California Ain’t Dreamin’
California’s coming apart at the seams governmentally. We will somehow get through it all. But it’s kinda embarrassing that we have elected such a crop of yahoos that they lack the intellect, dignity and responsibility to figure out a solution. Especially considering it was they and their predecessors who got us into this mess. It’s not a simple problem, but the fact is that they’ve been working on it for years. It should also be noted that the people of The Golden State share much of the guilt by passing propositions that spent money without generating revenues to cover the spending.
We are not alone in this failure. The New York legislature is in partisan gridlock that is choking The Empire State. And four other states faced this same fiscal deadline.
But here on the Left Coast, the Assembly and the Senate, both majority-controlled by the Democrats, passed budgets before the June 30th deadline that Governor Arnold promised to veto even before the vote. Not great leadership.
There have been myriad suggestions for how to reduce expenses, with the Republicans steadfastly refusing any new taxes or increases. The Democrats insist on protecting social programs and union interests.
Among the more progressive – and still unlikely – alternative suggestions are the decriminalization of marijuana and the commutation of all death sentences. Marijuana is the biggest cast crop in California. Saving money on not enforcing pot laws, and then taxing the stuff could mean a lot for the state. Also, ending executions could save the state a billion dollars over the next five years.
But that’s chicken feed considering the enormity of the budget deficit, something around $24 billion dollars and counting. And the solutions on the table at the moment will only push the debt down the road and make it bigger.
People who think we’re outta the fiscal woods aren’t wearing rose-colored glasses. They’re blind.
©2009 SetonnoteS
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