Schwarzenegger recall petition approved by secretary of state

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is having a difficult year, what with multibillion-dollar deficits and foundering ballot measure campaigns. Now add to the mix a new petition to recall him from office, approved Friday by Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

The recall petition is the second one circulating to take the governor out of the Capitol by the same door he came in. The new petition’s main proponent is John D. Fusek of La Habra, representing a group called Taxpayers United to Recall Governor Schwarzenegger.

According to the petition, “The governor promised to reduce state spending and reform state government. Instead, he increased spending by over 40%, benefiting public sector unions and special interests, at the expense of taxpayers.... The governor promised to help encourage job creation by reducing costly regulation. Instead he passed more job-killing mandates that are destroying California jobs and opportunity. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger must be held accountable for worsening the lives of California taxpayers, voters and families.”

Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Julie Soderlund declined to comment. Most recall efforts are unsuccessful. The proponents of this one need to gather more than a million valid signatures by Oct. 22 in order to qualify it for the ballot.

—Michael Rothfeld

Comments

[SeeYaLaterBye]

This is what happens when you elect a rich foreign actor that is an opportunist. He can't relate to families with children in school. His kids went to the most prestigious schools in the area he lives.

Reagan was born American, from a different era and an anomaly.

[Bud]

Where do I sign? Is it on line?

[joe pubic]

I'll sign that petition....while we're at it...next election [dem or rep] DO NOT vote for the incumbent....if you must, pick your party, but DO NOT vote for the incumbent.

[just joe]

Seems to me that even if this recall were to proceed with no bumps in the road, the Gov would, most likely, would be within weeks of leaving office. Why waste more taxpayer money?

[Gray Davis]

"Most recall efforts are unsuccessful."

So don't worry about it Arnold.

[ldb]

Where and when can I sign?

[PB]

Where can I sign the petition?

I'm a conservative, and I absolutely agree with the premise of this recall. The Governor said he would roll back vehicle license fees and he's just doubled them - the voters need to speak!

[nmoore6676]

Probably a waste of time, if we have learned anything from the recall of Governor Davis and replacing him with Arnold Schwarzenegger it should have been that nothing has been nor will be changed. Even the vehicle registration fees that fueled that recall have been implemented once again. The real recall should be of every single member of the State Assembly and Senate. Those people are the real reason for the problems and until they are all gone nobody, not even “The Terminator”, can fix them.

[Figgins]

Why bother recalling Ahnuld? He's not going to get re-elected in 2010 anyway. It would be a waste of taxpayer money.

[Amy]

I love how taxpayer organizations are always trying to waste taxpayer dollars on special recall elections instead of simply voting the disliked candidate out of office when the term expires.

[Louweegie272]

Can we recall the Senators from our great State first?

[GM Owner]

It's time for a 'Total Recall' of this 'Predator.' Hey Arnold, you've been Terminated!

[Donna Marie]

I'm a Republican and a teacher- where do I sign?

[Carol]

I didn't vote for Schwarzenegger twice. Why did other people? People booted Gray Davis because they thought he spent too much time fundraising. AS has raised 3x or more what Davis did in the same amount of time. Did AS accomplish enough in his first term to merit a second? I don't think so.

[A Rothman, Los Angeles, CA]

Hmmm. Arnold will be out shortly anyway, why bother with a recall? Has he been an effective leader? NO. Has be fulfilled his election promises? NO. Has he shown any modicum of political saavy? NO. Why recall him? We Americans have become so used to poor leadership that we are willing to put up with this ACTOR for another 18 months. Where do I sign?

[k_solorzano]

We the State of California, especially us State Workers that not only work for the State and are also Union Members need a Governor, not one Acting as a Temporary Governor to gain the glory, spotlight and fame of having been Governor in California.

[Rich]

Amy's got it right. What a stupendously stupid waste of time and money.

[anon]

So voters of CA are going to throw another tantrum and call it "change".

