Strawberry Farmer Breaks California Capitol Siege

After almost a week of not showering, and snoring in a sleeping bag, one California Republican Senator seems to have cracked and will vote against his conscience, but for going home and a fresh change of clothes. Abel Maldonado is essentially sacrificing his political career and is making sure he will go back to his roots in strawberry farming. Also, Abel will bear the collective wrath of millions of Californians who will forever see him as the traitor responsible for their taxes going from highest in the country to even highest-er in the country. After the proposal passes, state sales tax would 8.25% from 7.25% and boost vehicle license fees to 1.15% from 0.65% of the car value; ironically both measures are likely to be totally useless measures in dealing with the $42 billion deficit.

Despite his humble farming roots, the Republican seems to realize the implication of his actions:

"This could be a career-ender for me,” he told reporters in the Senate chamber in Sacramento, where a vote is scheduled today. “In difficult times, you need to step up to the plate."

Betraying your electorate to get a replacement shirt is truly difficult times. So just what was the Sacramento equivalent of 30 pieces of silver?

To secure Maldonado’s support, Democratic leaders decided to take up government overhaul measures he sought, including a plan to create open primaries where Republicans and Democrats are free to select in which party’s election they want to vote. It would also need to be approved by state voters.

The agreement brokered with Maldonado hit an early snag when the there was insufficient support to approve his constitutional amendment that would change how primary elections are held. Votes were taken on that measure in the middle of the night, ahead of the tax-increase plan.

Good thing Abel does not know the names of CIA assets in Mexico or elsewhere in the world. Something tells me he would not hold up too long under interrogation.