Ace of Spades HQ

May 13, 2012

California Is Just A Little Bit Screwed
— DrewM

$16 Billion worth of screwed.

Bud have no fear.....Jerry Brown is here!

The Democratic governor said the shortfall grew from $9.2 billion in January in part because tax collections have not come in as high as expected and the economy isn't growing as fast as hoped for. The deficit has also risen because lawsuits and federal requirements have blocked billions of dollars in state cuts.
"This means we will have to go much farther and make cuts far greater than I asked for at the beginning of the year," Brown said in an online video. "But we can't fill this hole with cuts alone without doing severe damage to our schools. That's why I'm bypassing the gridlock and asking you, the people of California, to approve a plan that avoids cuts to schools and public safety."
Brown did not release details of the newly calculated deficit Saturday, but he is expected to lay out a revised spending plan Monday. The new plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1 hinges in large part on voters approving higher taxes.

So to sum up...raising taxes didn't raise as much revenue as they expected because the economy wasn't magically improved by Obama on a national level and Brown's tax hikes on the state level. Clearly the answer is to demand more from the serfs!

Brown has said there will be even deeper cuts, mostly to public education, if voters do not improve tax hikes in November. He is seeking a quarter-cent increase in the state sales tax for four years and a seven-year hike on incomes of $250,000 or more that will range from 1 to 3 percentage points. He says the measure would raise $9 billion in the upcoming budget year.

Fortunately for Brown, it's not like people can chose to leave or move their businesses to other states. Oh. Never mind.

In 2011, 254 California companies moved some or all of their work and jobs out of state, 26% more than in 2010, according to Irvine business consultant Joe Vranich who has been tracking these departures since 2009.
The pace is accelerating, Vranich said. An average of 4.9 businesses left California each week of 2011, compared to 3.9 per week (202 total) in 2010 and one a week (51 total) in 2009. In what he calls "disinvestment events,"

Maybe we could just sell California back to Mexico. And if they won't pony up the cash, we could just give it to them. Or you know....give them a couple of bucks to take it off our hands.

Posted by: DrewM at 08:32 AM | Comments (188)
Post contains 440 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Build the Fence!

Posted by: garrett at May 13, 2012 08:34 AM (5vGDA)

...oh, and congrats, Drew.

King Henrik looked huge last nght.

Posted by: garrett at May 13, 2012 08:36 AM (5vGDA)

3 The great Victor Davis Hanson has a rather optimistic post about California and the coming elections. Worth a read, as always. http://pjmedia.com/victordavishanson/changeÂ—and-some-hope/

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 13, 2012 08:38 AM (i8AZQ)

4 King Henrik looked huge last nght. Posted by: garrett
...........
Is that code for something?

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at May 13, 2012 08:41 AM (UTq/I)

5 The Fuckening has begun!

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 08:43 AM (QTHTd)

6 >>>Or you know....give them a couple of bucks to take it off our hands. Some of us morons are still stuck in that State.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose at May 13, 2012 08:43 AM (wy+PT)

Is that code for something?

Heh.

No, Drew is our resident Rangers fan. He should be quite happy with the result of Game 7.

Posted by: garrett at May 13, 2012 08:43 AM (5vGDA)

8 I left CA in 1977 and never looked back.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 08:44 AM (YdQQY)

9 My first reaction upon Gov. Moonbeam's re-election was "WTF? What decade is this?"

But then it dawned on me: now the Donks have no choice but to own the utter catastrophe that is my home state.

Posted by: meekrob at May 13, 2012 08:44 AM (x2CNJ)

10 Meanwhile I heard (can't remember where) that the the government estimates that an oil shale formation near Colorado has an estimate 3 trillion barrels of recoverable energy. Even if the estimate is off by 50%, that would still represent an amount greater than the entire world's energy reserves combined! And this is a GOVERNMENT estimate, not one made by the industry. Naturally it's all on government land and prohibited by the Luddite flat-earth no-growth EPA fiends.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 13, 2012 08:44 AM (i8AZQ)

11 "Maybe we could just sell California back to Mexico. And if they won't pony up the cash, we could just give it to them. Or you know....give them a couple of bucks to take it off our hands."

Once more, I say, "You first."

I was born in California. I do not want to leave California. I'm in favor of kicking Jerry Brown out of office before he completes the ruin of my state.

But, of course, all the idiots who moved here from elsewhere are going to ruin my state, and I'll have to leave, like the rest of the sensible people.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 08:45 AM (mKMj1)

12 i wouldn't worry about jerry, i've heard his aura smiles and never frowns

Posted by: inyourheadZOMBIE at May 13, 2012 08:46 AM (PeB4U)

13 Dear Cali residents,

You get what you deserve... you re-elected this fuckstick as your Gov. Didn't learn your lesson during his first go around... and he's doing it again to you in the squeakhole.

And remember the Donkeycrat mantra - it's for the kids!

Posted by: Satan's Barbed Schnitzengruber at May 13, 2012 08:46 AM (Jls4P)

14 Romney should just announce 'No bailouts for California.' He's not going to win CA anyway, and it will win him points from voters in the other 49. Make Obama take the position that everyone will be taxed to bailout KooKooFornia.

Posted by: nickless at May 13, 2012 08:47 AM (MMC8r)

15 "Disinvestment events" XD

Posted by: JDTAY at May 13, 2012 08:47 AM (sFP59)

16 BTW - you would need to flush the toilet in Sactown... it's not just Jerry, but all of those asswipes in the legislature that have perpetuated this problem

Posted by: Satan's Barbed Schnitzengruber at May 13, 2012 08:48 AM (Jls4P)

17 Funny how the only cuts can that can be made are teachers, fire and police. Screw all the dead regulatory agencies, and we have to be sure that the illegals can operate freely in a consequence and tax free environment with all the help and services they can hold. Of course pensions for past or present government workers must be maintained.

Jerry also doesn't mention that the thing that's blocking him from any sort of cost cutting measures is a democratic legislature - that poor republican huddled in the corner in the fetal position can't do crap.

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at May 13, 2012 08:48 AM (Qxdfp)

18 But, of course, all the idiots who moved here from elsewhere are going to ruin my state, and I'll have to leave, like the rest of the sensible people.
Posted by: Dianna
............
Yeah.. it's always someone else's fault.

You, as a state, are fucked up. You have shitty laws that protect government spending that is out of control. You guys keep electing liberal governors and state legislatures.

I don't mean to get down on you, personally, Dianna. But this is just like Greece blaming Germany for their troubles.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at May 13, 2012 08:49 AM (UTq/I)

19 Greek-like excuses for federal bailout in 3...2...1. Oh who am I kidding, they've used the typical liberal excuses for failed governance for years already. Oh Prop 13 is at fault? So the problem is too few taxes? Tell that to the stream of economic refugees to Texas. Let California suffer the natural consequence of its liberalism. It's sad that a land so blessed with natural and human resources has failed. But they are like the lottery winner who is bankrupt and divorced in a year. Progressivism is a sucking black hole into which all our efforts, fortunes, and legacies fall and disappear forever.

Posted by: Xuyee at May 13, 2012 08:49 AM (xaW2o)

20 Romney should just announce 'No bailouts for California.'

Too late. The fed is the only one buying CA bonds. So we are already bailing them out.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 08:50 AM (YdQQY)

21 12 Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 12:45 PM

He already ruined CA once.
Apparently the voters decided he needed to come in and finish it off as it's still on life support.

