The Al Melvin Principle in action

by David Safier

What's the Al Melvin Principle, you ask? It's the idea that nothing is better than a moment when everyone is "on their knees," because that's when you can really move that old rightwing agenda forward.

Melvin's exact words:

"When everyone is on their knees, so to speak, from the adverse
economic situation, you can get more accomplished in a fundamental way
than you can if you're flush with revenue and cash."

A source at the Capitol today saw the Al Melvin Principle in action. It seems Cap'n Al told a reporter from the Arizona Capitol Times that he can't wait to vote YES on this budget.

Can't wait. No reluctance about making huge cuts to Arizona's education spending — already last in the nation in per student funding — or cuts in vital services. No faux sympathy for those whose lives will be damaged or destroyed as the Republicans hack away at the budget with a bloody meat cleaver.

Melvin is a man of principle. He can't wait to vote YES on this budget.

This isn't the first time he's talked about how eager he is to cut, cut, cut. More than a year ago, Melvin talked about how, in flush times, you can't get the conservative's work done. What you need is for things to get really tough:

“Under these circumstances, you can effect fundamental change. I’m looking forward to it."

Melvin doesn't think much of Democratic legislators who argue for something other than cuts and more cuts. In the Appropriations Committee meeting Tuesday night, he accused Democrats of "posturing."

We know what that means, of course. "Posturing" means Democrats were standing up and fighting, when Melvin believes they should be down on their knees like the rest of the peasants.