What really pees me off is the behind the scenes moves to go after Prop 13.
We bought in 1985 and have gradually seen regular increases in our property taxes that are irksome, but manageable.
This 3.33% tax on real estate sales is troublesome.
The proposed extra cent of sales tax is very irritating.
The real issues is , what are we getting in return for our tax dollar?
Are our streets any safer just because we lock up a small percentage of the population for longer periods of time?
Are the roads any less full of potholes?
Are the waters any cleaner as long as MTBE and other poisons are allowed to continue to be used?
More Bang for our Buck and a lot less bureaucracy, can it be done? I would love to give it a shot, but I don't see that as a theme of this whole budgeting mess.
All it is turning out to be is a protection racket for prison guard and teachers unions, and lifer politicians. Term limits aren't effective, as skunks go from one state job to another and from the state assembly to the state senate to state commissions. Cronyism is rampant and the dollar gets the Gov's ear, just like before the election.
Things change and things stay the same. But, like you, thru it all, Im an optomist. God help us all.