That's A Start, Arnold, But Read the Rest of My Column

Back in January I wrote a Variety column offering up a modest proposal on how the Governator might solve Cahleeeforneeea's budget crisis: Whore himself out. An excerpt:

The real solution is so obvious, I can't believe cameras aren't already rolling: It's time for Gov. Schwarzenegger to sell himself.

I'm not talking special interests (although he seems to have already caught on in that regard) -- I'm referring to Hollywood.

If Schwarzenegger were to work non-stop in the coming year, pulling down hefty paychecks for movie roles, TV appearances, product endorsements and perhaps a line of "Girls Gone Wild: California" videos - and then deposit it straight to the state treasury -- he'd go along way toward getting this debt paid down.

Later in the column, I add:

Schwarzenegger has already pulled down some cash by hawking product in Japan. Now, how about pushing product worldwide? Cell phones in the UK, cars in Southeast Asia, Vegemite in Australia, and McDonald's in the US of A (I'm lovin' it!).

Fast forward to today's LA Times, which reports:

With the state nearly broke, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is touting a money-making idea to help California reopen its Tokyo trade office: starring in a Japanese commercial.

While leading a four-day trade mission here, Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he may accept one of the many multimillion-dollar offers he receives to make commercials for Japanese television.

But instead of pocketing the money, he would plow it into an office that would push California's business interests.

C'mon, Arnold, why stop there? A few more product endorsements here, and some Guv Ahnuld (trademark pending) merchandise there, and we're on the road to fiscal health!