California: Hey, why not bail us out, too? Update: California responds
posted at 1:30 pm on November 13, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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California has a whopping $28 billion dollar deficit, thanks to their inability to control spending. When Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger first took office on a platform of fiscal responsibility, the Golden State deficit was around $16.5 billion. California has continued its spending spree and raised taxes that kill investment and businesses. Now that they face a drastic shortfall in projected revenue, thanks to the economic mismanagement of California’s governing class, the Speaker of the Assembly has a great idea — why not let the federal government subsidize their irresponsibility?
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat, has drawn up a partial solution anyway: Federal money.
Use some of those Wall Street taxpayer $700 billion bailout bucks on California!
Bass has urged the federal government to hand over the money to states — well, her state anyway — as well as those rich Wall Street banks in another coastal state. Why should New York get it all?
With federal money it won’t really cost anything, see? And she won’t have to explain voting for more taxes back home come next election. It’s the least Americans can do for the sunshiney state they love to hate.
This is the latest suggestion in turning what should have been a limited program for the federal government to fix what it broke — mortgage-backed securities — into a free-for-all to subsidize failure. After all, Bass can argue, if we’re going to bail out automakers in the private sector, why not bail out the public sector as well? Who gives a damn about sovereignty when the voters may be around the corner with tar and feathers?
None of them should get a bailout, especially California. Both the American auto industry and California share one common trait: exceptionally poor management. The shareholders of the automakers should have acted to oust management and challenged the bloated labor contracts that have bankrupted American manufacturers. California voters should have voted out the Democrats in 2006 and 2008 after they proved incapable of cutting spending.
The problem in California isn’t a revenue shortfall, it’s a wildly irresponsible spending spree. The Governator is no exception. While Arnold talked about fiscal responsibility and state deficits, he proposed boondoggles like the $3 billion for stem-cell research in 2005. Instead of making tough choices, they simply kept spending and waited for someone to bail them out.
This former Californian says: Sorry, Karen, and the rest of the drunken sailors in Sacramento. I’m not going to pay for the mistakes California made. The Golden State made its own bed, and now it has to lie in it. No one else wants to subsidize irresponsibility and mismanagement. The party was over a long time ago, and now California has to find a way to pay its own tab.
Update: The deficit numbers are off, according to the governor’s office, who contacted me a short while ago. The initial deficit was $16.5 billion for a single year, while the $28 billion is an estimate for two years. They also say the main problem is the credit crisis, and the deficit projection from the California Treasurer’s office was only $3 billion prior to October. The press office says that a disproportionate portion of the revenue stream comes from capital-gains taxes, so when everyone took a bath, so did California. They have a special session of the legislature at the moment, in part to restructure the tax stream.
They also want to point out that the budgets have been flat — no increase — for the past three years at $103 billion.
The governor’s press office didn’t note this, but I also corrected the last paragraph to remove the insinuation that Schwarzenegger supported Bass’ call for a federal bailout.
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The City of Detroit is lining up with its hand out, too.
Wethal on November 13, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Hey. How about cutting spending?
lorien1973 on November 13, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Ditto… it is a burning building and I can say from experience…. Run, run as fast as you can!
No non-Californian should have to pay for their problems.. they did it to themselves.
This people, is what a leftist admin looks like!
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 1:35 PM
The weirdest thing is how many people move out of CA, because of how bad it is and then go to other states AND VOTE FOR THE EXACT SAME POLICIES!
jacrews on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Ohio also wants a bailout for out unemployment compensation fund. Do not give it to us.
However, if people want to pay of my mortgage. . .
rbj on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
At some point, the American people will revolt. They already made it clear they don’t want bailouts. If only there had been a conservative running in 2008.
Vashta.Nerada on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
This is why “slippery slope” is NOT a fallacy.
Once you start doing things for one group, every other group is going to want their “fair share”, even if they weren’t originally considered part of the divvying up. Everyone wants their piece of the pie.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Cant!!!! too many
illegalguest aliensgrapeknutz on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Pigs at the trough.
Socialism is going to be thoroughly discredited with the voters before Obama even takes the oath of office.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Everyone needs a bailout.
Except Alaska, which has billions in its reserve! Ha!
lodge on November 13, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Good try..that’s what we thought Arnold would do. At first, it seemed like he would, then came the protesters in wheelchairs to the governors mansion.. that was that.
