California joblessness now third in nation
posted at 9:00 am on November 22, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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To no one’s great surprise, California joblessness has increased to 8.2%, and most economists figure it will get even worse in the months to come. The state now ranks third in the nation for unemployment, thanks to over 100,000 job losses in the last year:
California’s unemployment rate soared to a 14-year high in October, hitting 8.2%, and economists predicted that it could rise substantially over the next year and a half.
The state’s economy shed 26,400 people from its payroll last month, raising the total number of lost jobs to 101,300 since October 2007, the California Employment Development Department reported Friday.
And the situation is about to get worse, predicted Ross DeVol, director of regional economics at the Santa Monica-based Milken Institute. The unemployment rate is seen reaching 9.9% in the first quarter of 2010, with the loss of 360,000 more jobs before then.
The hemorrhaging of jobs is “another indication that the state is plunging into what is likely to be a long and deep recession,” said Stephen Levy, chief economist and director of the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy in Palo Alto.
Unemployment rose for the nation as a whole, so an increase in the percentage for any state won’t shock anyone. However, California’s high rate only got surpassed by Michigan and Rhode Island in October. The number of people unemployed in California has risen by almost 50% over October of last year. Their unemployment fund was in “crisis” last month because of the rapid expansion of the unemployed, meaning that the state will have to borrow even more funds to pay its entitlement obligations.
Why do economists expect it to get worse? California’s warm climate may attract hundreds of thousands to visit each year, but its business climate keeps getting colder and colder. The state already has the sixth-highest tax burden per capita among states, and the state government has already proposed a tax increase to combat a shortfall this year. The LAT article states that this is a “consumption” recession, meaning that uncertaintly has stopped consumer spending. A sales-tax increase to over 9% will only make that worse.
California, and the federal government, both propose to raise taxes in a recession. That’s a recipe for disaster, and in California’s case, more capital flight to warmer business climates in other states. Both need to start curtailing spending and provide tax relief to stimulate business and job growth. Otherwise, California will return to the Jimmy Carter era, and sooner than we expected.
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I can only imagine what the impact of such high numbers of illegal aliens has on these statistics.
Wine_N_Dine on November 22, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Replying to the photo: Total bummer dude!
trs on November 22, 2008 at 9:07 AM
What California needs now is a new global warming tax to rid itself of all remaining industry.
tarpon on November 22, 2008 at 9:08 AM
I enjoy watching those liberal chickens coming home to roost!!
CA coming to a country near you soon!!
right4life on November 22, 2008 at 9:08 AM
The law of diminishing returns comes to mind here. There comes a point where my people can’t give the government anymore money, and the state will have to figure out an way to get itself out of debt without relying on tax hikes. Our government is spending too much, and we need a leader who has the courage to actually tell Californians this.
I’ve given up on the California Republicans long ago, so I’m not sure who’s left to take us out of this mess. I might have to stay in NJ for a few more years…
NorthernCross on November 22, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Well, the fact that CA pays out more to the Fed than gets back doesn’t help much either.
NorthernCross on November 22, 2008 at 9:12 AM
I’d put out the welcome mat in Georgia (which would help stabilize our real estate values) but I don’t want Obamabats swarming in here and bringing their rabid leftist ideology with them.
Buy Danish on November 22, 2008 at 9:13 AM
I think they should raise taxes, increase spending and be at the fore front in the war on warming, its worked so well so far!
rob verdi on November 22, 2008 at 9:14 AM
You see, this is because those are the three places which have most applied the failed policies of the last eight years.
/sarc
Kafir on November 22, 2008 at 9:17 AM
come on, TAXES ARE GOOD FOR YA!! it shows how compassionate CA is!! I thought those CA libs LOVED TAXES!! let em pay more..a LOT MORE!!!
I need a bailout!!! its only fair!!
as far as I am concerned CA could fall into the ocean.
right4life on November 22, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Hey be nice, I’m no Obamabat. And besides, you people do a great sweet tea and cornbread.
