Five years ago California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger accused his state’s legislators of being “girlie-men” because they would not deal honestly with the state budget. Today the Libertarian Party of Georgia has praise for him for voicing the only sensible plan to address his state’s current budget woes. On May 14 the Governator suggested selling off some state assets: San Quentin Prison, The Cow Palace sports arena, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The howls of outrage from California’s mainstream politicians sound like stuck pigs on their way to a barbecue…and those howls are music to a libertarian’s ears.
The Libertarian Party of Georgia platform calls for the privatization of state assets that ought not be owned by a government: “We support true privatization of as much State property and services as possible, not the mere sub-contracting of state capitalism. The contracting of private concessions is but a first step; we believe the state should not own any recreational facilities, hotels, parks or other facilities that could be provided by private enterprises.” In practice we would ease the tax burden on Georgia citizens by selling the Stone Mountain Resort Hotel and the seven golf courses owned by the state, as well as the airports and utility distribution systems inexplicably run by government.
This is why we praise Governor Schwarzenegger for his sane but bold suggestion that recognizes that California is facing a $15.4 Billion budget shortfall. The state’s mainstream politicians are predicting the End Of The World if voters reject tax increase proposals in this week’s special elections, but what they really fear is the end of their ability to buy votes by taxing Peter to pay Paul. Too bad — polling indicates five of the six tax proposals will be defeated by wide margins. The only one likely to get voter approval is the one saying legislators don’t get raises in years where there is a budget deficit.
When your family runs low on cash you can do three things: stop spending, pawn grandma’s jewelry, or make more money. The voters are about to rule out the last option for California’s government. Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan to privatize state assets is the sanest suggestion we’ve heard from a government official since the start of the financial meltdown last fall.
Arnold, tell them again: “Don’t be economic girlie men!” Sell San Quentin!