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Maybe Obama could just start an online donations page for everybody.
In this economy, how is his huge campaign expense not a scandal? Is he getting any pressure to cut back on Inaugural festivities? (remember when Bush was criticized?)
(hey, I seem to remember Obama once promising to have a smaller Inauguration shin-dig. Does anybody remember that?)
MayBee on November 13, 2008 at 1:37 PM
And by “Americans” you mean the 56% of us who actually pay income taxes.
JohnTant on November 13, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Ill-noise will be on the take too.
BobK on November 13, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Recall Arnold.
Christien on November 13, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Would be, or is?
haikusrock on November 13, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Is it just me or does it seem as though the Federal government is going to end up buying the economy?
Blaise on November 13, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Sigh. And the Speaker is my Assemblywoman, too.
This is embarrassing.
irishspy on November 13, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Socialism…
DL13 on November 13, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Until you start enforcing immigration laws and stop paying for parasites that are bleeding you dry, we cannot bail you out.
So sorry.
HornetSting on November 13, 2008 at 1:46 PM
This is not rocket science…The baby boomers are retiring at a record pace. Who pays for those benefits? The current workers, because they never “banked” the money and invested it for the retirees.
When you have millions retiring at 80% of their salary, and all the benefits, that is a lot of mouths to feed.
You basically have double salaries for every government position.
That is what you get when you give gov. employees these ridiculous benefits and retirements.
The baby boomers have always driven the economy, and now we are driving gov. bankrupt because they can’t afford us.
Think, every police officer past 60, every fireman, past 60, every state employee past 60, city employee, city maintenance, just add it up, and you will see you can’t balance it with a budget with huge increases.
That is why I moved from CA, gov. budget mathematically can’t work. 1 + 1 (where one is taxes, and the other people) does not equal 3 (taxes, people, retirees), and they need 3 to be balanced.
right2bright on November 13, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Ahhnold is only good for keeping the car tax from being tripled and keeping driver’s licenses out of the hands of reconquistas. Oh Tom McClintock, how we miss thee.
Greenhelmet on November 13, 2008 at 1:50 PM
AMEN, brother…in NC so many from New York because of high taxes…so who did they vote for? The biggest spenders of the democrats even.
right2bright on November 13, 2008 at 1:50 PM
America, as a Californian I say don’t bail us out. The State is really run by a cabal of formerly disenfranchised females from the south side of Los Angeles who run our government in Sacramento and these women can NEVER be satisfied.
No amount of money will fill their wish list. Think Maxine Waters but much less disciplined, (yes that is possible) and you can begin to understand the situation we are in.
Also, did you know a prison guard can make 100k + a year with overtime?
FireBlogger on November 13, 2008 at 1:50 PM
ED, You are WRONG.
I was living here then, then Arnold was elected after the recall of Gray Davis.
Our deficit then was $38 Billion, and I read reports of as high as $56 Billion.
SO far, I’m glad that he’s HALVED the deficit, and has taken so much flak for cutting spending everywhere. It’s the legislature that fights him on every turn.
Mazztek on November 13, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Hey Beth… Californians have been contributing more to the federal pot than most states. You are one of those that thinks spreading the wealth is a bad idea right? Well give some of California’s wealth back to California! Or are you suddenly attached to socialist ideals?
They are cutting spending here but there will be a shortfall nevertheless. But pointing fingers at CA only makes slacker states who are net takers look bad.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/23440.html
lexhamfox on November 13, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Methinks Karen Bass has seen one too many Matthew Lesko commercials…
ironmonger69 on November 13, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Good Lord! That Karen witch needs to be horse whipped. And Arnuld, The Terminator needs to be terminated. First he says one thing. Then another. A few weeks ago, he was saying that people should be taxed for moving out of here. So many are bailing from this horrible Liberal State. We are next. The propositions that we voted on. Was tons of money. I voted yes on 11 and on 4. The others were No. But these nit wits voted and passed all of them. I hate Ca. I grew up here. Watched it go to hell in a hand Basket ever since. Immigration has been to biggest problem. I am not prejudice. Just don’t like people here sucking everything up.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 1:51 PM
I’m sure all those die hard Obama supporters in CA would be happy to have their taxes raised an additional 8-10% to cover Ahnuld’s mismanagement….as a matter of fact I think I’ll suggest to all my lib sisters to just pony it up and start a trend! I’m glad I had the opportunity to see and experience all the lovely things CA has to offer back in “the day” because I won’t spend a dime of our vacation money in that state- esp. San Fransisco, what a waste of a gorgeous city!
anniekc on November 13, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Because screw you, that’s why.
