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Shades of Grey
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the road to national health care
By JOHN FUND, Wall Street Journal
Arnold Schwarzenegger used to claim he admired Ronald Reagan most "because he stuck by his principles when others wouldn't." But with his Rube Goldberg health plan Mr. Schwarzenegger has demonstrated that at his core he prefers roles more suited to Tricky Dick than the Gipper. Should he succeed, the long-term dream of nationalized health care held by Ted Kennedy, and Hillary Clinton, will be closer to reality than ever.

No GOP health plan -- yet
By Steve Wiegand, Sacramento Bee
The nice people in Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata's office recently provided the running dogs of the media with a side-by-side-by-side comparison of the three Democratic health care reform plans put forth by Perata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. OK, make that two Democratic plans and a "centrist" plan. Though thoughtful, the effort clearly lacked a certain breadth in that there was no Republican plan.

California's alternative fuels plan
By Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Francisco Chronicle
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to debate legislation today aimed at reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and I am glad to see Washington finally focus on this vital issue. But in California, we're not waiting for Washington to act.

Governor's fall appears to lift his oratory skills
By George Skelton, Los Angeles Times
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn't lost a step with his broken leg. In fact, he probably has gained ground on crutches.

The mayor's bully pulpit
By the Los Angeles Times
Villaraigosa's latest LAUSD plan is ambitious. If only he actually had control of the schools.

Looking to taxpayers for cold cash
By the Orange County Register
If the government bails out California farmers, they'll never prepare for the next crippling frost.

Farther out the limb: Drivers will pay for governor's climate plan
By the San Diego Union-Tribune
In yet another bold step to save the planet, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has decreed that California's motor fuels shall contain less of the carbon-stuffed chemicals that contribute to climate change. Whether this will do anything at all to slow global warming is highly doubtful. But drivers can be dead certain that the governor's Low Carbon Fuel Standard will cost them money – lots of money.

Governors' Prayer Team urges our readers to "pray the news"!

Governor Backs Bush

Governor backs Bush plan to send more troops to Iraq
"We should give it everything in order to be victorious"
By Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle

After months of preaching the strengths of political centrism -- and doggedly avoiding partisan controversy -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken a position on one of the nation's most divisive issues, backing President Bush's call for a troop escalation in Iraq. ABC News reported Friday that Schwarzenegger is strongly supporting Bush's call for a troop surge in Iraq, saying that "we should give it everything.'' The governor's comments came in an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos to be aired Sunday morning on "This Week with George Stephanopoulous.'' The network Friday night released excerpts from the interview (blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/) and quoted the Republican governor as saying of the president's call for more troops that "we should give it everything in order to be victorious."

Our Governor is in Continous pailn. . .

Gov. reveals details of ski injury
He says that since surgery on a broken leg bone two weeks ago, he has had 'ongoing pain, 24 hours a day'

By Peter Nicholas, Los Angeles Times
He made millions playing an indestructible action hero in the movies, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sounded altogether mortal as he talked for the first time Wednesday about the pain and frustration he has felt since his holiday skiing accident. At a news conference where he released his new budget, Schwarzenegger told reporters that since his surgery two weeks ago he has been in continuous pain. "The operation was a very complicated operation," he said, "and I don't think I can ever remember having had pain — ongoing pain, 24 hours a day — like after this operation."

Governors' Prayer Team: Let's "pray the news"

Click here for other "pray the news" issues.

Governor Schwarzenegger's Inaugural Address

As this is the Governor's Prayer Team, I feel it is important that we work to understand God's heart for our leaders and pray accordingly.

As I listened to our Governor's Speech I felt impressed that we must sincerely pray that God brings the unity in this state the Lord is desiring to bring and has put on our Governor's heart from the very beginning. At the Governor's Prayer Breakfast last May, the Governor was again addressing the division in our state, but at the breakfast he referred to the divisions in the church, as he called us to unity.

I felt an incredible anointing on our Governor as he spoke. I know he is God's appointed leader for our state and I cannot encourage you enough to pray for this man and his family on a daily basis.

Pray for him to have wisdom from God, pray for him to be protected from ungodly counsel and surrounded by people who have God's vision of life, healing and restoration for our state. Pray that God will give him "divine ideas" to lead this state into its destiny.

Pray for God's kingdom to come and God's will to be done on earth in California and its leaders as it is in heaven. Bless our Governor to be all God has ordained him to be. Bless his marriage, family, health, leadership, counselors etc. etc. etc. Pray the life the Lord intends him to have of blessing and grace in his leadership position and life.

In the inaugural address that I've copied below, there are many encouraging things our Governor referred to.

God bless you as you pray for him!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Steele
State Prayer Leader Governors' Prayer Team - CA
stephanie@gptusa.org
http://www.visionprayer.org/id/gpt_ca/gpt/

Governor Schwarzenegger's Inaugural Address
January 5, 2007

You Are Much Love and Appreciated . . .

Beloved GPT Prayer Team Member, God richly bless you as we start this new year with hopeful anticipation for the good things God has in store for all who are called according to His purpose.

