Kathleen Parker March 4, 2014
March 5, 2014
March 4, 2014
In matters cultural, California has always been the United States’petri dish. Whatever happened in California usually infiltrated the rest of the country.
Today there is reason to hope that other trends collecting on ourfar-left coast (geographically speaking) might infect the nation,especially in matters of governance and fiscal responsibility.
Jerry Brown, about to begin a run for his fourth term as governor, has shed the “Governor Moonbeam” moniker that he has worn like an itchy suit for nearly 40 years, compliments of famed Chicago columnist Mike Royko (RIP, 1997). Even Royko later regretted the nickname and tried toretract it after hearing Brown speak at the 1980 Democratic NationalConvention, saying Brown seemed to be the only Democrat who understoodthe challenges that lay ahead.
There is cause today to resurrect this observation.
In his elder years — not to be confused with elderly — Brown has tradedearlier dreams of a California space program for more down-to-earthpolicies that reflect a respect for non-ideological pragmatism. Attimes, he sounds more Republican than Democrat and, not to get carriedaway, as though he may be sipping a little tea on the side.
Since becoming governor again in 2011 following a decades-long hiatus (healso served as governor from 1975 to 1983), Brown has turned around thestate’s budget from deficit to surplus. When NBC’s David Gregory asked Brown whether his fiscal success in California carried any lessons for Washington, Brown was candid and jaw-droppingly refreshing.
“Well, you’ve got to be tough on spending. No matter how liberal you want to be,” he said Sunday on “Meet the Press.” Did he say tough on spending? Hold on to your flip-flops, there’s more.
“At the end of the day, fiscal discipline is the fundamental predicate of a free society. And you just have to maintain that.”
Listening to the interview, I did wonder for a few seconds whether RepublicanJohn Boehner had body-snatched the governor and was using Brown tochannel his thoughts. Indeed, Brown sounded more like the speaker of the House than the president of the United States, whose nearly $4 trillion budget was just released.
Although Brown and President Obama share similar goals, especially in infrastructure spending (Brown wants to build a high-speed rail system in California), the governor recognizes that such projects have to be considered within a broader commitment to balance.
“Spend more. But in the framework of adjusting your long-term liabilities. And that’s not the case today,” said Brown.
As one example of how Brown has had to stand tough on spending, his budget did not include an item pushed by California’s Democratic Senate president pro tempore — to create a universal prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds. The program would have cost the state about $1 billion a year to benefit 350,000 children.
When did Jerry Brown start hating 4-year-olds?
He doesn’t, of course, but reducing spending is always painful for someone. It is also sometimes necessary.
On other subjects of current interest, Brown observed Sunday how muchthings have changed in the four decades since he was first governor anddating Linda Ronstadt. On pot legalization, he was again sane — and conservative.
First, Brown said he’d like to see how things play out in Colorado andWashington, where recreational marijuana use has been legalized. Second, he said that while some things are fine in a certain amount, we have atendency to go to extremes:
“How many people can get stoned andstill have a great state or a great nation? The world’s prettydangerous, very competitive. I think we need to stay alert, if not 24hours a day, more than some of the potheads might be able to puttogether.”
All things conservative are not always sane, needless to say. And liberals have moved the country forward in necessary ways. Balance isthe key, and it would appear that Brown has found his center.
His comments took many by surprise not only because they don’t jibe withour recollection of Governor Moonbeam but also because they make so much sense.
If the political center where most Americans dwell is starved for a leader, Jerry Brown may be the model for what they seek.
It’s too bad that he essentially has conferred the Democratic presidentialnomination on Hillary Clinton. Some would say Brown is too old andperhaps, at 75, he is. But if youth brought us Governor Moonbeam, anolder, wiser Brown gives us hope.
By all means, pl
ease pass the petri dish.
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