NorthernCross on November 22, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Wow all blue states. Whodathunk?
Socmodfiscon on November 22, 2008 at 9:20 AM
The three states witht the highest unemployment have been controlled by Dummycrats…NOW they run the Federal gubmint. But just you wait and see…it will all be W’s fault…even after four years of Odummy
Brokenspirit on November 22, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Are you including all the military families stationed there? There are a lot of conservatives and libertarians who have lived in CA for generations, but most of us with any common sense have been drowned out by Frisco nuts Hollywood. We’re not all like that, you know.
NorthernCross on November 22, 2008 at 9:23 AM
absolutely…even when it rains on Obama, it will be blamed on evilracisthomophobicbigotedsexist republicans!!!
right4life on November 22, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Ahem, that should read “Frisco nuts AND Hollywood TYPES”
NorthernCross on November 22, 2008 at 9:23 AM
I was being a bit hyperbolic…they’ve made their bed, let them lie in it. I have family there too..they should leave..its a mess…was just there last summer.
its sad, but people have to live with the consequences of their actions…and those liberal chickens are coming home to roost…and I think it will get much worse for CA and for the rest of us…it’ll be the 1970s again in spades…
but I ain’t wearing no polyester shirts!! don’t care how bad it gets
right4life on November 22, 2008 at 9:25 AM
If you’re not an Obamabat then neither you nor I have a thing to worry about. As for the cornbread – mine comes out of the box in a Jiffy. I’m a transplanted New Yawker.
Buy Danish on November 22, 2008 at 9:26 AM
That is great news!! For Texas!!
California & Michigan – please keep raising your taxes.
It is working out great for us. Everyday I meet someone
new from your business unfriendly states.
I know of some new California transplants that just
help stimulate our Texas economy by buying
a house just down the street. And new business
relocations from California are really helping our
commercial real estate market!!
California – just keep on Taxin!!!!
izoneguy on November 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM
trader joe’s has a good cornbred mix!!
do you like greens and sweet potato pie?? I sure do!!
right4life on November 22, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Let’s sell California to China. . . Wait, no, we’ll have to pay China to take this turkey off our hands. Never mind.
Pelayo on November 22, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Thing is, what you have in CA is a an economic perfect storm of high taxes, slow growth, and lotsa joblessness, coupled with a helluva lot of wasted potential. This should be a great place for a strong fiscal conservative leader to make his mark, and it would be if we didn’t have a RINO running the government.
NorthernCross on November 22, 2008 at 9:34 AM
I live in Central California and we voted McCaim and Yes on Prop 8.
When I moved my family here 14 years ago unemployment in Fresno County was 14%, mostly because the employment base was agriculture and the work is seasonal.
Over time the city of Fresno has thrived as real business moved in and unemployment dropped as low as 7%.
Now it hovers at 8 to 9% and will surely rise.
Last night we went out to dinner and most restaurants we noticed were generally full. We counted a couple of limousines and gas is at $1.87. Life goes on.
We will survive this social experiment pres. and even our girlie-man Gov.
Bring it!
FireBlogger on November 22, 2008 at 9:38 AM
If Califorina was willing to get rid of the hundreds of thousands of illegals that were doing the JOBS they don’t want to lower themselves to do, ahem, perhaps they could lower that unemployment figure- also, I’m certain there are families such as mine that no longer spend their vacation dollars in CA because of what a disgusting state it has become! For a state that whines about their environmental “values” so much, it’s appallingly filthy, and the tax dollars they’ve spent on providing “fairness” to all the freaks and nuts is unbelieveable. All their progressive behavior has put them smack dab in the poor house- reaping what they’ve sown.
