Saturday, July 7, 2012 – 11:30 a.m.
Broke California is now the new laughingstock of the nation, in addition to being the butt of many cocktail party jokes.
The state that can’t balance it’s own budget is now getting a bullet train.
The out-of-balance state budget is already spending in excess of $5 billion more this year than last.
The state government wants higher taxes.
The state can’t say “no more” to unions.
And now the state is getting a bullet train!
A bullet train being constructed with borrowed money.
In past good years, California voters blindly approved billions of dollars of new bond issues to fund a myriad of projects.
Now California voters are reaping the downside of that mistake.
Many outside of California have to be wondering what the hell is going on in this state.
The democrat-controlled legislature is in full action these days. Yes spending, taxing and ripping money from local governments, while neutered republicans are merely bystanders as this all unfolds. The latest deal between Governor Jerry Brown and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the state’s largest union, is a prime example.
SEIU members just agreed to take a 5-percent cut. Whew! What a sacrifice!
It would be a nice gesture, but for the following;
- The cut is for only one year and is restored in twelve months.
- Employees get time off in exchange for the temporary concession. So productivity and service is impacted.
So what happens in a year?
Even if Brown’s tax increase proposal passes with voters in November, which at this point is questionable, the fiscal year 2013-14 budget is immediately, once again, out of balance.
In other words more cuts will be needed.
Even the spiraling pension disaster still has to be dealt with. And the road to a solution on that matter already appears to be a dog and pony show.
Did I say cuts earlier? In a state that can’t find its way out of a paper bag.
Republicans may be neutered at state level, but not locally. S B Cty Department heads at low end make more than Governor and Obama staff.
But yep, public unions bad mistake. The trade-off used to be a fair wage, fair pension. But both parties negotiated these agreements. They both like casino money. Remember the Lotto was going save education funding?
Jack Abramnoff, Grover’s and Ralph Reed’s buddy, sez both parties like the moola.
While we are at it, let’s get rid of Prop 98. Why are they not accountable for outcomes?
I like Lon MCClintock’s assessment of this mess, get rid of all ballot box budgeting measures and legislate! Sacto get to work, you have been AWOL for 30 years.
[...] Laughingstock Posted at 4:15 on July 7, 2012 by Charles Mahtesian Is California the laughingstock of the nation? Idaho governor’s mansion unused but still costly 16 women among 22 seeking [...]
Cuts are easy… just cut all the corruption out of the shystem (shysters running the system).
And as far as the pending public pension crisis, any public official found guilty of misconduct should be automatically stripped of the opportunity to collect their taxpayer-funded pension.
Now that’s real PENSION REFORM!
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over this article …
“Broke California is now the new laughing stock of the nation in addition to being the butt of many cocktail party jokes”
“The state can’t balance it’s own budget is now getting a bullet train.”
This article reminds me of a few jokes, AND our legislators…
“I wondered why the Frisbee was getting bigger, and then it hit me.”
“Light travels faster than sound. This is why some politicians appear bright until you hear them speak.”
“Liberals are like seagulls: all they do is squawk, eat crap, and they are protected by the government.”
Q. Who was the first liberal Democrat?
A . Christopher Columbus. He left not knowing where he was going, got there not knowing where he was, left not knowing where he’d been and did it all on borrowed money.
Q. What is the difference between a liberal and a puppy?
A. A puppy stops whining after it grows up.
@Anonymous
What’s the difference between a pit bull, a Republican and you?
The answer: there is no difference
@Jack,THANK YOU!
“Bubba was arrested for killing a man with sandpaper.
In court, Bubba said in his defense : I never wanted to kill him, all I did was rough him up a bit.”
Q: What’s the difference between a Democrat on a Harley and a vacuum cleaner?
A: The vacuum has the dirt bag on the inside.
“New” laughing stock? Please. California has been the joke of the nation for a long time.
Also, it’s not a BULLET TRAIN. It’s been widely reported it will not be a bullet train.
It will also cost more to use it and take longer to get where you want to go then just flying.
What a joke. This state is run by clowns. It is a cess pool.
California has a huge population and diverse population,It doesn’t matter if your democrat or republican, it shows what happens when one party holds all the power. The U.S. is on the same trajectory.
Anonymous #4:
You forgot to mention George Washington, James Mason, Thomas Jefferson
John Adams,& Benjamin Franklin in your list of liberals.
Remove the scum repairman.
Anonymous #10
I can’t help you can’t handle the truth. Your a classic conservative,
tell lies to gin up your point then try to silence anyone that will dare stand against you and tell the truth.
“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson
@Repairman
Would Anonymous #10 be committing internet fraud for taking my name? Or does the name “Anonymous” not have copyright protection? Should I get legal advise before #10 throws in a wrench and derails me?(LOL)
I can see why you suggested to rename me, but you didn’t give me any suggestions. Maybe I’ll add a # before or after Anonymous- I got used to that name now. (I may not always agree with you, but I have never called you names)
Anonymous #12
What name have I ever called you or any other Anonymous except for classic Conservative? Is that being called a bad name to you?
I’ve never suggested a name for you but if you’d like I’ll start working on it, I’ve got some ideas.
And as far as you thinking you own the name “Anonymous” because you once used it, makes you sound like a classic conservative.
Repairman
I do not take offense at being called a “classic conservative” only at how you twist the true intentions of classic conservatives…
Gov. Jerry Brown, “I wondered why the BULLET TRAIN was getting bigger, and then it hit me.”
YEAH, I KNOW, WISHFUL THINKING!