the week of shortcomings

This was definitely not an uneventful week. With the passing of multiple celebrities and what proves to be a groundbreaking bipartisan effort for the state government, there was a lot to sit by and observe. However, it seems to continue to be a week of shortcomings.

I can not say that I was any less shocked and saddened by the passing of the beloved Michael Jackson. Bigger than a man, he was in fact an entity. Men are remembered for singular efforts or achievements. Legends and "Kings," are remembered because they accomplished something far greater then most can fathom. Michael Jackson was a humanitarian, a ground-breaker, and innovator and above all an entertainer. He made a living bringing pleasure into the home and through the stereos of millions of human beings. Though the closing years of his life were riddled with rumors and legal matters and extensive gossip, we must hope that the memory of the greater man is preserved and resonates above the less glorifying portions of his life.

Just as the San Francisco Giants were leading the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday evening, and with the aide of Brian Wilson were able to do nothing short of blow the game, Team USA blew a two nil  lead over Brasil in the Confederations Cup. It seems like it was a week of perceived triumphs that fell short. 

And just like Team USA fell short of a victory that was never anticipated to have a chance, the state legislature demonstrated a fascinating bipartisan effort in the passage of the democratic budget balance package. The representatives of both the republican and democratic farms gathered on Thursday and were apparently able to settle their differences and rescue the state and their constituents. How noble for politicians to work towards a solution for the people. This almost bears the resemblance of a functioning political system.

But of course, as I noted it to be a week of shortcomings, the apparently fiscal and political achievement followed sort. The proposed package was actually not a complete solution, as it fell just short of the more than $50 million in cutbacks that are necessary to get the state out of the red. Unfortunately, for our Governator, just short is not good enough. Upon the announcement of the package's congressional approval, Schwarzeneggar made his own announcement that he would be vetoing the package once it reached his desk. He said that he did not want a "piece-meal solution" to the state's budget crisis.

Frankly this reeks of sour grapes for his own Republican camp being unable to propose a solution that gained bipartisan support. Where the guv's months of effort and salary threats failed to motivate or result in solution, a Democratic document proved to succeed. Granted as the July 28th deadline for when the state will "run out of money" has gotten closer, the pressure has probably set in at the capital for the need to forge a solution. Aside from what the causal mechanism may actually be, just when we thought we had an approved temporary solution to the budget crisis, we had the rug swept out from under us, due to the principals of our Governator. Putting the squeeze on our representatives is not going to result in a better solution. A step in the right direction is usually adequate for most people. Apparently the Governator must destroy all budget problems with a solitary crushing blow, so the problems won't say "I'll be back!"