Video: California treasurer tells legislature to get a clue
posted at 10:40 am on October 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I’m not sure which is most amusing about Bill Lockyer’s rant to the state legislature this week. Is it his assertion that Democrats have to call out other Democrats when they run off the rails? Perhaps his telling them that two-thirds of what they produce is “just junk”? Insisting that more taxes won’t solve their problems, and that they have to start looking for ways to save money instead? Actually, all of that and more is just simple truth. Watch this first and see if you catch my favorite moment in this clip:
I’ll trust that you’ve watched it and point to this passage as the best part of the rant:
It’s impossible for this legislature to reform the pension system, and if we don’t, we bankrupt the state. And I don’t think anybody can do it here, because of who elected you. … You’re just captive of the current environment — I don’t see any way out!
Translation: Democrats are too far into the pockets of the unions to effectively govern California. That is what created the Golden State debacle, and the marriage to the unions keeps the Democrats from making the budgetary decisions necessary to rescue California from ruin.
However, even if Bill Lockyer can’t see any way out, I see one: stop electing Democrats to the Legislature. If the state GOP doesn’t have this clip in ads by the end of next week, maybe California needs better GOP leadership, too.
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Coming soon to a federal government near you.
SteveMG on October 24, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Somebody is “Not a real treasurer.” I forsee SEIU protestors on this guy’s front lawn.
cobrakai99 on October 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Brave man.
becki51758 on October 24, 2009 at 10:46 AM
That rant was awesome.
p0s3r on October 24, 2009 at 10:46 AM
California is a lost cause. The new California currency is the IOU. As failed as the state is, it hasn’t fallen far enough for the libs to get it.
thisisjohnny on October 24, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I saw this also this morning and though he describes the problem and issue well. He is also correct in that there is no fix for it because idiots from their districts keep electing other idiots to represent them.
JeffinSac on October 24, 2009 at 10:49 AM
The ultimate “gay” marriage that before it’s over…
Will cost us all.
TXUS on October 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Why does he hate America?
/sarc
ThePrez on October 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Wow, a Democrat who understands that money doesn’t grow on trees.
venividivici on October 24, 2009 at 10:52 AM
My favorite bit is right at the end, when he basically says that Dems know nothing about how to control money and know nothing about business.
At last, an honest pol. He’ll be gone in 3….2….1….
Lurking Vet on October 24, 2009 at 10:53 AM
So glad I finally shook the CA dust off my heels…
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Heh.
BadgerHawk on October 24, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Unfortunately, that’s true in many more places than California.
Christian Conservative on October 24, 2009 at 10:54 AM
The legislature is too busy having sex with married lobbyists.
Speedwagon82 on October 24, 2009 at 10:55 AM
He’s a dead man. Look for him to get “disappeared”. The citizens don’t control the California government, anti-American communists do.
darwin on October 24, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Good rant, but he left out the part about screwing the female lobbyists.
Mark1971 on October 24, 2009 at 10:56 AM
This information is akin to pouring sunlight over a vampire.
Name me one (just one) state that has been under Democrat rule for a decade or longer, that is successful.
Keemo on October 24, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Do I dare see a little bit of “hope” asking for real “change” in this clip? Maybe, just maybe American’s are starting to wake up and realize the Tea Party is not about party, it is about fiscal responsibility and less government intrusion into our daily lives.
truetexan on October 24, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Republicans won’t be any different. I hate to say that. There aren’t that many of that guy to make a difference. Atleast those who run for office.
That is why I blame every person in here including myself. There are good people who enjoy complaining, but very few are willing to put in the time to make a difference.
Heck, the health care incentive should be enough for just about anyone to get out an run for office.
tomas on October 24, 2009 at 10:58 AM
He isn’t going to be running for anything again. Bill Lockyer has held elected office for decades. He is almost 70. He will never hold an officer higher than the one he has now. He finally isn’t beholden to the special interests and can say these things.
Mark1971 on October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Nothing will change till it completely craters. They don’t get it and never will; and that includes both parties. It’s coming, and sooner than most people think. Our money is turing into nothing more than mere paper. Backed by nothing, producing nothing, and thus worth nothing.
PatriotRider on October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
couldnt agree more!
truetexan on October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
The national figure or party that captures this message, that is able to promote this message and get things done will govern this country for the next decade.
The return of the Perotistas.