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at May 13, 2012 08:50 AM (Qxdfp)

22 This is why we need a President who will tackle big government and hold it down while giving it a good shearing...

Posted by: packsoldier at May 13, 2012 08:52 AM (IKpd3)

23 What did the "voters" expect when they re-elected this socialist piece of shit. I lived in CA during Jer's last "reign". He was more interested in his relationship with his lady love, Linda Ronstadt, than doing his job. They were sooo precious, on the news all the time showing the lowly serfs how cool and hip they were. I have lots of family in CA and wish most of them the best. For a few of the "stuck on stupid" democrats who voted not only for Brown's dumbass AGAIN, but the loser in the White House as well, they deserve everything they get. Ironically, they are the ones making more than $250,000 a year. As Ace posted in the side bar, only the very rich and very poor embrace socialism.

Posted by: Theresa, MSgt (Ret) at May 13, 2012 08:52 AM (D1vrL)

24 What we need in California is High Speed Rail!!! That would fix everything.

Posted by: Peaches at May 13, 2012 08:53 AM (lJ2es)

25 #20 - Chi town Jerry: Honestly? It's not those of us who were born here who voted all this crap into existence.

I'm severely pissed off. My vote is like a drop in the ocean, here. I can try to explain that we simply cannot go on like this, and my idiot neighbors insist that reality cannot intrude on California.

None of my neighbors are Californians by birth.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 08:53 AM (mKMj1)

26 tax collections have not come in as high as expected and the economy isn't growing as fast as hoped for.
----------------

Echoes of "we didn't know how badly Bush had screwed us, please give us another four years to keep driving the country into a ditch."

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 08:53 AM (oS2lG)

27 Fence them in or they'll ruin what's left of the country!

Posted by: garrett at May 13, 2012 08:54 AM (5vGDA)

28 "tax collections have not come in as high as expected" No SHIT sherlock!!! WTF do you expect when you run all the producers out of state and roll out the blue carpet for all the takers??? What plan do you have to make the takers, productive TAX PAYING citizens??? What?? Oh I did not think so???

Posted by: izoneguy at May 13, 2012 08:55 AM (hbRed)

29 I'm bypassing the gridlock
--------------

So fucking full of fail this governor. "I'm such a lousy leader and so full of dogshit that I can't get my Democrat majority in Sacramento to go along with my desperate schemes. So will you help me go over their heads? Please?"

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 08:56 AM (oS2lG)

30 Dear California: Please keep your tax-loving libtards to yourself. Reverse-Okies not wanted. Love, Texas

Posted by: Texas at May 13, 2012 08:56 AM (G9qZk)

31 On a somewhat related note, I've been mulling over a couple of economic peculiarities.

The Federal Reserve is a consortium of private banks that issues pretty much all the money in the US. The way it is supposed to create this money is that it buys US Government bonds ("backed by the full faith and credit of the US") with greenbacks. So each little dead president in your wallet would be a 1-gazillionth share of a portfolio of US bonds. The US would then coax the little blighters out of your wallet via taxes, pay down the bonds, which would decrease the holdings in the Federal Reserve, and -- hakuna matata -- the great circle of life renews again.

In this recent financial crisis, however -- and without changing its charter -- the Fed hoovered up pretty much the entire mortgage industry and splunged out truly amazing amounts of greenbacks to do so. So each dead president is now a piece of a portfolio of government bonds and busted mortgages -- many of which are in California.

In the meantime, Cali-boned-ya has moved into the future of profligacy in a truly amazing way. It duplicates practically every feature of the Feds (there's Cal-OSHA, Cal-EPA, California emissions standards....), has superhigh taxes, supervoluminous regulations, and teams of superfluous government employees (IIRC, there are something like 1200 boards and commissions, that may only meet a few times per year, with paid staff positions to employ nieces, nephews, cousins, lackeys, flacks, and hangers-on of California autocrats). Accordingly, as noted, people are cashing out and leaving in droves.

So, the question is, how much trouble are these people inadvertently taking with them by leaving busted-mortgage-land but cashing out into busted-mortgage-fiat-paper?

Actually, the other question is: "why hasn't the caffeine kicked in, yet?"

Posted by: cthulhu at May 13, 2012 08:56 AM (kaalw)

32
According to Loree Levy of the California Employment Development Department the California economy is improving so we'll just start cutting long term unemployment benefits.
http://tinyurl.com/758fskj

Posted by: YIKES! at May 13, 2012 08:56 AM (Klb0T)

33 Sad... California is so beautiful.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at May 13, 2012 08:57 AM (DGIjM)

34 #5, LOL. We just bought "Your Highness". It is beyond hysterical, but took me two viewings to truly appreciate. I rate it up there with "Hot Fuzz" (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) as one of the most hysterical movies ever.

Posted by: Theresa, MSgt (Ret) at May 13, 2012 08:59 AM (D1vrL)

Sad... California is so beautiful.

True. Arizona Bay will be beautiful, too.

Fire up the HARP...

Posted by: garrett at May 13, 2012 09:00 AM (5vGDA)

36 Sad... California is so beautiful.

There is nothing like a bike ride up highway 101 above SF.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:00 AM (YdQQY)

37 But, of course, all the idiots who moved here from elsewhere are going to ruin my state, and I'll have to leave, like the rest of the sensible people.
Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 12:45 PM

Not really. The biggest problem with Californians -- and I say that as a two-year ex-Californian -- is itself. Jerry Brown didn't "move there from elsewhere," and did a majority of the boobs who have fouled the state government. The mayor of L.A. is, I believe, a native Californioid.

Face it: the place was once a Paradise, even in my lifetime. But when it decided that progressive government, complete with fantastic wages for state workers, freebies for all (including the millions of illegals) and Draconian business regulations (to, you know, keep those eeevil Big Business types on their toes) should prevail, the damage was done.

California will almost certainly be the first state to go bankrupt. The only question is whether Bark Obama's regime will add to the devastation facing the rest of the country by propping it up, or sensible people in D.C. will let it slip underwater quietly.

The chickens are coming home to roost. California made its bed, and now must lie in it.

Posted by: MrScribbler at May 13, 2012 09:01 AM (MQc8e)

38 My plan:
1. No money for any Cali bonds; no subsidies for any Cali business.
2. When Cali goes a-begging, demand that Cali renounce its statehood and go back to Territory status.
3. The contiguous GOP-voting counties (we know where they are) immediately to be admitted back as the State of California - on condition of following Arizona-style immigration law.
4. Territory of California to be admitted back, under a different name, when it delivers proof that it can pay for itself.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:01 AM (QTHTd)

39 None of my neighbors are Californians by birth.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 12:53 PM (mKMj1)

If you want to live next to somebody born in California, you need to move to Colorado or Texas.

Posted by: jwb7605 at May 13, 2012 09:02 AM (Qxe/p)

40 Isn't Cali the place regulated babysitters? Saying you must hire someone to come in and give the babysitter a ten minute break (from sitting) during their shift?

Posted by: Jimmah at May 13, 2012 09:02 AM (UpwlP)

41
My grand plan includes taxing at 18% the riders of the High Speed Rail, and that alone will close the budget deficit. With millions upon millions of riders clamoring to use this cutting-edge technology, it's only a matter of time before the deficit is eliminated.

Posted by: Jerry Brown, Linda Ronstadt Diddler at May 13, 2012 09:02 AM (ndqJC)

42 I love Hot Fuzz.

Posted by: LIGuy at May 13, 2012 09:02 AM (+usC4)

The biggest problem with Californians

They are the progeny of a few mavericks and a ton of rejects.

That's who went West.

