The Elephant in the Room: Are we being too fiscally conservative? (Oakland: schools, taxi)

[jade408]

Interesting article in the East Bay Express about how current fiscal policy shaped by the conservatives in state leadership are contrary to what has been successful for CA in the past, and infinitely more conservative than Regan's CA policies.

The Elephant in the Room | Feature | Oakland, Berkeley & Bay Area News & Arts Coverage

I am a fairly liberal person who hopes the government will support many social programs, but I am really sick of our current process where we fund corporate tax breaks and eliminate basic ell being for our states residents and workers. Something is way off balance here.

[Snort]

Back then, I'd guess the private sector was expanding and could absorb a tax hike.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Corporate welfare is not good but by and large does not have a major impact. The largest impact is the ever widening maw of unionized public employees, dependents on the state and fraud. The other issue is the declining revenue input - businesses and the wealthy are being pushed out of the state and those who cling here have lower income and therefore pay lower taxes than they would if more successful.

[Pretzelogik]

Originally Posted by jade408

Interesting article in the East Bay Express about how current fiscal policy shaped by the conservatives in state leadership are contrary to what has been successful for CA in the past, and infinitely more conservative than Regan's CA policies.

The Elephant in the Room | Feature | Oakland, Berkeley & Bay Area News & Arts Coverage

I am a fairly liberal person who hopes the government will support many social programs, but I am really sick of our current process where we fund corporate tax breaks and eliminate basic ell being for our states residents and workers. Something is way off balance here.

Oh yeah CA is being too conservative. LMAO

[Des-Lab]

Oh I agree. we definitely need to fund more Social programs. Just don't raise *MY* taxes.

[TimC2462]

The article is obviously biased against the conservatives but the author does make strong points about the need to invest in public infrastructure for California's long term viability.

What the author left out was the out of control salaries for state workers, especially for top administrators, the pensions and benefits, and the social programs made available to recipients -- citizens and illegal.

I, for one, would gladly pay higher taxes if I can be 100% assured that they are going towards California's long term profitability instead of funding corruptness and welfare programs for those who don't deserve them. But keep taxing me at much higher rates without seeing a return on my money, I will keep pushing for cutting spending until I see the government re-prioritize their spending.

BTW, it is pointless for the author to compare Governor Brown to Ronald Reagan -- they both come from completely different eras. Reagan were able to raise taxes because entitlement programs and bloated worker salaries weren't evident back then. Today, we have become cynical of such things after decades of failed policies.

[Gentoo]

Waiting...just waiting for the Texas cheerleaders to chime in.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Pretzelogik

Oh yeah CA is being too conservative. LMAO

But that's how liberals see it.

Democrat majority: "Tax the crap out of everything that moves and spend like there's no tomorrow!"
Republican minority: "How about we tax less and only spend what we collect?"
Democrat majority: "Republicans are ruining the state!"

[jade408]

I am not a big believer in corporate tax breaks or tax breaks for people earning $20M+. The wealthy can afford a few more percentage points of income tax. This would make a huge difference in our states well-being. The same is true of commercial property owners. If you have a large expensive property, you should be subject to a few more taxes.

We aren't funding any infrastructure at all. I hit HUGE potholes daily. Everyone needs and benefits from public infrastructure: roads, schools, transit, public hospitals.

It is a big misconception that we are driving the wealthy people out. They are still here and they want to stay. If Bill Gates complains he is under-taxed, you know something is wrong.

I am happy to support public services, if my money actually goes to fund the stuff they said they were going to. Right now, CA isn't keeping up its end of the bargain and providing for residents.

One thing I hate is all of the "conservatives" saying "public services are horrible, only users and losers take advantage of them" and they are the first ones to use Medicare, Medical, and Social Security benefits. These are all social programs, and many types of people take advantage of them: poor, elderly, disabled, temporarily out of work, or people in transition, etc.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

But that's how liberals see it.

Democrat majority: "Tax the crap out of everything that moves and spend like there's no tomorrow!"
Republican minority: "How about we tax less and only spend what we collect?"
Democrat majority: "Republicans are ruining the state!"

I don't think we have any liberal policies anymore. Since state leaders aren't really willing to compromise or some to any agreements, we are just cutting all of the statewide programs: education, health, infrastructure.

The Republicans are saying: we need to cut the budget and cut taxes on our friends the rich people. But regular middle class workers -- they need to pay more, especially on their declining residences.