The citizens of CA certainly are getting exactly the government they deserve.

[jim]

this guy should be going after obama for the same reasons exactly

[Colleen Gray]

My name is Colleen Gray and I volunteer my time as the Creative Director/Webmaster for Taxpayers United to Recall Governor Schwarzenegger. We did not make the decision to pursue this course of action blindly or lightly. Our intent and motivations with this recall effort are multifaceted, as I will get into briefly below. The four of us are ordinary, taxpaying citizens who volunteer our time and truly believe that major change is needed in our once beloved state. We are not alone in our resolution to hold our elected officials accountable for their misgivings. The other independent recall efforts currently underway can attest to this.

Please allow me to address some of the concerns posted above and to provide some requested information:

The Recall Petition is available on our website, www.TotalRecall2009.com, for those who would choose to sign

Louweegie272: The field is wide open at this point. Abel Maldonado, Anthony Adams and others all have organizations actively working on recall petitions against them. We chose Arnold for too many reasons to list here, but primarily for betraying his multiple campaign promises of spending reform and no new taxes, period. “Total Recall 2009” was selected as the website address and main pun due to both its obvious ties to Arnold and to the underlying meaning of total reform. While we are focused on Arnold, we believe a complete and total reform of our Legislation and its policies is what truly needs to come from our combined efforts.

Amy: I understand that it may seem to be a waste of taxpayer dollars. Our view is this: We would rather have tax money being put to use to facilitate much needed change than to continue seeing it squandered away as is the status quo as of late. The point that we, the Legislation's Employer, are making an absolute stand against misappropriation, corruption and "business as usual" simply must be made. The only other option is to allow this to continue. I cannot, in good conscience, stand by and let that happen. It is our hope and belief that many others share this mindset.

Figgins and just joe: Arnold is in Lame Duck mode until January of 2011… more than a year from now. What message do we send to Sacramento by not holding him accountable now? We would let them know that we will allow this deplorable Union based government to continue, which is simply not an acceptable option. The voters of California have allowed rampant corruption to continue unabated for far too long simply by not doing their own due diligence regarding things of a political nature. That must change, and only with information and action will it change. It is our duty and our responsibility to hold those who have failed us accountable for their failings. To give silent approval of their actions by our inaction is the only other option.

nmoore6676: I agree with you regarding the State Assembly and the Senate. I also believe that holding Arnold accountable for his wrongdoing is just as important. We’ve been staring at a Blue Screen ‘o Death for far too long and it’s time to reboot the system.

[spoon]

Does that mean we get Gray Davis back?

[Rebel]

This state crisis cost me and many others our jobs. My employer sent all of our jobs away to avoid the coming tax increases.

[D Lehman]

That's it lets waste more CA citizens money on
special elections to prove what? This June vote
NO on all the issues. The democraps run the
state so whatever they want will be directed
to the 9th Dist Court and your vote will be
changed. So, at least send them a signal that
your not entirely happy with CA government.
Vote NO on every issue come June.

[Monique]

oohhh the irony...

[Adam Soto]

Revoke Prop 13!

Why should a younger generation of Californians pay property taxes 500 and 600 percent higher than their neighbors?

[GD]

it would be useless to recall mr governator just a year before his term ends. however, in doing so before his term ends, we could possibly have him leave as one of the worst governors of california (just like bush left as one of the worst presidents in history).

[Phil Angelides]

You can find the petition at http://totalrecall2009.com/

[Mike M.]

Hasta la vista, baby!

[fedup]

ok so let's replace the tax and spend Republican that replaced a tax and spend Democrat with yet another tax and spend Democrat!! Brilliant!! Until everyone in California and around the country for that matter begins to realize real change is voting for anyone who is NOT a Republican or Democrat things will never change. The R's and D's ALL need to go. They are ALL drunk on power and don't care anything about what you think.

