California's Liberal Supermajority: Taxpayers are going to get all the government they ever wanted

The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 8, 2012 | Editorial

[EveningStar]

For Republicans unhappy with Tuesday's election, we have good news—at least most of you don't live in California. Not only did Democrats there win voter approval to raise the top tax rate to 13.3%, but they also received a huge surprise—a legislative supermajority. Look out below.

[rockinqsranch]

“And please do not migrate to another state.”

So you are saying your brother, and sister conservatives from California whom have been fighting a losing battle against similar odds as the conservatives nationwide fought against this last national election aren’t welcomed in your neighborhood?

Thanks Pal. Will remember you.

[Vaduz]

California where the fish always bite.

[green iguana]

If I were you, I wouldn’t take any bets on that position.

[OneWingedShark]

My taxes (small biz) just went up 2% retroactively to January 2012 for the “children” - (they used an apple in the Prop. 30 ads).

Interesting fact, such a change is prohibited to criminal law, as per the deciding of Caldur v. Bull:

I will state what laws I consider ex post facto laws, within the words and the intent of the prohibition. 1st. Every law that makes an action done before the passing of the law, and which was innocent when done, criminal; and punishes such action. 2d. Every law that aggravates a crime, makes it greater than it was, when committed. 3d. Every law that changes the punishment, and inflicts a greater punishment, than the law annexed to the crime, when committed. 4th. Every law that alters the legal rules of evidence, and receives less, or different, testimony, than the law required at the time of the commission of the offence, in order to convict the offender. All these, and similar laws, are manifestly unjust and oppressive.

So then to be changed in such an ex post facto manner, the taxes must be civil in nature and not criminal; the violation thereof then cannot be held in a criminal court, for criminal laws cannot be ex post facto, and thus you may demand a jury trial under the 7th amendment as the value in the controversy is greater than $20.

This leads us to a place where we can have jurors nullify tax-debts, no?

[Schatze]

There are some ways to starve the tax beast -- buy only what you really need, buy less expensive goods, cancel premium cable channels (which are taxed). People who live near border states should do their shopping there if possible.

And for those few remaining productive members of the state, try to get some of the government "freebies" to drain the state's money.

[skeeter]

It amazes me that the WSJ cannot see the cause & effect of the impact of immigration on this state.

While there are many culprits in this states slide into one party socialism, the most dynamic element is the immigrant vote, which the WSJ has always been keen to grow even larger.

[from occupied ga]

So you are saying your brother, and sister conservatives from California

Conservative turns out to be a relative term on FR. I've had discussions with fellow freepers who claim to be conservative who were all in favor of background checks for firearms purchases, semi-auto bans etc. I ran across a freeper (yesterday) who called me a

"You're a mindless bigot, a hapless drone full of loathing

For saying that one of the reason for the anointed one's re-election was: "The parasites grew fat with their 0bamaphones and the removal of any work requirement for assistance and he swelled their ranks by 17,000,000 on EBT cards alone in the last four years so that was an addition to his base."

Apparently the jackass who probably considers himself a "conservative" thinks it's ok for the government to swell the number of leeches on the dole so as to increase dependency on government. So depending on just what you consider to be the definition of a conservative I may or may not agree with criticalj and want you to stay just where you are. Particularly if you're coming from New York or MA. A conservative from these places would probably fit the definition of a moderate here in the south.

[JerseyanExile]

California is the 8th largest economy in the world - the Federal government won't have the money to bail them out. It would be comparable to bailing out Italy or the UK.

[PLMerite]

As fast as the rest of the US is heading for the Abyss, California has firewalled the throttle and engaged the afterburners.

Where did I put the popcorn?

[Schatze]

they will financially crash the state and the idiots who voted for them will suffer

They will indeed crash the state, but idiots never suffer. Unfortunately, it's the people who have to pick up the pieces who suffer.

[BenLurkin]

Say good-bye to Prop 13.

[upchuck]

For those already there: “You can check out, but you can never leave...”

You mean California is like Facebook? Well, I guess that makes sense :)

[RichInOC]

The good news: They’re just about out of Republicans to blame.

The bad news (well, for Dave Frum): It’s all well and good to say that the GOP will come roaring back if it just moderates. The problem with that is that it’s already been tried here, up and down the ballot, and the GOP is on the point of checking into a hospice.

[RichInOC]

If you’re on a dark desert highway, cool wind in your hair, warm smell of colitis rising up through the air…keep an eye out for Sacramento city-limits signs. You’re almost there.

(I know it’s “colitas” in the song. Our state government isn’t nearly as full of weed as they are of s**t.)

[etcb]

One of the traditional roles played by the states is to be a testing ground for new ideas. For whatever reason, the elected leadership of California has decided to embark on an experiment to see if the state can raise sufficient revenue through increased taxation to support unlimited spending. I think their reasoning is severely flawed but it is no longer just an academic exercise. With the size of California the impact of this experiment, whether a success or a failure, should put to rest the age old question of whether you can “have your cake and eat it too”. If it works, they will have found the equivalent to the perpetual motion machine but if it fails the intended beneficiaries will suffer the most.

[rockinqsranch]

“.........So depending on just what you consider to be the definition of a conservative I may or may not agree with criticalj........”

As much as I’ve ranted about the redefining of the Conservative, the Conservative movement by the RINO Left, and the Leftists I understand what you mean, and agree with your assessment. Good point.

My perspective is from I believe true conservatism. I’d attempt to lead us back to the founders dotted i’s, and crossed t’s were I able to devote my life to such a movement. At my age I can only participate with those that think as I do, thus FRee Republic where I find more in agreement with our founding principles than anyplace else.

Thanks for your response.

[SoFloFreeper]

Some men just want to see the world burn.

Evidently, sometimes whole societies do, too.

[SCalGal]

We need a new proposition next voting cycle to prohibit all toll roads. And a complete takeover of the private toll road with no payoff. Who in the hell does this State belong to anyway? F government.

Get it written and filed - not too difficult and the filing fee is only $200.

[I Drive Too Fast]

We need new laws. IF you are liberal and move to a conservative state you can’t vote for 50 years. (is that long enough?)

[Myrddin]

My taxes (small biz) just went up 2% retroactively to January 2012 for the “children” -

My jaw hit the floor a couple days ago when I heard LaDona Harvey mention that the Prop 30 tax increase was retroactive to January. My W4 is set for "single/0" to cover my wife's taxes due to the damn marriage penalty. We're going to get hit hard since I'm having to work out of San Diego and pay CA state income taxes. Crap. I already have to spend $650/month to rent a bedroom and pay the high cost of living on the San Diego economy to keep my current employment assignment. Diminishing returns. I can take a lower paying job in Idaho after allowing for the costs of working out of town and have the benefit of seeing my wife more than 3 visits a year.