Posted by: garrett at May 13, 2012 09:05 AM (5vGDA)

44 And didn't SCoaMF say that it isn't ABOUT the money, when raising taxes, after it was explained to him that raising taxes will reduce revenue? Its about the fairness people! Not the taxes.

Posted by: Jimmah at May 13, 2012 09:05 AM (UpwlP)

45 MrScribbler- as posted above, the problem with California is that it is too big and diverse. Yes, Texas is big and diverse too; but (with the exception of the Rio Grande Valley, which was forced into Texas in the 1840s) pretty much all Texans feel like they're Texans together. (And I've been saying that RGV should be its own state for about 10 years now.)

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:05 AM (QTHTd)

46 Jerry Brown did not diddle Linda Ronstadt. She was a beard.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:05 AM (YdQQY)

47 I'm not feeling the love here for Cali. Dianna, you are welcome to come to Colorado and will love it here.

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at May 13, 2012 09:06 AM (mFxQX)

48 Now it is 1984
Knock-knock at your front door
It's the suede/denim secret police
They have come for your uncool niece

Come quietly to the camp
You'd look nice as a drawstring lamp
Don't you worry, it's only a shower
For your clothes here's a pretty flower.

DIE on organic poison gas
Serpent's egg's already hatched
You will croak, you little clown
When you mess with President Brown
When you mess with President Brown

California Uber Alles

Posted by: Jello at May 13, 2012 09:06 AM (p4D8N)

49 I'm just spit balling here, but maybe stop giving free healthcare to illegals would go a loooooong way to solving the problem.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at May 13, 2012 09:06 AM (Gk3SS)

50 This is what I get to look FORWARD to in MD since omalley is mini me brown and obama wrapped up in one

Posted by: conservative mom in md at May 13, 2012 09:06 AM (4fepB)

51 Posted by: MrScribbler at May 13, 2012 01:01 PM

Oh, and I should mention I was born in California, and voted there for many years. There was no suppression of the conservative/intelligent vote; but when compared to the lib weenies and illegals, we just never had the numbers to have a positive effect on the results.

California is what it is. What it is sucks.

Posted by: MrScribbler at May 13, 2012 09:07 AM (MQc8e)

52 Maybe the way out for California is to demand that each of her citizens donate one weekend day a week to state service, to man all their wonderful state programs. I think that after about a month of that, the citizenry of California would suddenly develop a whole new conservative outlook.

Posted by: CoolCzech at May 13, 2012 09:08 AM (niZvt)

53 CA would be a great State if they lopped off the Western 50 miles.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:08 AM (YdQQY)

54
A very fat Linda Ronstadt mistaken for Michael Moore and ejected from an all you can eat buffet in Vegas.

http://tinyurl.com/7n5zqwn

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at May 13, 2012 09:08 AM (ndqJC)

55 Oh, and MD should also have its statehood yanked. Greater DC, it should be; the western bit should vote on which other state it wants to join, and the eastern bit should go to Delaware.

If your state has proven that it cannot be economically autonomous, it has no business being politically autonomous.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:10 AM (QTHTd)

56 "it should be" - the central part, I meant here.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:11 AM (QTHTd)

57 If we're giving parts of states away, I know that the rest of PA would be thrilled to give Philly to NJ. Hell, I know that NJ would be thrilled to split into North Jersey and South Jersey.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at May 13, 2012 09:12 AM (Gk3SS)

58 There is nothing like a bike ride up highway 101 above SF. Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 01:00 PM (YdQQY) Yeah.. gorgeous. I lived in Sacramento for 2 years. My son and I would go to the SF area alot... stunning. I loved it but couldn't take the non stop stupidity. I miss the weather and the views.... but there is no way I would live there again.

Posted by: Jumbo Shrimp at May 13, 2012 09:13 AM (DGIjM)

59 Here's the plan.

EARTHQUAKE!

The rest of the country will feel bad and pay off our debt. Then they will rebuild the state with taxes from those dumb fucks in fly over country.

Posted by: Governor Moon Beam
----------------

Wait, I've got a better plan:

METEOR!

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:13 AM (oS2lG)

Â‘Man, the media ate me alive,Â” [Rev.]Wright told me when we met in his office at ChicagoÂ’s Kwame Nkrumah Academy. Â“After the media went ballistic on me, I received an e-mail offering me money not to preach at all until the November presidential election.Â”

Â“Who sent the e-mail?Â” I asked Wright.

Â“It was from one of BarackÂ’s closest friends.Â”

Â“He offered you money?Â”

Â“Not directly,Â” Wright said. Â“He sent the offer to one of the members of the church, who sent it to me.Â”

Â“How much money did he offer you?Â”

Â“One hundred and fifty thousand dollars,Â” Wright said.

--------------

Of course he could be bullshitting. Produce the email or it didn't happen. That said, isn't this pretty close to why Edwards is on trial?

Posted by: Jimmah at May 13, 2012 09:13 AM (UpwlP)

61 Newsweek (whose entire company is worth 1/5 of the newsstand price of its magazine) really loves it some Gay Obama.

http://tinyurl.com/7oyhqfc

Posted by: Cicero at May 13, 2012 09:13 AM (qhHI4)

62 I miss the weather and the views.... but there is no way I would live there again.

Ditto

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:14 AM (YdQQY)

63 >>>oil shale formation near Colorado has an estimate 3 trillion barrels of recoverable energy Ayn Rand the prophet.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose Troll Hunter! at May 13, 2012 09:15 AM (wy+PT)

64 If we're giving parts of states away, I know that the rest of PA would be thrilled to give Philly to NJ. Hell, I know that NJ would be thrilled to split into North Jersey and South Jersey.

And South Jersey would get Philly. D'OH

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:16 AM (QTHTd)

65 NCAA Lacrosse tourney now on ESPN. 100% California Free!!!! 4 Games today. Virginia taking early control over Princeton. Better games coming. Check it out.

Posted by: naturalfake at May 13, 2012 09:16 AM (G9qZk)

66 Yes, Texas is big and diverse too;

A big part of what saves Texas, imho, is the part time legislature. We've got a thick layer of overpaid, self-entitled scum floating atop our state who just play musical chairs when they are termed out. They don't know how to do anything else and they have no desire to learn.

Posted by: Peaches at May 13, 2012 09:16 AM (lJ2es)

Of course he could be bullshitting. Produce the email or it didn't happen. That said, isn't this pretty close to why Edwards is on trial?

Posted by: Jimmah at May 13, 2012 01:13 PM (UpwlP)

Well Wright was guilty of the greatest sin of all. Calling Obama just a politician and that he is just saying things to get elected. Afterall that was what made Obama finally cut ties with him.

Posted by: buzzion at May 13, 2012 09:16 AM (GULKT)

68 I live here, too. Can't move for a long time.
Balls.
This thing has got to hit bottom sooner or later.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:16 AM (1TuGq)

69 f*ck most of You People: Cali ( okay, coastal Northern California ) is mind-f*ckingly beautiful with weather most of you would kill or die for.

and the coast; the fog slithering in through the trees, etc

Millions of normal people live here, have real job here, and family here. So you want to kill them, or enjoy watching them die? They can't leave because of those real jobs and families--or leaving would cost them Nearly Everything

It's an increasingly expensive club; you holds your nose and pays the dues

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:18 AM (Dll6b)

70 This thing has got to hit bottom sooner or later.

Help us, SMOD, you're our only hope!

