Psychologist Puts Governor Davis on the Couch

Psychologist and author Jonathan Rich, Ph.D. explains why Governor Davis financial personality has led to the California recall effort.

Irvine, CA, 8/28/2003 -- Californians are outraged over their states 38 billion dollar debt, and their wrath has lead the first certification of a gubernatorial recall election in Californias history.

Their wrath doesnt surprise Jonathan Rich, Ph.D., a California psychologist, and author of The Couples Guide to Love and Money. Rich has researched financial personalities among couples, and sees the same dynamics playing out in the States troubles. Governor Davis relationship to California is very similar to the financial clashes I see in couples. Davis has demonstrated a 'Stress Avoidant financial personality -- a personality that, ironically, can lead to explosive conflict."

Rich has discovered three financial personality dimensions: Lifestyle, Risk-Taking, and Dependence. Davis shows a financially extravagant, risk-avoidant, financially dependent personality in the way he has handled the State budget. The financially extravagant person, or MONARCH, spends freely, makes lots of extravagant financial promises, and uses money to impress others. The risk-avoidant person , or BANKER, holds off on solving financial problems and tries to take the safe rather than the creative or entrepreneurial financial path. The financially dependent person, or HOMESTEADER, looks to others to solve financial problems. In a family, this means expecting your spouse to solve financial problems; for a politician, this means turning to already overburdened taxpayers or to the Federal government for help."

If the governors relationship with California can be likened to a marriage, then the recall election is like filing for divorce. After filing for divorce -- or a recall -- people do one of three things: they find someone else who is a lot like their former partner, look for someone almost exactly opposite, or hope their partner has learned their lesson and give them another try." According to Richs system, the exact opposite of Davis would be a SPARTAN-GAMBLER-PIONEER. This is a person who spends carefully, is entrepreneurial and willing to take risks, and who is financially self-reliant."

The California recall election is slated for October 7, 2003. On that date, Californians will decide, for better or for worse, who will assume responsibility for the States financial crisis.

ABOUT Dr. Rich

Jonathan Rich, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Irvine, CA. More information about his book, The Couples Guide to Love and Money, can be found at www.MoneyWorkBook.com. The book can be ordered on Amazon.com, or directly from the publisher at (800) 748-6273. For interviews with Dr. Rich, review copies of his book, or a press kit, contact publicist Lorna Garano at (800) 748-6273 X107.

Title: The Couples Guide to Love and Money
Publisher: New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA.
Publication Date: February 2003.
ISBN: 1572243112
Format: 200 pp., 8½ x 11, Trade Paperback.

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