Bail Out California? Has Everyone Gone Nuts?

by Joel Hendon⁽¹⁸⁰⁾ Red Star

Things are beginning to become outrageous. Asinine, insane and what all else might come to mind. The state of California is facing a $21 billion dollar deficit if something isn't done quickly. I don't live there and I am not privy to all of their problems but I have seen some things that makes me understand just why they are in such a mess.

They, as the nation has, voted in a person who had not enough experience or savvy to run the state. They chose him because he was a famous muscle-man, a Democrat in Republican garb. They're ability to choose leaders leaves much to be desired. Ref: Nancy Pelosi, and Barbara Boxer.

If you read some of the previous years propositions they have passed, limiting certain taxes and other costs to the taxpayer which sound good on the surface but with careless spending along with the cuts, you can see where this has taken them.

Now, this year, they have voted on propositions posed by the state authorities to try and head off the tremendous deficit. These propositions were listed as 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f. Now these are Legislative Constitutional Amendments, a majority of votes required to pass. Here is how they went.

1a. State Budget. Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases "Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization Fund

Changes the budget process. Could limit future deficits and spending by increasing the size of the state "rainy day" fund and requiring above-average revenues to be deposited into it, for use during economic downturns and other purposes. 34.2% voted Yes, 65.8% voted No.

1b. Education Funding. Payment Plan

Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts. 35.4 voted Yes, 64.6% voted No.

1c. Lottery Modernization Act

Allows the state lottery to be modernized to improve its performance with increased payouts, improved marketing, and effective management. Requires the state to maintain ownership of the lottery and authorizes additional accountability measures. Protects funding levels for schools currently provided by lottery revenues. Increased lottery revenues will be used to address current budget deficit and reduce the need for additional tax increases and cuts to state programs. 35.4% voted Yes, 64.6% voted No.

1d. Protects Children's Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget

Asks voters to approve taking money from Prop 10 in 1998 for purposes not allowed in that 1998 vote. Measure failed by 2 to 1 vote.

1e. Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget

Asks voters to take money from Prop 63 for purposes not allowed in that 2004 vote. Failed by 2 to 1 vote.

1f. Elected Officials' Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years

No pay raises for state legislators in years when there is a state budget deficit. Passed by 2 to 1 vote.

As I said from the start, I am not aware of the details of their problems. But in view of their past record of capping certain taxes and from the appearance of the votes on these propositions, it appears that the Governor and legislators need to be looking for another job come next election day. There seems to be only approximately one third of the voters are happy with them. There may have been wild spending going on, corruption or anything else that I don't know, but it appears there is going to be trouble for the state this year. According to what I can find, it will simply mean the reduction in budgets for state services. And enough to cover $21 billion could mean some drastic cuts. The amendments they have so drastically voted down, on the surface do not look that bad to me.

I am told that the voters are saying it is not their job to fix the deficit. Well, I can assure you it is not the national taxpayers job to fix it. There are very few states that have not had to face deficits and who have made budget adjustments to handle them. Without any meaning of animosity towards Californians, I say let them resolve their problems. If we start bailing out everyone with a deficit this nation will assuredly go under. We have possibly reached the point of no return already. We are all faced with a deficit that may prove insurmountable.

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Article submitted Friday, May 22, 2009 & read 81 times.

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