Legislature to California : "Screw You, We've Got Ours."

[SidneyCarton]

So, 20-some odd days into the fiscal year it would appear that the California State Legislature has finally managed to pull a budget out of their collective rectums. I use this particularly unpleasant metaphor, because much like the objects that usually exit the body through that orifice, this budget is crap. In essence, the $24 Billion dollar gap in our budget has been plugged by a combination of $15 Billion in cuts, and borrowing from local governments. That’s right folks, we will be slashing education and social services, while continuing to indulge in the “creative accounting practices” that got us here in the first place. Furthermore, it’s not exactly like the local communities (city and county governments) are rolling in dough. The combination of high unemployment, massive foreclosures and an ongoing recession have nailed local revenues through income, sales and property taxes. In essence, we are robbing Peter to pay Paul, unfortunately, Peter is already flat broke, and Paul has hired a guy with brass knuckles to collect from us.

As to the cuts, we shouldn’t be shocked, after all everything that was cut was on the GOP hit list, but it’s still discouraging. Billions have been cut from the CSU and UC systems, health care for the poor, and the Healthy Families program which covered uninsured children. Once again we have balanced the state budget on the backs of the poor and young, no one’s taxes were raised, no greater actions have been taken to ensure fiscal responsibility in the future, but the top 1% in this state remain safely ensconced atop their fortunes, unmolested by the ruin occurring around them. In the mean time, we plow the poor further into destitution, increase the misery of the already miserable, and impoverish the future of this state by both decreasing the quality of the education future Californians can look forward to, while making the increasingly degraded State University systems here all the more expensive, thus placing them beyond the reach of those it was originally set up to benefit.

In essence we have been sent a unmistakably clear message from the older, privileged classes in this state: “Screw you, we’ve got ours.”

[Bluenorthwest]

1. in essence CA is getting the karma it has coming

for organizing to revoke human rights from your neighbors. You reap what you sew. When you say to your neighbor 'screw you, we got ours' you should expect to have that return to you, rather than feign shock that you get treated as you treat others.
Maybe all those millions raised by certain groups and all that political turmoil devoted to bigotry was not a wise use of resources? A state on the verge of crisis, and you guys said 'I know, let's concentrate on making sure the gays have no rights.' Those groups could have been addressing the needs of the poor, of children, the schools, the sick and uninsured. But no. They could have been targeting the State House over important issues, but instead they wanted to come with a bludgeon to bash the couple next door.
Life is made of choices. CA made a choice. Now you are living with the results.

[Kajsa]

2. Now I see where all the

unrecommends are coming from on threads regarding this topic.

I couldn't imagine who would unrecommend them until I read
your post.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. I'm a California native

I lived there for all of my life until the last 5 years. CA has been digging a big hole, and refusing to do anything about it. Prop 8 was just one of many evils they played at when they should have been attending to important business.
I left my beloved state because of the apathy. Because Democrats elected Arnie. Twice. Because of many many things I saw coming like a runaway train.
I know that State's politics very well, and none of what is going on is a surprise to me. What makes me sick is the CA attitude that is so sanguine until the home wallet gets tapped. In the fall, CA had money and time to waste on attacking GLBT rights.
Sorry but all of the problems the OP is talking about are true problems, but it is also true that those problems have been evident for years on end, and nothing has been done. The house has fallen down, and just a few months back the biggest issue in CA's mind was Ellen and Portia getting married. Millions were spent. Thousands of activist work hours spent to pass bigoted law. All of this while the schools were failing, the economy crumbling and all of the complaints listed were years old already. All I am saying is that choices have results. All I'm saying is that an official 'screw you' voted into law against your neighbors might result in some negative energies coming to you.
All I'm saying is that maybe those churches and people were not just wrong for attacking gay folks rights, but also wrong for neglecting their duties as citizens of the State, and for making discrimination a priority over schools, housing, medical care, and public safety. For years on end, by the way.
Instant Karma's gunna get you
Gunna knock you right on your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet


Or just keep making trouble for your neighbors and wondering why trouble keeps coming to you.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. I'd just like to add that I am still a CA taxpayer

I file in CA and pay them each and every year of my life since I was 18 years old, including the years I have lived outside the State of CA.
So I get to have an opinion about it.

[Kajsa]

5. This has a lot to do with it,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=141x34471

A minority Republican base holding the state budget hostage
every day year.

[SidneyCarton]

7. No, Blue you're a California ex-pat.

Much like Jonah, you got tired of your prophet of doom gig, and now you are resting outside of town smugly waiting for the judgements you have pronounced to fall upon "sinful Nineveh," and taking every misfortune that occurs as proof of your own wisdom and moral superiority. A California native would have felt compassion for those who are being screwed, and outrage for the corruption of our laws. An ex-pat is just grateful he got out before the shit went down.

[SidneyCarton]

6. Well thank you Blue, your compassion is overwhelming.

Indeed, you are an example to us all. The next time a hurricane hits Gulf Coast, or Tornadoes ravage the mid-west we can just sit back and say it's karma for those stupid bastards being bigoted conservatives. Tell me please how your attitude differs from that of the Fundies who smugly intimated that Katrina was "God's punishment for New Orleans' sins?"

Truly, I worry for you, such narrow-minded, fanatical judgementalism must have a bitter karma awaiting it, don't you think?

[CubicleGuy]

8. You reap what you sew?

No, you wear what you sew.

You reap what you sow.

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. They're slashing assistance to all but the most egregiously disabled (at-home) folks

and to mental health care as well. Expect (more) stories of those dying in bed and of the hospitalized being dumped on skid row. And worse.

How extremely odd that he won't tax the rich. (not)

Tax the rich. Remove Arnold. Now.