Posted on 12/27/2010 5:21:08 PM PST by Nachum
Its looking increasingly likely that California will get bailed out by the federal government. The Golden State is $70 billion in the hole. Analysts expect that figure to reach $150 billion within four years and thats not including the states $500 billion unfunded pension liability. Spending needs to be cut dramatically, but it wont be; the state is too politically dysfunctional to do that. And the election of big-spender Jerry Brown will only make things worse. (Incidentally, Governor-elect Brown recently described his states budget problems this way: It is much worse than I thought. I am shocked.)
Most conservatives are adamantly opposed to bailing out any state, especially California. They argue that Californians in particular dont deserve a bail out, that a bailout would set a bad example for other states, and that it would cost too much.
But these arguments assume that a bailout of California would come with no strings attached. That may be what ends up happening, but it doesnt have to. Its possible to make the bailout contingent on Sacramento making drastic budget cuts and passing constitutional amendments that radically reform the states political system.
And the states political system is certainly in need of reform. Some ideas: Scaling back the states maze of regulations; eliminating some of its hundreds of unnecessary boards and commissions; imposing a real spending cap (the current one is too high to make a difference); laying off state employees; and reducing future pension obligations.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
Hey, I can shovel snow (which we don’t see in great amounts here in low-tax in TN), but I can’t shovel socialism. The only problem with California is the government. Get rid of the left wing morons and it would be a GREAT place. And I include Arnold (who married a Kennedy) in the “moron” category.
That is a beautiful scene, by the way. I grew up in Ohio, and lived through a few great snowfalls like the one pictured.
No offense, but I have no desire to live in an environment like my freezer...It's just not me...
Fair enough - I'm 600 miles south of where I once was and don't get the entire benefit of winter any more.
Now, as for the topic of the thread - do you think that California should be bailed out by the taxpayers in the other 49 states?
No...Of course, it’s not up to me, and like your government that dug a 14 trillion dollar debt hole...I had nothing to do with it and no say in the matter.
All true, but in your heart, you know that we patriotic Americans would never willingly give up a single square inch of our beloved country to anyone.
I know that EGPWS was only speaking rhetorically, but I get tweaked whenever I see people suggesting that we carve off any part of our nation.
“They’ll just take it as a green light to spend some more.”
Maryland got about 1 billion in stimulus dollars. Do you think Gov O’Malley used it to spend down debt? No, it went up in smoke. Md is in trouble and we can look forward to higher taxes in 2011. I guess when they get all of my money, they will ask for my credit card.
California had a chance in November to turn things around, and they absolutely refused. They must now pay the price.
I hope you feel better. ;)
Indeed, indeed, indeed.
So be it.
At a recent confab with school teachers at UCLA, with gov-elect democrat Brown attending, re-elected democrat Treasurer Lockler told the crowd that the state needed across the board 25 percent cuts.
Coming from a democrat, those are pretty strong political words.
So adding to those words, the recent GOP majority in the US House, I expect an increasing degree of “realism” will be heard in Sacramento.
I prefer bankruptcy for reorganization and reduction of pensions, etc. as a way to fiscal sanity. The GOP House should make terms severe for any help.
California is losing businesses and jobs due to decades of democrat majority control.
There is no hope for increased revenue from the old sourcs of business and taxpayer prosperity and growth.
For decades California has sent Wash. DC far more in taxes than it gets back. In other words Calif. has been a “maker” state, not a “taker” state. Expect to hear about that.
Nope. Just another moron author writing about that which he knows nothing.
“...I get tweaked whenever I see people suggesting that we carve off any part of our nation.”
Looks like we’re both posting to the right place! ;D
“Why conservatives should want to bail out California”
I’m gonna write an article. “Why deer should want more highways built.”
No, no, no, no, a thousand times no, a MILLION times no. California MUST burn as an example of why liberalism is a bad idea. Otherwise we’re just enabling idiots.
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