Los Angeles Times:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday he would force state workers to take a third unpaid furlough day every month if lawmakers do not pass a balanced budget by Tuesday.
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Arnold could save California a lot more money by furloughing every prisoner convicted of a non-violent offense, unless and until the offender is convicted of an offense of violence. This would immediately reduce prison costs, and might increase CA's tax base to the extent that these guys found jobs or otherwise generated taxable income.
There are way too many prisoners in for drugs and 3 strikes. They need to be released.
The politicians of California have increased spending year after year and now the ones paying are the furloughed and pink slipped workers.
Years ago NYC was in deep trouble and the New York Times ran a headline "Washington to New York....Drop Dead". Washington later bailed the city out.
Now the California papers should be headlining "Washington to California....Drop Dead". They have just bailed out Michigan (GM, Chrysler) to the tune of $75billion but won't lift a finger for California.
Has anyone heard anything from Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Henry Waxman etc. on their actions to get help for California?
NADA
Ill egal aliens have ruined california
What about ENRON & Ken Lay?
Yeah they have. You know how? They left.
That's right. They couldn't make a living in America with this economy. So, they were forced to leave. Now, farmers have to pay minimum wages. It's destroying them. Well, that along with the drought.
All of this mess stems from one problem. People WANT, WANT and WANT but don't want to PAY for it. It's like this all over.
People want, yes. ENRON wanted our money and got it. You cannot have an fair argument about California's problem without including ENRON and the billions stolen from California.
Californians wanted this nut case so they got him.Grey Davis was railroaded out of office by right wing thugs spreading lies.Enjoy!
Grey Davis was railroaded by much of the same California State Government that is still in power. California eats Governors for breakfast. Cheap and easy scapegoats for the greediest state in the nation.
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/ca-roster/2003/2003-ca-roster.pdf 2003 when Davis was ousted
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/ca-roster/2009/pdf/00-entire.pdf 2009 Today
If the budget isn't passed by Thursday it will be a lot worse than 3 day/month furloughs! Try 5000+ layoffs and paying state workers with I.O.U.'s.
This has happened while Arnie has been governator; his watch. We recalled Grey Davis to get this clown? Great. I completely blame Arnie for letting ENRON off the hook for STEALING $20 BILLION; big mistake. Hasta la' vista baby.
Obamma,s policies may not be working as well as many had hoped:
1st 100 days - There are 2.9 million more people unemployed in May than there were unemployed in January. The unemployment rate went from 7.6% to 9.4%. Since May 2008, we have lost 5.5 million jobs. The biggest losers were: Manufacturing 1.5 million lost Finance & Prof Serv 1.5 million lost Construction 1.1 million lost Retail & Leisure 1.3 million lost
good articles http://www.bit.ly/12NCJR recommended reading
Why isnt the stock market falling when the economy is sinking? Why cant we get change in Washington that we really need? Why vote?
That is NUTS. The article is about California...the problem here is the same as elsewhere...we are hijacked by Republicans who have absoloutely NO soutions, who cut property taxes and then DMV taxes 3 years ago that would have solved the deficit problem all by itself....I didn't care if I paid the same in DMV fees...but NO the lovely Repug just had to cut those taxes...and now we are all paying. There is a stalemate in the budget here because Republicans simply say no to everything, even said to their members...LET CALIFORNIA FALL IN TO THE OCEAN...cause then they can blame the Democrats and hope that gets them back in power. This is typical Republicans..instead of helping people...they are willing to dump us all for power.
Obama is doing just fine...but he can't over ride the idiots in the states that put their career ahead of doing the right thing for their state. Obama gave us the money...and the Republicans BLEW IT.
Ever notice how the stock market goes up every time americans loose their jobs?
Most of the money California spends is on high salaries and extensive benifits for state workers.
Bring those salaries down to earth and cut the benefits and the problem is solved. ( I'm talking about the $90,000/ yr to $190,000 . salaries ).
Arnold was/is about as qualified as Gary Coleman who was one of his opponents. I hope Arnold is also taking an unpaid furlough. Under his admin. California has sunk under water without the need of an earthquake.
"Schwarzenegger, whose net worth is more than $100 million, does not accept his $212,179 annual salary as governor."
He doesn't take a salary.
http://www.sacbee.com/breaking/story/1123989.html
Bailout for Banks, UAW and the rest but no 5 billion emergency releif fund for Cali. Thanks Obama, change we can believe in.
$300 B (with a B) for Citi? Yes
$5 B for Cal ? No
Thanks Obama, you lost this independent.
Correct if i'm wrong but Cali has had money management problems for decades, but you will blame the President for this? How about raising taxes, water fees, etc.......There is money in Cali but those few who have it don't want to pony up the cash.
The reason California has an actor as a governor is that no politician in his right mind would want the job.
Really the root of the problem is the same all over: people spend money that they do not have.
I am not saying that debt is always a bad thing in general. But being in debt all the time is wrong. It just shows you can't get on top of your money. It's a total waste because you are spending money on interest payments and getting nothing in return.
The big screwup was running up debt during the Bush administration. When times are good and the markets are up, you should pay down your debts, not accumulate more.
Really, he isn't a bad governor. Is major failing is his lack of support in Sacramento. The opposition would rather see California go up in flames rather than support anything Arnold is trying to do.
Grey Davis has the SAME problem.
He is a very BAD Governator. He promised no extra vehicle taxes yearly (which would have balanced the budget) and got in on that flimsy promise. Balancing the budget on the backs of children, the disabled and seniors is the lowest a politician can go. And going is where he will be soon.. gone.
Wow. And I thought Michigan had problems.
We Californians were hit hardest in the economic crisis due to one fact: We voted in those who brought us to this disgrace. Our governor is pathetic. He has handled everything without finesse or consideration of the people of the state. California has a long, long history of failing to pass a budget each year. I remember it happening in the 70's and people talked then about how that was not the first time. This governor has merely compounded the practice through sheer obstructionism, employing bully tactics that have failed again and again. Twice he has held, or caused to be held, special measures votes instituted by himself. Resoundingly defeated each time, no ifs ands or buts. It's the paradox of California. We stupidly voted them in, then our dormant intelligence emerges during the special votes. Meantime, is it really such a surprise that we have really accomplished little in our state and are now at the mercy of these impotent legislators and governor?
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First Posted: 06-27-09 04:21 PM | Updated: 06-27-09 05:55 PM