Politician Grandstand on War in Iraq

By Kelly McCarty

Let's focus on real California issues

It is unfortunate when the Democratic majority ignores these issues and instead spends time on meaningless political posturing. This posturing was most evident in SB 924 carried by Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata. This bill would have placed before the voters an "advisory question" as to whether or not the President should bring our troops home from Iraq.

Apparently, Senator Perata and the Democrats forgot that they were elected to the state Legislature and not Congress. While the Iraq war is a major issue, SB 924 would have no impact on troop levels. Furthermore, the vote on the advisory question would have no effect. SB 924 was thus an exercise in political grandstanding. The extensive amount of time spent on this debate simply prevented the Legislature from addressing state issues.

I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger's recent veto of this legislation. His veto message included the same criticisms that legislative Republicans had expressed throughout the debate. The Legislature thus wasted six months on an issue that it had no authority to impact.

I am running for State Assembly to find solutions to the various issues affecting our state. Through my professional background, I believe that I have the skills and the drive to bring about needed change. Voters elect representatives to solve problems and the time has long since come for the Legislature to take serious action.