Dreamweaverrs Ponderings

The Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger made a drastic move this week by laying off 10,000 state employees and ordered up to 200,000 state workers pay be cut to Federal minimum wage. That’s 6.55 an hour. Smooth move Mr. Terminator. Are you trying to live up to your screen persona? California’s state minimum wage is currently 8.00 an hour and even that is rough to live with.I know you supposedly don’t take pay for being Governor. That’s a nice gesture. Of course since you have money on both sides of your family, that was no skin off your back. Sure you are entitled to pay. So are all those workers you are using as pawns in this budget game. They don’t have fortunes to fall back on.

What I want to know is are you going to set aside your personal fortunes and live on 6.55 an hour too? Times are tough. Everyone has to tighten their belts. Why don’t we freeze your income for awhile and see how you do? Apologize that way. Prove how seriously you are taking this. I have a room you can rent and help me pay a few bills I can’t pay. The commute won’t be to bad from here to Sacramento, that is if you can afford the gas on 6.55 per hour.Maybe they should all go camp out at Arnie and Maria’s place when they lose their homes or stop by for a meal with their kids when they get hungry. Schwarzenegger said he understands. That shouldn’t be a problem.

When your driver’s license comes up for renewal and a big chunk of those DMV workers have lost their jobs. I hope you don’t mind the wait with the rest of the masses. I mean you are one of us are you not? Half a day out of your time is no big deal.

Presumably the people will get their money and jobs back once the budget passes? Nope, don’t count on it. Department of Personnel Administration Dave Gilb was quoted as saying, “there will be no guarantees.”

So Arnie, can YOU live on Federal minimum wage in California? I double dog dare you.

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