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD 2012 at May 13, 2012 09:18 AM (Gk3SS)

71 >>>I don't mean to get down on you, personally, Dianna. But this is just like Greece blaming Germany for their troubles California was a senisible state until the 60s when the invasion began. You look at all of our problems as a state you can trace them back to the corner of Haight and Ashbury.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose Troll Hunter! at May 13, 2012 09:18 AM (wy+PT)

72 Ayn Rand had blind spots on race and religion. Other than that - yeah, prophet.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:19 AM (QTHTd)

73 Last time I was there in Cal it didn't feel like a part of the U.S. any longer. Pretty sad to let libs ruin a perfectly beautiful state.

Posted by: Zanne at May 13, 2012 09:20 AM (Ot6xc)

74 Too bad there wasn't a great big section of California, in say, some sort of valley-ish region, that could grow an assload of crops to use as revenue.

Posted by: helpful Moron at May 13, 2012 09:21 AM (RzNJH)

75 So you want to kill them, or enjoy watching them die?

I didn't say that; I just said that I want to take away Californians' political rights.

Which, honestly, is not a bad deal for a population gone that wrong. The local Africans in Rhodesia had it great when they got what they needed; compared to how they have it in Zimbabwe when they got what they voted for.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at May 13, 2012 09:22 AM (QTHTd)

76 "There is nothing like a bike ride up highway 101 above SF."

It's possible you mean Highway 1. At least, I hope so.
And I agree.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:25 AM (1TuGq)

77 Well, *I'm* not going to the Gaming thread.

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:25 AM (oS2lG)

78 @74

I haven't said anything about California but once that increasingly expensive club membership needs to be subsidized by non members I can understand why people might be angry.

Posted by: inyourheadZOMBIE at May 13, 2012 09:26 AM (PeB4U)

79 we have a 4 million dollar a plate fundraiser planned at george looney,s house next week , that will solve all California fiscal problems..

Posted by: Clemenza at May 13, 2012 09:27 AM (YlSwz)

80 I went by haight ashbury one time just so I could say I had been there. It stunk of stale piss from all the bums that hung out there in the 70s.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:28 AM (YdQQY)

81 OMG. Newsweek's cover story was written by Andrew Sullivan!

It's a rainbow halo above the Occupant's head. I think I'm going to hurl.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 09:29 AM (mKMj1)

82 Haight Ashbury is one of the foulest, most crime ridden areas of San Francisco, specifically because of young idiots who move here from elsewhere thinking it is some kind of Mecca. Local property owners hate them (I know a few).

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:30 AM (1TuGq)

83 Ideas Have Consequences by Richard M. Weaver published 1948, also Liberal Ideas Screw up A beautiful Country see Clemenza @ the Cigar Shop..

Posted by: Clemenza at May 13, 2012 09:30 AM (YlSwz)

84 Yeah, I meant 1 which splits off from 101 above SF.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:30 AM (YdQQY)

85 we have a 4 million dollar a plate fundraiser planned at george looney,s house next week , that will solve all California fiscal problems..
Posted by: Clemenza
----------------

You and "Governor Moon Beam" (hXJOG) are on a roll.

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:31 AM (oS2lG)

86 Lex Luthor had the right idea. Invest in Nevada real estate!

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 13, 2012 09:31 AM (PJ2pJ)

87 What always piss's me off is they ALWAYS use the police or those that actually do contribute something to their city as the First to be a cut.

such bastards.

Posted by: willow at May 13, 2012 09:32 AM (TomZ9)

88 What Cuts? As I tweeted last night... (@ComradeArthur) http://www.dof.ca.gov/budgeting/ budget_faqs/documents/CHART-B.pdf Budget totals 2009-10 117 billion 2010-11 130 2011-12 135 2012-13 137 WHAT CUTS?!?!

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 13, 2012 09:33 AM (5H1lG)

89 I also recommend the hike from Muir Woods to Stinson Beach. Arrange for a ride back or a stay overnight. Do it on a week day.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:33 AM (1TuGq)

90 Oh yeah, you have to go along with EVERY single lame brained idea that they come up with, or else they tar you as an anarchist. That is the standard tactic.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:34 AM (1TuGq)

91 What always piss's me off is they ALWAYS use the police or those that actually do contribute something to their city as the First to be a cut.

such bastards.

Posted by: willow at May 13, 2012 01:32 PM (TomZ9)

The town of Timmonsville here just laid off their entire police force because they are essentially bankrupt.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:34 AM (YdQQY)

92 What always piss's me off is they ALWAYS use the police or those that actually do contribute something to their city as the First to be a cut.

Well, we don't want the illegals and their anchor babies to be deprived in any way, they need housing assistance and welfare and food stamps and free medical care and education, not to mention the cost of incarcerating their more egregious criminals.

Posted by: Peaches at May 13, 2012 09:35 AM (lJ2es)

93 @90 Sorry I do not recognize traitors to the Republic as Officials of state..

Posted by: Clemenza at May 13, 2012 09:36 AM (YlSwz)

94 >79 Too bad there wasn't a great big section of California, in say, some sort of valley-ish region, that could grow an assload of crops to use as revenue. Posted by: helpful Moron Not Possible. That would require water that a little fishie in the Sacramento Delta has a lock on.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 13, 2012 09:37 AM (5H1lG)

95
We wouldn't be in this mess if the voters voted for gay marriage instead of against it.

Posted by: Jerry Brown at May 13, 2012 09:37 AM (Klb0T)

96 Muir Woods is crowded and,,,,,narrow. I know a similar place which is rarely crowded and much, much better. It will make the Manliest Man cry.

but since you all wanna see Cali submerged, I ain't gonna tell you where it is

( it's not the place in 'Vertigo', but that's nice, too )

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:38 AM (Dll6b)

97 100% tax on anyone making more than $1M, no exemptions, no exceptions. That should bail 'em out and take the most from those that support the libertard ways, such as Mr. Clooney

Posted by: Dastardly Dan at May 13, 2012 09:39 AM (rvLeh)

98 The town of Timmonsville here just laid off their entire police force because they are essentially bankrupt.
Posted by: Vic
-----------------

California ghost towns. How pathetic is that?

If the Timmonsville PD was anything like the other unionized PDs in this state, the Timmonsvillains need to *abolish* their PD and start it all over with new contracts, new charter, and new, non-unionized employees -- oh, and it also needs 10% more cynicism.

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:40 AM (oS2lG)

99 Peaches, i know right, They are dopes and not doing those that stay on the welfare systems any favors.
services should be made temporary.

Posted by: willow at May 13, 2012 09:41 AM (TomZ9)

100 Muir Woods on a weekend is like going to a 'water park'.

only you can swim or slide. Just drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. Be amazed; be very amazed.

try the fish & chips place on the PCH in Bodega Bay. Tell 'em I sent you

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:41 AM (Dll6b)

101 CAN'T swim or slide. ( Unless you're high )

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:41 AM (Dll6b)

102
I'm considering renaming the state to Darfur that way all my bff in Silicone Valley and Hollywood will open up there wallets.
Then again maybe not.

Posted by: Jerry Brown at May 13, 2012 09:42 AM (Klb0T)

103 Boned.

Posted by: that guy that always thinks we're boned at May 13, 2012 09:42 AM (NG097)

104 100% tax on anyone making more than $1M, no exemptions, no exceptions.
That should bail 'em out and take the most from those that support the libertard ways, such as Mr. Clooney
Posted by: Dastardly Dan

---------------------

Mr Clooney and his ilk probably all have official residence in states like Florida, Wyoming, or Nevada.

I'd like to see a tax proposal like that, though, just for laffs. Most of the state would vote for it no doubt.