[rk]

GD said: "Revoke Prop 13! Why should a younger generation of Californians pay property taxes 500 and 600 percent higher than their neighbors? "

Because thats how the governement works you idiot. How do you think bonds, deficites, deadbeats and illegals get paid? It pushes the burden to the next generation.

NO government in the US can balance budget or generate a surplus all they do is take money from peter to pay paul.

try understanding how the governement works first. Money dosnt grow on trees and the governement dosnt just print money to pay bills, every dollar they print somebody pays for (just like obamas plan, my son and his son and his son's son is going to play for it.) they will have 1200% more proper tax then i will have.

[American Icon]

You know what a divine dichotomy is? When it appears that 2 opposite opinions/ positions are both factual. What does one do? The California Legislature is an embarrassment, and i don't care what party you belong to. But what are we the people prepared to do about it. I suggest, and some of this has already been recommended here, the following, keeping in mind that a bird needs TWO wings to fly.

1. vote out every incumbent running. start a new. don't be afraid. do it!
2. regardless of your party affiliation vette your candidates. are they going to put party over the people? getting re-elected over the people? special interest over the people?
3. will they tremendously reduce the size of the state government? get rid off all these unnecessary commissions or make them volunteer positions only?
4. here's a BIG one. will they support a PART-TIME legislature? until they prove they can actually do the people's work, we don't need you up their wasting our time and money doing nothing F/T! This is where you find out if someone is in in it for the right reasons or the wrong reasons.
5. YES, re-call the governor. is he almost out of office? yes. if its successful will he be a few months away from term expiration? yes. will it cost some money? yes. The message to any future governor is much more important than the cost. If you don't do what you say, mean what you say, you will be booted out of office, and we don't care if you got 2 months left. you'll be booted on you rear end. THAT'S THE MESSAGE. If you were a proper parent this is what you did. STOP acting like we are children and need to be led by false leaders. Its OUR money, not the corporate state of california.

6. why is it other states can fund legitimate state operations, provide safety nets for those in distress, fund schools (and by the way don't get me started on the school funding. we educated kids in this country with NO money and now all of sudden we need MORE, MORE, MORE. NO!! I am telling you folks it will never end. it will always cost more and more. MONEY DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF WHY OUR KIDS CAN'T THINK CRITICALLY, OR CONCEPTUALLY. OH, THEY CAN MEMORIZE THE HELL OUT OF SOME FACTS THOUGH. cut the fat from the top 1st. starting with the state dept. of education, working your way down to county education depts., down to the unnecessary amount of districts)

"It does not take a majority to prevail...but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men."
-- Samuel Adams

[Chip Dorman]

You can download the recall petition here:

http://www.totalrecall2009.com/Sign_Recall_Petition.html

[jay]

Repealing Prop 13 seems like such an obvious source of income and an equitable one. I have major issues with paying $5000.00 a year in taxes while our neighbors pay $600 for exactly the same services.

[Bob in Merced]

Throw all of them out now! Replacements must spend 6 months in Fl or TX learning how to run a state.

[George Callas]

Thanks to our Governor's refusal to kick out mexican illegals and to close the border, my employer fired me because he says his clients will not give work to anyone who does not speak Spanish. Since I am bilingual in the wrong language, I now have to explain myself to EDD as to why I am forced to file for welfare benefits (ie., unmemployment insurance). The collapsing US economy is caused, in my opinion, exclusively by pandering politicians such as Arnold Schwarznegger and our California elected representatives who rather pander to illegals than protect American citizens. This is the reason there are so many recall efforts underway in Calif., including one to recall this dodo bird of a governor. Our elected representatives must be smoking something, live in la la land and haven't got a clue as to what the hell is going on.

