California Financial Armageddon - Example Of Extreme GOP Legislators

[Median Democrat]

I know some folks here will attack Ah-nold in knee jerk fashion because he is a Republican and a Governor. However, this ignores the real problem, California's 2/3 vote requirements for both budgets and tax hikes.

This allows a small number of Republican legislators to dictate the budget. It is inherently undemocratic, because it transfer the rule of the majority to a small cadre of extremists, and it precludes any comprise, because the minority is insulated from accountability by by virtue of their minority status. In other words, it creates a perverse incentive to cause government to fail so that the majority receives the political blame.

In California, similar to many Congressional Republicans, legislators sign no new tax pledges. The problem with such pledges is that it amounts to an abdication of responsibility. Too often, the GOP legislators just say "No new taxes," then call it a day without dealing with the consequences of what services would need to be cut.

Worse, there have been instances where Congressional Republicans use the 2/3 requirement to extort legislative concessions that have nothing to do with the budget such as when several GOP legislators refused to support a budget until the California Attorney General halted efforts to pursue certain environmental litigation.

In short, Ah-nold has at least expressed a willingness to look at all options, including certain tax hikes, to balance the budget. Unfortunately, the GOP continues its trend from the 1990s of embracing anti-democratic ideals, and refusing to govern and take responsibility for the results of their extreme views. If a Republican pushes for tax cuts or refuses tax hikes, then they need to be held accountable for the specific programs that would need to be cut.

However, all too often, the media refuses to hold the GOP accountable, and demand to know what hospitals need to be closed, and which teachers, firefighters, or police need to be laid off. Instead, GOP legislators get to duck such answers by vaguely referring to "waste" or "pork."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28179777/

/snip

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California's budget deficit will hit $41.8 billion over the next 18 months — a figure far worse than the already abysmal previous estimates, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said Thursday.

An earlier projection by the Legislature's nonpartisan analyst had pegged the gap at $28 billion through June 2010.

The shortfall is now forecast to hit a combined $41.8 billion in the current fiscal year that ends June 30 and the 2009-10 fiscal year, Schwarzenegger spokesman Matt David said.

* * *

California has a particularly hard time passing budgets because of its stringent two-thirds budget vote requirement. It's one of only three states — along with Arkansas and Rhode Island — that requires two-thirds majority to pass a budget and one of only seven that requires two-thirds votes to pass taxes.

/snip

[hlthe2b]

1. No... only because he's a

NAZI! :evilgrin:








Nahh, all kidding aside, he's got an impossible situation and is at least trying to look at rational solutions, unlike the ilck he associates with from his party.

[Median Democrat]

2. I Think The 2/3 Requirement Actually Hurts Republicans Overall

Because it just makes the GOP more right wing and extreme, because the moderates are forced out. All the GOP is left with are bunch of folks who sign their no-tax hike pledge, then disappear until the next election where they proudly run on the record that they voted no on taxes. The only reason why Ah-nold is governor was because of the free for all election to replace Gray Davis who was recalled.