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:43 AM (oS2lG)

105 try the fish chips place on the PCH in Bodega Bay. Tell 'em I sent you
Posted by: SantaRosaStan

I used to stop at a little shack outside Bodega Bay and get oysters just off the boat. So good!

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 09:43 AM (mKMj1)

106 california has so many beautiful features, the oceans the forests.
depressing it has been reduced to this state.

Posted by: willow at May 13, 2012 09:43 AM (TomZ9)

107 Muir Woods is crowded and,,,,,narrow. I know a similar place which is rarely crowded and much, much better. It will make the Manliest Man cry.

When I got out of the Navy in 1972, I went backpacking in the High Sierras with a buddy who'd got out 2 months later.

In 1972, the Forest Service requested that we wear 'earth tones' instead of bright colors so as not to spoil the view for other backpackers.
I can only imagine what it's like now. Colorado is bad enough.

Posted by: jwb7605 at May 13, 2012 09:44 AM (Qxe/p)

108 That was Timmonsville, SC and it was already non-union. The city is going bankrupt because they spenty a shitpot of money on a new water plant and a lot of it "disappeared".

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 09:44 AM (YdQQY)

109 and Drew M, whoever you are, maybe we could sell YOU back to Mexico

hookers are Cheap But Dangerous, and don't drink the water..........

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:45 AM (Dll6b)

110 california has so many beautiful features, the oceans the forests. depressing it has been reduced to this state. Posted by: willow Remember Rome didn't burn in a day. This has been a long term coordinated effort by socialist to seize this state. 40 years IMO.

Posted by: Zanne at May 13, 2012 09:45 AM (Ot6xc)

111 I'm considering renaming the state to Darfur
-------------------

How about splitting in two, like "Pakistan" did? Dibs on the nukes!

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:46 AM (oS2lG)

112 I used to stop at a little shack outside Bodega Bay and get oysters just off the boat. So good!

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 01:43 PM (mKMj1)

Probably the same place--at the northern edge of the town, just before the turnoff leading out to the harbor. Photos of all the boats on the walls.

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:47 AM (Dll6b)

113 Wait until some checks start bouncing. That will be when it starts to get interesting.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:48 AM (1TuGq)

114

My Girlefriend works for a school District in Central CA, as an administrative assistant to the facilities manager.

She has enough accured days of 'comp' time, and off time... that even with taking a vaction this summer, she will be taking every Friday off through the end of July...

And thats on top of the fact that she can work a HALF day, on Thurs, but be paid (and time count), for the whole day....

Our Tax dollars at work...

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 13, 2012 09:49 AM (lZBBB)

115 The problem with California is that it started out as an answer to an individuals prayers and ended up being the answer to other peoples special interest..

Posted by: Clemenza at May 13, 2012 09:49 AM (YlSwz)

116 Bodega Bay, Sonoma, Petaluma.
Same district that gave us US Representative.... hmm, what was her name again? I have blocked it out like a tooth ache.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:49 AM (1TuGq)

117 also, we didn't buy Cali from the Mexicans--- we won the war, man. Took it

you're maybe thinking of the Gadsden Purchase

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:50 AM (Dll6b)

118 Newsweek (whose entire company is worth 1/5 of the newsstand price of its magazine) really loves it some Gay Obama. We're all gay now.

Posted by: Newsweek at May 13, 2012 09:51 AM (NG097)

119 @123 but we are giving the banks and land to China

Posted by: Clemenza at May 13, 2012 09:52 AM (YlSwz)

120 If California enacted a law that anyone donating to Obama has to make a matching donation to the state treasury, we would have been rolling in dough the last four years. Just sayin'

Posted by: Peaches at May 13, 2012 09:52 AM (lJ2es)

121

Oh... and it would be VERY interesting to put somthing on the ballot about Drilling off the California coasts.

The monied interests on the Coast don't want drilling there... but if you put it to the rest of Calif that we can either Drill and balance, or go bankrupt and cut services.... people will suddenly remember that most of us don't spend time at the beach anyway...

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 13, 2012 09:53 AM (lZBBB)

122 114 and Drew M, whoever you are, maybe we could sell YOU back to Mexico

hookers are Cheap But Dangerous, and don't drink the water..........
Posted by: SantaRosaStan

Pretty much agreed.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 09:53 AM (mKMj1)

123 try going to a City Council meeting in Sebastopol, navybrat. Levels of leftie stupidity you cannot even imagine--not in your worst nightmares

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 09:53 AM (Dll6b)

124 So all the tax refunds that went to illegals didn't get spent on new flat screens, or rent? Go figure. I guess it went to Mexico then?

Posted by: Hydrocarbon Liberation Front at May 13, 2012 09:54 AM (NVu2l)

125 @129 unless you have been staying at a resort on the Ruskie River..

Posted by: Clemenza at May 13, 2012 09:55 AM (YlSwz)

126 " also, we didn't buy Cali from the Mexicans--- we won the war, man. Took it"

see Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:55 AM (1TuGq)

127
Probably the same place--at the northern edge of the town, just before the turnoff leading out to the harbor. Photos of all the boats on the walls.
Posted by: SantaRosaStan

No, this was to the south; you had to get off 1 and drive toward the bay about 5 miles. I found it quite by accident, ages ago (about 25 years or so), when I was in a hurry to get out of the SF bay for the weekend, and neglected to gas up.

It was a little local place, the fishermen used to stop there, too. Last time I was up that way, I took the little road, and found a subdivision.

I strongly suspect it's no longer there.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 09:57 AM (mKMj1)

128

"Levels of leftie stupidity you cannot even imagine--not in your worst nightmares"

LOL, I live in San Francisco... I get it.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 09:57 AM (1TuGq)

129 That was Timmonsville, SC and it was already non-union. The city is going bankrupt because they spenty a shitpot of money on a new water plant and a lot of it "disappeared".
Posted by: Vic
----------------

Man, what's this place getting to?

Comment, but verify?

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 09:58 AM (oS2lG)

130

Among the warrior class, the best entertainer in California was Carol Doda in North Beach. Crews transiting to Asia in the 60's timed the overnights to visit with and oogle Miss Doda's ample landing lights. It was a grand send-off, and many a young man remembers two things from that era. Miss Doda's upturned and pointy bumps, and Ann Margret's red dress during the Bob Hope USO Shows.

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at May 13, 2012 09:59 AM (ndqJC)

131 Maybe there was a thread about this and I missed it while at work, but a week or so ago I heard about four guys in Indiana (?), illegals, who each claimed about 20 dependents on their tax returns and got back a total of $39,000 among them in credits. Not a refund of money they had paid, but "free" money in credits from the Treasury. Of course, they didn't actually have 20 dependent children each, but the IRS doesn't do anything to stop this type of "small potatoes" stuff, reasoning that it's not cost effective. Wouldn't it be cost effective to make an example of a few of them and hope for a deterrent effect?

Posted by: Peaches at May 13, 2012 09:59 AM (lJ2es)

132 I happen to know Ms. Doda personally, and not in the way you think...

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 10:00 AM (1TuGq)

133 The Inland Empire isn't bad. Well besides San Bernardino, Rialto, parts of Ontario, Pomona, and Victorville.

Posted by: CAC at May 13, 2012 10:00 AM (829z3)

134 I don't think there's anything conservatives can do about California, ultimately, the problem is the voters.

I guarantee you no matter how bad this deficit and economy gets, Brown will easily be reelected and the Democrats will still comfortably control the legislature.

The tipping point has been reached in California where the parasites outnumber the hosts.