And I am an ex-californian, born and raised there for 30 years. Our entire family is still there and all they do is b*tch about it. Yes, most of the idiots voted Obama- because of that whole “change” thing. HA!
anniekc on November 22, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Be careful what you say, Californians have ruined otherwise very conservarive states such as Colo.,Ariz., Oregon,and Nevada.
thomasaur on November 22, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Let’s have the Federal Government borrow more money from foreign sorces and use it to bail them out. Then raise taxes some more – especially on small busineses. That’ll fix it.
forest on November 22, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Ha, LOL – we keep in check.
izoneguy on November 22, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Time for somebody to write The Next Great American Epic Wrath of Grapes the…
gridlock2 on November 22, 2008 at 9:47 AM
LA is also very anti-business. They increased the sales tax separate from the proposed state increase, increased business tax, and get you every which way with regulations and increased fees.
Blake on November 22, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I’ll second that–we deal with much the same in Florida with retirees and transplants from the northeast blue states. For some odd reason, the first thing they demand is the government services–and high taxes–they ran away from in the first place. They just never draw the connection between increased government, less freedom, and higher taxes.
Yep. I give it a year–year and a half. And of course, as someone has already pointed out, W will get the blame. While that line might work for a year or so–I have a feeling people won’t be buying it two and half–three years hence.
Matt Helm on November 22, 2008 at 9:50 AM
One thing I think we can all agree on is that this economic slowdown is a direct result of the passage of Prop 8…
gridlock2 on November 22, 2008 at 9:50 AM
See what happens when you elect Republican governors?
/snark
Jazz Shaw on November 22, 2008 at 9:53 AM
unfortunately they will. look at detroit, chicago, st. louis, new orleans, philly…the same stooges keep voting in the same old democRATs. the whole country will end up like detroit.
right4life on November 22, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Mmmmmm, Jiffy cornbread. Good stuff. Florida’s unemployment higher than the nation’s now also. I don’t know about California, but here it is the housing industry. When I first got here there were only a few “inventory” house and you had to wait four or five months if you didn’t like them. Then the builders lost their minds and started throwing up tons of houses without contracts
Cindy Munford on November 22, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Or pit a Republican Gov (Carcieri) against a legislature that is weighted something like 67(D) vs 6(R). ANNNND produces (R)s like Linc Chafee. Oh well… WE’RE NO. 1! WE’RE NO. 1!
/bronx cheer
rhodeymark on November 22, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Let’s see…
Unemployment 8% and rising
Huge Tax Burden
Huge regulatory burden on corporations and individuals
Sounds like the next candidate for entry to the European Union!
DaveK on November 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM
?
I recently drove from CA to MD, and it only got dirtier as I went east. Say what you want about CA, but it is the cleanest place I’ve been.
Count to 10 on November 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
See what happens when you elect Republican governors?
/snark
Jazz Shaw on November 22, 2008 at 9:53 AM
thomasaur on November 22, 2008 at 10:05 AM
California dreaming… for a job?
Hog Wild on November 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM
thomasaur on November 22, 2008 at 10:13 AM
California isn’t that much different than the other states. If you put 5 million illegal Mexicans in Nebraska they’ll go bankrupt too. The big difference between our state and the others is our politicians are a little closer to the bottom of the human garbage pail.
repvoter on November 22, 2008 at 10:15 AM
It’s not the illegals. Texas has as bad a problem with that as CA.
But in the last 12 months, half of all new jobs created in the US were created in Texas.
Repeat: in the last 12 months, half of all new jobs created in the US were created in Texas.
TX has the best business climate and the most recession proof cities in the US. I say that not to brag, but so that others can look at what this red sate has done, and compare it to the performance of blue states like CA and Michigan, and see what works.
Memo to the horde of bluestaters moving here: Welcome, but do not destroy our economy here by voting in the same policies that messed up the state you just bailed out of.
juliesa on November 22, 2008 at 10:25 AM
What is really annoying is that many of the Californians who will move out of state are liberal (since they tend to be the ones without families and thus find it easier to move), so they’ll move to another state, and then promptly start voting for the exact same policies that got California it this mess in the first place.
