California to tax-and-spenders: No, no, no, no, and hell no.
As expected, all the Taxinator’s ballot measures but one (the pay freeze) went down in flames yesterday.
As expected, the liberal establishment will characterize voters as tantrum-throwers. When initiatives go their way, voters are wise, smart, discerning citizens. When initiatives fail miserably, the electorate is a moronic mob.
Schwarzenegger was left blubbering in defense of his decision to party in Washington while California burns.
Now, it’s time for the rest of us to make sure we don’t get stuck with the bills racked up by the poster child for dysfunction.
No. Hell no.
See what others have said
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- Rush Limbaugh Transcript: Tim Geithner Audaciously Blames Average Americans for Obama’s Overspending, Bailouts, & Recession « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- California Voters Reject Taxes, Spending, Big Government — Bluest State is Red in The Face « Peace and Freedom Promises
- They Don’t Have The Do-Re-Mi « Around The Sphere
- Bellwether… In Many Ways « Finding Ponies in Piles of Poop
- The “New” Direction of the GOP: Reagan « Federal Way Conservative
- UrbanGrounds » Blog Archive » Tom Golisano: Goodbye New York and Failed Democrat Policies
- More tax increase propostions TERMINATED by state voters, liberals begin the blame game | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
- No Santa Claus for Arnie: Californians Weary of Increased Taxes, ‘Governator’ Unhappy with Voters « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- California rejects tax and budget measures by wide margin « Wellsy’s World
- Michelle Malkin » What the Sacramento Bee really thinks of voters
- SacBee Does Cosmetic Surgery — The Dana Report
- Media, Educators, Legislators Ridicule California Voters For Getting in the Way of the ‘Master Vision’ « Quick Daily Hits — Politics and Such
- “I Left My Wallet… in San Francisco”: Huge Gov’t Salaries in “City of Pelosi” Adds to California’s Disastrous Debt « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- California Doesn’t Get It: Cuts Tax Deductions for Children, Illegal Aliens Trained for Jobs They Can’t Legally Hold « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- California Such a Financial Mess, ‘IOU’ Notes Will Be Given to Vendors Who Are Owed Money « Frugal Café Blog Zone
- California: Big Banks Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger No More IOUs « Frugal Café Blog Zone
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Yes, the vote went exactly as expected, proving that the people who actually voted know what is going on in our state. Rah!
But we will get stuck with the bills. Too many votes for sale for ‘The One’ to look away.
The people in the big cities on the coasts will see to it that the people in flyover country pick up the tab.
True, two senators and a bunch of other congress critters. But – how eager is he to get rid of SanFranNan, who is turning into a major embarrassment for him and his cronies. If he throws her under the bus, will he also throw the state, too? Those of us that are forced to live here will just continue to keep on keeping on, and watch the gummint go up in flames. I proudly voted not only “NO”, but “HELL, NO!” Not on MY watch!
Spot on Michelle …
So what happens now? Do the proposed recipients of the welfare programs stalk voters and riot again?
Be afraid! The peasants have defied the overlords. The retribution will be swift and terrible!
Personally, I blame the Mormon church for these bills not passing. Let’s demonize them and all Christians!
They all must have drank the Hater-Aid!
What, no protests? That’s wierd.
Good for the “electorate is a moronic mob” but I fear they are a generation late-as is the whole country. Schwarzenegger was left blubbering on Obama brought us all together (US-we were there?) and the damn fool hopes the states who did live within there means will bail California out of this mess. Yes California needs OUR money for phony science ECO projects, Art Centers and outrages public service unions.
As I said Good for the voters of California but the margins are not encouraging– and we can be sure the legislature, county commissions and city councils the people of California voted in will cut the wrong items to punish those voters for there rebelling against Mama government.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a poster boy for immigration control as is his “friend” in Washington. Pelosi, Boxer, Feinstein, Jerry Brown, Henry Waxman, Maxine Waters, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa-LA, Mayor Gavin Newsom-SF—
See a pattern here? Are there any adults in that state? Now can I hope for a BIG tsunami?
Not to worry…some judge will render the ballot results unconstitutional and allow the state to tax the voters anyway.
Now let’s see if the voters will be as smart when it comes time to (re-)elect those who were put there to “run the state”.
