A shame, and I do believe the current administration's agenda will drive the rest of the country in this direction. Our children will never know the freedoms and prosperity I grew up with in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

cali could very well be considered a failed attempt at socialism. we left ten years ago and have not looked back.

we have many friends who have found themselves bound there by what they own - some in norcal who live in "fairy shrimp" territory - they THOUGHT they'd raise cattle until the gov told them they needed to allot a portion of their land to this cause - they have to have it fenced and cannot so much as grow a garden on it.

too many causes can bring a state to their knees.

now you have the valley and the delta fish they're protecting - farmers are going broke and more foreign veggies and fruit from nations who are not restricted by this silliness are making a killing importing their goods here. we purchased navel oranges from south africa at a roadside stand today - we usually get them from california.

way to go.

I would love to go back- pockets lined with cash.

Make it big elsewhere and then pay for a house outright.

LESSON LEARNED.

Geeze, every third thread on here is about California going to hell in a handbasket.

#4

That's because you're talking about leaving Cali, Chris. : )

Maybe they should tax pot. Null alone could keep Los Angeles county afloat.

Goat goes around thread to thread insulting people because he knows his ignorance will show if he attempts to debate them. What we need to do is investigate the life of goatman. Then we can debate his value to society.

and THIS is what obama and his leftist want for the rest of the country..
which is WHY HIS PLANS MUST FAIL to be enacted.

Our children will never know the freedoms and prosperity I grew up with in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

#1 | Posted by MSgt

Well... Your statement is heavily dependent on what part of the country you lived in and also what tone your skin was. Things have never been really good across the deep south or Appalachia. And if you were on the Res, well..., it has never been good on the Res.

White America is getting a really big wake-up call to reality.

California going to hell in a handbasket.

#4 | Posted by CalifChris

Solution: Invest in hand-basket manufacturers (unfortunately, they're probably all Chinese).

I've never lived in CA, although due to a business relationship, I had to file taxes out there (don't ask me to explain it, my CPA made me do it)

I have done a lot of business over the years out there. . great people, beautiful and interesting state.. I was out there last spring rafting on the American river.. I like CA..

BUT.. the politics of CA is screwed up badly.. and while its wrong to blame all of it on the democrats, (the real estate crash hit them very hard) the Dems have controlled that legislature.. and you just can't explain that responsibility away.

People, including CA residents get the government they deserve.. Maybe now they'll vote the bums out..

Go ahead and blame the govt for the water not getting to the farmers..

Who exactly do you blame? Who turned it off? A fish?

And of course the water was a government project .. FOR PEOPLE.. the govt has been hijacked by a small group of nuts..

special interests are killing californistan.

Who Broke California?

Easy question. George W. Bush.

and THIS is what obama and his leftist want for the rest of the country..
which is WHY HIS PLANS MUST FAIL to be enacted.

#8 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2009-10-05 10:39 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

Who out there really beleives the country got into the shape it's in at the moment in the last 9 months?

I got a bridge to sell...

Who fucking cares. Burn it.

[lefties quickly googling to get a list of republican governors to list in their predictive knee-jerk responses]

BTW, I like your title better, rcade. Thanks

Who fucking cares. Burn it.

#20 oops. LOL

we purchased navel oranges from south africa at a roadside stand today - we usually get them from california. way to go.

#2 | Posted by nanc

Way to go NANC -- navel orange season is November through May in California. Do you suppose that is why the South African navels were on the roadside stand? Typical NANC post and response -- filled with MUS (make-up stuff to tell a good story.

The farmers of this great state use to feed the world. Now, those farmers and producers are out of business and standing in line at food banks. They have oil deposits that will never see the light of day.

You have 3rd generation farmers standing in line at food banks in California! They can't feed themselves. So the CA Gov't looses revenue by shutting them down. This increases cost by giving them assistance to appease the greenies.

It's financial suicide to borrow more money, knowing full well, these ridiculous regulations will continue to have a negative impact on available taxable revenue.

Why? Regulations, Green Agenda, Self Interests. We are now feeding farmers!

That's not irony...it's gross stupidity.

They regulated themselves into bankruptcy.

We at least win the award for the most sanctuary cities. On the other hand, the DMV did just change the rules about drivers' licenses and social security numbers.