Sackett on November 22, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Solution: Raise taxes and spend more.
Hurry up, get on it!
artist on November 22, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I think Fl and GA are tied right now.
Buy Danish on November 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Hmmm. I live in Texas. I guess in a reverse change of fortunes I should expect to see the Kokies filing past in their Lexuses. Gee maybe I can write a book, The Grope of the Left.
Dr. Dog on November 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Well, the Sierras are nice, but Sacramento looks downright spotless compared to Baltimore or the outskirts of Chicago. Nothing I have seen in the US compares to how dirty London looks. Colo and Wyoming were mostly just empty.
Count to 10 on November 22, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I grew up in and around Sacto. and it just depends on your reference point of it’s cleanliness. I appreciate the emptiness of my current home state of Colo., but even the larger towns are cleaner than Sacto.
thomasaur on November 22, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Mexico is startin’ to look really nice right now to CA’s
residentsguests.Mojave Mark on November 22, 2008 at 10:52 AM
The last thing California needs to do is start drilling offshore and fill it’s coffers with energy revenue. Think of the coastal cities that will be knee deep in ocean because of the Global Warming. What’s worse is the water will have a thick coating of spilled crude oil! Thankfully, California will never allow such a tragic scenario! We can save the planet one “going green” bankruptcy at a time!
Ordinary1 on November 22, 2008 at 10:59 AM
The Hughes Company used to build the AAMRAM air-to-air missile in California. The labor, tax, and environmental costs were very high. They moved their factory to the Tucson, Arizona area and reduced the cost of each missile to 67 percent of the California cost. Thousands of employees lost their jobs in California.
***
The “gubernator” signed a bill for California taxpayer funded stem cell research–hundreds of millions of dollars that will never show a profit. He is signing on to the no energy “greenie” agendas. The de-industrialization of the state is in full swing.
***
What part of the problem is not obvious for all to see? Anti-business and pro big government policies kill employment and state revenue.
***
John Bibb
rocketman on November 22, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Alaska still booming. Go Sarah!
lodge on November 22, 2008 at 11:08 AM
We noticed that when we first scoped out Texas as the place to relocate – so we opted to stay the hell out of Austin.
Country life suits us just fine.
X_LA_Native on November 22, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Wait a minute.Surely those statistics are wrong.
I thought we were supposed to emulate Republicans like Gov.Schwarzenegger.
He’s a moderate.He reaches across the aisle.He’s willing to raise taxes.He’s friendly to new”immigrants”.He believes in massive govt. programs for the poor and that the rich aren’t paying enough.
Plus on top of all that he has Speaker Pelosi and two of the most liberal Senators in the Senate in his state there to help him.
How could things possibly be going bad there.
I just don’t understand.
Obama will fix it…I’m certain.
NeoKong on November 22, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I grew up in southern CA and live now in TX. When my husband was laid off in 1998, we had a chance to move to northern CA but chose instead to stay in TX despite strong east coast family disapproval (”TX over CA – are you crazy?!”). We have never regretted our choice for one nanosecond, especially now.
I have always been secretly glad for the general disdain a lot of the country has for TX because it keeps out the dedicated liberals (except for Austin). We do, however, have an ever increasing flood of Californians and they generally do not “go native”. Add that to the flood of refugees in southern TX from the Dem disaster of LA and the illegals from Mexico and their legal descendants who vote Dem almost exclusively and you can see that things are not as rosy red as they used to be.
inmypajamas on November 22, 2008 at 11:23 AM
The thing I don’t get is why people consider TX to be such a good business state. Doesn’t the state have the highest gross receipt tax in the country. I know it doesn’t have a income tax, which is good for LLCs, but the gross receipt tax is a killer for bigger businesses. Also, I heard that property taxes in TX are out of sight. I’m not saying MN is better, in fact, it’s a tax hell.
