[randita]

This phenomenon (of mandatory spending) does not only apply to CA. More and more, it's applicable to the federal budget as well. Trimmable discretionary spending is becoming an inceasing smaller piece of the pie.

[goldstategop]

The problem with cutting spending is voters like it in theory but when it comes to services - they say sky's the limit! Politicians have long ago learned voters only want their neighbor's pork cut but they expect the politicians to bring them home the bacon. So as long as people expect the government to do everything for them its going to remain big and living beyond our means is going to be an on-going fact of our public life.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)