Disneyland allows Gay Day (same-sex celebration that happened last weekend) Friday through Saturday. There are issues with our corporations' morals/motives.

"California tumbles into the sea"
Who knew Steely Dan was talking about a sea of debt and not the literal ocean.

The sad thing is the Obama administration is pretty much following the California model of government. To be fair so have the last 4 or 5 presidents. So goes California so goes the Country and all that.

Also why are there so many arsonists in California?

*should read Friday through Sunday

Can anyone say proposition 13? It was a great and noble republican based concept but doomed to failure. It has caused a huge portion of the tax base in the state to become stagnant as the property values skyrocketed. The problem in California is that taxpayers who bought years ago and still suck up resources the same as everybody can't be made to pay an equal share of the tax burden anymore. The youngest home owners (who can least afford it) pay for the lions share of the property taxes today. This has resulted in the older owners(who have the most equity in their homes) essentially getting by for 10 cents on the dollar when it comes to property taxes and now many of those same wealthy home owners are no longer in the workforce so even the income tax they paid is no longer in the circuit. They scream the loudest about welfare, but they now have their SS and Medicare and have become a burden on the system too.

Compound that with a huge problem with illegal immigrants, that republicans insist be pulled from the workforce, costs the state more money while the farmers pay more for labor costs (which they wrote off) and the illegals who were working turn to drugs and crime to survive which now cost the government more money to control.

Now, who is at the top of the political circus in California? A filthy rich republican that has accomplished absolutely nothing in how many years in office? I forget, it's been that long.

They regulated themselves into bankruptcy.

They regulated themselves into bankruptcy.

They regulated themselves into bankruptcy.

They regulated themselves into bankruptcy.

GW caused California to go broke? That's funny. Total bullshit but funny

Statists broke California.....

Gonna pretty much have to agree with RINGMASTER, very well said.

California is bureaucracy at it's finest and running most efficient. IE burn money like drunken sailors burning money.

I have seen first hand the damage done to our state by the Lefty Liberal Loony's in the legislature that took windfall incomes during boom years and extrapolated imaginary income FAR into the future, then proceeded to spend MORE than they projected on NOTHING.

Illegal Immigration, anchor babies, illegals clogging our prisons, courts, schools, and emergency rooms.

Draconian tax code that punishes entrepreneurs that so much as consider opening a business here.

Enormous and poorly planned infrastructure with mounting deferred maintenance issues.

California is basically ungovernable. The serious changes that need to be made financially will never happen. Whether it is reforms to the bankrupt pension systems or the generous welfare benefits the bums get. The Republirats never have enough power or balls to make changes. The Demorats, well.....tee hee, lets just leave it at that.

Its a long list which became glaringly apparent with Enron and never let up. One small part of the Bush tragedy.

The dems run the house--and they can't help themselves to spending other people's money and taxing the crap out of everyone.

Too much regulation.

What is going on in the San Joaquin Valley with the delta smelt is a crime--by the gov't.

Prop 13 is not the problem.

They just don't know how to save and stop the spending and get the illegals off the doles, out of the prisons and out of the schools.

When you have 5000 prison guards running the show--that's a crime.

It is the liberal policies that are killing us.

Same with MI and IL and NV.

Kenny "Boy" Lay and Cheney had secret meetings and plotted to bankrupt California. Why is this not mentioned? Enron destroyed California.

"Prop 13 is not the problem."

Uh, huh.

Neither were the exotic mortgages created and allowed to thrive in So Cal during the Bush years, right?

is the fourth largest economy in the world about to drag the rest of u.s. down with it?

for the person upthread regarding ahnold "kennedy" schwarzenegger - he doesn't take a governor's salary, so in essence cali got him for free. apparently the old adage, "you get what you pay for" is true!

When you have 5000 prison guards running the show--that's a crime.

It is the liberal policies that are killing us.

Since when is throwing people in jail for smoking weeds a liberal policy? Son, you better get your head screwed on right before it's too late. On second thought, for you, it looks like it is.

"Can anyone say proposition 13?"

Ringmaster you are absolutely correct. That was one of then most bat shit crazy ideas ever to make into law. Howard Jarvis's legacy.

If you want to see what the U.S. will look like in 5 years, just look at what California has done and what it looks like today.

They are trying to do the same things on a national level in congress that was done in the California legislature.

