June 03, 2005

Just how worthless is the Democratic Party?

Worthless enough to try to pass a law forbidding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's smoking tent. From the analysis of AB 616:

Current law prohibits smoking within 20 feet of a main entrance or main exit of a state, county or city building. However, there is not a law governing outdoor areas, such as patios or courtyards within public buildings. This bill would prohibit a public employee or member of the public from smoking in an outdoor area enclosed on at least four sides by a state public building or buildings, excluding outdoor areas enclosed on at least four sides by a building or buildings on a CSU campus or a UC campus.

The California Assembly recently voted 41-32 in favor, with all of those opposing being Republicans. From the SacBee:

Supporters said Assembly Bill 616 by Assemblyman Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, would eliminate wafting smoke from the tent, which they say seeps into office windows in the upper floors of the office building surrounding the courtyard. In some cases, supporters said, children visiting the Capitol are exposed to smoke - and the sight of a governor smoking...

"We didn't do things this dumb in kindergarten," fumed Assemblyman Jay LaSuer, R-La Mesa. "But we weren't that devious in kindergarten."

Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, noted that the state faces another budget deficit and a host of other problems, and "we're worried about whether or not the governor smokes cigars outside his office? Ladies and gentlemen, let's get serious."

Needless to say, Arnold will veto this bill. How much time and money did these Democrats waste on a useless, childish gesture? It would be nice if Democrats in other states realized how much of an embarrassment their fellows in California are, and decided to step in and try to put adults in charge.

Posted to California at June 3, 2005 07:46 PM

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