Uneasy Rhetoric

It’s spelled S-c-h-w-a-r-z-e-n-e-g-g-e-r. That’s Schwartz without the “t” n’ some eggers. Sounds like a Denny’s meal doesn’t it? “Sausage ‘n eggers.”

In his first few hours in office, Governor Schwarzenegger did me a big favor, althought it’s unclear weather I’ll ever get to see it. By repealing the tripling of California’s car tax (somewhat regressive in the first place), the Governator saved me $156.66. I registered our car last week and it cost $265. I’ll be happy to see that money, at least until my car catches fire and it takes 20 minutes for the nearest fire truck to get to me because they’re understaffed. At least I’ll have auto insurance. Hopefully they won’t raise their rates to account for the lost public servants.

Why won’t I get to see it? The Legislature has to appropriate the money first, and they’ll probably challenge the executive order in court. By the time I get my rebate, we’ll all be driving hovercars.

The news this morning was going on and on about what a low-key event the inaguration was, yet the Hollywooderati were not far away. Arnold wore Prada. Maria wore some other designer (and a dress designed specifically, I think, to scream “I AM A KENNEDY” — take a look at it and tell me it doesn’t say “Jackie-O” all over it). Sadly, this Hollywood influence will follow Governor Commando throughout his term. The comparisons with Reagan aren’t really appropriate because Reagan was a two-bit star in movies few would have remembered (save the Gipper) had he not been elected President.

Governor Sausage ‘n eggers is a super-star. Mega-super-star. This will get in the way of real news from his office in the Capitol.

I’ll reserve judgement on him until we really get to see him in action (can he wield a pen like he does an M-60 machine gun? We’ll see). Unfortunately, this may be a while. The helicopters aren’t flying today because it’s overcast — a glorious Sacramento fog day — but there are news vans everywhere from stations from Redding to San Diego.

Perhaps I will have something of substance to report later. Or perhaps the news will be about how his kids are throwing fits because they don’t want to live in Sacramento.

By the way, during his inauguration somebody gave him a box of cigars. Is that really appropriate in “America’s non-smoking section”?

Update 11/25/2003: I had to reduce my car tax savings slightly because I forgot about the $30 registration fee, which is not changing. In case anyone was wondering, I’m being sarcastic about the rebate. While I’ll be happy to see the money, I’d be just as happy knowing that the money was paying for critical services for someone in greater need than I.