Some can see, but not observe.

mato - there are none so blind!

For Me I believe too much materialistic people fucked California up. You go to California all You see are Dollar signs. You gorge Yourself too much You either explode or You throw up it's that simple. Everyone wants everything their hearts desire but when they get it they aren't satisfied and then they want more more more. Everyone wants to live the high life but nobody wants to pay for it. If people would start living within their means and began to be content with what they have things would be different. Too much greed and glutony killed California.

Larry

The problem in California is that taxpayers who bought years ago and still suck up resources the same as everybody can't be made to pay an equal share of the tax burden anymore. The youngest home owners (who can least afford it) pay for the lions share of the property taxes today. This has resulted in the older owners(who have the most equity in their homes) essentially getting by for 10 cents on the dollar when it comes to property taxes and now many of those same wealthy home owners are no longer in the workforce so even the income tax they paid is no longer in the circuit. They scream the loudest about welfare, but they now have their SS and Medicare and have become a burden on the system too.

#27 | Posted by RingMaster at 2009-10-05 09:45 PM | Reply | Flag

That's awesome!

"Hey you old geezer. I know that you are 65 and retired but you've been living in that home for 40 years and paying property tax ever since. I know you probably built that home yourself or paid $40,000 for it originally but it's now worth more, especially when the housing boom hit, and I think you should pay a percentage of the what the market says that value should be. I don't really care that you don't have an income and you are living off of retirement and SS. If you can't pay the property tax, get the hell out of the neighborhood and take your wrinkled wife with you"

"Well, the housing boom is over now and your house is now worthless so you can move back into the neighborhood since you can now afford the property taxes"

Property taxes are a joke the way that they are based on market value of the home. Quick to go up and slow as hell to go down.

Should I pay more property tax as my home value goes up? Maybe at a sliding scale percentage but not unless the taxable additional resources offered directly increase the value of my home.

"Should I pay more property tax as my home value goes up? Maybe at a sliding scale percentage but not unless the taxable additional resources offered directly increase the value of my home."

Well, let the school systems go all to hell and stop servicing the sewer system, and lets see how much your house is worth.

Dan, don't be a dipshit. I never said to cut off public services. I was referring to the housing boom that instantly increased property taxes with no additional services being offered and then property taxes didn't go down when home prices bottomed out.

"I was referring to the housing boom that instantly increased property taxes "

In California? I thought that's what Prop 13 disallowed.

I did refer to California at the start of my post but I don't live in California so I was compairing California way of handling property taxes to how other states handle property tax.

RingMaster was complaining that California's property tax doesn't go up when the value of the home increase's but it does in my state, hense the statement "Should I pay more property tax"

I was playing on the fact that he wants the older fellow, who purchased his home 30-40 years ago, should pay the same property tax as him. Do I think it's right? I can see the point which is why I said it should be more on a sliding scale and not a direct percentage of the home value.

It's happening all over right now where people move into newer neighbor hoods paying, less just say, 250,000 and more for homes. The bank forcloses on a couple of homes in the neighborhood and the prices drop to 175,000 but those still making their payments are still paying property tax on that 250,000 home that is worth 175,000. They are now in the mercy of the local government to re assess the property which may not be next year.

"I did refer to California at the start of my post but I don't live in California so I was compairing California way of handling property taxes to how other states handle property tax."

And how was I supposed to know that? As you admit, you referenced California.

"he wants the older fellow, who purchased his home 30-40 years ago, should pay the same property tax as him. Do I think it's right?"

If the houses are the same value, why not? The cost of the schools have gone up, and the cost of keeping the sewer systems has gone up...isn't it ludicrous to think the property taxes shouldn't go up commensurately? I mean, you don't expect the guy in the older home to pay the same rate for utilities as when he moved in 30 years ago, why would you expect a break on property taxes?

"those still making their payments are still paying property tax on that 250,000 home that is worth 175,000"

That's why they have property tax appeal boards.

Its a long list which became glaringly apparent with Enron and never let up. One small part of the Bush tragedy.

#36 | Posted by nutcase

Enron committed its crimes during the Clinton administration and was prosecuted by the Bush DOJ.

Now, I don't blame Clinton for Enron's malfeasance and as such it is ridiculously dishonest of you to try and hang their crimes on Bush.