CP on November 13, 2008 at 1:53 PM
FireBlogger on November 13, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Ok, didn’t think of that. I let my anger run wild at times. Thank you for pointing that one out.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Democrats are very busy trying to turn this bailout from a financial collapse prevention program into a jobs protection program. Mayors and governors don’t want to have to fire lots of government workers. Too bad!
Maybe Ms. Bass should go ask Chuck Schumer why he decided to kill IndyMac and Countrywide, costing California 15,000 jobs and millions in tax revenues.
rockmom on November 13, 2008 at 1:53 PM
YUP.
Look at New Jersey and Cali.
Colorado,New Mexico,Montana,NH and Nevada are all turing blue because of the Cali Ex pats fleeing their own disasters only to spread their cancer.
mylegsareswollen on November 13, 2008 at 1:54 PM
They are cutting spending here but there will be a shortfall nevertheless. But pointing fingers at CA only makes slacker states who are net takers look bad.
You’ve got to be kidding. CA wastes more money on pie in the sky idealistic crap than any other state in the union!
anniekc on November 13, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Can’t we just give California back to Mexico and take a write off on our taxes next year?
That would seem to me to be the most prudent action to take.
Only if they take the Californians as well, though.
Hasta la vista, baby.
NoDonkey on November 13, 2008 at 1:55 PM
This is exactly why top government officials from the President on down need to have at least 10 years of experience in the private business sector before they even consider running for office. Basic business skills should be a requirement as opposed to on-the-job training.
Resumes for these jobs should include actual business achievemnets and troubleshooting skills. Once you have that then writing books and method acting can be listed as hobbies.
sherry on November 13, 2008 at 1:56 PM
I spent 60 years living there, born and raised in CA.
I moved to NC and absolutely the best thing I ever did (except for the past election, but that will be corrected next election).
I do not miss CA, the traffic, the taxes, the people (some family I miss), the high cost of living, the smog, insurance rates, nothing.
Here’s a hint…take your money and run.
For $250,000 you can buy a great house (1/2 acre, 2,400 sq. ft custom)…or if you have the money for $600,000 (peanuts to Ca’s), 3,400 sq. ft. on the Intra-coastal, custom (not a CA custom but a real custom), 40 ft. boat dock, 1/2 acre of land, 60 ft. waterfront. Like nothing you have seen except in Newport Beach (at 4-10 mil), taxes $2,500 per year.
right2bright on November 13, 2008 at 1:58 PM
San Fran use to be so much fun to go to. It is very beautiful. Now, it is like another sci fi movie. Santa Barbara is still beautiful. We lived there for years, moved a hour up North. Is to expensive, and the people are getting worse. To many Liberal’s. If we weeded them all out. There would be no people here except a few hundred. :) Such a once beautiful State. Now is like another planet. Not the same.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Over 150,000 jobs have been lost in the mortgage and banking businesses since the start of 2007. A large proportion of them were in California. Ameriquest, New Century, IndyMac, Countrywide – thousands of good paying, white collar jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenues. And more losses are coming. It is this decade’s version of the aerospace bust of the early 1990s. I lived in California during that period and it was bad. But after 10 years of Republican governors, the state still managed to balance its budget. Arnold and his pals in the legislature have nobody to blame but themselves for this mess. They spent like drunken sailors when the housing market was booming.
rockmom on November 13, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Who’s going to bail the taxpayer out?
Maxx on November 13, 2008 at 2:03 PM
When was the last time any of these morons read the fugging Constitution?
Abby Adams on November 13, 2008 at 2:03 PM
As a nation we are officially out of control. I always wondered how a population would/could embrace a Mussolini, Stalin, Mao or Hitler. I’m starting to see how it begins as most of the nation is currently jumping up and down in its playpen looking for a pacifier.
