A man of surprises.
Twice in one month! That is, two unexpected yet impressive quotes out of the often-unpredictable mouth of California Governor Jerry Brown.
A few weeks ago, upon vetoing a bill to require skiers under 18 to wear helmets, the third-term Democrat stated: “Not every human problem deserves a law.”
Then this week, in expediting the process for construction of a new stadium in Los Angeles despite legal and environmental challenges, Brown declared: “But there are too many damn regulations… Let’s cut the barriers and regulations and move ahead.”
It sounds to me like this historically big-government career politician is undergoing a left-to-center shift in his return to the job he held three decades ago. Perhaps this is precisely Brown’s strategy, appealing to a more centrist and even right-leaning audience in his now golden political years. Let’s just hope it’s not the old “bait-and-switch” routine, distracting us with attractive less-government rhetoric while seeking a way to circumvent Prop 13 and raise property taxes. Since thankfully he cannot do such a thing quickly or alone, I’ll keep my suspicion in check for now — if not my cynicism — and rest simply on his most recent and refreshing quotes.
Words like the above from Governor Jerry Brown capture my attention and earn my praise. To my own surprise, on this, I commend him. And I know I’m not alone, in either surprise or commendation.
Ryan R. Sanderson 