Proposition 13 was needed at the time and certainly contributed to the phenomenal rise in property values as well as putting extra money into things like home renovation and even investment in other real property. Unfortunately Ronald Reagan had no formal education in economics and his sacred prop13 is now an albatross on the neck of the Terminator, but like I said already, it's just one aspect of the dilemma.

California is the nations bread basket and has the most diverse commercial agriculture in the country. Much of it, like Hawaiian Coffee is labor intensive and must compete with the rest of the world now.

Times change, fortunes come and go, but if the tax base dissolves, we are all fucked. Thanks Ronnie, but you did your best work on the economy making tobacco ads.

Enron committed its crimes during the Clinton administration and was prosecuted by the Bush DOJ.

Only Lay and Skilling were ever tried and Lay was already a dying man. In fact, the vast majority of the Enron investigation was lost when building 7 collapsed on 911, which housed the main data center for the SEC in a building that was considered one of the safest places in NY and the country. It collapsed from fire in spite of the fact that it was concrete and steel construction. It was an American tragedy according to the official 911 investigation ordered by GW Bush.

In fact, the vast majority of the Enron investigation was lost when building 7 collapsed on 911, which housed the main data center for the SEC in a building that was considered one of the safest places in NY and the country.

I"ve never heard of any corporation or organization that didn't keep off-site redundant records. Especially an organization as important as the SEC. I find it very hard to believe that the SEC didn't keep an off-site copy of their records.

I find it very hard to believe that the SEC didn't keep an off-site copy of their records.

So do I.

How many employees did Enron have?

In January of 2001 Grey Davis declared a state of emergency and requested Federal assistance. Bush refused to help. Arthur Anderson helped destroy many of the documents pertaining to the fraud. The solution to the Enron fiasco was further deregulation resulting in our current National crisis.
You people get what you deserve, you don't want regulation and you don't want to pay taxes so California is going to become a total disaster zone. The solution is to change Prop. 13 as it applies to commercial real estate. New retail stores find it difficult to compete with older businesses who are grandfathered in at a much lower tax rate. This would not effect residential property and would remove an unfair subsidy to older businesses.

Since the left loves taxing the rich so much lets just take 50% of Hollywoods earnings that should not only help fix the budget but cut into the campaign contributions for the democrats.

Who broke California?

Reagan's Fault (TM)

Kidding.

Caleeforneeya (to borrow the Governator's pronunciation) is self-broken because it keeps voting to spend more but also keeps voting to prevent funding fer sed spending.

The overabundance of illegals certainly doesn't help the equation.

Be Well.

Common misconception is that as property values increase, taxes increases always will follow. Regular revaluation of ALL properties make sure that a property has an accurate values for its assessment.

Spending is controlled by the unit of government at its budget hearings. What Ringmaster is describing regarding the effect of Prop 13 is correct. The inequity of the assessment process was a major contributor to the decline in California.

I tend to think California's problem stem mostly from their foray into "Direct Democracy". No other state uses the popular initiative and referendum as aggressively as California and hard choices just don't get made.

People are fickle, as cynical as we may be about politicians (no matter their stripe) they do serve as a nice filter to the whim of the masses.

#45 | Posted by LarryMohr - have you ever seen the movie "SEVEN"? watch it. cali guilty. the serial killer in the plot was actually doing society a favor. best movie i've ever seen brad pitt in - he had a hunger and some substance back then.

I am glad so many people are leaving Cali. When I move back all the conservatives will be gone.

"Well... Your statement is heavily dependent on what part of the country you lived in and also what tone your skin was. Things have never been really good across the deep south or Appalachia. And if you were on the Res, well..., it has never been good on the Res.
White America is getting a really big wake-up call to reality."

Myself, living in California, being part Native American and part of White America... I resent this statement. I have worked my ass off since I was 17. No one paid for any of my education, no freebies, paid plenty of taxes....

No, the hurt is more for those who still are trying to live on the government teat because the taxpayers backs have been broken. Who lives on government teat?... well, you look it up. We just could not keep up the pace of government hunger! And surprise... the taxpayers are those capitalists who believe in reaching for a dream, doing it themselves, not depending on government (from a handout to being employed by government), and at the same time, contributing to society and helping others to reach for the dream also... not in doing it for them.