I think recently we just passed pathetic.
patrick neid on November 13, 2008 at 2:03 PM
I live in LA which is double the trouble. If anyone thinks the state of CA is mishandled, try living in the cesspool that’s Los Angeles. The city council couldn’t balance their own checkbooks. But that’s ok, with an Obama presidency, the whole nation gets to live like we do in CA. Good luck.
One of the big problems facing CA is the HUGE illegal population. Bush gave CA very little federal money when CA asked for help in dealing with our massive illegal alien population telling us the state needed to deal with it. It’s a problem NO ONE wants to deal with. And Feinstein and Boxer have to be two of the most worthless senators in the history of the nation. Unless it’s abortion or gay rights, they’re nowhere to be found.
The state legislature, completely dominated by Democrats, are also a big problem. Their response is to raise taxes and if people don’t want hire taxes, they scare them by saying they’ll cut police and fire. There’s no voting them out because the unions and lobbyists are so strong and the districts are so gerrymandered. The best we could do was term them out.
If I was Ahnold, I’d be slashing things left and right. It’s his last term so who cares if he’s unpopular? He’s already unpopular. The best thing he could do is slash the education budget in half. Education is the largest portion of the CA budget. He could probably cut into other social welfare programs like MediCal as well. The uproar would be tremendous but desperate times and all. Taxing has been tried before and it failed miserably. Democrats need to suck it up and understand you can’t spend money you don’t have.
wherestherum on November 13, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Not only because they couldn’t reign in their spending but because California is such a nanny state they have forced many businesses to leave or to not move their operations in California.
As a refugee from California now living in AZ I know first had how the state operates in regard to the numerous rights employees are afforded, it is truly a nanny state. Also, the company I work for their corporate office is in California and the difference between the entitlement mentality of an employee working in California and an employee working at our AZ facility is like night and day!
AZ is a right to work state, but California isn’t and with the numerous rights given to California employees their attitude is completely different, California employees think just showing up for work every day entitles them to a paycheck and often times are much less productive than their counterparts in other states. California employees know how to game the system for sure.
Also, the company I work for deals with hazardous chemicals and therefore we are heavily regulated from an environmental, health and safety standpoint. I have at times had to discipline some employees for not following safe work practices or not using the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the difference in attitude I get from California employees and employees in AZ is amazing.
The employees in AZ understand I am only looking out for their best interest and the California employees act as though I’m needlessly harassing them, one black employee even insinuated that I was racist because I had written him up for safety violations. The ironic thing about this is if any of the California employees were to be injured on the job (even if the injury was their fault due to misconduct) they would be the first in line at a lawyer’s office, yet my enforcing safety standards is “harassing them!”
As I mentioned above, California is such a nanny state that businesses cannot afford to do business in California. In my position I deal with numerous regulatory agencies and I can tell you from firsthand experience that not only do I have to deal with regulatory agencies on the federal level, but I have to deal with California regulatory agencies that are often times more stringent then the federal requirements and that gets very expensive for businesses especially when you throw in the numerous rights California employees have compared to other states.
You’re exactly right, California being such a nanny state that they have all these government mandates and handouts, yet businesses are leaving the state or won’t locate in the state because of the cost of doing business there, this in turn shrinks your tax base and when you add in pork barrel spending to pay for all those cool mandates and handouts to those not generating any taxes for the state it equals a $28 Billion deficit!
Proof positive that socialism doesn’t work…period!
Liberty or Death on November 13, 2008 at 2:05 PM
dang it, hire = higher
wherestherum on November 13, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Hit the nail on the head. This is what happened to WA state. That’s why I moved.
Reminds me of a simple story-city folks move to the country for a simple life with simple pleasures. Soon they begin to miss the lattes & easy shopping of Walmart, they begin to demand those conveniences show up on their front doorstep.
Then they complain that the farmer or rancher’s cow’s poop ’smells bad’, so they run those guys outta town.
Then …wala! You have another urban area. Urban areas attract urban thinking, more taxes, welfare etc…
Another CA.
Badger40 on November 13, 2008 at 2:05 PM
right2bright on November 13, 2008 at 1:58 PM
My hubby and I are putting home on market. Will not be quick, so many up for sale. Been looking in GA. We have been planning on moving for hubby to retire. Didn’t plan on housing to crash. We will get out though. Won’t miss it.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Change all the beaches in California to TOPLESS HOT CHICKS ONLY, and charge an admission fee for men. Problem solved.
