Our newly elected local GOP leaders — 3rd district Assemblyman Dan Logue and U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock — appear to be following in the footsteps of their GOP predecessors: They go to the legislature and just pound sand.
Logue’s first bill was to suspend the state global warming act. The rhetoric is high pitched too, calling AB 32 “draconian” and the “final nail in the coffin” for the struggling economy, or a bill hailed by “left-leaning political elites.”
I agree AB 32 is flawed legislation that should be reworked. But some elements will be good for business— more “green” jobs, for example. Local contractors I know embrace “green” building, because the margins are good and the demand is growing. Too often, the opponents to AB 32 are dogmatic, not pragmatic.
From a political standpoint, the “left-leaning political elites” control the state legislature — not the GOP. So why shout at them, Dan? Why not try to craft compromise legislation that addresses all the concerns, including local businesses that might benefit. Otherwise, you’re just pounding sand.
In Congress, I read in The Union this morning how McClintock is pledging to craft a tax-cutting plan to “counter” the new administration’s economic stimulus plan. (I’m not sure “counter” is the right word choice, since tax cuts and economic stimulus go hand in hand, not counter to one another. “as an alternative to?”)
Anyway, I think I get the drift. Instead, Tom, why not work on bi-partisan legislation to get the economy back on its feet ASAP? Both sides are discussing tax cuts.
Just like the state legislature, the Congress is controlled by Democrats (AKA “left-leaning political elites, in GOP speak), so you need to tone down the rhetoric.
In Congress, the GOP has been taking its own sweet time to confirm the appointment of some Obama cabinet nominees. “Oh, we’re just getting the information, not flexing our muscles,” we hear from the GOP. OK. Meanwhile, we await an economic recovery package that could help our moribund economy.
As for Logue and McClintock, the newly elected representatives should be reaching across the aisle with an olive branch, seeking to get some results (again, ASAP). Pounding sand gets us nowhere and only further undermines our confidence in our elected representatives to help us. Been there, done that.
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 
I’ve heard McClintock speak twice and both times I’ve generally come away impressed with his opinions. I’ve yet to hear much about Logue. I agree with you that McClintock could tone down his rhetoric bashing all things under the “environmentalist” umbrella. At the same time I admire him for his strong convictions. He knows what he stands for (and has strong arguments for them) and can not be easily swayed. That can’t be said for very many of our representatives.
I concur with Logue to repeal AB 32. At the very least it should be shelved until the economy gets back on a positive track.
” … tax cuts and economic stimulus go hand in hand, not counter to one another.”
Although, for a different view of the relationship between tax cuts (on the wealthy) and a stimulus, see this interesting economic analysis by a non-economist:
Time for Tax Hikes
Larry Beinhart
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-beinhart/time-for-tax-hikes_b_156423.html