Op-Ed

California already has a world-class economy; it's time for us to deliver a world-class government to match.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave a bold State of the State address earlier this month. But now, basking in the glow of a 17 percent election victory, the governor must deal with the reality of California's ongoing $5.5 billion budget deficit.

Democrats won stunning victories across the country on Nov. 7. Now it's time to deliver Americans the change they've demanded.

Republican failures may have been enough to sweep Democrats into Congress, but they won't be enough to sweep us into the White House. To win the presidency we need to govern without losing sight of three key lessons from this year's midterm election.

While California's health care problems are complicated, they aren't insoluble. One step toward making health care affordable for everyone would be a partnership between the state's employers and its workers, through which most people would have access to disease management programs, a proven method of reducing costs.

California has always been the exception. Usually it’s for the best, but sometimes it’s not. This November 7th, around the country Democrats have a tremendous opportunity. We need to do everything we can to make California get with the program.

Washington is failing and Americans are ready for change.

Thirty years ago, California led the world by mandating catalytic converters and cleaner, lead-free gasoline to clean up auto emissions. Recently, California once again proved itself a leader in the fight against global warming. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and California's legislators deserve praise for working together to cap industrial greenhouse gas emissions.