SteveMG on October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Extra Credit for Bill. Finally an honest assessment. My favorite part other than the final admission that the R’s typically know more about real economics is the admission that they are frozen and unable to reform the pension system “because of who elected you” …stunning. These folks are bought and paid for by the teacher’s union and must answer to them.
The real question here is what prompted him to this rant?
InTheBellyoftheBeast on October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
As long as the idiots stay in Ca, and don’t move to my state, they can live like they want to. If having debt out the wazoo if their ideal, fine with me. Just don’t expect me to bail you out of your own mess.
Kissmygrits on October 24, 2009 at 11:01 AM
As a california resident I’ll tell Mr. Lockyer that we are doomed. Democrats are genetically inbred to raise taxes. They come out of breeding farms that way.
kurtzz3 on October 24, 2009 at 11:02 AM
As a native Californian, I have personally observed (and complained) that the state has been gerrymandered permanently Democratic since the 1960 Census and all subsequent redistricting(s)… The state Assembly and the Senate have been in Democrat contol my entire life… Unless the next round redraws COMPETITIVE (and STRAIGHT LINE BOUNDARY) districts, the situation will never change… We are the Golden State no more and we’re finally out of Schlitz… Sad but true…
Khun Joe on October 24, 2009 at 11:03 AM
No doubt. Bitch-slap of the rant.
Gang-of-One on October 24, 2009 at 11:04 AM
LAST ADD:
America, this is where you are headed with unbridled spending and unconrolled entitlements like Obamacare. You are warned; this is your ultimate destination. It is not a happy place.
Khun Joe on October 24, 2009 at 11:05 AM
..too far in the pockets of the unions…True words. Poor little RI is in the same boat and it too would need a full scale revolution to ever see change. One has to ask why the folks of these states never seek real change. Do they like things the way they are? Do they not realize the base causes? Do they realize but have given up? I wonder if the governments there (if they can be dignified with that term)just throw everyone a little piece of the pie while they take all of the other available pies for themselves. I don’t understand it but do know that our country is headed down the same road and must be stopped. Why does it have to come down to a choice between big government control or big business control? Isn’t there a middle ground somewhere? Seems to be that there used to be once upon a time.
jeanie on October 24, 2009 at 11:09 AM
San Diego & California was such a wonderful place to live in the eighties…
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 11:10 AM
State GOP, hell, national GOP… Beginning in NJ tomorrow
phreshone on October 24, 2009 at 11:11 AM
A man of courage indeed.
Open The Door on October 24, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Awesome rant and completely on the money. California is a bust.
Unfortunately they will simply raise taxes and pass the buck again. Gas is already very pricey but I can easily see them adding another 25 cents on to it under the cover of global warming-cooling-change as a stop-gap measure. Maybe a hike in sales tax too.
The mindset is so warped there that anything is possible.
Anders on October 24, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Well let’s make a difference from now on…liberal Republicans like Arnold won’t make a difference, but conservative Republican’s like McClintock’s would make a difference…one of the great losses was not having him Governor.
That was when I decided to move out of California, I knew it was doomed…never regretted it for a moment.
However, NC is moving in the same direction…but not for long.
right2bright on October 24, 2009 at 11:17 AM
This man, or somebody very like him, should be running CA. He sees the big picture, understands the core problems and is able to articulate them very well. Giving a guy like this a heavy hand is just what CA needs.
TheBigOldDog on October 24, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Oh those DINO’s… thay are starting to pop up more and more…. more please!
Indian Outlaw on October 24, 2009 at 11:19 AM
The problem isn’t the legislature, it’s the stupid democrats that vote for them.
I can’t think of any real solution.
jhffmn on October 24, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Keemo on October 24, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I agree. Also, name me one big city run by a dem who is doing well, just one. From La in the West, to NY in the East, and passing over Chicago (the Chicago way, of course), Detroit, and I’m leaving most out. Then we have the big zero who wants to turn the country over to the unions.
Bambi on October 24, 2009 at 11:21 AM
The really sad part: Lockyer’s beating a dead horse in his attempt to “reach” this legislature that, as Ed and others have mentioned, are so invested/controlled by the public sector—unions. In a few short decades this state has turned itself upside down with reliance on what comes out of Sacramento. If you think entitlements are hurting this nation, look no further than California for the template. The defeat of Prop 1A in May, (“Even though we were outspent 20 to 1 we still defeated the proposition with nearly 66% of the vote”), SHOULD HAVE SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE to the democrats in this state that enough is enough. Well, MESSAGE RECIEVED AND IGNORED. Selling bonds and borrowing more money is what Lockyer and this state government plan to do more of in the months ahead.