My guess — there will be a lot of incumbents voted back in! Term limits anyone?
california should be allowed to die a quiet death. no taxpayer bailouts, I don’t recall being asked to vote when they were approving their entitlement laws into place. let all the activist groups who have turned california into the skeletal remains it is, replace all the billions their idiotic laws have cost the state.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
But they will be bailed out by the feds and dig an ever-widening money pit.
olsantaroy, are you the last American in Kalifornia or is that other guy still there?
Wire Paladin
San Francisco
See a pattern developing? Arnold was supposed to be the conservative Republican who would clean house and restore fiscal responsibility to the state. He went native and became the face of the problem?
Nationally, the GOP promised lower taxes based on smaller government but became worse than the Dems. They are now taking the blame for everything. That’s how it works out for phonies, hypocrites and traitors.
So I ask for the unpteenth time: Is “electability” a viable substitute for principles? What just happened in CA is the same as what is happening to the GOP nationally. The party leadership across the board must go!
We’re gonna take it in the shorts one way or another. The king of redistribution will see to it.
Not yet.
But in political SOP, watch them threaten the schools and other more notable programs rather than trimming the excess from positions that are make-work and programs that don’t work.
There’s always a way to punish or threaten people who defy liberal love of taxation.
It is truely amazing to me how stupid and gutless these people are. They refuse to live within thier means and demand that someone else pay for all of thier “good ideas”.
Stop the tax incentives for solar power and other “green” ideas. Stop “helping” illegal aliens. CUT TAXES and make it easier to do business in CA. Try some of the things that actually work instead of “I wish” programs.
Perfect set-up for the Dems and MSM to fingerpoint and paint all GOP as the problem, which in the end will strengthen donk control. Ahnold is toast, unless he pulls a Specter.
You are absolutely correct. They will fire the teachers, police, firemen first. (That will show the peasants!!!)
Absolutely nothing will be done about “social services”, or the cost of supporting millions of illegals.
If California is given a hand-out, what’s to stop the rest of the States who are in a hole with their budgets, asking for the same? The rate we’re going the Unions will control CA, NY, MA, MI, NJ, and that’s just for starters. The States like Texas that have asserted the 10th Amendment are looking very prescient right now.
You mean California’s courts are not planning on taking over and running the state?
Actually, this week I heard several CA callers (into a talk radio show) state that they understand they’ll be ‘punished’ for their vote but are willing to deal with the consequences.
Let’s hope these ‘peasants’ maintain backbone.
When you take care of another country’s population without any contribution from them to the state you are going to eventually run out of money.
When did they not?
More tea please.
Which reminds me (a bit O/T)…
I heard yesterday that Obama has given $3 million over 5 years to study why Chinese prostitutes get drunk. Someone please explain this to me.
Counting the seconds till 9th Circus court
declares the prop to stop pols pay raise while there is a deficit unconstitutional . 1.2.3…….
This vote is what the tea parties are about. Think the MSM will see a connection, or are they still having their fun talking about “tea bagging”?
My guess, even with term limits, we’ll get new faces, same failed policies thanks to the ill-educated, easily fooled, non-thinking electorate who enjoy nanny-state government.
Somebody wanted an all-expense paid pleasure trip to China paid for by the easily duped in government.
Hmm, TEH ONE coulda given me $3,0,000 for a 2 minute study: (1) They are prostitutes, (2) They live in China. Pretty much inthemselves very good explanations why they get drunk.
Maybe this moronic mob who voted in these ultra left wing libtards into office will wake up one day and vote them OUT.
OK, wishful thinking. I can only do so much being one of three conservatives in CA.
So what? Teachers are central to the problem! The reason LA schools have suffered revenue shortfalls is because tax dollars are distributed on a per-capita enrollment basis. Public school enrollment has been in sharp decline for years. yet the unions have insisted on hiring more and more teachers, increasing their pay and worst of all, winning outrageous pensions benefits.
Do you realize that the entire state has yet to fire a single employee this year? In fact, hiring is up!
The worst part is the unfunded teachers and government employees pension liabilities that now amount to over $200B!. That subject was banned in the budget talks. Nationally, that liability is over $1.2 trillion!
We don’t have the money. Period. Start firing today! With all the jobs fleeing the state, you can’t have an economy based on teachers.
