Posted on 05/21/2009 1:18:07 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
A generation ago, California exemplified its nickname, the Golden State. State spending was less than half per capita, inflation-adjusted, what it is today. Its debt-service ratio was less than a third.
Yet Californians enjoyed one of the finest highway systems in the world and one of the finest public education systems in the country. Water and electricity were so cheap many communities didn't meter consumption.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
That's why you won't hear a peep out of me about the fact that the only ballot measure to pass was Proposition 1F, which mandates a pay freeze on the bloated salaries of state officials in years of fiscal emergency -- or, every year, since this is California we're talking about. On Tuesday, all proposed tax-hiking schemes were utterly rejected by voters in a deep blue state even as the New York Times insists that voters yearn for higher taxes and more wasteful spending in the glorious 'Age of Obama'. But, as I already said, not a word about it from me.
And here's what else my lips are sealed about: The "Yes" campaign went down in flames despite out-fundraising and out-spending opponents by a whopping amount. The "Yes" campaign raised nearly $30 million while the "No" side raised a measly sum by comparison in a hugely expensive media market. But I'm not going to gloat about that either. And here's more good news (which I refuse to mention): The "Yes" camp -- consisting of the entire liberal ruling class in California, still shell-shocked by Miss California's smoking-hot good looks -- got defeated despite all their chicken-little, sky-is-falling nonsense scare tactics. But I'm not going to gloat about that either.
Indeed, if I were gloating, wouldn't I mention how decisively voters rejected Propositions 1C, 1D and 1E, all of which would've hiked taxes to the tune of 6 billion bucks, and the delicious irony of this happening in a state Obama won by a whopping margin? Wouldn't I mention how voters tossed out Proposition 1B, designed to ensure another $9 billion got wasted in the failed school system? By a 66%-34% margin, voters also killed Proposition 1A, designed to hike still more taxes by turning a huge 2-year tax increase enacted earlier this year into a huge 4-year tax increase -- but I'm not going to mention that either.
The "Yes" camp was especially pushy about Prop. 1A, insisting that passing this useless "reform" measure was key to "stabilizing" the state budget. Had it been adopted, Prop. 1A would have "stabilized" the budget into a teensy-weensy wittle $15 billion deficit hole, given that the "spending caps" were as hard as a wet noodle. But, of course, I haven't mentioned any of this, nor will I. No gloating!
Then again, I suppose I could mention the fact that the "Yes" camp losers not only had all the money advantages, but their well-timed proposed package of tax hikes on already cash-strapped taxpayers (in the middle of a recession) constantly received glowing coverage in the media, but my lips are sealed about that, too.
And, more good news (which I won't mention either): California's elected officials will see their salaries cut by 18 percent, after a vote on Wednesday by the California Citizens Compensation Commission, which sets the pay for state officials. The highest-paid elected officials in America will see their salaries cut from $116,208 to $95,291. Heh, heh, heh! Oops, I wasn't gloating -- honest!
Anyway, that's...
My Two Cents...
"JohnHuang2"
BTTT
California—the state too big to fail. Bailout coming soon!
Hmmm. So one of the many things liberals could take away from this is that more spending does not always achieve a happy result. . . .
When will the sheeple figure out that cash-strapped schools are that way NOT because we don't pay enough in taxes but because Sacramento (and other state capitals) KEEP most what they've stolen from taxpayers?
It's like shelling out $10K for your wedding reception and then being served hamburgers and hot dogs. Would you conclude you didn't pay enough to the caterer or that the caterer kept the bulk of your money?
ping!
PING!
McClintock Ping List.
Please freepmail me if you want on or off this list
I have an idea: in 2012, let’s all run Sanford/McClintock.
Yes it did, I miss So Cal very much. California is prime example of what liberalism can do to a once great State.
Great idea! Both great guys. But if it were up to me, I'd go McClintock/Sanford. McClintock has more charisma & energy.
Kick em while they're down and try to make sure they never get up. The freak show that is the California legislature should be launched off of planet Earth.
No sympathy for them. They don't deserve it.
What McClintock does NOT say, that he should weave into this piece, is that it was Brown who instituted public employee unions, the downfall of the State's pension system and a financial cash cow for corrupt politicians.
Once he lands that message, he can go for the coup de gras, how unionized bureaucracies deliver the goods for corrupt corporate interests. Conservatives CAN play the class warfare chip, pitting mom and pop who supply most of the jobs against the likes of John Bryson.
This stepwise plan is a winning strategy for conservatism, one from which the left cannot divorce itself, and plays off much of their investment in public brainwashing. Yet conservatives in California require yet one more emotive lynch pin than simply greedy unions and corporate crooks, taking the moral high ground away from the left on the environment. That takes knowing enough about the disaster they have made of the condition of the land to hang them on it. With all the bitching about suburban sprawl, it was Democrats who ran the planning departments, played games with land use policy, and paid off the real estate tycoons (particularly at the Times Mirror Corporation).
I would be delighted to teach any politician how to do conservatives can own the environmental issue. Our property is now receiving visits from university professors to witness its unique degree of native plant restoration and are walking away humbled and engaged. It may be a lot of work, but we really can do this.
BTTT
Before California, New York did the same thing during the 60s and 70s. NY was once "The Empire State" had the highest population and had a large industrial base. Drive through upstate NY today and it looks a lot like Appalachia. Yet despite a shrinking tax base, spending keeps ratcheting up every year.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.