Your tax dollars hard at work (wealthy, title, offices)

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by user_id

I find it amusing how people focus on these little things that have pretty much no impact on the state budget. Many California's seem to think if you just cut this sort of spending and cut welfare a little bit you can solve the state's budget problems.

This is pennies compared to the amount the state is going to be expected to fork over for pensions when pension funds run dry. Why don't you send 15% of your California pension back to California each month Curmudgeon? You know, since you're so concerned about the government stealing from the tax payers and all.

Sure it is pennies compared to the budget deficit. But isn't this an indicator of the legislature's mindset? If they don't think twice about wasting a million or two of taxpayer money so they can "earn" their per diem - why should they be trusted with any of it?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Sure it is pennies compared to the budget deficit. But isn't this an indicator of the legislature's mindset? If they don't think twice about wasting a million or two of taxpayer money so they can "earn" their per diem - why should they be trusted with any of it?

DANG! Can't rep you either. But you get it! Wish others were so insightful.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Sure it is pennies compared to the budget deficit. But isn't this an indicator of the legislature's mindset?

No not really, it just demonstrates that the legislatures are just people, if you had something similar at any job all the employees would take advantage of it as well.

I'm far more concerned what they do about public pensions, taxes, education, etc.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by user_id

No not really, it just demonstrates that the legislatures are just people, if you had something similar at any job all the employees would take advantage of it as well.

I'm far more concerned what they do about public pensions, taxes, education, etc.

How's that Kool Aid taste?

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by user_id

No not really, it just demonstrates that the legislatures are just people, if you had something similar at any job all the employees would take advantage of it as well.

I'm far more concerned what they do about public pensions, taxes, education, etc.

Yeah, sure. If I had access to money I'd steal it too. Free moneyzzz, right? I'm sure I'm ideally suited to become a legislator.

Not! WTH is wrong with you? "They're just people" does not justify rapine! These people are charged with the public trust. How about acting like that? How about justifying the trust of the public?

Your attitude is part of what's wrong in this state. It's like condoning stealing a little as long as you don't steal a lot.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by user_id

No not really, it just demonstrates that the legislatures are just people, if you had something similar at any job all the employees would take advantage of it as well.

I'm far more concerned what they do about public pensions, taxes, education, etc.

Maybe you are like them - take advantage of per diem. Not me. And I expect legislators to be better than that.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Maybe you are like them - take advantage of per diem. Not me. And I expect legislators to be better than that.

User_ID for Governor. Rob them sheeple blind!

[user_id]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

Yeah, sure. If I had access to money I'd steal it too. Free moneyzzz, right? I'm sure I'm ideally suited to become a legislator.

They weren't stealing anything, the state legislator has particular formalities and they were just conforming to those formalities. I'm not sure what was suppose to be outrageous about the new cars.

Anyhow, I'd rather they just raise legislator pay than create all sorts of perks, but the perks are really just part of their pay. I suppose the idea here is that the legislators should have to "cut back like the rest of us", but this doesn't make much sense, reduce the benefits/pay too much and they'll just do other things. Just like how a company doesn't reduce the CEO's pay when the company has a bad year.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Maybe you are like them - take advantage of per diem. Not me. And I expect legislators to be better than that.

Well, perhaps you should write to your state legislators and especially your governor.

Anyhow, this is just faux outrage, you'll notice that its just the California Haters that are responding to it.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

Yeah, sure. If I had access to money I'd steal it too. Free moneyzzz, right? I'm sure I'm ideally suited to become a legislator.

Not! WTH is wrong with you? "They're just people" does not justify rapine! These people are charged with the public trust. How about acting like that? How about justifying the trust of the public?

Your attitude is part of what's wrong in this state. It's like condoning stealing a little as long as you don't steal a lot.

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Maybe you are like them - take advantage of per diem. Not me. And I expect legislators to be better than that.

I didn't read anything in what user_id wrote about such behavior being acceptable ... what I read was him pointing out a reality of human nature ... it is what it is, regardless of our wishful thinking that it should/could be otherwise. Then he went on to point out that the priority to watch out for is with the larger costs. If I were going to guard a grocery store against theft, I would watch the cash register more than the apple cart out front. Sure, stealing apples is rotten -- but it is survivable.