BlameAmericaLast: I think there are actually a lot of conservatives in CA. It’s just that many don’t vote because they feel it won’t make any difference. And now, after the prop 8 ordeal, they are also afraid to get out and vote, because they fear, irrationally(?), that they will be “outed”
Someone I know witnessed the madness. Evidenly parents are allowed to demand one-on-one teaching for “special needs” childres, and “special needs” are liberally defined. My friend saw in action a class where there were 7 full time “special needs” instructors for 9 students. If that’s true, wanna guess how much that costs in salaries and benefits?
It would be fascinating to watch this play out, but Chauncey won’t let it happen.
He bought GM to save a few hundred thousand votes… nobody believes for a second that he won’t spend the same kind of money to save millions of votes.
Does he have the authority, constitutionally? Of course not. But Chauncey spits at the constitution, just like he spits at us.
I’m sure that China is enjoying this. I’m sure that they are just *dying* to lend this clown more money.
Can you hear the Inflation Monster waking up in his cave? The second phase of this economic meltdown will make what we’re going through now look like Happy Days…
My point in stating that I hope the ‘peasants’ maintain backbone is for them to be able to stand up to the shellacking they will get in the press, by the unions and every opportunist politician when/if the teachers, firemen and police lose their jobs. Education wise, they probably already have to send their kids to private school (and pay the taxes for public schools)…just like KCMO.
I’m glad that me and 4 other people voted properly yesterday.
That is why I hate California. The voters there want us to pick up the tab for their ridiculous spending.
Why can’t they just pay for it themselves or here’s a novel idea; why can’t they cut spending?
Errah, the Cawleefornyja spec’d Obamamobile better get better than 100 MPG since Californian taxpayers won’t have a penny left when the state legislature raises sales and property taxes up through the roof to CYAs. You poor ba$stards, Guuuuuuudd Laaaaaahhkk!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just think what the Tea Parties will be like if TARP/bailout bucks go to California….The residents of California who voted ‘no’ need to continue to save their state by making sure their state receives no bailout.
Aj, that’s 5 actually.
) states, trust me, it wasnt my idea…
And yes, I am quite aware we will be punished. But in that there is some hope, if we can show that the cuts do not hit the protected classes or projects. Make sure every bone-headed money wasting project or service is front and center on the local news.
And I DO feel sorry for the other (56
As Margaret Thatcher has purported to have said – the problem with socialism is you eventually run out of other people’s money. California’s problem is self-inflicted socialism.
And speaking of socialism, Europe is in dire straits because they have created a complete cradle to grave welfare state now enjoyed by far too many immigrants from the Islamic lands.
I spent several wonderful years living in Mountain View California while I was in the Navy. I have also lived briefly in San Diego, Eureka, and Sacramento. It is a BEAUTIFUL place and it saddens me to see what politicians have done to the state. Is this the first of 50 dominoes to fall? And are the other 49 standing that far away from the first? I often wonder what value politicians bring to the table.
By the way, congratulations to the Tea Partiers. Finally, you are taking back your consitutional rights as “We the People”.
I view the Tea Parties more as pro-constitution rallies than anti-tax protests. The problems aren’t just spending but a government that believes in nannyism for all.
California WILL get a bailout. Unfortunately, there are 47 other states who are in the same mess. I wonder who will get help first? Let me guess…the blue states??? Just watch. The red states will be left high and dry. Fortunately, I believe the red states will be more able to deal with the mess on their own because they are run by leaders who know how to cut budgets, etc…at least for the most part. Now here in Minnesota, we have a Republican Governor, but a democrat legislature. So not much gets done.
Conscious, thoughtful voter to Gov Ahnold: “would you like one lump or two with that TEA”?
Absolutely. CA is perhaps the most beautiful of the 50 states, but, for whatever reason, communists infested and destroyed it.
What breaks my heart is that they are now swarming to UT, AZ, and CO. They’re like locusts, rendering beautiful lands unlivable because all they do is take, take, take…
I could probably write a master’s thesis on what I feel is the cause of many of California’s problems. In the Hot Air report on yesterday’s elections, there was a quote from Mark Steyn that people want government goodies but they don’t want to pay for them. That is probably the best summary of the problem. As long as someone else is paying the bill, whether it be the “rich”, cigarette smokers, or out of towners (a popular tax among local agencies is the transient occupancy tax), people don’t seem to care.
Perhaps moronic is a little too strong of a word, but the voters of California seem to lack some common sense. Even though budget shortfalls have been somewhat of the norm in recent years, the voters still passed the bond measure to provide mega-funding for the high speed rail.
