Solution to California's budget crisis: Legalize marijuana.

[mysticaltyger]

I have some better ideas about how to fix the budget:

1. Send the illegal immigrants home. Sue the Federal Government to overturn the 1981 Supreme Court decision (Plyler v Doe) that said public schools are not allowed to ask for proof of citizenship/legal residence.

2. Reform the state Medi-Cal system. We blow a lot of money on health care as it is. We have an inefficient system, but legislators just throw more money at it without trying to create a better system.

3. Reduce eligibility for Medi-Cal to bare bones like it used to be. That was what we could actually afford. Instead, legislators expanded eligibility during the boom times of the late 1990s assuming we'd have boom time revenues forever. A horrible idea, especially when they know health care costs have regularly outpaced the general rate of inflation for many years.

4. Make all the state workers take at least a 5% pay cut. The dirty little secret is that the recent work furloughs and pay cuts haven't affected those who work in the state university systems.

5. Raise tobacco/alcohol/gas taxes. Raising these taxes is not a cure all but is preferable to raising sales & income taxes. Higher gas taxes, in particular, encourage more fuel efficient cars and less driving. Since most of the money we spend on gas goes to other countries, a gas tax helps keep more American dollars at home while also helping the environment.

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I have some better ideas about how to fix the budget:

1. Send the illegal immigrants home. Sue the Federal Government to overturn the 1981 Supreme Court decision (Plyler v Doe) that said public schools are not allowed to ask for proof of citizenship/legal residence.

2. Reform the state Medi-Cal system. We blow a lot of money on health care as it is. We have an inefficient system, but legislators just throw more money at it without trying to create a better system.

3. Reduce eligibility for Medi-Cal to bare bones like it used to be. That was what we could actually afford. Instead, legislators expanded eligibility during the boom times of the late 1990s assuming we'd have boom time revenues forever. A horrible idea, especially when they know health care costs have regularly outpaced the general rate of inflation for many years.

4. Make all the state workers take at least a 5% pay cut. The dirty little secret is that the recent work furloughs and pay cuts haven't affected those who work in the state university systems.

5. Raise tobacco/alcohol/gas taxes. Raising these taxes is not a cure all but is preferable to raising sales & income taxes. Higher gas taxes, in particular, encourage more fuel efficient cars and less driving. Since most of the money we spend on gas goes to other countries, a gas tax helps keep more American dollars at home while also helping the environment.

Or better yet get rid of 4 & 5 and legalize and tax marijuana.

[ascreamingYeti]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I have some better ideas about how to fix the budget: edit: these are not better ideas if you base better off of effectiveness, yet they are very important issues also needing to be addressed.

1. Send the illegal immigrants home. Sue the Federal Government to overturn the 1981 Supreme Court decision (Plyler v Doe) that said public schools are not allowed to ask for proof of citizenship/legal residence.

2. Reform the state Medi-Cal system. We blow a lot of money on health care as it is. We have an inefficient system, but legislators just throw more money at it without trying to create a better system.

3. Reduce eligibility for Medi-Cal to bare bones like it used to be. That was what we could actually afford. Instead, legislators expanded eligibility during the boom times of the late 1990s assuming we'd have boom time revenues forever. A horrible idea, especially when they know health care costs have regularly outpaced the general rate of inflation for many years.

4. Make all the state workers take at least a 5% pay cut. The dirty little secret is that the recent work furloughs and pay cuts haven't affected those who work in the state university systems.

5. Raise tobacco/alcohol/gas taxes. Raising these taxes is not a cure all but is preferable to raising sales & income taxes. Higher gas taxes, in particular, encourage more fuel efficient cars and less driving. Since most of the money we spend on gas goes to other countries, a gas tax helps keep more American dollars at home while also helping the environment.

You are right on the money except 4 and 5 are conflicting and just wastes of time.

if you give the state workers a pay cut and then just raise taxes, they just get their money back and you just made your money run in a little circle of paperwork :P

Originally Posted by ImRandy

Or better yet get rid of 4 & 5 and legalize and tax marijuana.

NOW we're talkin

[mading6]

Originally Posted by killer2021

Legalize marijuana, sell it at any place that sells cigarettes and charge similar taxes as cigarettes.

Grow the marijuana in California (already California's largest cash crop, 2nd being grapes) which will help stimulate local rural farming communities and create jobs in those regions. It will also provide extra revenue for local stores. People will smoke marijuana, regardless if it is legal or not. As a society we need to make the right choices as to where these people get their drugs. Would you rather have those marijuana smokers buying from the local street thugs or from CVS, Rite-Aid etc.?

The vast majority of marijuana comes from foreign countries which is grown by drug lords which finance terrorism and violence.

It is time we say NO to violence and terrorism and yes to job creation and local economic growth!

Hell YES, I agree.

[mading6]

Originally Posted by greggd

I'd rather see attention directed to parents, correcting the current culture of absentee parenting, and lack of family planning in order to cut the demand and existance of young marijuana users.

Other than for medicinal purposes for an adult with some type of cronic pain, what benefit is there to a teenager who smokes pot or uses any kind of drug? None in my opinion.

It is this demand of various drugs that creates the gangs, violence, drug trafficing and international cartels.

Yes and you will never ever get rid of drugs nor people who do drugs. So if what you what you say above: "It is this demand of various drugs that creates the gangs, violence, drug trafficking, and international cartels" than LEGALIZING would stop that (gangs, violence, drug trafficking, international cartels).

[socal101]

I totally agree! We are Ok to sell cigarretes that kill people of cancer, & it is also ok to sell alcohol that kills people with cirrosis (excuse my spelling) but everyone makes a big deal about Marijuana, that is very natural and medicinal as well...... :-)