Comments on: Sanity Prevails In California

By:

Fri, 22 May 2009 02:58:28 +0000

barker: Schwarzennegar used an Executive Order to slash it. Technically speaking, the tax was a “fee” and that, I believe, is the reason it can be cut by Exec Order.I believe part of the reason CA spending is so out of control is that no one has had to pay for it. Instead, the voters just keep approving the issuance of bonds. It’s crazy.

By: Mike K

Mike K — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:50:51 +0000

nealjking, if that provision is changed, and it probably will be changed as part of a bail out deal, you will see spending skyrocket until default is the only option. The legislature has managed to spend every penny they could find and they still have plenty of ideas for more spending if they find any more pennies. I just want out if I could sell my house.

By: barker13

barker13 — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:43:38 +0000

Re: Spartacus; wrote 60 minutes ago --

"...the budget problem got substantially under Schwarzenegger b/c he, ignorantly, slashed the car registration tax that had been paying for so much of the state's spending. It's fine to cut taxes, but, like most governing Republicans, he failed to cut spending proportionately, and the budget got worse."

Honest question: In California the Chief Executive (Governor) has the power to set taxes (fees?) such as vehicle registration independent of legislative approval?

Is that what you're saying, Sparky?

(Seriously... enlighten me... I don't know.) (*SHRUG*)

BTW... believe me, I'm 110% with you on the whole "if you're gonna cut taxes ya gotta grow revenue through growth or cut spending." You'll get no argument from me!

Hmm... here's a proposal! If you can pass a law requiring 2/3 legislative approval for tax increases, why not bookend the concept by passing a law requiring ONLY 1/3 minority vote for CUTTING spending...?!

BRILLIANT...!!!

(*AS BILL GRABS HIMSELF ANOTHER GUINNESS*)

BILL

By:

Thu, 21 May 2009 19:38:20 +0000

Mr. Rosen: "Democrats dominate both the Assembly and State Senate, and all thats prevented them from growing government even larger is Prop. 13, a 1978 initiative that requires all tax increases to pass by two thirds of each legislative house."

WRONG. The citizens of CA are to blame. Practically every election as some ballot initiative that will result in both more spending and more debt, and the citizens, themselves, vote these things into existence. You can't blame the Democratic legislature for that.

Moreover, the budget problem got substantially under Shwarzeneggar b/c he, ignorantly, slashed the car registration tax that had been paying for so much of the state's spending. It's fine to cut taxes, but, like most governing Republicans, he failed to cut spending proportionately, and the budget got worse.

By: barker13

barker13 — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:22:26 +0000

Re: Liv&win; wrote 48 minutes ago --

To paraphrase Mary Matalin's husband...

"It's the liabilities, stupid!"

Yep. We've got to move away from employer "provided" pensions and move towards individual savings.

It's that simple.

And yeah... this will affect GOP base groups like cops and the military as well as Democratic base groups and unions.

BILL

By: liv&win

liv&win — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:27:41 +0000

I live in CA and it is next to impossible to raise a family effectively here. It costs so much with income, sales and property taxes. And the quality of services I receive are suspect. Fortunately I live in a place with a good school district, and good isn't as great as it should be. So at least I don't have that extra $6,000-$20,000 in annual private school costs.

The problem with CA isn't the 2/3 majority needed to pass tax bills. That actually works as desired by keeping the slim majority from trampling on the minority. It requires compromise of the legislature. The problem is that the unions have negotiated sweet-heart deals in salary and other benefits. What we need is a constitutional amendment which pegs public salaries to private compensation. No one in private sector gets retirement benefits at 90% of their highest paid years after 30 years of work. Many in the private sector are fortunate to have a generous employer match to their 401(k) and good quality health insurance. This mismatch between public and private is DISGUSTING.

By: barker13

barker13 — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:05:50 +0000

Re: Realist; wrote 16 minutes ago --

"WAAAAAAA"

You don't think so? You don't believe Obama's deficit spending (aka: Bush's deficit spending on steroids) particularly when throwing good money after bad is... er... bad?

OK. (*SHRUG*) At least you're up front about it.

"Another bogus claim without merit."

So you're saying you disagree with my prediction that Obama and the Dems (because it's the Dems who control both Houses of Congress - they're the ones with the power) will "bailout" California?

(*SHRUG*) We'll see.

"California recieves a mere 78 cents for every dollar it sends to the federal government."

OK. (In case you don't know, Realist, I live and pay taxes in NY... one of 'dem 'thar "blue" states. I'm against a federal bailout of NY also. And yes, NY "pays" more in federal taxes than it "receives" - just like CA.)

"Who is really getting "bailed out?""

Again... I thought my prediction was pretty clear: I'm guessing California will be, along with other states whose state governments have been irresponsible and incompetent and who have brought their states to the point of bankruptcy absent federal bailout.

(*SHRUG*)

"Red state hypocrites..."

Are you off your meds or simply intellectually incapable of following what I'm writing?

BILL

By: Realist

Realist — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:41:19 +0000

barker said: "The reality is... Obama and the Dems (with plenty of GOP support) are going to "bailout" California and all the other dysfunctional states."

WAAAAAAA.

Another bogus claim without merit. California recieves a mere 78 cents for every dollar it sends to the federal government.

South Carolina on the other hand gets $1.35.

Who is really getting "bailed out"? Red state hypocrites, thats who.

By: barker13

barker13 — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:03:41 +0000

Re: Churl; 1:42 AM --

(*HUGE FRIGG'N GRIN*)

(*GUFFAW*)

And now... returning to a state of dismal depression...

The reality is... Obama and the Dems (with plenty of GOP support) are going to "bailout" California and all the other dysfunctional states.

We're so $crewed...

Spend your money now, folks... it ain't gonna be worth nearly as much next year.

BILL

By: Churl

Churl — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:42:53 +0000

But those Tea Party rallies are still mere manifestations of the hypnotic power that Fox News holds over illiterate rubes.Right?