Common misconception is that as property values increase, taxes increases always will follow. Regular revaluation of ALL properties make sure that a property has an accurate values for its assessment.

#61 | Posted by SLBronkowitz at 2009-10-06 06:12 AM | Reply | Flag

Please explain to me, how property taxes are determined. Property tax levied on the value of real property. The value is typically determined by the department of revenue for your state. If the value of your real property increases, taxes will increase. It's pretty simple.

Also, re assessments are done every 2 years there after. And property assessment boards are pretty hard to deal with. Los Angelas, for instance, has a 9 step process to follow. I'm going to have to try to have my property re assessed this year and dred it.

And as much as DANFORTH wants to put words in my mouth, I never said and I have clarified twice, that I don't believe that property taxes shouldn't go up but they should correctly reflect the government services that they are used towards. Also, there is something to say about those people who have been paying for those services for 20+ years and the people who are just moving to the area to take advantage of those services. I don't think it should be apples to apples when it's clearly not.

#53

You are correct about the tax base going away but it seems that the government is doing all they can to help assist with that. The more people dependant on the government, the more control they think they have.

Also, there is something to say about those people who have been paying for those services for 20+ years and the people who are just moving to the area to take advantage of those services.

Those people that move in paid their dues somewhere else. What's the difference? The fact is, if they are renters they payed more then their share if you consider they have no equity building up. Rental property is not grandfathered in with Prop13. At any rate the services are paid annually, not based on how long you live there.

Face it, tax liability is everyone's responsibility. Making laws to protect long time residents and penalize newcomers is not going to help the local economy in the end. Real estate is a dead market in California because taxes are so high once the house turns over. People can't even come up with the down payment and mortgage much less $5,000 a year for property taxes.

California voter screwed themselves.

I have lived in california all of my life and I will tell you what happened. Liberals and illegals.

SIMPLE

Please explain to me, how property taxes are determined...

In Ca when a new home is purchased, take the selling price, multiply by 1.25% and divide by 12, That is what I use to determine the monthly tax amount when qualifying. Not exact, but usually pretty close.

California voter screwed themselves.

#67 | Posted by RingMaster at 2009-10-06 09:37 AM

By electing dems as the majority of both houses, year after year? Los Angeles, San Francisco...

Prop 13 didn't stop property taxes from increasing every year... it just capped the increase at 2% maximum per year. Not unreasonable.

and THIS is what obama and his leftist want for the rest of the country..
which is WHY HIS PLANS MUST FAIL to be enacted.

#8 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2009-10-05 10:39 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

This is the dumbest post i have ever heard. Obama wants the rest of the country to be broke and unemployeement to be through the roof??? are you kinding you sound as crazy as the lefties who though bush was going to use 9/11 to suspend elections. Cali is great expamle of Excess gone wrong. Of what happens when Greed and Lust for a quick buck takes over the mindset of a society. Very similiarly to the banking Crisis. The difference is that we didnt give 700 Billion dollars to Cali. You can say this is socialism but thats not the case what has cased Cali to fail is mix of Government Spending to much and unregulated banking pratices. To blame only one or only the other shows a vast lack of understanding. The housing bubble in Cali was caused in large part by unregulated lending in Cali. I know thats hard for the Regulations are always evil crowd but its the truth. Companies saw a get rich quick scheme that they though would never fail. Which is the problem with get rich quick schemes they always fail sooner or later. Couple that with a government that spend itself into massive debt Much the same way Reagen tripled the debt when he was in office (was he trying to ruin the country) Or bush doubled it. ( was he also trying to ruin the country). The biggest problem we have is people who run this country dont seem to be able to say no to anyway one who can help get get elected. Both the right and the left. The dems raise spending and raise taxes. The right Cut taxes but never make around to cutting the pork they said they would. (please see 2000-2006 US budgets as proof). So really we are boned either way untill these people do whats best for the country not whats best for there Professional lives. Untill they are ready to voted out of office by doing the right thing nothing will change, Obama, Palin, Reed, McCain all of them put there Careers ahead of the people who elected them to leed

what a silly question

goddamn democrats.

Here is my attempt at a non-partisan, honest evaluation of what went wrong.
A combination of two factors: Prop 13 (which Republicans refuse to allow be overturned; and Democratic legislators who over the past decades have increased spending with little regard to economic reality.

