Comments on: As California Drowns in Red Ink, Schwarzenegger Offers a Mix of Drastic Cuts and Political Gimmicks

By: Knut

Knut — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:40:21 +0000

If it weren’t for that pesky 15th amendment Arnold could privatize California’s prisoner population. Indentukred labour. An unexploited resource ready for the taking!

By: ubetchaiam

ubetchaiam — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:49:20 +0000

“”The governor said, ‘If you have ideas, come forward with a paper and pencil,’ ” said SEIU Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker. “Well, Local 1000 is ready to meet with the governor right now to talk about the $9.5 billion in potential savings and efficiencies we’ve been promoting for the past 18 months.” From here

The rules for passing a budget are also something to critique; absolute nonsense that such has to be done by 60 per cent. Not that the Dems are ’sharp’ but the Repubs are truly the Party of ‘NO’ in CA.

And what doesn’t get talked about in the newspapers,talk radio, or anything that might influence voters is the fact that when it comes to State employees per capita, CA has the 3rd lowest number of full-time
equivalent state employees relative to population among all states.

From here

And HumboldtBlue is correct about “an unwillingness to even speak about amending prop 13″.

CA is just the first of several well populated States that will face this particular crisis. Wait for NY.

By: PJEvans

PJEvans — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:07:42 +0000

You are aware that ten die-hard members can tie up anything they want, because the state senate has only 40 members? And that most of them can be guaranteed as GOP?

By: PJEvans

PJEvans — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:05:31 +0000

Democrats in the state legislature don’t appear to be offering much resistance to the governor’s threats to slash spending

They seem to be perfectly happy to back the @#$%&^* propositions on the ballot next week, too. Which makes me think that the whole thing is just a song-and-dance maneuver to fool the voters into backing Ahnold’s play for whatever-he-expects-to-get from this.

I’d rather see the gov and the legislature put some real effort into fixing the very real problems - starting with that supermajority requirement - than see crappy amendments pass, even though it’s going to be really really painful.

By: wesgpc

wesgpc — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:23:08 +0000

I don’t see how the Democrats are far more responsible than the governor.

I’m not saying the the Democrats have played no role, I think they have lots of responisiblity, but how are they far more responsible than the governor? Provide some details, please.

By: wesgpc

wesgpc — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:19:58 +0000

And I have not even decided how I am going to vote on the big plan. The whole thing is such a mess, and some of the propositions will produce so much pain in the short run, that it is difficult to vote yes. On the other hand, they will patch things together for a few months, at least.

By: humboldtblue

humboldtblue — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:18:26 +0000

Don’t just lay this at the feet of Arnie, we have a Democratically-controlled Legislature that is far more responsible for this debacle than our Governor.

Throw in our ridiculous initiative process, our incomprehensible tax code and an unwillingness to even speak about amending prop 13 and you’re left with a combustible mix of bad budgets and huge deficits.

By: wesgpc

wesgpc — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:18:22 +0000

I’m with nahant here, mostly.

Nahant is too easy on Arnold becaue the CA Democrats have come to Arnold with several compromises that would increase revenue while avoiding the 2/3 requirement. But Arnold said no. Now Arnold is ready to blame the voters if they do not vote for his props. Arnold will have two ignominious defeats at the ballot box, and a record of complete nonperformance wrt to his very big campaign promise to fix the state budget problem.

Not sure what the Democrats can do legislatively at this point, but they have been very poor at bringing their case to the public, IMHO.

By: nahant

nahant — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:05:13 +0000

Republicans are just plain stupid.

Just an example of Darwin’s Theory Maybe?? They are doomed to extinction, it will just take a moment in time and they will be be the “Just Talked” about party! 21% and falling!!! Serves them greedy asses right!!

By: KayInMaine

KayInMaine — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:41:51 +0000

I feel your pain. The neocon (Mike) on my local political news radio show was put on the spot by a caller concerning the soda tax that was shot down last election. Mike said, “I know! I know! It’s embarrassing because we’re talking about 5 cents here!”, but Mikey forgot to point out to the caller that he and his knuckle heads said in the lead up to the election, “No new taxes!” over and over and freaked everyone out.

Republicans are just plain stupid.