Breaking Story: Bringing Arnold’s Power Interests To Light

As the California recall election reaches a potentially electrifying conclusion, it’s shocking how little information about Arnold Schwarznegger has come to light. Of course, a number of high voltage stories have appeared about his revolting treatment of women and his propensity for getting wired. Unfortunately, what has has yet to draw significant wattage is the central element of Arnold’s character: his political dealings and his thirst for power.

Many people thought the story about Arnold’s interest in Hitler didn’t deserve currency. It was Arnold himself, though, who drew the connection between smoke and fire. If Arnold has the tendency to light up over someone like Hitler, it is because Hitler is the ultimate example of someone who overcame the dimmest of circumstances to catalyze himself into a person of extreme strength, status and authority.

Given Arnold’s preoccupation with power, it is ironic that his connection with Enron and the California utility crisis has yet to be illuminated. According to an investigation by California’s respected Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Arnold met with Ken Lay, Chairman of Enron and close friend of George Bush, at the height of the California power crisis to help protect Enron’s interests and to fight re-regulation.

Also looking into the connection, investigative reporter Greg Palast alleges that Arnold was meeting with Lay to help stop a (still-active) civil lawsuit, sponsored by Governor Davis and Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, that could force Enron and the other power companies to pay back the $9 billion dollars they juiced from the state. Palast goes so far as to suggest that the recall is about putting someone else in the Governor’s mansion just to short-circuit the lawsuit.

Actually,when you consider that up to $9 billion dollars could be at stake, it’s not hard to understand why California might be going through this current surge in its political power lines.