Why don't they just levy a 50% or higher tax on Hollywood directly?

bush did it.

moder8, Cali's overall tax burden is still one of the tops in the nation. Prop. 13 is not the cause. I agree with your second statement.

Yeah, Prop 13 is a major cause. It severely limits the amount of taxes the State is able to collect. Believe me, I live here. As a homeowner, over the years Prop 13 has saved me probably in excess of $15,000 which otherwise would have gone to the State. Multiply that amount by a lot statewide and the impact should be clear.

But, they've supplanted those revenues with increased sales tax, income tax, and special assessments. It's still one of hte highest tax burden states. I don't see how it can all be blamed on Prop. 13 based on those facts/

Here is my attempt at a non-partisan, honest evaluation of what went wrong.
A combination of two factors: Prop 13 (which Republicans refuse to allow be overturned; and Democratic legislators who over the past decades have increased spending with little regard to economic reality.

#74 | Posted by moder8 at 2009

wow...you are sure being good today...have some sort of ephany or something...good for you.
prop 13 seems to have done much of what you say but purely from an outsider looking in...
it doesnt seem that dems who have run the state for so long have actually cut things they could to save money.
as I said...as someone who doesnt spend much time looking into california...its taking too much time worrying about texas being overrun with dems who will do the same thing here if they get thier wish.

#74 The Republican who runs the state cut the car tax after Texas based Enron stole $30,000,000,000 from California. Tell what the dems did?

Prop 13, originally envisioned as relief for retirees living on fixed incomes was a life saving good idea. When those people die or sell, the property value readjusts to market. But it was succesfully hijacked by Corporations, which can live forever and thus never sell and thus dodge tax increases on all commercial properties indefinately. This must have slowly hurt the State big time.

Implying that California's problems are due to lack of revenue when they have some of the highest taxes per GDP, and some of the highest government spending per GDP is like saying MC Hammers problems were due to lack of income.

Try selling that argument to a finical advisor they would roll on the floor laughing.

It is expensive to subsidize all those old people on fixed incomes. Why should the government dedicate itself to this? Because the old people vote. It is the older generations forcing the younger generations to support them. Home prices remain unrealistically inflated because the properties are held by subsidized old people nationwide, old widow women that never did anything but raise a couple kids many years ago living on for decades after him, collecting their husband's social security.

Who Broke California? Alan Greenspan, the loose lending laws and adjustable mortgages. period.

Who Broke California? Alan Greenspan, the loose lending laws and adjustable mortgages. period.

Interesting. I thought the other 49 (non-bankrupt) states adhered to his policies too.

special interests are killing californistan.

#13 | Posted by nanc

like religious nuts

I have lived in california all of my life and I will tell you what happened. Liberals and illegals.

SIMPLE

#68 | Posted by chickenrancher

Yes it is SIMPLE

Chickenrancher is what happened to california.

I have lived in california all of my life and I will tell you what happened. Liberals and illegals.

Well, it's only fair then. They built the state, they can surely take it down.

#74 The Republican who runs the state cut the car tax after Texas based Enron stole $30,000,000,000 from California. Tell what the dems did?

#80 | Posted by BobP at 2009-10-06 11:50 AM

Other than take the States money and invest in Enron? Nothing I suppose.

Sorry to be replying so late in the the thread here T Man, but I just got in the door.

The process varies from state to state but in general, governmental unit determines the costs for upcoming year to function. That total cost is then distributed usually a rate expressed as dollars per $1,000 of assessed value. A $100,000 property with a tax rate of $20.00/1000 would have a $2,000 tax bill.

Real exciting stuff.

It wasn't me! I did not touch it last. (gently puts down California and slowly walks away)

This is how California got to where it is, circling the drain: 1. We changed from a part time legislature to a full time legislature in the 1960's, making it possible for our politicians to live exclusively off the people rather than having to make a living in the real world; 2. We allowed our public sector employees to unionize in the late 1960's, when they already had civil service protections, pensions and benefits secured by law; 3. These unions have proceeded to rape the public by bullying and buying our politicians into voting them higher wages and benefits than equivalent jobs in the private sector, and it never ends; 4. The legislature voted to not enforce welfare reform laws passed by the federal govt in the 1990's, so we never ended generational welfare in this state, despite the good economies and low unemployment of the Clinton and Bush eras; 5. This California legislature, governors, attorney generals and judges have not allowed us to enforce immigration laws, hence this state has spent 10 Billion dollars a year for 20-30 years to educate, medicate, house, and incarcerate illegal; immigrants; 6. This legislature has driven our business tax base out of the state with high taxes and onerous regulations; 7. This legislature is driving out the high income earners who largely pay all the bills in this state; 8. Our legislature cannot stop spending and adding new taxes to a population that is highly stressed with the cost of living and those added taxes and regulations. When the boomers stop working, this state will totally implode.