Mr_Magoo on November 13, 2008 at 2:06 PM
This is leftism writ large – I’ve lived all my forty one years in California. In the 70s schools were struggling because they needed more money. The same in the 80s, 90s, and in the current decade. Just too many promises to keep that are legislated. The ridiculous benefits granted to public unions are having the exact same effect on California as they do on US Automakers – costs too much to produce anything, and it’s all due to poor management. I love the concept of the Initiative process, but it’s like unlocking the bank vault and escorting the robbers in. As my four year old says at every toy commercial on TV “I so want that”. When I asked where she learned to talk like that she replied “all the kids at school”.
Blow up the clown – is it unreasonable to think that California, the source for so many transformational political movements, is so far away from a constitutional crisis, where we can reform the state completely? Just like the continental congress? A bloodless revolution? Certainly rock bottom is not too far away. Why can’t the Governor be bold now that he cannot run again, and just say – we are taking a two year process where we are going to just start over. Get a framework where we meet our past commitments, but moving forward is a new era of living within means? I realize that means that each county and municipality will have to undergo a similar process, but why not? A little revolution now and then…
juanito on November 13, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Me too.. took my money and ran 3 years ago… to GA… you ar right… I’m on a lake, 2. 5 acre lot,6000 sq. ft. house that I had built… and I had plenty of money to spare..that is, until the market tanked :(
California does not learn from it’s mistakes..
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:08 PM
you’ve got mail:)
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:09 PM
I’m planning on getting out of here at some point. God knows I don’t ever vote in the disastrous policies everyone thinks is such a great idea. The voters of CA are in love with bonds. Esp education bonds. They’re always on the ballot. If I ever see the word “bond” in a proposition, I vote “NO.” I don’t care if it’s for dying children with leprosy or whatever. (Like Prop 3 which was a children’s hospital bond. “It’s for the children!” is such bs.) NO MORE BONDS!
wherestherum on November 13, 2008 at 2:09 PM
I got sick and tired of voting for a proposition that passed, only to be shot down by the court…. why vote in hte first place? It all felt so powerless…
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Does the company you work for begin with an “I”? (Just curious. I’m not Big Brother.)
Mr_Magoo on November 13, 2008 at 2:11 PM
rockmom on November 13, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Perfect post! All is true too! Is a disgusting shame, Ca. thinks it’s state don’t stink. They act like above and beyond. They make homes for people that want a home. They say it is for the first time buyers. The ones they built here a mile away. Started at 550,000.00 A first home buyer? That is not helping a first home buyer. They also have about 4 million in foreclosure. Over half was Illegal’s. I hang my head in disgust and shame. Nothing to brag about living in Ca.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:12 PM
MirCat on November 13, 2008 at 2:13 PM
I got sick and tired of voting for a proposition that passed, only to be shot down by the court…. why vote in hte first place? It all felt so powerless…
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:11 PM
So true. I get discouraged. My boss just called told me that protesters are at it again. Now I have to go out of my way on my route. They are not helping themselves winning over anyone with this behavior.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Yep, it’s happening here in AZ also. Many people from California are moving here to AZ and bringing with them their socialist agenda and nanny state mentality!
I escaped California (the land of fruits and nuts as my dad called it) in 1993 but it’s getting to the point where I may have to relocate again as it looks like AZ will become California East!
Liberty or Death on November 13, 2008 at 2:15 PM
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:09 PM
I will check again in few. Slow for some reason.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:17 PM
The whole crashing economy is because of the bogus loans to Californians so they could go on a giant mortgage based spending spree, and now they want more?
Given them back to Mexico. Problem solved.
pedestrian on November 13, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I escaped California (the land of fruits and nuts as my dad called it) in 1993 but it’s getting to the point where I may have to relocate again as it looks like AZ will become California East!
Liberty or Death on November 13, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Sorry, is why I hate to admit I am from Ca. That is bad when you feel ashamed of it. That is me.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I think Arnold should ask his wife if he can have his sack back for a year or so….
A Kennedy governing by proxy I’m thinking…
BigWyo on November 13, 2008 at 2:18 PM
We also have the immigration issue and the low income transient occupations. If Obama proved anything this time, it is that people will vote for you if you promise them that a check is in the mail. I believe over 40% of the voters in AZ did NOT vote for Mccain.