Chauncey! I love it. I have often thought the ONE reminded me of Chauncey Gardiner.
Fixed it.
A little tough love would go a long way in straightening out all of the states that have done nothing to control spending. That free lunch will cost them, and us. There are no grownups left in government. They can sure tell us to tighten our belts, don’t eat as much as we want, turn down those thermostats, but keep spending on those credit cards.
It is for this reason I am glad Minnesota has harsh winters and mosquitoes. I knew they were good for something!! Yes, we are technically a “blue” state, but there are still a ton of us conservatives here and we continue to fight the good fight.
Dems and libs are in denial. Do they think it is just a coincidence that the three states most heavily in debt (Kalifornia, New York, New Jersey) are blue and have been blue for many moons? Is there a possibility that dem/lib, socialist philosophy concerning tax and spend, big goverment, spreading the wealth, etc. might be resonsible for this correlation? Naw!!! Just a coincidence.
Occasionally a topic comes up I konw something about… this is one such time. As both a CA resident and the spouse to a teacher, I can speak with authority on this.
“Special Needs” children NEED one-on-one instruction. Would you rather lock them up in an institution for the mentally-disabled from the age of six on up? You can’t have special needs kids disrupting regular classrooms. They make it difficult for anyone else to learn. Address the rampant drug problems which cause these children to be born in the first place.
Second, the hiring of new teachers, typically done at the LOWEST end of the pay scale is hardly a huge concern. Schools are funded based IN PART on the number of children who attend. This figure goes up and down from year to year. Say you lose 5 children per class room, and it goes from 30 to 25 per room, will the loss of that funding mean you can’t afford to put a teacher in each room? It had better not!
Right now my wife’s classroom has no aides for 29 children. She does all of her own pre-planning, including the assembly of EVERY reader workbook required by their instruction materials because the school didn’t have the money to PURCHASE these workbooks. These workbooks must be run off on the school copier, sorted and folded, binder holes punched, and binding installed. There’s approximately 12 workbook sections, which means every few weeks she’s doing a new one.
Also, there’s state-mandated testing, a “report card committee” for her grade level to determine how they’re supposed to grade the children next year when they’re no longer allowed to give out A-F grades or 1-5 numbers, and special needs meetings where she’s responsible for determining which of her first graders may need special instruction in the future. On top of this, she’s discouraged from holding children back, even if they’re completely incapable of moving on to the second grade.
The long and short of it is that teaching is a HUGE job. The payroll expense of a school staff is typically not so great, compared to the other ways the State of CA finds to waste money. Medical benefits for illegal immigrants comes to mind…
Moronic is too nice. These fellow state citizens spent millions to recall Davis and put in Ahnold because he promised to be a fiscal conservative. Then when Ahnold put his props up in 2006, they all voted against the expense cutting measures. Then in 2008 these moron voters voted to add million dollar projects to the budget.
I asked one of the “morons” last year why he wanted a high speed rail from LA to San Fran when its only a 1 hour flight or a 5 hr drive and he said because it sounds “cool”.
Moronic is way too nice, dawg.
I understand the point, but let’s not be deceived, politicians didn’t do this to the state of California, the people did. They have surrendered their own liberty decades ago. They have been lead to continue on this course under the misconception that THEY lead the nation in the progressive movement (which has gotten them nowhere).
It is unfortunate that California has spent so much time on environmental issues and trying to force the rest of the nation to follow their “green” guidelines. Now we will all pay more and get nothing in return. Just imagine if they would have spent all of this time finding ways to save money and not raise spending.
If we are all to win, we must continue the pressure all the way to the root cause of our problems, government control and interference in our lives, otherwise the minor problems just get pushed to another area. This California issue is just a small win for that state, but if we don’t all pick up on it and run with it, the problem will just trickle to another area and typically to us as a nation.
– RobM1981
Oh the drama. “Rendering beautiful lands unlivable“? If anything, Californians moving to other states are most prone to trying to protects beautiful lands from being rendered unlivable. . .even if that means seeking economy destroying environmental legislation in the process.
Locusts . . .heh. More like swarms of litigators than locuts.
On May 20th, 2009 at 11:21 am,
And Idaho and Montana. I can’t believe what’s happening to my home state of Idaho. Beautiful old family ranches along Idaho’s spectacular streams being parceled and sold to foreigners (people from Kalifornia)….and the “no trespassing” signs going up…
***
The Hughes Company used to build the AMRAAM air-to-air missile in southern Kalifornia. Each missile cost about $100,000 about 20 years ago.