Lyrics to Aenima :
Some say the end is near.
Some say we'll see armageddon soon.
I certainly hope we will.
I sure could use a vacation from this

Bullshit three ring circus sideshow of
Freaks

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

Fret for your figure and
Fret for your latte and
Fret for your hairpiece and
Fret for your lawsuit and
Fret for your prozac and
Fret for your pilot and
Fret for your contract and
Fret for your car.

It's a
Bullshit three ring circus sideshow of
Freaks

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

Some say a comet will fall from the sky.
Followed by meteor showers and tidal waves.
Followed by faultlines that cannot sit still.
Followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits.

Some say the end is near.
Some say we'll see armageddon soon.
I certainly hope we will cuz
I sure could use a vacation from this

Silly shit, stupid shit...

One great big festering neon distraction,
I've a suggestion to keep you all occupied.

Learn to swim.

Mom's gonna fix it all soon.
Mom's comin' round to put it back the way it ought to be.

Learn to swim.

Fuck L Ron Hubbard and
Fuck all his clones.
Fuck all those gun-toting
Hip gangster wannabes.

Learn to swim.

Fuck retro anything.
Fuck your tattoos.
Fuck all you junkies and
Fuck your short memory.

Learn to swim.

Fuck smiley glad-hands
With hidden agendas.
Fuck these dysfunctional,
Insecure actresses.

Learn to swim.

Cuz I'm praying for rain
And I'm praying for tidal waves
I wanna see the ground give way.
I wanna watch it all go down.
Mom please flush it all away.
I wanna watch it go right in and down.
I wanna watch it go right in.
Watch you flush it all away.

Time to bring it down again.
Don't just call me pessimist.
Try and read between the lines.

I can't imagine why you wouldn't
Welcome any change, my friend.

I wanna see it all come down.
suck it down.
flush it down.

I have to agree with much of what you say KISSNTELL but there is some major points you are missing. California, under Reagan, adopted a principle of uncontrolled growth with the belief that as long as the builders kept cranking out the subdivisions the infrastructure would keep up. Reagan insisted that technology would solve the infrastructure problems just like an aspirin between the knees would solve the teen pregnancy and aids issues. Neither was very forward looking. He also preached low taxes while at the same time expanding the state workforce just as he did with the federal workforce. When Schwarzenegger got elected it was because the people were fed up with Davis but since his inauguration what has changed? The underlying problem was too much capitalism and exploitation and not enough conservation. The rest is history. Ignore the land and you pay the price.

Hawaii has adopted a policy of foot dragging for years on every new subdivision and demanding infrastructure be paid for by the developers. It has saved our bacon countless times. California could learn a lot from the 'stupid liberals' that dominate this state.

Why? Self inflicted wounds.

They regulated themselves into bankruptcy.

#28 | Posted by aclusux at

I think you can substitute the word spent for regulated....or more likely add it would be more accurate.

Who Broke California?

Answer: The Citizens. They voted. Now they pay the price of their greed.

#96 | Posted by GotTruth

Answer: The Citizens. They voted. Now they pay the price of their greed.

--------------------
So true, also the state employees are a huge chunk of the California electorate, and they vote for higher taxes and more government.

#85
"Who Broke California? Alan Greenspan, the loose lending laws and adjustable mortgages. period.

Interesting. I thought the other 49 (non-bankrupt) states adhered to his policies too."

Illinois is a fiscal "shit-bucket" too.

You wanna know who fucked up this state?!?!?

Those fucking brown people.

CalifChris

You wanna know who fucked up this state?!?!?

Those fucking brown people.

CalifChris

Posted by jerrytarkanian at 2009-10-07 12:12

At one time you used to be funny, now you're just boring.

Boring = the kiss of death for wanna be comedians like JT