to vote as he entered the “spin” zone calling for an “up or down vote.”
Really. He wants an up or DOWN vote. Don’t insult us.
There will be no House vote without having 215 or 216 in your pocket.
The same challenge applies to the next governor of our state.