***
The company got tired of the high taxes, unreasonable environmental inspections and requirements, etc. and moved the operation to Tucson, Arizona. The cost of each missile dropped to $67,000 as I remember.
***
Thousands of jobs were lost in Kalifornia, and the state lost millions in revenue. Arizona gained the lower taxes and jobs. Anyone see a pattern here??
***
My cousin and her engineer husband sold their Kalifornia home a year ago and retired to Las Vegas, Nevada. They made out like bandits financially–and pay no state income tax in Nevada. They live in a much better house, and banked a lot from the house sale.
***
Keep raising taxes Arnold–the Kalifornia economy is being TERMINATED NOW. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the handwriting on the wall.
***
John Bibb
***
I hope and wish you are right. But how does a “protest” translate to effective action? Please don’t tell me we are going to achieve that by replacing the players on the stage, because we have done that. The script remains the same.
Yashmak, I think
Rob means people can no longer afford to live there due to the extreme socialist state. Has nothing to do with the environment unless you want to talk about the drop zones for the illegal aliens that are full of trash.
As to why CA can’t “stop spending money”… it’s because the State Legislature is controlled by Liberal Democrats. Last year the Republicans shut down the State government over the budget impasse, and it’s about to happen again. Ah-nuld’s solution isn’t the best, but it’s ALL he could get the f-ing dummies in the State Congress to agree to pass!
Budget bills must be passed by 2/3rds of the vote, by the State Constitution. Republicans control just enough of the vote to prevent this. Ah-nuld is searching ways to get around this. Hell, the Dems are searching for ways to get around this too as they could then do the same thing to Californians that Obama and the US Congress is now doing to the nation; i.e. whatever they want to tax is now fair game!
When you’ve handed socialists the keys to the treasury you can’t complain when the money’s all gone! Either get used to bankruptcy, or vote them out. There’s no other solution…
THE ANSWER TO ALL GOVERNMENTS PROBLEMS IS FOUND IN WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA.
If you change the game and limit the amount of money politicians can make they will move on to other things. If it really became a job and the money was in line with what real people earn then all the snakes would move on. Then real “servants of the people” will step in just for the opportunity to make a difference.
As it stands right now, politician/snakes make a fortune regardless what side of the aisle they are on. They get the labor money, big business money and every other lobbying group’s money. And they give themselves raises every year. The scam is that the politicians are in this to make a fortune and they do.
Let’s cap politician salaries to the average American’s salary and pay for their travel expenses to DC and back home + meals and give them insurance. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I don’t understand Nevada either? great business tax structure, free people that voted for Chauncey and Reid. It’s like they’re schizophrenic.
I think first and foremost the idea that the teachers are at fault is not an idea shared by very many but the idea that teaching is a “huge” job in and of itself is probably not as well. However, teaching is a huge encumbered job due to it being attached to a bloated bureaucracy that is not really set up for the education of children as much as it is set up for the appearance of educating the children. Your wife and most teachers are faced with spinning their wheels for a school administration that is based on political ties and expediency and not on the educational learning that your wife and thousands of teachers have signed up to do.
Public education can not work and will never work as a means to properly educate our children and this is NO fault of the teachers. Public education is merely a means for the government to indoctrinate our youth and to an equally large extent, a means for the government to have control of our land and tax dollars through property taxes and all the legal measures entrusted with the government to extract our money.
Being a teacher is no bigger a job than anyone else’s. Millions of us work for large corporations and must jump through hoops and go around obstacles to achieve our ends or to just fall in line. However, where your wife and other teachers are at such a huge disadvantage is that when their “corporation” fails, it is merely extended another line of credit, but the processes are never changed.
– Donut44
I’m not sure you understand the situation. The current budget deficit is the result of the legislators’ belief that the economy would continue booming, and their planning accordingly in boom times. I really don’t see how you can conflate the issue of an economic recession driven budget deficit, to some sort of generalization about how as Californians we think we “lead the progressive movement” (odd, since over 40% of the state’s voters are Republicans). Obviously, we DON’T all think that way. Furthermore, this budget debacle has little (if anything) to do with “green” guidelines, and I don’t understand why you even mention them. It’s just that the problem seems so big in California because California’s economy is so big. . .and so budget deficits here are obviously going to be far larger than in states with smaller economies.
