Thread: As California Goes . . . USA-TODAY-EDITORIAL

As California Goes . . .

If California's problems weren't so serious, it might be amusing for outsiders to watch the state's tragicomic descent into financial chaos. It is groaning under a crippling budget deficit, but its citizens voted a week and a half ago to reject five urgent ballot initiatives that would have raised taxes and capped spending. Voters blame politicians for the mess; politicians blame voters. The Marx Brothers look competent by comparison.

But hold the snickering. California's woes say something larger about Americans' desire for more government services than they are willing to pay for. And the state's crisis could be a problem for everyone at a time when the country is mired in a severe recession. The world's eighth largest economy — California is that big — is flirting with a bankruptcy that could slow or stall the national recovery, and state officials want Washington to backstop the loans the state desperately needs to pay its bills this summer.

We hope it doesn't come to that, because the federal government is already grossly overextended by serial bailouts and guarantees. Helping California would inevitably lead to demands from other states. It would also lessen the pressing need for the state to take drastic action to clean up its self-induced mess. While the national recession has intensified California's budget woes, the state's heedless voters and its dysfunctional political system have made a bad situation worse.

If some sort of federal assistance becomes inevitable — much as saving New York City from collapse was in 1975 — it ought to come with a financial control board and tough fundamental reforms:

• California's government by ballot initiatives is a disaster; the state must radically restrict them. Voters love to order up well-meaning programs — a three-strikes law for criminals, for example, or broad new mental health services — without bothering to pay for them. They reject spending cuts, particularly those that affect the state's powerful public employees' unions, but they also don't want their taxes raised. A something-for-nothing culture is no way to run a state.

• In 1978's infamous Proposition 13, Golden State voters required that two-thirds of both chambers of the state legislature approve any increase in state tax rates, empowering a tiny minority and crippling the state's ability to pay its way. Voters also rolled back and froze property taxes; some commercial property is still taxed at the 1978 rate despite huge gains in value. Taxpayers in other states should not be put on the hook for that irresponsibility.

• The state will have to drastically reduce spending and raise revenue. It has begun by cutting $15 billion and raising almost $13 billion, but with a $24 billion deficit that is about a quarter of the state budget, it needs much more. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed Draconian cuts in social services. If there's another way, great, but these are tough choices officials are supposed to make.

Lest anyone feel smug about California's plight, it's useful to remember that the state's woes are a scaled-down version of the entire nation's.

This year, the federal government will spend two dollars for every dollar it collects. Eventually, President Obama is going to have to lead a budget retrenchment every bit as wrenching as California's. This is just a trial run.

Posted at 12:21 AM/ET, May 29, 2009 in Politics, Government - Editorial, USA TODAY editorial
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Lest anyone feel smug about California's plight, it's useful to remember that the state's woes are a scaled-down version of the entire nation's.

This year, the federal government will spend two dollars for every dollar it collects. Eventually, President Obama is going to have to lead a budget retrenchment every bit as wrenching as California's. This is just a trial run.

California's woes say something larger about Americans' desire for more government services than they are willing to pay for.

No, AMERICANS spoke with their vote! POLITICIANS AND ILLEGALS "desire MORE services than they are willing to pay for". I honestly believe any AMERICANS left in that State are sick to death of footing the bills for illegals, and watching their so called Representatives handing the illegals everything!

I honestly believe any AMERICANS left in that State are sick to death of footing the bills for illegals, and watching their so called Representatives handing the illegals everything!

SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS.

It's happening here in NC too. Gov Perdue can't bother to insure stimulus money stays out the hands of illegals, she also can't wait to hand them everything their greedy black hearts desire!

The DOT spokesperson is from California.

Related Post: Catch the last Discussion From the DOT.
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-157369-.html

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Originally Posted by nomas

California's woes say something larger about Americans' desire for more government services than they are willing to pay for.

ILLEGALS "desire MORE services than they are willing to pay for".

So true! This is the crux of the problem!