Schwarzenegger holds town hall meeting at Sun Microsystems By MATT KAPKO Bay City News Service Sept. 28, 2005 MENLO PARK - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got a brief walk-through of Sun Microsystems' headquarters in Menlo Park today before playing master of ceremonies at a town hall meeting -- or as company CEO Scott McNealy put it, a meeting of many of Silicon Valley's brightest minds. Schwarzenegger sweated through a one-hour gathering under the blistering sun, presenting his case for the initiatives he is putting before voters in the upcoming Nov. 8 special election and the need to "upgrade California" to prepare for the years to come. "The system that failed, the system that took us almost into bankruptcy is still existing,'' he said. "The only way we can rebuild California is if we reform California.'' With a personal computer from 1982 and a thin laptop computer from 2005 as backdrop props, Schwarzenegger said "all of our systems...everything is outdated.'' "Let's upgrade California,'' he said. "These last two years, the things we have accomplished is because of the people,'' he said. "I want to have the people involved every step of the way, not the politicians.'' But the governor urged caution and the need to prepare for the increasing demands of life in California. "We're bursting at the seams, we don't have enough schools, we don't have enough roads, mass transportation,'' he said. "We need more of everything, but we can't do that because we have no money.'' He told the crowd, "for every dollar we're bringing in we're spending $1.10.'' Schwarzenegger admitted that the ballot initiatives in the special election won't fix all the problems, but claimed they would bring California and its residents one step closer to the prosperity the state has enjoyed in the past. "The recall was the original, this is the sequel,'' he said to raucous laughter. "Only the people can undo the system. I need your help. There is no way we can do these reforms ourselves. Now let us recall the broken system.'' The governor fielded questions from select Sun Microsystems employees on a broad range of issues including gay marriage, job creation and security in California, illegal immigration, the ever-rising costs of living and housing, and technology's role in education. "We in our administration have done everything we can to support gay people, gay couples,'' he said. But Schwarzenegger said he plans to veto a gay marriage bill that is currently awaiting his signature because it goes against the will of California voters, who in March 2000 passed Proposition 22, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Social change should come from "the people,'' not legislative fiat, he said. In closing, Schwarzenegger said, "I have big dreams for California and the people of California, but I need your help to realize those dreams.'' Home