You mean like in the last several elections, when most measures requiring new government borrowing were voted down? Californians have resoundingly voted down the large majority of measures requiring increased borrowing by the state, in as many elections as I can recall in my 20 years of voting.
You can blame Californians for electing folks who have turned out to be very poor at the fiscal planning aspect of their jobs, but the same voters also voted to limit state borrowing every time they were given the opportunity.
You know, I’ve been living in California for quite a while. I find myself wondering what liberty it is that you think I’ve surrendered, because I really can think of any.
I have no doubt that CA will get their handout. My problem is that this will open the floodgates for more bail out mania and those that take Federal money will be dancing to the tune of the Obama administration.
the same message must be sent to the federal gooberment as well…
If we accept the concept that tax dollars are to be spent only when there is a clear and overwhelming net benefit to society, why are we providing these children with expensive one on one education? What is the net benefit of that, other than “feel good?”
Nobody is saying that special needs kids should be mis-treated, but I would certainly prefer that even 1/3 of that money go to provide the top 2 or 3% of the student body with a “best in the world” education that can be reasonably expected to yield a world-class engineer, doctor, scientist, etc.
This is the only reason we provide education in the first place. It’s not a “because it’s the nice thing to do” decision: it’s best for the survival of the country. We need an educated populace for productivity reasons, not to “save the music.”
Good point Rags, and I too was as skeptical of the tax day tea parties, knowing good and well that a protest is a waste of time without proper action.
I went to our tea party though as a show of support and to see the response, which was huge. Now, July 4th is set up as the next big tea party and this time I am getting involved. The first was more a way to see the support, but it had no central focus and was dis-organized beyond getting everyone together. I appreciated the “family” atmosphere of the protest, but we need to get serious, IF, we are truly serious. Otherwise it is merely a party and we will be looked at the same way a University views frat parties. They notice them, but as long as no BIG rules are broken, let them have their fun, but no one takes them seriously.
It is time the people understand liberty does not come from elected officials and “change” is not what is needed, but action is. Let’s just see how far the people are willing to take this.
Very well said, I wanted to respond to this but I knew I couldn’t do it justice. One thing I would add. The teachers are the problem to the extent that they “ARE” the teachers union. The NEA was done no good for the students as well as the teachers except for maybe getting super bloated pensions etc.
Yeah, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, etc. were all becoming real dumps before the Golden Staters arrived. Good thing that Phoenix and Denver now have the opportunity to become more like L.A.
Everybody knows what a nirvana THAT is…
And those invading other states bring their delusional ideas about conservation, , unneeded welfare programs, the idea that govern’t has to invade every facit of your life, with them. On another thread I mentioned I left Calif. 15 yrs. ago. Believe it or not, I found that farmers and ranchers are the best custodians of the land, if someone is in need of help they get it (without the huge machine directing that help), school systems can teach and educate young people without breaking the bank, and people do contribute without being directed or told to do so. There is a two-pronged problem with Calif.. The children that have been brought up that are now taking the reins have been educated to not only share their wealth, but yours too. Then, you have the millions moving in from other states that are nothing more than glorified wannabees. They’ll vote for anything to make the state what they hoped it would be. Couple that with the illegal immigration problem – who think since it’s such a wealthy state they can ask for and get benefits they’d never get in their homeland. There is no utopia. Isn’t there something called fiduciary responsibility on behalf of those holding office?
Democrat spouses are starting to ask why the constant smell of alcohol…?
The tea parties are helping to get the message out. That is essential!!
Let’s face the real, long-term issue here. When you have a large percentage of the population entitled to vote on social programs and benefits but are not burdened with paying taxes you will have a system biased toward ever increasing spending.
It is the old adage at work “don’t tax you, don’t tax me – tax that man behind the tree”. Then “my government benefits” are free.
The idea of legitimizing the importation of poverty through open borders and amnesty programs is insane when we take on higher services burden but no accompanying increase in net taxepayers. For extra credit: what party will pander for the votes from this new constituency?
Add to that the stupidity of the average voter. A poll taken last November revealed that most CA voters had no idea that bonds had to be paid off, nor a clue how that happens.
Add corrupt politicians and unions, mix, and shake and you have California’s budget mess.
Well said…and DITTO!