I want to thank you for being faithful to pray every day, not just for our Governor, but ALL of our leaders. Any person in leadership needs our prayers. Remember this is the vision and call of the Governor's Prayer Team to pray for all those in leadership positions in government, in the church and in the marketplace.

The men and women in high leadership positions need prayer. They carry heavy weights of responsibility. Their decisions affect millions of people around the world. Yet, they are just ordinary people, like you and me. They need God's wisdom. Pray they will seek God for wisdom, guidance and health to do the tasks. As this week is the week when our newly elected leaders are taking their oaths of office, I am asking you to pray particularly for them to remember that they are civil servants and that God himself has allowed them to have this position at this time.

Pray that they will walk in the "fear of the Lord" which is the beginning of wisdom. Pray for wise counselors for each and every one of them and that they will be delivered from every evil work. I am also asking as our state and nation is at such a crossroad, that you consider fasting at least one day a week for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth, in California as it is in heaven. When God gives you your fast day, I am asking that you would let me know what day He has given you.

If you know of others who have a burden to pray for leaders please have them log onto the California site of www.governorsprayerteam.org and send me a request to join, using your name as a referral. I close with a quote from another GPT state leader: "GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO PRAY. Many people are called to pray and to be intercessors, but few answer His call. YOU have said "Yes, Lord. Here I am, use me. He has and He will. YOU are on the front lines, in these times of crisis. When you pray, don't grow weary. We may not see answers in our lifetime, but often we do!

When we get to heaven, we will see the results of our intercession. We often don't realize the power of our prayers, in Jesus' name! Situations change when YOU pray. Deadly events can be averted because YOU pray. Angels are sent to help, when YOU pray. Realize how precious you are to God, our heavenly Father.

Stay strong and depend on the Holy Spirit to lead you as you pray. Nothing is too hard for God. Pray with thanksgiving. God loves America. We must pray that we will repent of our sins and seek His mercy that He won't destroy our land." God richly bless you and reward your faithfulness, Stephanie Steele stephanie@gptusa.org, Www.governorsprayerteam.org .

Stephanie Steele
California State Facilitator
Governor's Prayer Team

An important week, please join us in prayer!

Blessings and Grace Beloved Prayer Leader,

God richly bless you as we start this new year with hopeful anticipation of the good things God has in store for all who are called according to His purpose.

As this week is the week when our newly elected leaders are taking their oaths of office, I am asking you to pray particularly for them to remember that they are civil servants and that God himself has allowed them to have this position at this time. Pray that they will walk in the "fear of the Lord" which is the beginning of wisdom. Pray for wise counselors for each and every one of them and that they will be delivered from every evil work.

I want to thank your faithful prayers for our state and ask for continued prayer, not just for our Governor, but ALL of our leaders. Any person in leadership needs our prayers. The vision and call of the Governor's Prayer Team to pray for all those in leadership positions in government, in the church and in the marketplace.

The men and women in high leadership positions need prayer. They carry heavy weights of responsibility. Their decisions affect millions of people around the world. Yet, they are just ordinary people, like you and me. They need God’s wisdom. Pray they will seek God for wisdom, guidance and health to do the tasks.

If you know of others who have a burden to pray for leaders please have them log onto the California site of www.governorsprayerteam.org and send me a request to join, using your name as a referral. I would also like to extend an invitation for you to consider being on the peer to peer part of the Governor's Prayer Team. This will ensure you being informed of all the important state issues that we will be praying about as well as provide a platform for you to share what you are doing with other leaders in the state.

I want to thank you for being faithful to pray every day, not just for our Governor, but ALL of our leaders. Any person in leadership needs our prayers. Remember this is the vision and call of the Governor's Prayer Team to pray for all those in leadership positions in government, in the church and in the marketplace.

The men and women in high leadership positions need prayer. They carry heavy weights of responsibility. Their decisions affect millions of people around the world. Yet, they are just ordinary people, like you and me. They need God’s wisdom. Pray they will seek God for wisdom, guidance and health to do the tasks.

I close with a quote from another GPT state leader:

"GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO PRAY.
Many people are called to pray and to be intercessors, but few answer His call.
YOU have said “Yes, Lord. Here I am, use me.” He has and He will.
YOU are on the front lines, in these times of crisis. When you pray, don’t grow weary. We may not see answers in our lifetime, but often we do! When we get to heaven, we will see the results of our intercession. We often don’t realize the power of our prayers, in Jesus’ name! Situations change when YOU pray. Deadly events can be averted because YOU pray. Angels are sent to help, when YOU pray.

Realize how precious you are to God, our heavenly Father. Stay strong and depend on the Holy Spirit to lead you as you pray. Nothing is too hard for God. Pray with thanksgiving. God loves America. We must pray that we will repent of our sins and seek His mercy that He won’t destroy our land."
Also, please know that we are praying for you as one of the wonderful leaders God has raised up for such a time as this.

God richly bless you and reward your faithfulness,

Stephanie Steele
California State Facilitator
stephanie@gptusa.org
www.governorsprayerteam.com
530-870-6906