Posted by: BradleyJ at May 13, 2012 10:00 AM (XDRsa)

135 Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 01:00 PM (YdQQY)

You mean motorcycle I assume.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at May 13, 2012 10:01 AM (nEUpB)

136

You know, if you just carved out SF or LA, California would go back to being a red state. Don't want to get rid of all of Cali. It is beautiful, it has massive agricultural wealth, and we benefit from its deep water ports.

Posted by: Hydrocarbon Liberation Front at May 13, 2012 10:01 AM (NVu2l)

137
I happen to know Ms. Doda personally, and not in the way you think...

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 02:00 PM (1TuGq)

So you've shopped in her lingerie salon? Tell us more!

Posted by: Doctor Fish ( Posting from Mom's Computer in Texas) at May 13, 2012 10:02 AM (ndqJC)

138
I'm gonna spend the day in Big Sur just to get away without going to far.

Posted by: YIKES! at May 13, 2012 10:02 AM (Klb0T)

139 139 The Inland Empire isn't bad.
Well besides San Bernardino, Rialto, parts of Ontario, Pomona, and Victorville. Posted by: CAC

Yeah, the air you can see before you breathe it, and the mountains that you can't see all summer.

I grew up in that area. Ugh. Last time I was there, to move my mom out to Tennessee, I spent the whole three weeks gasping for air and went through two inhalers.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 10:03 AM (mKMj1)

140 Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 01:47 PM (Dll6b)

I usually kept going and went to Johnson's Oyster Farm.

Some of my best memories of California!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at May 13, 2012 10:04 AM (nEUpB)

141 I don't think there's anything conservatives can do about California, ultimately, the problem is the voters.

I guarantee you no matter how bad this deficit and economy gets, Brown will easily be reelected and the Democrats will still comfortably control the legislature.

The tipping point has been reached in California where the parasites outnumber the hosts.
Posted by: BradleyJ
-----------------

I actually think there's hope, and it lies in the same place as our doom: Identity Politics.

At some point, some gay, Hispanic, or Black conservative will rise and minority voters will accidentally vote for him.

Here in San Diego, we're probably going to elect a gay Republican mayor in November. He also looks kinda Hispanic although I think he's Italian ("DeMaio," but close enough for government work plus he has high cheekbones). San Diego sent one of the best Republicans to Sacramento as governor -- Pete Wilson. It could happen again.

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 10:06 AM (oS2lG)

142
BTW
Gas prices have shot up since switching over to the ethanol base gas.

Posted by: YIKES! at May 13, 2012 10:07 AM (Klb0T)

143 You mean motorcycle I assume.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at May 13, 2012 02:01 PM (nEUpB)

Yes

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 10:07 AM (YdQQY)

144 I spent last evening on board the USS Hornet. There was a period dance party with the Harry James Orchestra. People in period dress from the WWII era. There were even some old vets in their dress blues. It was well attended and I had a blast. Dance lessons before the music started. Andrews Sisters impersonators. I hope they have another event like that. It was great fun.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 10:07 AM (1TuGq)

145 LOL, i never did go to North Beach other than a drive by.

After Olongapo City nothing else would compare.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 10:08 AM (YdQQY)

146 Yeah, the air you can see before you breathe it, and the mountains that you can't see all summer. I grew up in that area. Ugh. Last time I was there, to move my mom out to Tennessee, I spent the whole three weeks gasping for air and went through two inhalers. Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 02:03 PM (mKMj1) I've lived here for 6 years. When were you last here? I have lung issues and never had a problem. Then again, I live now in Alta Loma at an elevation where, looking down Milliken Ave, I can see the blob of smog hugging the 10.

Posted by: CAC at May 13, 2012 10:08 AM (829z3)

147 > 118 Wait until some checks start bouncing. That will be when it starts to get interesting. Posted by: navybrat That's already happened at least twice I can remember. When they run out of money for accounts receivable they use vouchers instead of checks.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at May 13, 2012 10:08 AM (5H1lG)

148 I have a theory that cities with big ports get so much revenue that the pols go nuts, and libs flock there. That is why these bastions of libness don't seem to die as predicted. Commerce is forced to pay them rent.

Posted by: Hydrocarbon Liberation Front at May 13, 2012 10:09 AM (NVu2l)

149 Right ... let Mexico have military bases, JPL, Cal Tech, the University of California, Lawrence Livermoore, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, etc ...

Of course, the article misses the most outstanding example of the stupidity of California liberal voters. They voted for the SIX BILLION dollar embryonic stem cell boondoggle, which has resulted in ... drum roll please .. exactly zero cures of any disease.

Posted by: Gerry at May 13, 2012 10:11 AM (fKrnJ)

150 When they run out of money for accounts receivable they use vouchers instead of checks.
Posted by: Comrade Arthur
---------------

Vouchers for what? In 'n' Out burgers?

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 10:11 AM (oS2lG)

151 After Olongapo City nothing else would compare.

When I overhear modern yoot discussing "sinful cities" I just remember those days, remain silent, and mentally giggle.

Posted by: jwb7605 at May 13, 2012 10:11 AM (Qxe/p)

152

Welcome to ofuckabaa ville.

Posted by: Heltau at May 13, 2012 10:11 AM (Tp2Qu)

153 San Diego = Bay-side Detroit. Overrated ghetto with good weather.
Los Angeles = San Salvador with movie stars, and more unregistered guns.

With the exception of the weather, California cities look no different than the shitholes in NJ. Every single problem was brought on by the liberal assholes the citizens voted in, just like they do in NJ.

We had a an office and warehouse facility in LA for years. We closed it and moved it to Phoenix back in 2008 seeing that the state of CA made it as close to impossible as it could to do business there.

Posted by: Bill Clinton at May 13, 2012 10:11 AM (ScD5a)

154 There was a period dance party with the Harry James Orchestra.

I saw him and his orchestra at the NCO club in Aberdeen Proving Grounds. But your comment reminds me of July 4, 1976. A bunch of us put on the old style dress blues and hit a bar over in San Francisco with a bunchy of Ausie tin can sailors who were in town for the bicentennial. We had a blast.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 10:12 AM (YdQQY)

155 San Diego = Bay-side Detroit. Overrated ghetto with good weather.
-----------------

I almost wish this were true, but San Diego actually has a good conservative contingent (Brian Billbray) and many productive citizens. House prices are on the rise, and the city just balanced its budget under a Republican mayor. Just don't tell the Dems....

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 10:15 AM (oS2lG)

156 Of course, Harry is no longer with us. The band was capably led by his former 1st trumpeter, Mr. Fred Radke of Seattle. It was a total blast.

Posted by: navybrat at May 13, 2012 10:16 AM (1TuGq)

157

The older I get the more befuddled I become. The people of California see incompitence at every street corner, and yet they vote for the garbage that keeps them broke. Jerry Brown is nuts, why do you think they call him moon beam, and yet they put him back as their leader. Pass laws that punish business and then wonder why they go out of business, or out of the state. I just don't understand!

Yet we see those escaping from California, come here to Arizona, and vote for the same people that drove them from their homes. Why? Are they stupid? Are they just plain insane. What is it, can someone help me out here.

Posted by: jainphx at May 13, 2012 10:18 AM (pryxt)

158 I usually kept going and went to Johnson's Oyster Farm.

Some of my best memories of California!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJConservative) at May 13, 2012 02:04 PM (nEUpB)

Point Reyes is full of recycled hippies and 'eco-tourists' from Palo Alto.

and German tourists ( bad juju )

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 10:19 AM (Dll6b)

159 ahem--------the White People who are Not Infected with Liberalism do not vote for Democrats.

Libtards, Hispanics, Asians, Arabs, and Negro-Americans vote for Dems

got any suggestions?