IR-MN on November 22, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Nothing a well-placed and -timed 9.4 earthquake couldn’t solve.
CK MacLeod on November 22, 2008 at 11:31 AM
KNOWING that raising taxes in a recession is a recipe for a disaster AND STILL doing so, is sabotage, no?
marklmail on November 22, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Liberals have been running California for years, is this any surprise?
jukin on November 22, 2008 at 11:40 AM
As Gen. William T. Sherman said: “We fought a damn war to get California and we’ll probably have to fight another damn war to get rid of it!”
PackerBronco on November 22, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Sure, CA is broke, but we have the best damned sexual harassment indoctrination program ever!
Seriously, CA is now a third world economy. Rich people and a huge underground cash economy for the poor. The rich don’t care if more socialist policies are voted in–in fact they like socialist policies–as long as crime is kept out of their neighborhoods.
PattyJ on November 22, 2008 at 11:45 AM
They recently passed some very onerous new taxes on businesses that nobody(even the tax accountants) can figure out exactly what they owe. I think they changed to a tax on gross not net income(don’t quote me on this) that has hurt a lot of small businesses. Texas is very friendly to large businesses because there is little enforcement of immigration laws and minimal protection for workers.
I don’t think a whole lot of liberals from CA and the northeast will move here because just about everyone has a gun(or several) and they are afraid of us crazy redneck cowboys. They wouldn’t lower themselves to move to Texas (shudder) they would rather starve in CA than prosper in Texas where they could be shot just driving down the road. (At least that is my hope)
Corsair on November 22, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Maybe it’s time for Hollywood to make a movie about it. Michael Moore, you’re in the batter’s box.
Yoop on November 22, 2008 at 11:49 AM
IR-MN:
http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/5603/
juliesa on November 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Stabilize real estate values? But I keep reading in the AJC that Atlanta home prices aren’t falling. And Atlanta is different. And everyone wants to live in Atlanta.
As to the unemployment rate, it is bogus anyway. The official unemployment rate doesn’t consider anyone who is self employed. That means real estate agents starving, aren’t counted. Neither are contractors who have no work. Or the mortgage brokers who are sitting by the phone praying for it to ring. Nor the illegal aliens who are out of a job.
Whatever the official rate is – in California or elsewhere – is at least 3% lower than the real rate.
angryed on November 22, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Border crossing guards could be a growing job opportunity. Then, taxing the bribes paid to them by Mexican nationals who move themselves and their various essential products across the border.
Seriously, California could start trying to become more energy independent by tapping the abundant oil reserves it has offshore (more jobs), and going nuke power (even more jobs), instead of exporting its crap politics and regulations, and sucking the resources out of the adjacent states, since it’s population is not sustainable.
trl on November 22, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I have complained about people not willing to move to go to places were the economy is better but I think I might be changing my mind. Please, liberals, stay in your own neck of the woods. You have migrated to and messed up Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. I would have never believed these states would go blue. Very disheartening.
Cindy Munford on November 22, 2008 at 12:31 PM
California has some absolutely beautiful places to visit: San Diego, the whole Highway 101 thing, etc. However, we have stopped using it for vacations because of the high tourist taxes. We have an exchange that we use and trade to various areas of the country. About 4 years ago, California decided that vacation condos count as “hotels” and therefore started charging people hotel tax when they used a vacation condo in that state. We didn’t find out until we showed up for vacation; for a 7 day stay the cost was on the order of $120. We’ve been back once expecting that tax, but would most likely have gone back several other times had they not done this taxing thing. I’m estimating that businesses in the state of California have probably lost well over $3000 (plus a couple hundred in gasoline receipts) in revenue from our family because of the additional $240 in tax revenue that California would have collected from us had we decided to vacation in CA the last two years.
AZfederalist on November 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
See what happens when you elect Republican governors?
