Schwarzenegger: You Hicks Know What An Air-O-Plane Looks Like?

I almost get what the Governor was trying to say, but the fact that it was a proud endorsement of lobbyist-paid junkets, as well as the demeaning stance toward small-town Californians, doesn't come off well:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday encouraged lawmakers -- especially those from small towns -- to do more globe-trotting on the dime of special interests.

Speaking at a forum on global economics held by the nonprofit Milken Institute, the governor suggested lawmakers would be more willing to embrace his plans to privatize the building of roads, schools, high-speed rail systems and other public works if they could see how effectively it has worked in other countries.

"Some of them come from those little towns, you know what I am saying, they come from those little towns and they don't have that vision yet of an airport or of a highway that maybe has 10 lanes or of putting a highway on top of a highway," Schwarzenegger said. "They look at you and say, 'We don't have that in my town. What are you talking about?'

"So they are kind of shocked when you say certain things. So I like them to travel around."

Remember, folks, it's Barack Obama who's the elitist. Arugula!

What shouldn't get lost here is that Schwarzenegger made this little comment to justify what he has done multiple times since entering public office - jetsetting around the world on trade missions paid for by shadowy interests who expect a return on their investment.

There's a virtue and value in world travel, and the country could go a long way to fostering it by providing grants for international study, for example. If he wants to build a program like the "overseas experience" they have in New Zealand for California's young people, great. But Schwarzenegger isn't really endorsing that. He just wants his secret free trips. The "y'all are hicks" part is just frosting on the cake.