Sound familar?
Rovin on October 24, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Ed is exactly right about the most significant part of the rant.
There isn’t a private commercial entity in the world that does not govern itself by votes keyed to who supports the enterprise with investment-at-risk. The same is true of a republic (not a democracy – democracies don’t work): they must be governed by those shouldering the responsibility.
One-man-one-vote has killed us. A slow death to be sure, but as certain as the resulting taxes. The only way out, as Ed and Treasurer Lockyer imply, is to rid the voting rolls of those who are sucking us dry.
ManUFan on October 24, 2009 at 11:23 AM
I wonder…. why can’t we limit union donations to elections.
Collective bargaining has it’s place. But what is the benefit to society when unions and government unite. It is disaster not benefit.
Why for instance is it government business about card check? Shouldn’t that be between the unions and their members? Why is government involved at all?
I know won’t happen but that would do a great deal towards restoring sanity in government fiscal policy.
petunia on October 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM
What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be out there in the wild harvesting my supper???? :)
Rovin on October 24, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Don’t blame me, I voted for Tom McClintock.
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 11:27 AM
What’s killing us is having moved from a republic to a democracy. The point of our form of government is to protect citizens from tyranny of the majority. Clearly we have moved away from that point.
jhffmn on October 24, 2009 at 11:29 AM
http://www.veteranoutrage.com
WOW i loved this guy
but i loved the lady when she admitted that 2/3 of the assembly was the problem..
What a bunch of morons..
Oh lets just raise taxes and then give all the money away
to the 12 million illegals in our state who arent paying any taxes..
Gee lets spend billions on environmental laws and drive all the business out of the state..
What do you mean we dont have any business left?
What no tax money?
IDIOTS..
veteranoutrage on October 24, 2009 at 11:32 AM
So much about what Democrats want is destructive when will people wake up? I guess we need a plan for when they finally achieve the goal to cause a collapse.
When the collapse finally comes is it going to be the Obamaites who succeed in the revolution? Or are we going to have a way to beat them?
They have put us on this road and we can see the plan clearly yet all I hear from our side is moaning.
We need a resuscitation plan.
petunia on October 24, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Can anyone point out a successfully run city, county, or state that has been under continuous democrat rule?
jukin on October 24, 2009 at 11:36 AM
They’ve got their fingers in their ears.
TinMan13 on October 24, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I loved the last line.
That’s ’cause we’ve held down, umm, you know, like, real jobs ‘n stuff.
Mojave Mark on October 24, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Yep.
Weight of Glory on October 24, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Sadly there is no fallen far enough for the libs to get it…
doriangrey on October 24, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Nothing will change till it completely craters. They don’t get it and never will; and that includes both parties. It’s coming, and sooner than most people think. Our money is turing into nothing more than mere paper. Backed by nothing, producing nothing, and thus worth nothing.
PatriotRider on October 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Unfortunate as it may be, I fear you are correct in your prognosis. As so eloquently put by this guy, the culture that permeates our political class is so ingrained, that until a “stop the motor of the world” epiphany, all that ensues is but going through the motions.
Though I hold out hope otherwise, I cannot see how our republic as we know it will survive. Conceptually maybe, but as an actuality no way. The collectivists are going to drag this out in a slow death instead of the immediate and drastic remedies that could possibly save us. This guy may have seen the light, but the bulk of the collectivist’s are still in denial that there is even such a thing as darkness.
Just the dust settling from our coming financial implosion will take decades…
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/the_debt_death_sprial.html….
and the rest of the world will not stand still while we get our shit together. The talk of replacing the green-back by China , Russia, Opec and the rest are just the first vultures to start circling.
What we are witnessing in California is a dead man walking, the man is afflicted with a virus that runs throught the union. The carrion shall feast on our carcas before the end of the next decade.
Archimedes on October 24, 2009 at 11:43 AM
California is a perfect example of what happens when you spend most of your legislative energies insuring the reelection of incumbents. Absolute power is not required for absolute corruption to occur. Little slices of power are enough. Term limits for ALL politicians is critical. This is to shore up the electorate, not override it.
SKYFOX on October 24, 2009 at 11:44 AM
now that made my week, even more than celebrating my birthday!
jdsmith0021 on October 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Crazy Ca laws.
