lawrocket 3 #1 January 8, 2008 Ahnold will be giving the State of the State address today. Anything other than "gloomy" would be untrustable, says I. Among the biggest problems are a projected $14 billion budget deficit. Yes, BILLION. It's right around what he inherited in aught-three, dag nabbit. Speculation is that he will push for slashing the budget - something responsible. The democratic controlled legislature, however, will fight him tooth and nail. They want tax increases. On NPR this morning, they ran a story on state and federal employee health care costs of $118 billion over the next 30 years due to promises of healthcare for life for government employees - intended to lure in the best and brightest. Oh, yeah. There are ALSO $63.5 BILLION in UNFUNDED pension benefits. See, the problem is that the California has been making these commitments to things like health care and pensions but forgetting an important part of it - actually FUNDING the benefits. We have a similar situation with the proposal for social healthcare in Cali. They've put together a plan, but just haven't decided how to fund it. So, while the budget problem in California seems bad, it's actually a lot worse. There is no budget deficit for these futre pensions and healthcare because they haven't been included in the budgets yet. The issue is that they need to be funded sooner or later, and right now the money is not there to fund them. And we trust government to take care of us? There isn't enough money to do it. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #2 January 8, 2008 Quote We have a similar situation with the proposal for social healthcare in Cali. They've put together a plan, but just haven't decided how to fund it. . . . . And we trust government to take care of us? There isn't enough money to do it. nonsense - Cali will implement it. then insist on the Feds to cover the losses. thus demonstrating a workable plan. Then all 50 states have to do the same thing. Cover care at a loss, get the feds to make up the difference. easy ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 0 #3 January 8, 2008 Quote See, the problem is that the California has been making these commitments to things like health care and pensions but forgetting an important part of it - actually FUNDING the benefits. I really don't believe they've forgotten that aspect for one second. In a situation like this, the answer is to raise taxes. Such dire numbers make it all the easier to accomplish this. Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #4 January 8, 2008 QuoteI really don't believe they've forgotten that aspect for one second. In a situation like this, the answer is to raise taxes. Such dire numbers make it all the easier to accomplish this. It all boils down to.....the people want certain services and things like roads.. people to take care of the roads. some people see education of their young and the young of others in their society as a good thing...... and on and on and on... Some people are responsible are are willling to pay for those things.. OTHERS though want anything that does not help them personally to be cut as waste.... AND expect others to pay for them... the old something for nothing crowd Most of the CUT TAXES crowd are those who want quite a lot of something but are unwilling to pay for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 0 #5 January 8, 2008 QuoteQuoteI really don't believe they've forgotten that aspect for one second. In a situation like this, the answer is to raise taxes. Such dire numbers make it all the easier to accomplish this. It all boils down to.....the people want certain services and things like roads.. people to take care of the roads. some people see education of their young and the young of others in their society as a good thing...... and on and on and on... Some people are responsible are are willling to pay for those things.. OTHERS though want anything that does not help them personally to be cut as waste.... AND expect others to pay for them... the old something for nothing crowd Most of the CUT TAXES crowd are those who want quite a lot of something but are unwilling to pay for it. And OTHERS want anything that helps them personally/win votes to be paid for by someone else...the old something for nothing crowd.Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #6 January 8, 2008 no.. they are making promises... they and their supporters view that as something very substantial.. its how politics runs in this country. The right is ALWAYS promising lower taxes.. that bought a LOT of votes.... the hundreds of dollars in your little rebate check .. was not such a great investment for the trillion dollar war.. and all the abuses of power you got as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #7 January 8, 2008 The issue that remains for CA is that they raise spending during the boom years, and then they are ill prepared for the inevitable bad years. Arnold tried once to reform that, but I think he got a bit greedy in adding on powers to the governor to make cuts. What the state needs is a simple limit on per year spending growth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
