Posted on 11/22/2008 6:16:54 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Speaker Bass wrote a column in the Sacramento Bee today calling for a "stimulus package" for California. Her solution? Give the state more federal welfare. Since the state's financial problems have been caused by overspending, poor fiscal management of the tax dollars entrusted to them, and a complete lack of self control, you would expect the President and Congress to say no to this outlandish demand. However, since neither the President nor Congress have said no to the completely self indulgent behavior of the private sector, the Speaker's request might actually be considered.
The Speaker claims that the state has "cut" spending by $15 billion. Only in budget la-la land doublespeak can one claim that a $2 billion increase in spending is a $15 billion cut. The fact is this problem was caused by overspending and will only be solved by real spending reductions. Not reductions to the baseline, not reductions on projected spending increases, not "we want to spend $120 billion, but we only have enough revenue to justify $105 billion so we have to cut $15 billion in spending." No--in this case spending has to be reduced to match revenue.
Now here is the good news. There is only an actual $5.6 billion difference between what the state spent last year on programs and the projected drop in revenue this year. That is a 5% cut. A nickel on every dollar spent by the state. More important, that is the exact same amount of money we spent on those same programs in 2005-06, when the state legislature raised its spending by over 10%. In fact, if the state hadn't increased its spending by records amounts then (when I and several others recommended against that course of action), it wouldn't be in this predicament now. It would have surpluses, and could be bragging about its wisdom in fiscal management in the midst of this economic collapse. The Governor, had he listened to me, Tom McClintock, and others, would be a national hero, not a joke. At the time, his staff was angry at our suggestions. They don't look so bad now.
So, once again, I am making a suggestion. Want a stimulus package? Cut taxes, don't raise them. Cut spending, don't defend the existing (and failing) system. Really reform state government, don't capitulate to the existing structure that has driven this state to the point of collapse. To my Republican colleagues, you are doing the right thing. Fight for real reform. Your numbers today may be small, but a real, public fight for the right cause, the cause of reform and freedom, will yield great benefits for the state and for the future. It is not a partisan battle, it is a battle for the future of this state. Will we continue our profligate spending patterns and the slow collapse of our government, or will we actually reform our state government, and set into place a future of hope and optimism? If the state raises taxes, refuses to cut spending and reform its programs, it is once again putting off to the future the decisions that have to be made.
Spending has become a cancer on this state. The surgery has to be done now, massive chemotherapy is necessary now, or the cancer will kill us. It will not be easy, the patient will cry in pain, but it must be done, or all of us will pay the price later, and the pain will be worse.
My View: California deserves a stimulus package (D-Karen Bass, California Assembly Speaker)
A quick and effective stimulus for California would be to send all the illegal Mexicans, freeloading on the system, home for the Holidays. One way.
I got a STIMULUS for California.
Sell some OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING RIGHTS...$$$$$$$$s
Repeal the Law that prohibits NEW REFINERIES being Built.
Self Inflicted wounds still need Bandages.
California could erase most of its budget deficit by offering non-judicial fines for most petty, and some serious by non-destructive offenses.
People could go before a judge on the typical route, or they could pay a non-appeal administrative fine and walk out the door.
How many people would by $30,000 for a first time (only) DUI with no accident or injury? Instead of doing time in jail, losing their car or at least their license for six months, maybe being fired and losing their home, possible divorce and insurance through the roof, they can just lay down the money, once, and walk out the door.
Stimulus for you, stimulus for me! Stimulus for everyone! YIPPEE!!!
Karen Bass might as well be discussing plans to colonize Jupiter.
The FedGov isn’t going to bail out California, because it would never end.
I deserve some bailout money too.
The Fedgov is bankrupt, and they're going to get you to bail them out.
Sure and the state could just add the $30K to their welfare payments...
NOT TO MENTION FUNDING WIC, EDUCATION, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR MILLIONS OF MEXICAN NATIONALS.
Can't leave that out, folks.
No doubt. But who would be more deserving of a Nasty Nelly, fining government than Californians?
Stimulus?
With a cattle prod, maybe.
Ridding itself of millions of illegal aliens would go a long way to solving California’s fiscal woes.
Ah. good ol kalifornia. The model of not how to run a state government.
I heard Arnold proposed a pet tax. The 9% tax would be on vet bills when a pet (probably livestock are included) has vet service.
Why business puts up with such a hostile climate is beyond understanding.
Stopping Arnies green programs would balance the budget as well.
Frankly, that is an terribly destructive idea. This State is so corrupt that the result would be selective enforcement of bogus crimes for political ends. With a discretionary power like that (a nearly total abrogation of the separation of powers principle), the State would use fines to drive landowners off their property and small business people out of their businesses in order to hand the land over to their friends.
14 billion in services to illegals.
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