Mr_Magoo on November 13, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Typical CA… I was going home one night, with my little son in the car, protesters stopped my car at the gate of my neighborhood.. protesting that the builder used non-union illegal labor to build the homes.. I yelled at the Union protesters to get off my property..anyway, the next day, all the union protesters were gone, replaced by illegals... the union had hired them to protest because they didn’t have to pay them union wages! Classic!
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:20 PM
As a resident of CA, let me tell you this isn’t the end of Arnold’s madness. 1.5% sales tax, increasing income tax, and a tax on entrance fees to amusement parks (curiously, nothing on the MOVIE industry… hmmm).
kurtzz3 on November 13, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Wherestherum
You are so right. Beth Baker your point about reversals of propositions we voted for is the last straw. Arnold has already signaled his desire to see Prop. 8 reversed!!
I have three more years before my kids are out of high school, then it’s hasta la vista baby!
FireBlogger on November 13, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Ed,
I didn’t know you were a former Californian. You got sick of the madness too, huh? If we could only figure out how to get that state to leave the union.
Sapwolf on November 13, 2008 at 2:23 PM
California suffers from the same problem the auto industry does: unionization.
Can someone tell me what justification is there for unionizing government workers?!
Count to 10 on November 13, 2008 at 2:24 PM
I will pray for you in the meantime…. :)
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Typical CA… I was going home one night, with my little son in the car, protesters stopped my car at the gate of my neighborhood.. protesting that the builder used non-union illegal labor to build the homes.. I yelled at the Union protesters to get off my property..anyway, the next day, all the union protesters were gone, replaced by illegals… the union had hired them to protest because they didn’t have to pay them union wages! Classic!
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:20 PM
OMG! that is how they operate. I am not a fan of the Union. Never have been.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Hey all, have to get ready for work. Will try to come back before I leave. Time flies to fast. I am addicted to this site.
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:29 PM
A Richter 9.9 quake at the right place at the right time.
I keed, I keed…
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 13, 2008 at 2:29 PM
I really didn’t know Californians were leaving the place in such large numbers. So our geography and weather works for us, then, because for awhile we were getting a lot of them, but most couldn’t handle the cold, dark, culture and distance. So we are free of them again.
But then again, if Begich wins, I may start to doubt that.
Can we put a sign that says “Californians” with a circle round it and a line drawn across?
fireweednectar on November 13, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I spent the first 35 years of my life in the SF Bay Area. I live in Alabama now. God it is great here.
Whenever my best friend picks me up at the airport at SFO when I vacation there to see my family, I jump in the car and ask, “OK, let’s get some oil and find an orgy.”
But, the sad thing is, we probably could have hooked up with a real orgy. It really is a Sodom or Gemorrah place.
The only thing that is there for me is some family, a couple friends, the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics. The rest of the state can fall into the Pacific.
It is an alien world out there.
Fastest way to get in the news, send your child to school carrying their Bible.
Sapwolf on November 13, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Regarding why people move from California and vote for similar policies-It is quite simple, stop thinking like a political junkie. Normal people are to busy with life/work/family to follow the news any more than reading a local paper occasionally, hearing little snippets on the radio, etc.
People are not aware of the implications of these policies-they sound good, they are sold well, and people buy them. And I am shocked that nobody has had the intelligence to point this out. Explain to people just how these idiot politicians screw things up. Wouldn’t it be great if in one of the debates, McCain had asked Obama just why it is that the states run by Democrats are the least business friendly, losing population the quickest, and the deepest in debt despite higher taxes?
But that would require thinking outside the box.
Aurelius317 on November 13, 2008 at 2:40 PM
It doesn’t help any when the dip shit voters approve another $16 Billion in bonds despite being broke and electing more union lackey assembly people… 4 more dems this past election..
Here in San Diego the mayor is stepping up saying the city isn’t the workers pension plan.. but like the state the resident here elected two more dems to the city council..
The only reason I’m still in the state is because my wife refuses to move… to Nevada away from the kids…
theblacksheepwasright on November 13, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I was born here, San Diego County that is, and I remain. We have land elsewhere and hope to flee but we’ll have to see the economy recover first.
