Posted on 02/17/2009 6:56:20 PM PST by Steelfish
FEBRUARY 18, 2009
The Decline of California They still think they can tax their way out of this one.
If you thought Washington's stimulus debate was depressing, take a look at the long-running budget spectacle in California.
The Golden State's deficit has reached $42 billion, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to furlough 20,000 state workers (go ahead, make our day), and as we went to press yesterday Democrats who control the legislature had blocked lawmakers from leaving until they finally get a deal.
It's sad to watch.
The Golden State -- which a decade ago was the booming technology capital of the world -- has been done in by two decades of chronic overspending, overregulating and a hyperprogressive tax code that exaggerates the impact on state revenues of economic boom and bust.
Total state expenditures have grown to $145 billion in 2008 from $104 billion in 2003 and California now has the worst credit rating in the nation -- worse even than Louisiana's.
It also has the nation's fourth highest unemployment rate of 9.3% (after Michigan, Rhode Island and South Carolina) and the second highest home foreclosure rate (after Nevada).
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I think there’s a secret competition between California and Michigan.
Californians are nuts. Well, uh, you know what I mean.
As Ronald Reagan said so well, so long ago. “When you tax something you get less of it”. In this case productive citizens.
They thought they could tax plus sell more bonds and just keep rolling it over.
The Stimulus Fraud is to bailout blue states, buy votes, finance more thuggery, destroy America and takeaway your freedom forever.
The problem is, so many are leaving Kalifornia and polluting other areas of the country. Libs make a mess of their home states, then leave and make a mess in other states. Have a look at what the Massachusetts migration has done to Vermont.
not one dime of federal tax dollars had better go to bailing out a state that allows “sanctuary cities” to exist.
Who am I kidding? They’re gonna pick our pockets clean to keep those parasites nice and comfortable.
They are a cancer. They are wrecking Colorado and wrecked OR and WA.
Oh great. While these dirtbags in Sacramento want to stick to regular California citizens, Hollywood producers get a sweetheart 500 million dollar tax break so they don’t move out of state. I hope the Republicans hold out.
Worthy of a frequent ping!
It’s finally time to return California to Mexico. Both have governments of equal intellect. And - bonus - both have the same population.
You forgot to mention the fruits!
I’m ready for a FREEPER meet In Sacratomato!
Can you make it if we can make it happen?
Most definitely. Thanks!
California has perverted the laws of supply and demand for too long. They have an over-Supply of illegal immigrants who Demand services and don’t contribute anything in the way of taxes. The politicians have decreased their Supply of productive, tax-paying citizens and now, horror of horrors, they don’t have enough money to spend on these leeches. They cannot fathom decreasing the size of their bloated government. Now that they are in a hole their only solution is to keep digging. Oh well.
Well someone has to pay for the billions in free heath care given Illegals.
Democrats don’t pay taxes so that leaves us!
“Libs make a mess of their home states, then leave and make a mess in other states.”
That statement is so true, and a question pops to mind prompted by that statement....What good are Libs anyway? What in the “H” do they do that contributes to our Republic?
That 150 miles of primo expensive Riviera-like resource in three ways: agriculturally, tourist-wise, and uber-wealthy coastal estates-wise -- Ventura, Port Hueneme, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, San Simeon -- is in a district that probably averages about five miles wide.
All one political voice, telling the rest of California how to live. Lois is the one who wanted the state to pay for tatoo removals.
We have to do SOMETHING soon and I don't know what!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.