The Ungovernable State

[Jon Miller]

The federal government cann't step in until the state stops having a Republican form of government.

JM

[Kuciwalker]

Is that a pun?

If so, kill yourself now.

[Blaupanzer]

The problem isn't with the proposition system. The problem is the legislature who approved big program after big program in the last few years while knowing full well that they could not raise taxes if things went south economically. Blaming a popular form (populace-based) of law for the failure of the legislature to plan seems outrageous to me! Are you guys so anti-democratic that you believe that well advocated, well presented propositions are beyond the voter's capability to comprehend? If so, move to some other country and join the single party.

The Feds should only bail out underfunded Federal programs in the states. Other than that let the irresponsible legislatures fix the problems they created on their own.

[Kuciwalker]

The problem isn't with the proposition system. The problem is the legislature who approved big program after big program in the last few years while knowing full well that they could not raise taxes if things went south economically.

The problem is with the proposition, and its ability to vastly narrow legislators' options when trying to cut spending or raise taxes.

[Zkribbler]

The problem isn't with the proposition system. The problem is the legislature who approved big program after big program in the last few years while knowing full well that they could not raise taxes if things went south economically.

Name ONE big program which the California Legislature has passed in the last 10 years. I can't think of one.

The last big expansion of expenditures was the 3-Strikes laws, which filled to prisons to overflowing. By that was passed by proposition. Critics, such as myself, complained that there was no funding provided for it. Proponents said taxpayers would willingly increase taxes to pay for it. The voters haven't even though 3-strikes costs BILLIONS.

[Dinner]

The problem isn't with the proposition system. The problem is the legislature who approved big program after big program in the last few years while knowing full well that they could not raise taxes if things went south economically.

Bull****. Please name the supposed big new spending programs approved in the last two years. You really have no idea what you are talking about The reality is 60%-70% of the state budget is on autopilot due to propositions being passed and the legislature is legally required to fund it as a percentage of total funds or as a set amount with an annual inflation adjustment, depending on the program.

When the vast majority of the spending decisions aren't even in the legislature's hands it seems odd to me that you're blaming the legislature for simply following their legal requirements.

[Dinner]

Name ONE big program which the California Legislature has passed in the last 10 years. I can't think of one.

The last big expansion of expenditures was the 3-Strikes laws, which filled to prisons to overflowing. By that was passed by proposition. Critics, such as myself, complained that there was no funding provided for it. Proponents said taxpayers would willingly increase taxes to pay for it. The voters haven't even though 3-strikes costs BILLIONS.

The big money hole really is the propositions (example: three strikes). Especially the propositions with the mandated spending set in stone for all time with annual inflation adjustments. They just eat up more and more of the budget every year and make up around 2/3rds of the budget now.

[Ben Kenobi]

This is from the state who voted in favour of making all chickens free range. I suppose that's true, it's not the big projects that are killing you but the regulations.

[Dinner]

I voted against it but it doesn't make all chicken free range (no surprise that Ben is wrong again). It simply said the cages had to be large enough so the animal can stand up and turn around if it wants too.

[Ben Kenobi]

It's like Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

Sums up the California attitude perfectly.