/snark
Jazz Shaw on November 22, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Ahem, You mean a Rhino. Arnuld is no Rep. He has done nothing for Ca. Until the government rids the illegal’s. Things will not get any better. At least I still have my job. Who would want it? There are jobs around, but the picky people that are way above them! Is why my hubby and I can’t wait to sell our home. Move to another State. Hopefully one that is not to Liberal. I know the Libs are moving to Arizona, and Nevada. So those States are out. Wash. State and Oregon are Liberal………..Wouldn’t want to move back east……….hmmmmmmmm, Been looking more at GA. Hope Martin loses. Then again, Costa Rica is looking mighty nice too! Not all Californians are Liberals. There are some Republican’s here and there. Conservatives.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM
izoneguy on November 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Careful what you wish for izoneguy, you just may get it. Nevada had a great climate for businesses, no corporate taxes, no income taxes. When I came here 30 years ago, we had one of the lowest cost of living in the country. But, as California became more hostile for businesses, people began leaving there and coming here. Now, we are California lite. Our great state went blue this election. They have come here and ruined our economy.
Our unemployment rate is now the highest it has been in 23 years. The housing market is in the dump, we lead in foreclosures. It used to be that a family of four could eat here for less than what one person would pay in California, now ZAGAT has rated Las Vegas as the most expensive place to eat.
Our roads are under constant repair. Our water rates are skyrocketing. Our electrical rates are skyrocketing. Our state is in a huge budget deficit. Our schools are some of the worst in the nation. This once great state is in a state of decline and now the Democrats have a veto proof majority. They will raise taxes and it will get worse.
So, be careful what you wish for.
Jvette on November 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I don’t understand it. We have many cities and states that have voted Democrats (or RINO’S) into office for decades. They have bought into the whole liberal way of governing. Now that they are coming apart as a result of their liberalism, all of the rest of us are supposed to bankroll their decisions??? Let ‘em eat tofu.
Star20 on November 22, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Cretin, I live here and I have kids. What, a massive earthquake killing thousands? You really want that?
FireBlogger on November 22, 2008 at 12:40 PM
AZfederalist on November 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
That is the worse part, they have done their best to drive the tourists away. When I lived in Santa Barbara, We depended on the tourist. Now, tourist have been slowing because of the taxes added on to Condo’s, Motels, and Hotels. I live in the Pismo Beach area. Well next door. Some places are still reasonable. They find ways around the taxes. Just hope they don’t get caught. The business owners do realize that it is killing them slowly. Nothing will be left if they don’t wise up.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I’m not worried about my job, but whoowee, haven’t had a COLA in 4 years and the union and district have been dickering for months.
And it’s expensive as heck to live here.
Bob's Kid on November 22, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Hey, I’m from Michigan so all I can say is
Awwww.
Dee2008 on November 22, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Nothing a well-placed and -timed 9.4 earthquake couldn’t solve.
CK MacLeod on November 22, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Just love the heart of some minds. Hope you don’t consider yourself a Conservative……… Quakes just don’t happen in Ca. either. Thank you for such lovely words. Idiot!
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Seriously, though, no state is exempt in this economy. Everybody should be ‘girding their loins.’ We’ve been in a slump for years in Michigan and it looks to get a lot worse soon. I’m stocking up on canned goods, bottled water and bullets.
Dee2008 on November 22, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Jvette on November 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Years ago I lived in Vegas. In a way, you are correct. But, remember Vegas has a lot of Union jobs………When the MGM caught fire, I was placed at Caesar’s. 21 dealer. The Union was raking in money like mad from Casino’s. Then targeting others because they were not Union. That had some part also. But yes, tons of Liberal’s did move there. Is why I moved away.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 12:48 PM
If we had a real media, this trend would be acknowledged because it has happened more than once.