Posted by: SantaRosaStan at May 13, 2012 10:21 AM (Dll6b)

160 Here in San Diego, we're probably going to elect a gay Republican mayor in November. He also looks kinda Hispanic although I think he's Italian ("DeMaio," but close enough for government work plus he has high cheekbones). San Diego sent one of the best Republicans to Sacramento as governor -- Pete Wilson. It could happen again. Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 02:06 PM (oS2lG) I love reading the lefty blogs about him. They describe him as almost a second Adolf because of his attitudes on unions and pensions. Who would've thought the first openly gay mayor of a california city would be a Republican who makes moderates cry?

Posted by: CAC at May 13, 2012 10:24 AM (829z3)

161

I kind of get the impression that most Californians really don't understand the bind they are in. There's plenty of information about how truly buggered the finances are but there seems to be barely a hint that anyone cares. They're all too willing to to go nuts over same sex marriage while what will truly destroy their way of life is ignored. When the cuts in service come (and they will, the feds won't bail them out) and they become the norm I wonder how many public service union members will squeal and conveniently forget that they were the cause of a major portion of the problem and I wonder how many Hollywood stars and power brokers will leave for new country they can help destroy. Maybe they'll just hunker down behind the iron fences, alarm systems and private security.

Posted by: scr_north at May 13, 2012 10:31 AM (OoQWO)

162 168 Here in San Diego, we're probably going to elect a gay Republican mayor in November. He also looks kinda Hispanic although I think he's Italian ("DeMaio," but close enough for government work plus he has high cheekbones). San Diego sent one of the best Republicans to Sacramento as governor -- Pete Wilson. It could happen again.
Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 02:06 PM (oS2lG)

I love reading the lefty blogs about him. They describe him as almost a second Adolf because of his attitudes on unions and pensions. Who would've thought the first openly gay mayor of a california city would be a Republican who makes moderates cry?
Posted by: CAC at May 13, 2012 02:24 PM (829z3)

I wonder... does he support Jackin' it? http://tinyurl.com/7nzcdkt

Posted by: buzzion at May 13, 2012 10:32 AM (GULKT)

163 I've lived here for 6 years. When were you last here? I have lung issues and never had a problem. Then again, I live now in Alta Loma at an elevation where, looking down Milliken Ave, I can see the blob of smog hugging the 10. Posted by: CAC at May 13, 2012

Summer of 2010. I was in Redlands, if that helps. I know precisely the hillock you mean, btw!

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 10:44 AM (mKMj1)

164 What is it, can someone help me out here.
Posted by: jainphx
----------------

A couple of things.

1 - California Republican Party, if such a thing exists, is pathetic. Los Angeles deep in debt actually barely saw a Republican challenger to the Spanish-talking clown Tony Villa-Reygosa last election, who is SO ABSOLUTELY BAD that the Dems themselves shun him -- he was cut from the lineup at the DNC convention in North Carolina, and I know there was another major snub like that but I can't recall it now.

2 - Illegal alien voting. Verifiable through anecdotes and some poll analysis.

3 - Some of the biggest businesses, like Oracle and Apple, are headed by lefties who get bypasses from Sacramento on the taxes. They get to have it both ways.

4 - Ditto #3 for the wealthy show bizzers who have official residence in other states that don't tax their income the way the sucker middle class gets it.

5 - Too many Californians have it good. Despite Democrat best efforts, much of the state is beautiful and people are prospering. They have no idea how much better it COULD be, so they think they live in the best of all possible worlds.

6 - General lefty stupidity and predatory behavior keep them voting lefty then going elsewhere to vote lefty. If the state is falling apart, it's because the greedy Republican business owners won't create jobs out of thin air. So off we go to Arizona to plague their greedy Republican business owners!

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 13, 2012 10:45 AM (oS2lG)

165 The beatings will continue until morale improves. That is all.

Posted by: Jerry Brown at May 13, 2012 10:58 AM (N7c3/)

166 I left California in 1972 as a 5th and last generation Californian. What has happened to that once great state has saddened but not surprised me. Given the public mindset in California, there is NO WAY for the govt to work out its public debt. Like any seriously bankrupt business, it will have to fail. That is not really a bad thing. Other states can learn vicariously ... Or not.

Posted by: Alaska Paul at May 13, 2012 10:59 AM (H3iM2)

167 Budget projections made from hope and high taxes. Brilliant!

Posted by: d_fitz at May 13, 2012 11:01 AM (8esUD)

168 I've never been to California except to change planes in SFO. Someday I'll visit I guess. I worry for Texas with so many Californians moving to the Austin area and Dallas area... they'll soon do what progressives do.. demand change. There are enough libtards who already gravitate to Austin and Dallas as it is, but I fear we're in for trouble ahead. They cause trouble wherever they live.

Posted by: Yip in Texas at May 13, 2012 11:09 AM (Mrdk1)

169 I worry for Texas with so many Californians moving to the Austin area and Dallas area... they'll soon do what progressives do.. demand change.

That is exactly what happened to NC with all the Northern liberals moving into the Research Triangle. They have turned a solid Red State into a purple toss-up now.

Posted by: Vic at May 13, 2012 11:12 AM (YdQQY)

170 I think that is what happened to Colorado too

Posted by: Yip in Texas at May 13, 2012 11:22 AM (Mrdk1)

171 No pooh batman... The Ocrats just don't get it.

In the real world marketplace, raising taxes is like raising prices and expecting to sell more product.

It's an especially bad plan when there's a world full of Walmart-like low price choices that rely upon increasing the volume of sales by LOWER prices for decent quality products. Same system works for taxes and regulations -- lower them, to be quickly followed by an increase the volume of private sector activity and watch tax revenues grow.

If it's so simple, why can't the Ocrats try it? It's all about 'providing for special interest welfare' over 'promoting the general welfare' of all -- that that's part of the Constitution that Ocrats want ignored. The core of the Ocrats is comprises of public unions and burros whose pension plans are defined benefit plans that are largely insensitive to market forces and backed by taxpayer bailouts if markets fail. Evolve away from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans and the burro unionists will quickly figure out that stifling the marketplace with high taxes and nonsense regulations kills their own retirement plans. They will quickly figure out it's best to go in other directions for everyone's benefit -- you know, get back to the 'promote the general welfare' principle of common sense government.

Posted by: drfredc at May 13, 2012 11:58 AM (ab4zM)

172 Dear California,

Thank you for all the cool companies you're sending our way. Can you take back the weirdos though? They make our liberals look absolutely sane by comparison.

Sincerely,
Texas

Posted by: Zombie Apocalypse at May 13, 2012 12:08 PM (fI1g6)

173 As a Californian, cuts to education is always the threat that precedes a demand for more taxes. Either that or freeing criminals, which they've already done. I wish they'd make cuts that go against teacher union interests rather than student interests.

Posted by: Contributor X at May 13, 2012 12:15 PM (9E8+E)

174 The sky is falling! We have to raise taxes! Kill the rich! There's no other solution!

Oh wait...Wisconsin, Indiana, Puerto Rico seem to be doing quite well.

http://tinyurl.com/3kydswt

Posted by: PJ at May 13, 2012 12:25 PM (DQHjw)

175 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at May 13, 2012 12:40 PM (7W3wI)

176

Actually one of most pernicious elements of CA's decline has been the destruction of the public service concept.

Unionization of the public sector (conceptually absurd and intolerable from the outset) has achieved remarkable things. Not just teachers and paper-pushers have now become apart from and set against the public, and clearly driven by $$$ and not by any sort of public service mentality, but even public safety (police and fire) has got the disease, and bad case.