[Stephen]

Arnold is a contradicting Hypocrite. Not only has he not stood on his word of fixing California's problems, he has also betrayed Republican ideals!. He is taking actions that are highly associated with Democratic ideology. I live in the Bay Area, and the majority of the people here are disillusioned pot-smoking idiots. I don't want to pay taxes for their benefits if my tax money is going to be wasted! I don't want to pay for drop-outs and druggies to go to school. I don't want to pay for a drug-addicts medical or rehab bills, because a high ratio of them usually go back where they came from. Arnold has betrayed the Republican views! It is sickening! He should be taken out of office, he is a disgusting joke of a politician. He is not a tough guy like he is in the movies, but he is empty-headed like he is portrayed in some of his movies. Down with uneducated Hollywood Politicians. Down with Arnold and his Democratic Hypocrisy! We need a real governor! Not a stupid overpaid Hollywood actor who doesn't know what the hell to say or do about an entire state.

[BARKY]

For all you morons who recently purchased houses that are complaining about property taxes, the tax amount is based upon the purchase price. Those who purchased 30 years ago, have a lower purchase price hence less tax. I might add that those who purchase homes today make a lot more money than those who purchased 20 to 30 years ago. Why should we have to pay sales tax? Oregon doesn't. How about state income tax? Nevada doesn't. You want less tax on your property, move to Kansas. Sheeesh

[mj]

with all due respect. if we are gonna oust arnold out of office, we'd have to get rid of them all because every politician in america does something dumb or breaks promises.

[snowcloud]

It doesn't matter who we elect, they're all the same. They listen to lobbyists or globalists and/or other corrupt individuals and groups. Until we get someone who is out to SERVE THE PEOPLE and listen to what we want we are doomed. THROW ALL THE BUMS OUT and that includes the bums in DC, too!!

[Sam Barns]

What this WHOLE COUNTRY needs is a THIRD PARTY. Do not vote for Republican or Democrat, vote for an alternate party that believes that the governement is "by the people, for the people." Do not vote for the career politicians who say one thing to get the votes but do another when they are in office. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE! Also be wary of the mainstream media, they sway the voters to their agenda. Why do we only see and hear about Republicans and Democrat's in the news. Look for your THIRD PARTY!!!

[Pahleez]

"Most recall efforts are unsuccessful". Geez, LA Times, biased much? Gray Davis scoffed at us too...

[nomi]

He did worsen most every taxpayer and citizen of California's financial situation and quality of life. His policies and the priority he didn't give to our economic well being is evident in our daily lives.

[nomi]

For those of you nay sayers, waste of time, won't get reelected anyways crowd. It is a good use of our time because it will keep him busy enough not to create any more harmful tax hiking schemes. I believe it will work, but for all those that don't, keep in mind this politician needs to not do what he has had time to do.

[LibtardSuck]

Well if I recall it was the jerks in congress and the senate that literally froze up the budget and wanted to spend more! Arnold attempted to reinforce his position for a balanced budget. Its was Congress and Senate that utterly REFUSED to pass a balanced budget not Arnold!

[Neil]

This is just another waste of time. Let's let him finish his term and get him out next year. Plus we need to vote out every member of the legislature and start over. These guys clearly don't have our best interest at heart. It makes me glad we have term limits in this state. I hope no one ever supports an effort to get rid of them.

[Fed Up]

Arnold promised change. GOP or not, he's a full faced liar who tired to decieve us into these tax raising props to bail out his butt. Hey Arnold, slash the budget and social programs and help out the citizens who voted you in. Arnold is a Sell-out to the special interest.

You can download the recall petition here:

http://www.totalrecall2009.com/Sign_Recall_Petition.html

[SoCal Resident]

Who were the smart people who voted for Arnold in the first and second place, unbelievable. I hope the people who put him in office are not the ones who are now trying to kick him out.

[jina rahimi]

No more Arnold Schawarzenegger for California
He is better just be an actor rather than a governor
he cut medical (eye and dentist) insurance for poor and disable people. He put the lives of so many sick people in danger by cutting their benefits. please help each other to take him out of his office. and put someone who care for poor, disable,students, and ill people who are suffering from their own diseases.