Cindy Munford on November 22, 2008 at 12:53 PM
juliesa, nearly 1/4 million jobs created in Texas in the last twelve months. Our unemployment rate here in West Texas dropped last month, to 3.9%. New homes going up like mushrooms, selling right away, and existing homes usually don’t last on the market one month.
bikermailman on November 22, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Seriously, though, no state is exempt in this economy. Everybody should be ‘girding their loins.’ We’ve been in a slump for years in Michigan and it looks to get a lot worse soon. I’m stocking up on canned goods, bottled water and bullets.
Dee2008 on November 22, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Same here Dee, It will get worse. Doesn’t matter where we live. I was born in Monroe, Mich. Sure do miss it. But, to cold for me. :)
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM
You have got to be kidding me?
………………… This is news?
The Democrats have run this state into the ground, the bureaucracy is so big it would choke a goat, and their hands are forever out for more, more, more…. a.k.a. Teacher’s Union.
Oh, and by the way…………….. it doesn’t help that the Democratic Legilature just couldn’t help themselves by making California the most friendly Illegal Alien state in the country.
In your mind, think of a map of North America………. put a big set of lips on Mexico along the southern border of the United States at California……………….
…………….. now, imagine the those lips sucking as the effects of millions of illegal aliens upon California’s economy, demographics, schools, hospitals, jobs…. etc., etc………………………….. TA DA!
………… any questions?
Seven Percent Solution on November 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM
……… any questions?
Seven Percent Solution on November 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Nope! Was a perfect description. Until the Government does something. We won’t win until then. Don’t think anything will be done though. :(
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 1:04 PM
I suspect that many of you wishing earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and other ills on Californians are living in states which are net beneficiaries of the state with the largest economy in the US. Californians pay more federal taxes than any other state by a long way and we are net contributors to poorer states. Especially those poorer states in a certain part of the country.
If California is suffering it is because of the global economic downturn. Jump for joy all you want. It’s your food and prices that will go up and your taxes will too if the California conveyor belt of cash to the rest of the country slows down.
We don’t celebrate or wish for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or bad economy on the rest of the nation. Stop acting like teenagers. It’s your country too and California welcomes everyone. It’s still a great place to live and work.
lexhamfox on November 22, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Not an issue with anyone actually wanting that as much as it is that it is inevitable. Build massive infrastructures in one of the most seismically active regions of the continent, support massive population growth in these areas, then sit and HOPE. A 7.9+ event is going to happen, and in fact is historically overdue.
Then California will want the taxpayers in the rest of the nation to bail them out, and rebuild the same infrastructures, so they can sit, and HOPE, and wait for the next one.
I would not have any of my family sitting anywhere within 300 miles of there, waiting for the big one, with HOPE it won’t happen, and then complaining when it does happen. Believe me, it is/gonna/will happen, all “wanting” aside.
Yoop on November 22, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Went to high school in Monroe. Don’t miss it. Will take the cold of the UP anytime as compared to living down in troll land. ;-)
Yoop on November 22, 2008 at 1:31 PM
I don’t wish anything ill for California or any other state but they do have some self imposed problems, as do most states. Unfortunately most of the problems aren’t recognized as such. Is is true that prison guards make 100K? I read that somewhere and realize it can be B.S. which is why I am asking.
Cindy Munford on November 22, 2008 at 1:34 PM
A serious question here. If California is such a conveyor belt of cash is California now, or considering, putting money into a fund to be used when (not *if*, not *maybe*, not *possibly*, but WHEN) the long-overdue massive earthquake hits southern or central California? If not, why not? IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Nothing, repeat, nothing, can be done to stop that. So what forward-looking financial methods is California preparing that will meet it’s obligations of restitution and rebuilding after the event?