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Canary in the coal mine.
The US is next.
artist on October 24, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Just wondering, how many people here are planning to move to California? How many of you know of someone who is planning to move to California? Now how many of you know someone who used to live in California? Just sayin…
MikeA on October 24, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Things have to totally collapse before real changes are made.
Obama and the Democrats are bringing us to that day.
albill on October 24, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Wow, first the MSM actually sticks up for what is right with FOX News and now a Democrat speaking the truth. I must still be asleep, this is all a dream, I just know it.
bluemarlin on October 24, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Just a distraction to keep you from seeing the left hook headed for your jaw…
doriangrey on October 24, 2009 at 11:58 AM
When we finally left CA in Autumn 2005 in our moving truck, it was amazing how many other rented moving trucks there were on Interstate 8 East.
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Socialism/communism does not work and never will. “Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results”.
Johan Klaus on October 24, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Anybody that has visited or lived in big Demoncrap “controlled” cities, has seen the blight and the utter filth. Born and raised in Detroit a once vibrant city. Look at it now, 50% of all homes and buildings are abandoned, garbage strewn everywhere. Who has been in control of this city for 3 decades? when you answer this question you will see what the problem is.
jainphx on October 24, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Still waiting for my CA tax refund check.
txag92 on October 24, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Only 2/3?
KSgop on October 24, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I feel his pain.
But, in a state that elects the likes of Babs Boxer, Blinky Pelosi, and a Musclehead for Governor, and you can bet, their legislature is full of these mediocre half-wits, nothing changes.
franksalterego on October 24, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Some Democrats learn and know the truth.
He show signs of being hassled. He has slow paid a lot of suppliers. I am sure he has Senators calling him for favors in getting 90 day past due bills paid a little sooner. Bean counters get worn down.
His next crisis will be when the cost of money starts going up. To issue debt will cost more and more and where will it come from.
seven on October 24, 2009 at 12:06 PM
New Jersey checkin’ in over here…..
I know someone who just tried to rent a U-haul truck…..there’s at least a one week wait on rentals, since alot are going out of state, and nobody’s in a rush to move em’ back.
Jerome Horwitz on October 24, 2009 at 12:08 PM
The moving companies drool when my company is one of the few that still move scarce tallent to california when we haire people out of state. The vans usually go to california empty and only make money one way hauling.
seven on October 24, 2009 at 12:08 PM
The Citizens are fighting the unions instead. Two of our Tea Party group leaders have joined three others to submit paperwork to the SEIU-poaster filled Attorney General’s office for the first Tea Party Proposition in the state.
The essence of the proposal is that employees will not longer be forced to give money to unions, that can later be used for political purposes. Details are —
Freeing State Employees from Union-Political Elite’s Deal: CA’s 1st TEA PARTY INITIATIVE
Mutnodjmet on October 24, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I could tell that he was holding back.
.
How great would it have been if he been bellowing and grimacing rather than soft-pedaling the the “All Ahead – Iceberg” speed?
.
Analogy: California = Titanic
What’s the iceberg?
ExpressoBold on October 24, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Substitute “USA” for “California”.
I am from the future. I am from California.
Lou Budvis on October 24, 2009 at 12:15 PM
The socialist/communist imbeciles imbeciles in the state (and the corrupt politicians).
doriangrey on October 24, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Kinda like swerving to miss a skunk only to run head-on into a simi-truck loaded with skunk repellant.
Rovin on October 24, 2009 at 12:17 PM
The California GOP is a laughing stock, and one look no further than our governor for proof. And it doesn’t help that the local populace tends to stick to the formula of “Republican = Bad — so bad that we must reflexively vote for the people running our state to hell.”
Blind party loyalty sucks, no matter which side of the aisle it’s on.
Machete_Bug on October 24, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Put that last line on a bumper sticker – guaranteed best seller.
ej_pez on October 24, 2009 at 12:18 PM
And now, we have the “Californification” of the United States of America. God help us.
Star20 on October 24, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Ed, thank you for “shining the light of truth” on CA from time to time. We CA residents never seem to see any details when all these lefty plans are being developed…only after they’re about to be signed into law. And by that time, the only stopper is the Guv. Then lefties marshal all their forces to put pressure on one person…the Guv (whoEVER it is). As a political tactic, it’s just too late by that time to try to change Californian’s minds.
