With Shortfall Mounting, California Budget Deal Is Stymied, Again

I live in the province of Ontario, Canada. More properly, it should be called "OnTAXio" because of all the socialism that has crept in up here and economically wrecked the place.

I wish we had had a "Proposition 13" back in the late 1970's when California was smart enough to pass it!

As your President Reagan so wisely said; "Well, if you give the rascals the money, they'll spend it!". Governments are the same everywhere! Deny them the funds as you have and they'll not SPEND you into bankruptcy! For the DIFFERENCE in the tax rates that WE have to pay up here and YOU pay down there, the Canadian state effectively owns both "my" cottage and Bentley motorcar with which I could get there! However, my services are no better than yours, we just have more bureaucrats. You see, it's the difference between YOUR "Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness" and OUR "Peace, Order and good [for which read: too much] Government".

It's a shame that we've (all) allowed this 'culture of dependency' on the state to corrupt the system. Ask yourself: Who is the government if it is not us? Whose money is the government's if not ours? "Public servants" are supposed to work for us through the government. Tell the government to cut their wages or 'take a hike' as Reagan did so successfully with the Air Traffic Controllers in 1981. Then, they might realize that they can no longer hold the public to ransom! Good luck to those civil servants getting jobs elsewhere in these trying times. Most of this coddling of and featherbedding in, public-sector unions is the fault of the 'bleeding hearts' and the Democrats who depend on them for votes. Remember always, that Democrats raise taxes and spend 'your' money to buy 'their' votes and Republicans dislike government, high taxes and work to hold the fort against the tax-and-spend Dems. I wish we had more "Republicans' up here in the frozen north instead of socialist and other form of leeches. We have sky-high taxes, lower productivity, little defence and (literally) crumbling infrastructure. And don't let the left-wing Democrats tell you about how superior the Canadian health-care system is to yours either! Again, ask yourself this; Why do so many Canadians go to the US for health-care services and operations? Or, let me put it another way: How many Americans do you know that go to Canada to obtain health-care? Think about it; you at least have freedom of choice in your health-care providers, we do not - ours is the state!!!

So write to your State legislator (likely, a Democrat) and tell him or, her to get with the program and swing the axe on services and civil servants that the State of California (for which read: you the taxpayer) can NO LONGER AFFORD. After all, their coming after you for MORE taxes in times like these is the equivalent of your going to your boss and asking for a raise because YOU spent too much money! Not likely!

Tell your legislator to have the State live WITHIN its means - as YOU have to!

Hugh L. Innes 7:44PM February 12, 2009

I am a life-long California liberal Democrat. The reason that the California state budget is "stymied' is because the Democrats, I'm ashamed to say, and the Governor, both want to impose regressive tax increases and regressive fee increases on the alraedy overburdened California middle class, and they are now begining to realize that any such proposals are DOA. Second, the Democrats have taken huge campaign contributions from California's police, fire and prison guard unions and are afarid to deal with the bubble in police, fire and prison guard salaries and pensions that is the prime cause of the state's deficit.

California pays police officers, fire fighters and prison guards an average of $150,000 a year, more than many physicians earn in California, and then allows them to work what is the equivalent of 62% of a full-time job in the private sector. This (scam) is at the center of the current budget stalemate.

Peter of CA 8:43PM December 29, 2008

California once had the best public school system in the entire country. Those educated during that time became the leaders who created the prosperity California experienced in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. California now ranks 47th of all the states in public education spending per capita. It appears the Republicans are aiming to put us in last place. Presumably they all send their kids to private schools. The problem is we are headed to a future in which 95% of California kids will not get a good basic education. They will be qualified for high paying jobs as prison guards, and not much more.

If you think I am joking, consider this. The majority of juveniles who commit crimes so bad they are sent to juvenile prison have learning disabilities that went "undiagnosed" by their public schools. The schools won't diagnose them because once they are diagnosed extra resources must be provided to them by the school. The schools don't have the extra money, so don't diagnose. They leave the child to feel he is stupid, until he gives up and drops out. Before long he is involved in crime and headed for a life spent mostly in prison at taxpayer expense

Roger S of CA 12:37AM December 27, 2008

The government can not compromise on a plan because nobody is willing to allow Californians to feel the pain of this dysfunctional system. The governor and the legislature should just close ALL government offices for a short time (a day/ a week) parents will need to stay home from school to watch their children and people could not get their license at the DMV, ETC.

There would be a HUGE outcry and the folks in Sacramento would FINALLY compromise on a plan to solve this mess.

Until there is a public outcry no solution will be found.

Robert of CA 12:31PM December 22, 2008