Posted on 01/01/2005 10:59:08 AM PST by NormsRevenge
San Diegans have the dubious distinction of living in a state whose own serious financial problems will likely make the city's even worse. Last year, we cited most of the same problems California is facing again in this new year. In the spirit of a New Year's holiday, maybe it's time we resolve to finally do something about them.
On the state level, our problems are enormous, but not insurmountable. They range from the budget deficit, now estimated to be about $8.1 billion, to the need to invest in the state's future in schools, roads and mass transit, in our water systems, our energy future and other things that will help our economic growth and quality of life.
Dealing with the state's fiscal crisis and that includes a state pension crisis not unlike the city's is a matter of choices. We spend less, or we pay more. Last year, we voted a third option: to borrow $15 billion to avoid making hard decisions. That can happen again this year, but it would only delay, not eliminate, the hard choices. Last year, the governor and the Legislature decided to borrow to shore up the state pension fund. A court likely will block that, forcing us to make a choice there as well.
Investing in the future also is a matter of choice. We spend from the state treasury for now, or we spend for later. There obviously are needs that must be met today, and most of them will matter tomorrow as well. Putting off certain health care needs, for instance, only increases the cost to all of us tomorrow. Not educating our children to their fullest potential reduces their future contributions and creates labor shortages. Infrastructure buildings, aqueducts and highways must be upgraded. It's another pay-now-or-pay-later proposition.
Most Californians know what the choices are. And most Californians are willing to make them if their leaders show they are willing to make choices beyond the next election. Could this be the year that happens?
Could it be that the writer wants higher taxes, but can't bring himself to use the words?
The shopping list of 'pay now' items seems to imply that the author is also a 'pay more' proponent.
We have to cut spending and stop taking out more credit cards. We can no longer pretend the problem will go away if we pull the train blinds down. Our state is just a corner turn away from complete bankruptcy.
When I hear the word "investing" - I know that's a euphemism for a liberal. They're never ever in favor of higher taxes but they will always tell you all the good things the public ought to spend on.
Nice bit of handwringing with no concrete suggestions. "Somebody has to do something!" isn't much of a plan. I'm hoping San Diego goes bankrupt so that all the existing labor contracts can be torn up and something more reasonable put in place. It also wouldn't hurt to privatize everything that possibly can be. One of the reasons the city is going broke is the unbelievable pension benefits public employees have been handed in recent years, and the fewer of them we have the better.
So, I guess the solution is to encourage more poor, sick people to enter the state so that suckers who pay the taxes can pay to get them well and get them educated?
Jailed foreigners(illegal aliens) costing Calif. big money
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1311956/posts?page=22#22
This reminds me of a group that attends our County Behavioral Health Services meetings. They demand that the County BHS provide them with services. We provide emergency services to anyone, but require Medi-Cal eligibility for long term clinical services. (The exception is substance abuse treatment which is under a separately funded program.)
The group states that the only psychiatrist in the County is the one employed by the County. Therefore, we should open services to all. They say that the County is responsible for making sure services are available. This is the entitlement mindset. I told them that I would be more than happy to work on a committee to attract a private psychiatrist, but the government is not responsible for providing everyone with health services. We have no desire to compete with the private sector.
(By the way, our BHS continues to run in the red serving those it currently serves and drains our General Fund.) I'm sure the lefists would jump right on board in agreement with the argument that government must be responsible for ensuring that services are provided.
I think we all know what California's major problem is
Illegal Immigrants, and the complete lack of a will to do anything about it...
Ding ding ding - we have a winner!
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