CA seeks emergency $7 Billion

"To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, 'Don't be economic girlie men!'"

– Ahnold, at the Republican convention

OK, so you don't need to be a Jon Stewart-y type pundit to recognize the bitter irony of Gov. Schwarzenegger's call for Federal aid to bail out his economically failing state's finances.

From the CNN.com:

California may need a $7 billion emergency loan from the federal government to pay for "teachers' salaries, nursing homes, law enforcement and every other state-funded service" this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warns.

[..]

"Absent a clear resolution to this financial crisis that restores confidence and liquidity to the credit markets, California and other states may be unable to obtain the necessary level of financing to maintain government operations and may be forced to turn to the federal Treasury for short-term financing," Schwarzenegger wrote.

It's cute how Arnold included "other states" in his dire warning, and yet he's only asking for funds for his precious home state. How magnanimous of him.

The reality of the situation is that Mr. Gung-Ho came charging onto the scene waving the flag of fiscal responsibility, and he failed miserably at it.

(The governor in happier times)
Is it too late for a recall election? I hear those are quite popular in "The Golden State".