And, of course, the CA GOP seems completely ineffective (I realize that years of gerrymandering is part of this equation too).
I wonder, if the CA senate and assembly had similar public focus as talk radio and blogs put on the feds, they’d be able to get away with as much chicanery as they do, and a lot of these measures could be stopped earlier.
Pipe dream I suppose…
cranbone on October 24, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Don’t blame me, I voted for Tom McClintock.
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Awesome rant! It perfectly explains why we choose to reside in the heartland even though my husband works for a firm located in Silicon Valley! The CEO hasn’t even been applying a lot of pressure for us to move, it only comes up occasionally even though he is in an upper management position……
huskerdiva on October 24, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Maybe? LOL!
I predict CA will be the first state in the union to be
taken over“bailed out” by the Federal government. With $tring$ attached, of course.infidel4life on October 24, 2009 at 12:26 PM
The SEIU would like to know “which of thier legistlative bills is junk?”. They would also like to know “At what point in time was this man bought my the wealthy elite corporations?”. The SEIU will be sending letters to many of thier followers stating that this politician is no longer in the ‘Tank” and must be singled out, protested, and his personal and professional life must be made so miserable that he will either fall back in line or resign.
MichiganMatt on October 24, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Stay here! CA is not a suitable place to move your family to.
OmahaConservative on October 24, 2009 at 12:28 PM
“I don’t see any way out.” Exactly. Welcome to the utterly impossible existence of liberalism. This is the world they always create: a rat hole with no way out.
Of course, there is a way out but it requires inclinations, skills and courage they do not have — and will never, short of religious conversion, acquire.
rrpjr on October 24, 2009 at 12:30 PM
The California GOP needed better leadership 20 years ago. The problem with Republicans that people do not talk about is that they are in the pocket of unions too; the public safety unions. So when the democrats blew up the state budget via the pension system the Republicans went quietly along because the CHP and Fire Depts wanted their bite at the
taxpayerapple.Theworldisnotenough on October 24, 2009 at 12:31 PM
California voters won’t vote Democrats out of the legislature. California’s failure will be a warning to the left across the country. Reform or die.
I have a feeling California will have to fail before it reforms itself. And the failure will be spectacular. People that depend on the state for either welfare or pensions are going to get a rude awakening.
Theworldisnotenough on October 24, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Prop 187, redux time?Otherwise the state is Californicated.
profitsbeard on October 24, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I don’t know, Ed? I think the last admission about “efficiency” is pretty good.
Troy Rasmussen on October 24, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Good point. This guy’s on the front lines dealing with a lot of good people being screwed over for trusting the state to pay its bills on time, while the legislators get all the good perks like being wined and dined and applauded by fawning supporters looking for “something for nothing”.
venividivici on October 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM
CA most assuredly needs new Republican leadership. What’s in there now made backdoor deals to vote in the largest tax increase by any state in US history and they are all still there and more importantly supporting the deciding vote for those taxes. All you have to do is listen to Anthony Adams defend his vote while defending his seat against the recall against him and you can see how out of touch the Republicans are in CA.
oddjob1138 on October 24, 2009 at 1:24 PM
“stop electing Democrats to the Legislature. ”
Exactly. We need to FIRE the Democrats at ALL levels of government.
crosspatch on October 24, 2009 at 1:37 PM
I stayed too long at the fair as well. What’s our solution? What’s the vehicle to get these self-serving, economic morons out of the legislature? How do we get conservative candidates elected to replace Democrats and enabling Republicans? How do solve the gerrymandering issue? How do we turn back the clock? I’m willing to dedicate all my free time to returning this state to sanity if someone can show me the model.
mr1216 on October 24, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I have been living in CA for the past 14 years and I think it is time to move to another region. I recently spoke to several people who have said the same. There are no jobs here because the state is not business friendly. Even the libs who control Hollywood, take their productions to other states or Canada because the state hates business.
This is nothing but a Tax, Tax, Tax, Give-a-Way state that cuddles ILLEGAL ALIENS and Unions at the expense of tax payers and business. The schools are a joke and I am glad that my kids went to school in a different state.
Caryson on October 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM
“Just Say No.”
+1
warbaby on October 24, 2009 at 2:51 PM
California Treasurer, Bill Lockyer even says Republicans know more about efficiency. Stop all of the spending!!!
yoda on October 24, 2009 at 2:54 PM
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