Anyone remember this little quote from the Movie Demolition Man?
Stallone: “Hold it! The Schwarzenegger Library?”
Bullock: “Yes, the Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn’t he an actor?”
Stallone: “Stop! He was President?”
Bullock: “Yes. Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment…
Here’s a relevant quote…
You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.
What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
When half the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.
You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
– Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931
Yashmak,
You mention:
Btw, I fully understand the issue and I support your efforts to rid the state of those officials the state (maybe not you) elected and are now enacting things that may not be supported by all (which means they need to be outed and not re-elected).
However, if you are unaware of the liberties you have lost in California, than you are at a sad state already. It is great to have state pride, but to resort to silly ideas that I implied that every Californian felt a certain way is, well, silly. But you reinforce this with telling me how 40% of the state is republican. First, 40% doesn’t make a very good majority and second, you operate under the assumption that “republican” means something to me. I assume those 40% voted for McCain.
You also fail to keep up with the news as Obama was just budding up with Arnold and introducing the new auto standards, something spearheaded by California, but this is just one of many environmental issues that California had headed up and wastes its time on. The big picture that has brought California to this point is TOTALLY relevant, even if there were no initiatives on the ballot relating to it yesterday.
Blame your elected officials is great, but you elected them. Maybe it wasn’t YOU per se or your 40% strong red backing, but I suggest that if you don’t want to be lumped in with the other 60% who vote against you, you either leave the state, learn to deal with it or start petitioning your fellow Californians against it, which is what happened yesterday and I applaud.
Maybe Obamas plan is to get the states to want a hand out. This way the federal government will then own the states. He’s working his way around the 10th amendment, or trying to, in order to gain supreme control of the country.
I think I’m one of the 1% ers on this thread today. I live in California and I voted on these measures. No on everything but the one limiting raises for the buffoons in Sacramento. The voters here finally had a chance to express their disgust with Sacramento. The same people who can’t live within their means, the same people that raise taxes, but call it user fees or parcel taxes, the same people that wanted licenses for illegals are being rejected by the people here. There is more rebellion to come and as always, California will lead the way.
By the way, great job, California. Very well done, indeed.
California could easily be in play as a battleground state. Too bad the state and national GOP is “stuck on stupid”.
From this interesting Report:
“Schwarzenegger’s re-election indicates, perhaps, that while Los Angeles remains a very blue county, its influence is not invulnerable under the circumstances of a centrist Republican facing an unabashedly liberal Democrat.”
Bashing California may seem like easy sport, but it gets a little tiring from those of us here on the front lines.
I don’t know if it is planned that way, but seeing as how this administration doesn’t let a crisis go to waste, it could be the end result.
It will only be a matter of time before the California courts begin to rule that any service reductions and spending cuts are violations of “rights” and order the programs restored to previous or even higher funding levels. Elections don’t matter in California. The leftists have demonstrated that time and time again.
My best advice to conservatives still living in California is to leave.
I’m not sure that the defeat of higher taxes in Calif. is such a good thing!! If the people of California have to pay more taxes, that will mean less bailout needed, thus less of MY money. Let them pay for their own folly by being taxed to death. Why should we subsidize this nonsense? Kick the blasted illegal aliens out of California and your problem will be immediately solved!
That’s true, now instead of it being their problem, it’s going to be ours.
You’re right there. Here is a typical reaction from the LA Times blaming crazy voters. That’s why they are on the brink of bankruptcy themselves.
I’m not bashing California. I have two generations on one side of my family and three on the other all buried there. Tons of relatives all over the state. They are in a real bind. Houses they cannot sell, employers leaving the state, the stark reality of higher taxes/fees, having to send their children to private schools because those same children may not speak the language of the majority of students. They all want out and had hoped to do so before the wrecking ball hit our economy nation wide. They cannot get ahead and also know they face poverty should they ever choose to retire. Do I want them to move to adopted state? Absolutely not. They voted for and continued to contribute to the problems California now faces.
I still have to chuckle about all of the provincial anti-CA attitudes being expressed here by non-Californians. How are things in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Louisiana, and most other states? Oh I see! Nirvanha!
We may be a bigger state but the problem is probably at least as bad proportionately in your state. At least we are doing something about it.
Looks like Mark Steyn thinks the same as me.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZmY0Mjg0YTMxYTc3NjJjMzBmZGI3YWE3NTgzMjdmMTU=