I think I regaled the morons here (well, anyone who was up at 3AM EDT) not long ago with the jaw-dropping tale of a San Diego radio ad by the fire union. A young firefighter urged the public he serves not to sign a petition (i.e., not to exercise a basic right) that would put pension reform on the ballot. Outrageous enough, but it got worse - to add some zing to the pitch, the ad implied that penion reform = older firefighters working longer = less public safety ..... you'd need a PaintBrush program or something just to diagram the outrageous assumptions and contradictions in that argument. It was, after years of pinch-yourself-did-you-really-see/hear-that-in-America moments, one of the worst.

Just as the 2005-present period has forever changed (destroyed) my respect for the country in many ways, the greedy, stupid, embarrassing behavior of public workers, prominently incl. police and fire, has forever eliminated my former presumptive strong support for same. I now view them as a competent and hard-working mid-level executive of a company views a union of mediocre workers who are destroying the company through the usual union pathologies. Contempt and anger.

arhooley, didn't know you were in SD (I think there are two other frequent commenters here in the county, too). I met Nathan Fletcher at a small lunch three years ago, during his first run for state Assembly. Liked him well enough (USMC background, etc.), but the instant he announced for mayor, a negative vibe that was in the background was activated; when he announced his departure from the GOP just as they were to endorse Demaio, the disgust set in. Yeah, typical tactical last-ditch thing to help himself, but it fit with the negative stuff I'd heard from Fletcher's time in Sacto - good buddies with Dem legislators, etc. As with the US Senate, very few people seem to realize that personal relationships are s**t when we're talking the very health and prosperity of the country, the rule of law, the Constitution. I wasn't impressed by personal comity in the Senate when I worked there, and these days anyone who even gets along, much less befriends, the sort of irresponsible/clueless/malevolent idiots now running the Dem party is automatically toxic and dropped from consideration. There should be acres of hair on fire, not smiles .....

Posted by: non-purist at May 13, 2012 12:41 PM (yJ3Du)

177 And damn, the USS Iowa is spoken for, and going to LA. Shit. It would have made the most awesome one-two combo with the Midway museum (Iowa would have been perfect for Chula Vista's revamped yet sleepy waterfront park). Now one will have to venture into San Pedro or some other rough industrial part of the LA coast to see those amazing guns and teak decks. I'd even talked to members of the Midway board about grabbing the Iowa for SD. It was a live topic, but never got off the ground ....

Posted by: non-purist at May 13, 2012 12:46 PM (yJ3Du)

178 California has everything going for it except common sense

Lived there for 15 years, hated to leave but no other choice

VDH was feeling a bit optimistic because there's been a wet cycle the last three years and the crops didn't die off. Once the drought cycle returns and the delta smelt get all the water, it's over. Sacramento won't cut them any breaks because you can't relocate cropland

Those high tech companies don't create many middle class jobs, those jobs go to TX and UT

High tech and Hollywood only stay there because the parasite hasn't finished with the other hosts. Their turn is coming

Posted by: kbdabear at May 13, 2012 12:59 PM (Y+DPZ)

179 They need a high speed rail system that goes from LA to ..... somewhere.

Posted by: fused at May 13, 2012 01:06 PM (P34gz)

180

Comrade Jerry is holding the education system hostage to the tax increase inititive, that is about $6 billion....meanwhile he's hell bent on building a $60+billion choo choo train. And implementing a cap and trade job killing machine, implementing more job killing clean air regs, and killing off gold mining, and educating Mexican citizens who are here illegally. That last bit is as funny as watching the legal students who graduate just leave the state....no jobs are here! So the Mexicans go home with the gringo's degree.

Now you would think the (overhyped) public worker unions would be apoplectic over the situation. They are instead supporting the govenor on a tax increase that actually gives cash flow to the stupid train while their ox gets gored anyway.. And yes they are that stupid. Weapons grade stupid.

The tax money savings he has done is freezing state hiring (yes he has), collecting some state owned cell phones, selling some state owned cars, laying off 60 state justice dept workers and some others that are in the firing que, and releasing to the counties (who will just parole them ASAP) 40000 state prison inmates. The inmates will be gang banging in their hoods any day now. yo

The guy is failing. It's only a matter of time before he hijacks the state retirement system. That's the only way out.

Posted by: torabora at May 13, 2012 01:55 PM (RHYJ8)

181

Posted by: non-purist at May 13, 2012 04:41 PM (yJ3Du)

You have to remember that most employees hate the unions -- they are forced to pay them and that won't end with the Dems in charge. Every one I worked with would love to take a 5% cut and keep their job than laying off all the young workers, but the unions don't want to do it.

Posted by: PJ at May 13, 2012 02:22 PM (DQHjw)

182 Dess-perad-ooo....

Posted by: Linda Ronstadt at May 13, 2012 02:51 PM (IoNBC)

183 I was born in CA and lived here all my life. This is my home. Dianna, Stan and my fellow CAers, my hope is that once the state goes bankrupt the welfare freeloaders, illegals and hippie libs will all go back where they came from because the money will be gone. Then we can rebuild. Think of how spacious it will be! I can't wait.

Posted by: misty at May 13, 2012 03:31 PM (2V/U3)

184 They'll make it up in tourism. I saw the ads on TV and everybody I know is making plans for their vacations. Oops, none of them are going to California.

How about a high speed train? That'll be profitable.

Posted by: MarkD at May 13, 2012 03:58 PM (iYBP2)

185

>>But, of course, all the idiots who moved here from elsewhere are going to ruin my state, and I'll have to leave, like the rest of the sensible people.

Posted by: Dianna at May 13, 2012 12:45 PM (mKMj1) <<

Same here. We just sold our house, and are moving out of CA. Ride 'em dirty, Jerry! (Not that he needs any encouragement on that score.)

Posted by: Jay Guevara at May 13, 2012 06:30 PM (hmYfY)

186 >>18BTW - you would need to flush the toilet in Sactown... it's not just Jerry, but all of those asswipes in the legislature that have perpetuated this problem

Posted by: Satan's Barbed Schnitzengruber at May 13, 2012 12:48 PM (Jls4P) <<

Yep, but it's not just Jerry, or the legislature, but all of the asswipes who elected these asswipes that have caused and perpetuated the problem.

I have this recurring dream that Jerry calls a press conference, says that he's had an epiphany, realizes how completely wrong he's been, and announces that he's ordered the arrest and execution of the entire state legislature.

But then I wake up.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at May 13, 2012 06:33 PM (hmYfY)

187 Give California back to Mexico? Here's a news flash: Mexico has already taken California back; that's a big part of the reason California is the ungodly mess that it is. Millions of illegal aliens living on the public dole -- welfare payments, food stamps, Medicaid, taxpayer-funded drug rehab, subsidized housing, subsidized tuition, etc., etc. Why do you think Brown needs to raise taxes yet again? The few taxpaying saps still living in California have to pay for all the "free" benefits for the huge illegal alien population.

Posted by: Fed up gringo at May 14, 2012 06:15 AM (/sohm)

188

#176 STOMP THEM OUT WHENEVER THEY TRY TO GET ELECTED TO ANY TEXAS PUBLIC OFFICE OR SCHOOL BOARD.

My son now lives in Aledo (and loves it!) after being unable to find work here in the crapitol of Clownifornia. He takes a dim view of the Dallas/Austin lib mindset - you MUST be vigilant in keeping those invading bloodsuckers out of public office!

Posted by: the Butcher at May 14, 2012 09:03 AM (8g9qq)

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