The Golden State, From Red to Black

WSJ ^ | Thursday, December 4, 2003 12:01 a.m. | DONNA ARDUIN

[FlyLow]

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--For the past five years, California government has spent $23 billion more than it has taken in. Over the past five years, while revenues have increased by 25%, state expenditures have risen by 43%. If government had simply spent at the same rate that California's economy has grown, the state's budget would be balanced today. Instead of resolving imbalances, the previous administration and the Legislature chose to borrow $25 billion from future state budgets in order to create or expand programs that the state couldn't afford. In health and human services alone, significant program expansions have totaled $1.3 billion.

[FairOpinion]

Apparently some would prefer the Dem plan, which would do NOTHING to address the real issues, it's nothing but window dressing and business as usual.

Democrats press alternative spending cap

But Democrats, who control the Legislature, have offered a less restrictive spending limit that would require the state to enact a balanced budget, create a rainy day reserve fund and give the governor the power to make mid-year spending reductions.

Unlike the governor's spending cap, the limit would be based on average spending instead of revenues. While Schwarzenegger's proposal would fundamentally change education funding, the Democratic plan would have not effect on Proposition 98, the minimum guarantee for public schools.

[FairOpinion]

Anyone who wants to see Arnold fail, basically wants the Dems to succeed, and can hardly lay claim to being conservative.

They are nothing but Dem shills.

[FairOpinion]

"Now is Arnold willing to take this to the people if needs be though?"

===

Absolutely. He said that a number of times and that's exactly what he is going to do.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Good and I hope he doesn't compromise just to get the legislature to pass it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We seem to have multiple posses at work!

[onyx]

We seem to have multiple posses at work!

There's only one posse. The opposition can find its own name or borrow the one we have for them. :)

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the ping, but I have to go clean litter trays.

It's kind of smelly on this thread, anyway. Those who are up to their neck in manure best not open their mouths too wide, yaknow.

Notice how they use indirect jabs and won't name anyone in particular. Classy, huh? :-)

[FairOpinion]

"they use indirect jabs and won't name anyone in particular. Classy, huh? :-)"

==

Yes -- this is acceptable in debates, unlike the specific personal insults and name calling, some on your side seem to delight in doing on an on-going bases.

Again -- who are the ones showing class, those who talk in generalities, and if it doesn't apply to someone, they don't have to take it personally, or those who make every argument personal, because they have no logic to offer, so they substitute personal insults for logic.

[NormsRevenge]

Debate? We're having a debate? is that what some of the stuff that went on not so long ago was too? LOL

and we have sides to? cool!

do me a favor and have your side make a list of who they feel are the "enemy" or opposition around here. that shouldn't be too hard.

I know what we are up against in the state legislature, their faces and names are clear and are posted everywhere.

Those who did not vote for the Gub can handle not being on the side of those who hold the reins of power. They are used to it. But to be ridiculed in an oblique fashion is neither fair nor proper.

Your comment about class is suspect as well, some of the most venomous from your side are no little innocents, by any means. Their continued attacks on "non-believers" is repulsive and detracts from the mission of this forum.

[My2Cents]

or borrow the one we have for them. :)

LOL..."NITS -- Naysaying Ivory Tower Snipers." "Nits" is also another name for headlice.

[SierraWasp]

A new high in absurdity!!! Everything in this planet is never all black, or all white. Just because someone doesn't share your slavish enthusiasm, doesn't make them automatically and totally against your perspective.

Please stop trying to factionalize and fractionalize and marginalize any who happen to not share your narrow view and your overly intense enthusiasm for it. Same for your so-called "posse." Thank You.

[snopercod]

Kind of odd this is such a quiet thread.

All weekend threads are quiet.

[snopercod]

Do you realize that working women in California get state disability insurance when they become pregnant? Something like $800 per month because "they shouldn't be on their feet all day".

Sheesh...

[Kevin Curry]

Anyone who wants to see Arnold fail, basically wants the Dems to succeed, and can hardly lay claim to being conservative.

Arnold isn't the Second Coming. He's a hack actor with a big ego who insisted he be allowed to run California. He claims to be a fiscal conservative, but wise people will judge his actions to prove or disprove his words.

He rescinded the car tax--and that counts in his favor. But he also tried to persuade the legislature to support a bloated government by financing it with more debt. That counts against him.

So is Arnold a fiscal conservative? Right now the evidence is mixed. If and when he uses his star power to win significant reductions in spending (while reducing taxes), I will begin to acknowledge his claim to be a fiscal conservative .

[Kevin Curry]

Do you realize that working women in California get state disability insurance when they become pregnant? Something like $800 per month because "they shouldn't be on their feet all day".

One of those "indispensible" entitlements the Cali Dems are always shreiking about.

Come on Arnold. Kill this entitlement. Pregnant women in the other 49 states seem to get along just fine without it.

[Tamzee]

And it was a Tom-supporter that issued the "posse" name to Arnold-supporters to begin with, wasn't it?

It kinda grew on me ;-)

[BibChr]

All weekend threads are quiet.

Normally start your weekends on a Thursday? I want your job!

Dan

[onyx]

Origin of posse? You might be right. I remember EA invoked it first.

[onyx]

LOL..."NITS -- Naysaying Ivory Tower Snipers." "Nits" is also another name for headlice.

NITS --- I like it. Hildy had a good one also.

[Tamzee]

NITS??? Oh... my... heavens....

That's hysterical :-)

I don't think it applies to all the Arnold-bashers, but certainly some of 'em. I'm almost afraid to ask what Hildy's terminology was... it's bound to get me in trouble LOL