Yoop on November 22, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Went to high school in Monroe. Don’t miss it. Will take the cold of the UP anytime as compared to living down in troll land. ;-)
Yoop on November 22, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Was 7 when we moved. So, there are trolls in Monroe? No way would I ever even move close to Mich. Ohio, and other states. I am not a snow fan.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 1:48 PM
While Cali’s chickens are coming home to roost, the rest of the country needs Cali to succeed, otherwise it will export its brainwashed citizens to neighboring states like Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, and corrupt these states with all the failed ideas that has California on the brink.
eaglewingz08 on November 22, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Cindy Munford on November 22, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Yes Cindy, prison guards do make over 100,000.00 a year. Pretty sick if you think about it.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Well, it isn’t obvious in the part of California where I live. Stores are packed. I don’t see people holding up signs on the street corners like I did in 2001 or so.
The worst time I can remember out here was shortly after the cold war ended and peace broke out. Entire companies related to defense work disappeared. For Sale signs popped up like fence pickets. We had people with masters degrees applying for line technician jobs. We aren’t seeing that now.
Much of California’s problem is the “benefits” the state provides. I had hired a baby sitter to watch my kids over summer vacation while I was at work last year. I got a quote from Kaiser for health insurance for her and her daughter and offered to pay half of it. It would have been a reasonable amount for her to contribute, something like $150 a month for each of us. She refused saying she would rather stay on state “MediCal” benefits because she could keep the doctor her family has always used.
In the schools there is a poster in the office offering reduced cost / free (depending on income) medical care for children depending on income. The thing is that if the child was born outside of the US, no paperwork is required, the kid automatically qualifies. If the child was born in the US you must prove residency and provide a birth certificate. “Benefits” for a few are eating this state alive resulting in companies fleeing.
And we have several job requisitions open at work. It is still practically impossible to get qualified people for high tech positions here.
crosspatch on November 22, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Trouble is, liberals never connect their policies with their results. They think they are being fair and compassionate with their rules and regulations, and don’t see the terrible effects on commerce due to big government and big regulations.
I have read the 40% of California are employed by the government in some fashion. This is not a formula for a vibrant economy.
PattyJ on November 22, 2008 at 1:52 PM
The jobs in Texas were created because of the price of OIL. If California would get the enviro-wacko’s out of the way, drilling offshore for oil would be a dramatic way to help ease their budget (as well as the nation’s dependence on foreign countries that don’t like us).
California has plenty of solutions. The only thing they seem to care about is gay marriage though. It’s as though they believe that if gay marriage were legalized, all of their problems would go away. Do you see anyone marching in the streets concerning CA’s economy? No? Surely gay marriage is much more important, right?
ThackerAgency on November 22, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Interesting how the most liberal spots in this country are going down first. New England should be right behind the dreamers in CA since taxes are going up, along with tolls. The brilliant stooges of Massachusetts served their masters and voted against an end to income tax. Now they are clogging phone lines to complain to talk radio hosts that they are working two jobs and still going under. Useless banter after they used their vote to screw themselves.
The libs seem to want an agrarian culture that doesn’t use fuels, doesn’t travel and grows their own food. I’m confident that they can keep up the deception and a majority of Americans will keep up the momentum to bring us down to a second class nation within eight years.
Hening on November 22, 2008 at 1:59 PM
crosspatch on November 22, 2008 at 1:51 PM
That is true. Also, many companies bailed out of the Country because they didn’t want to be Union. Guess a lot don’t realize this. A lot of Agriculture here that send to other States. Maybe we should just quit sending food to other states. Keep it for our State. Guess some don’t realize that if Ca. goes down. So do many other States. That is why it is important for one to know their homework. Before one speaks. The issues that Ca. puts on illegals don’t help. Figures that your baby sitter didn’t want to pay 150.00 a month. That is nothing. She was a fool to pass that up. So many foreclosures in Ca. Will take time for us to sell our home. Earthquakes are a part of Ca. The big one will come one day. Why live in fear? Knowing who will be our Dictator is bad enough. I will take an earthquake any day, then to have a idiot run our Country.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 1:59 PM
ThackerAgency on November 22, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Got that right! We are burying our own State, our own People, and our own resources. There are a lot of oil on the Central Coast.
sheebe on November 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
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