I don’t think recovery can happen while the government keeps up this ponzi scheme with taxpayer dollars. Please let California burn down now. Just like with the Big 3 only bankruptcy will force a clean start. It will be painful but it is inevitable and the pain will increase the longer it’s put off.
rcl on November 13, 2008 at 2:42 PM
A lot of people don’t know that years ago California voted to amend its state contitution to require that 48% of ALL state spending goes to K-12 education. It’s a mandate and has to be funded. The governor cannot cut education funding. Yet since then the schools in California have gotten worse and worse. The state has had to respond by drastically increasing tuition at the state colleges, which hits middle class families again.
rockmom on November 13, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I’m with ya… my friends in LA made fun of me for moving to the south… the joke’s on them.
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Slightly O.T., looks like we Californians may have to vote on the same sex wedding issue in 2010 depending on what the courts say 30 days from now. I love democracy
Sanjoboy on November 13, 2008 at 2:44 PM
How about this for a bailout California: If you drill for oil off of your coast we promise to buy it at market rates. sound good?
tyrfing on November 13, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Rockmom, did Rob Reiner have his hands on anything this election cycle? He is really a meathead!
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:45 PM
That would last a month as men found out that most women are not all that great looking. It in effect would be social welfare for FUB’s.
Sapwolf on November 13, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Many good points raised here.
In defense of Arnold (even though I’m not a fan and I oft refer to him as our “sheep in wolf’s clothing” governator) he did try to attack the California mentality a couple of years ago during the mid term elections I believe. But he proposed too many bills. All of them lost. He would have been better served by having more focus. He took on many unions when he should have focused on one, like the teacher’s union.
Yes, California spends too much and its priorities are out of whack, but there is another issue not brough up yet: Sarbanes-Oxley.
Bash California all you want (heck I do all the time) but for someone in the tech field like myself, this is a good place to be. The tech field used to offer the ability for regular employees to have the chance at making good money in the form of stock options. When the options were cashed, California made a lot of money in taxes. A few years ago California had a surplus due to taxes enacted on employees of places like Google when they cashed their stock.
But then came Sarbanes-Oxley. This “punish all for the sins of a few” rule has removed a shining star of the private sector: stock options. Stock options helped companies attract good talent and helped benefit employees as well as owners. In the process, Sarbanes-Oxley has also removed a huge form of revenue for states rich in high-tech like California.
BVM on November 13, 2008 at 2:47 PM
How about this for a bailout California: If you drill for oil off of your coast we promise to buy it at market rates. sound good?
tyrfing on November 13, 2008 at 2:45 PM
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:49 PM
As people on this thread have said, people are leaving the blue states to move to red states for some sanity, but then they start voting for the dems and turn their new states blue. IMHO, that is why the whole country is going to he!! in a handbasket. Sure death by a thousand cuts.
cjs1943 on November 13, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Can we put a sign that says “Californians” with a circle round it and a line drawn across?
fireweednectar on November 13, 2008 at 2:37 PM
LOL!! I live in San Luis Obispo Country. It is the largest Republican Country. Almost all. No joke. But, the ones that run this Country are Leftwings, Liberal’s. The town next to us is Grover Beach, Then Pismo.
Can you put on the sign, Need to be approved by the neighborhood board?
Is a shame to be ashamed of your own State that I grew up in. By all, Now I must log out and go to work. Have a great rest of the day!!!!
sheebe on November 13, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Agreed. But what i don’t understand is hoe the tech business stays in CA with it’s anti business policies… it is good for you because that is where the mostly liberal tech co.s are. It is a shame that time after time, Californians complain about their plight, then decide that they are not liberal enough! It is madness… no matter what vocation you’re in.
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 2:59 PM
This isn’t entirely fair to the Governator. While it’s true that the deficit has increased, this was in spite of an overall budget cutback. And Arnold is working against some very entrenched legislature – I think he was lucky to get the billions in cutbacks that he got.
The problem is, California’s voters are, by and large, leftist socialist idiots. They’ve been educated to believe that the rich can simply pay for everything, and California has a lot of rich people, ergo …
I mean, even with everything that’s going on, they voted to pass this stupid multi-billion dollar train system! It goes from Northern California to Southern California, as if traffic going from San Fran to LA is so significant, they need a special rail service.
Meanwhile, if you want to go anywhere toward the direction of Las Vegas on Friday – Good luck!
