Schwarzenegger Leaves Poor, Middle Class Behind

Stewart A. Alexander
2006 Candidate
California Lieutenant Governor
Peace and Freedom Party

When Governor Schwarzenegger was elected into office in 2003 after the recall election of Governor Gray Davis, many Californians were convinced that the new governor had an agenda that would not cater to special interest, but serve the better interest of all Californians. Now as we look forward to the 2006 elections it is evident that the poor and middle class have been forgotten by this governor and the wealthy has prospered during his term in office.

During Schwarzenegger’s term in office conditions for the poor and middle class have eroded to a state of misery with millions of Californians not being able to afford housing, gas, utilities or food. The cost of living has eroded paychecks making it difficult for most Californians to meet their most basic necessities. The state now ranks the third poorest in the nation.

Since 2003 the state’s economy has done well and has seen continuous growth; however this growth has benefited only the wealthy. The poor and middle class work longer hours and receive less for their labor. Most California families are earning less, compared to the cost of living, than what they earned in 2000 and a single income can no longer support a household. The average household will require two or three wage earners just to make ends meet, or two individuals each having to work 50 to 70 hours weekly just to make a decent paycheck.

Today affordable housing is disappearing in California. To rent a two bedroom apartment will range between $1,200 to over $1,800. Homes that were selling for $140,000 to $250,000 in 2000 are now selling for $400,000 to over $750,000 today. Gas that was selling for $1.10 a gallon in 2000 is now selling for $3.40 a gallon. The cost for food has jumped almost 25 percent. Utilities have increased 20 to 25 percent. Transportation has increased 15 to over 20 percent. The income, for many Californians, has declined since Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003 and more minorities are out of work than in the past decade.

Schwarzenegger boasts how well the economy is doing but he has not seen the poor in the neighborhoods of Oakland, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and San Diego. He has not seen the homeless in Riverside, Temecula, San Bernardino, Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. Their ranks are growing daily.

In the seventies the best paying jobs in America were in California, now the jobs are mostly service positions with low earning potentials. Help Wanted signs only mean extra income, not affordable income.

Stewart Alexander, a candidate for California lieutenant governor, says, “It is important that our state and national leaders visit the people they are representing rather than observing their conditions 15,000 to 35,000 feet above in their helicopters and jets. Schwarzenegger needs a reality check if he thinks Californians are better off now than they were in 2003.” Alexander is running as a candidate with the Peace and Freedom Party.

California has lost over two millions jobs and the nation has lost over 25 million jobs in the last 20 years due to world trade agreements and cheap labor. The lost of jobs are mostly affecting the poor and middle class Americans.

Alexander is proposing to bring good paying jobs back to California by investing in the future of California. Alexander has proposed building electric and hydrogen vehicles. He has proposed changing the way we look at public transportation with elevated rail systems. He has also proposed taking funds away from building prisons, jails, courts and court cost, and to invest in our state’s infrastructure.

Alexander says, “Schwarzenegger has failed to show Californians that he has a vision for the state and without a vision 100’s of thousands are falling by the wayside every year. The poor and middle classes are not ready for another four years of Schwarzenegger.”

Californians will be going to the polls in June and November. The state has much to lose or much to gain depending on the election results.

For more information, search the Web for Stewart Alexander, for Lieutenant Governor.
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