Oh, but trains are environmentally friendly! So this is way better!
I’m telling you man, when they brought up a bill before the California electorate as to whether or not California should balance their budget, the bill FAILED.
Failed!
I don’t think blaming Arnold Schwarzenegger because he pushed for one politically charged bill is really attacking the root of the problem.
apollyonbob on November 13, 2008 at 3:02 PM
With perhaps billions of barrels of oil off the California coast it is hard to sympathize with a Republican Governor and a Democrat legislature that refuses to tap this huge revenue source.
When Arnold starts pushing for drilling off the CA coastline, I’ll start feeling sympathy for his delema.
Mr A on November 13, 2008 at 3:04 PM
No, I work for Alameda Chemical and Scientific, our corporate facility is in Oakland California, a stones throw from the Oakland Coliseum.
Liberty or Death on November 13, 2008 at 3:06 PM
For those who left CA and complaining about how awful the state has become, please DIAF. You’re part of the problem. I stay here and will do so because I believe I can make a difference. Unlike half the people in CO, NV, and AZ, I’m not a quitter. To read that some posters here are talking about leaving even those states that they fled to because Dems are taking over is emphasizing how much of a failed strategy it is to pack-up-and-go.
Sometimes I’m conflicted as to what I hate more: Democrats, or the Republican too chicken to fight and make a difference. Both have the same impact in creating the messes that we’re in. So for you wavering CAGOPers, you best stay or I’m gonna go hate you, FOREVER!!!!
Apologetic California on November 13, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I voted for him too… as soon as he took office, he started to fight, then came the protesters in wheelchairs and he gave up… he didn’t lead when it was crucial.. he was scared of being politically incorrect… that is why I blame him.
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 3:11 PM
You sound like all those women that say they stay in South Central to fight against gangs.. then their child gets caught in gunfire …
I have two very small children. When I left, one of my son’s friends sister made a sexual innuendo towards him – he was 5, she was three…. her mother thought it was cute… People kept telling my son (5)he should be in the movies (sooo good looking) the first 10 years I lived there, I was a make-up artist for films.. I wouldn’t let my child go near that profession! The point is, with all the rude, ill mannered , self centered, a moral people outnumbering the decent people there, I was going to save my children from growing up in that toxic atmosphere.. If that is quitting on CA and running from a fight, so be it… It is survival of the fittest!
beththebaker on November 13, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Yep, 15 years ago McCain would have carried AZ by a landslide, but now that AZ is becoming infested by California Libtards it won’t be long before AZ goes blue…I shiver at the thought and will be long gone before that happens, after all I like the fact I can carry a gun in the open without a permit!
Liberty or Death on November 13, 2008 at 3:27 PM
I don’t understand why your experience in one particular neighborhood and/or one profession are enough to condemn the entire state. There’s a giant leap in stupid logic to transform a bad experience living in Hollywood and then pack up and move to Henderson. CA has tons of great “red” places and would stay “red” if the quitters stop moving. The election already has shown us that “red” areas are again changing, and again, the same quitters will make the same decision to move somewhere else until….well, where does this stop? STAY PEOPLE!
Apologetic California on November 13, 2008 at 3:31 PM
California’s problems are the result of California’s Democrat legislature’s inability to see reality. On a regular bases businesses are leaving CA with the complaint that the state is not conducive to business because of their high taxes and regulations. The legislature’s answer to the revenue loss from the departing businesses is to raise taxes on the businesses and people that have stayed behind and continue hitting them with tougher regulations.
The people of CA show their acceptance of this every election day despite warnings from from the few fiscally responsible politicians still hanging on there. Sadly, too often Arnold has proven to be more of an enabler than a problem solver.
Mr A on November 13, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Excellent point and a great question that should be asked of all Dems! People need to become educated on the process and stop the infestation of California type liberal/entitlement government policies that are rotting our nation from the inside out!
Liberty or Death on November 13, 2008 at 3:36 PM
I can’t read this stuff anymore. I’m swooning. Where is all this money supposed to come from? WTF? OK. We have to start screaming about this. Their just bringing the whole shi7 house down.
ronsfi on November 13, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Why am I reminded of the looting of Baghdad? As my Grandma says…Grab a root n’ growl!
ronsfi on November 13, 2008 at 3:50 PM
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