Cut Budget? Californians: Yes & No (Arnold: taxes, living, military)

[Ceece]

We have to cut the budget and we have to cut some social services. Every time someone tries we hear about "taking it out on the most vulnerable", but we actually have to throw the support at those who are NOT "vulnerable" since they, and the taxes they will no doubt pay, are the only way to keep anything going. If it means we are less friendly to the vulnerable then that's how it has to be.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Ceece

We have to cut the budget and we have to cut some social services. Every time someone tries we hear about "taking it out on the most vulnerable", but we actually have to throw the support at those who are NOT "vulnerable" since they, and the taxes they will no doubt pay, are the only way to keep anything going. If it means we are less friendly to the vulnerable then that's how it has to be.

California already has taken massive cuts against the most vulnerable.

They have reduced their SSI supplement payments from $233 per month to $166 per month, a cut of 29%. In addition, they completely cut out any dental care for Medicaid, including basic exams, cleaning and x-rays. This is in addition to eliminating vision care.

So the adults who are handicapped have already taken massive financial and care hits from the state.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

So the analysis showed that Californians don't want to reduce funding for education, both the public schools and universities. These make up the majority of the budget.

Something has to give here.

The creaky, outdated, and overlong constitution has to give, and with a new constitution the state can have a whole new fiscal structure to replace that which has failed spectacularly.

As previously said: the brevity of a constitution indicates its worth. The US Constitution, the greatest political document ever written, has only been amended 26 times in 221 years (and only once for totally destructive and frivolous reasons). The California Constitution has been amended so many times that it fills several volumes, and is the third longest constitution in the world. (Many of those amendments have been destructive and frivolous).

There are a great number of state agencies that should be completely eliminated: is there a need for the licensing of barbers, cosmetologists, and massage therapists other than fees? And given that the California Naval Guard has not actually been a naval militia since 1943 but still exists as a state agency (and those who work in its offices in SF still get state paychecks), is it really necessary for the agency to exist? Not to mention plenty of corruption in those large school districts loaded with administrators and bureaucrats ; while cracing down on waste and fraud in said districts wouldn't solve CA's fiscal problems considering their magnitude, they'd help. And needless to say we can no longer afford the prison system we have...

[RCCCB]

Originally Posted by californio sur

According to a new poll of Californians the majority want cuts in the state budget but most don't want any cuts and even want increased spending on all programs except prisons. Can't have it both ways!

"Californians object to increasing taxes in order to pare the state's massive budget deficit, and instead favor closing the breach through spending cuts. But they oppose cuts—and even prefer more spending—on programs that make up 85% of the state's general fund obligations, a new Los Angeles Times/USC Poll has found".

Voters favor cuts to balance the budget — yet they object to most of the cuts that could be made, a Los Angeles Times/USC Poll shows. - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-poll-20101118,0,1496673.story - broken link)

Most people in this state have connections to the dole. Either welfare, government employed union member or some other entitlement.

Like a drug, how do you stop them wanting the government teat?
How do you get them to stand up for themselves in the real world?

I think they'll ride this state down like a cheap elevator with their hands out all the way to the gutter, that is why you get such a ridiculous response regarding programs and cuts.

Ignorant, selfish and lazy most comes to my mind looking at that.

[RCCCB]

Originally Posted by majoun

The creaky, outdated, and overlong constitution has to give, and with a new constitution the state can have a whole new fiscal structure to replace that which has failed spectacularly.

As previously said: the brevity of a constitution indicates its worth. The US Constitution, the greatest political document ever written, has only been amended 26 times in 221 years (and only once for totally destructive and frivolous reasons). The California Constitution has been amended so many times that it fills several volumes, and is the third longest constitution in the world. (Many of those amendments have been destructive and frivolous).

There are a great number of state agencies that should be completely eliminated: is there a need for the licensing of barbers, cosmetologists, and massage therapists other than fees? And given that the California Naval Guard has not actually been a naval militia since 1943 but still exists as a state agency (and those who work in its offices in SF still get state paychecks), is it really necessary for the agency to exist? Not to mention plenty of corruption in those large school districts loaded with administrators and bureaucrats ; while cracing down on waste and fraud in said districts wouldn't solve CA's fiscal problems considering their magnitude, they'd help. And needless to say we can no longer afford the prison system we have...

The constitution has zero to do with this.
It's people with their hands in other people's wallets through the treasury wanting free everything and politicians even borrowing more than God could print that is killing everybody in this state and country.

There is no free ride, no matter long term how much you vote Democrat to raid the treasury for those that don't produce but their hand out.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by RCCCB

The constitution has zero to do with this..

It has EVERYTHING to do with establishing a fiscal structure.
All those initiatives become part of the state constitution upon passing.
The fiscal structure of state government is set in the constitution and in order to fix it there needs to be a new constitution.
If it's broke, FIX IT! And few would deny it's broke except for special interests and lobbyists.
Does the idea of a new state constitution threaten you in some way?

[RCCCB]

Originally Posted by majoun

It has EVERYTHING to do with establishing a fiscal structure.
All those initiatives become part of the state constitution upon passing.
The fiscal structure of state government is set in the constitution and in order to fix it there needs to be a new constitution.
If it's broke, FIX IT! And few would deny it's broke except for special interests and lobbyists.
Does the idea of a new state constitution threaten you in some way?

When California collapses the people will have to pass the propositions to change the state like each one did to turn us toward the abbis now.
You don't want some CA verson of the constitutional convention in the state because the hands out will sink the state even sooner IMO.

Your special interests that cost the state money are those on entitlement programs, government unions. The issues with businesses are the business climate and how much those making money from them pay taxes. IMO too much in taxation and too many lawyers allowed to sue.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by RCCCB

You don't want some CA verson of the constitutional convention in the state because the hands out will sink the state even sooner IMO.

What's in place now is broken and indefensible.
If you don't want a constitutional convention you're amongst the few outside of special interests (which include the CCPOA and the teachers' unions) and lobbyists who like the status quo. The status quo has got to go.
You seem to be one of those people who WANT the state to totally collapse - never mind if CA collpses the US goes down with it.

The issues with businesses are the business climate and how much those making money from them pay taxes. IMO too much in taxation

Which is due to mandates in the state constitution, which you seem to love so much.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by californio sur

According to a new poll of Californians the majority want cuts in the state budget but most don't want any cuts and even want increased spending on all programs except prisons. Can't have it both ways!

"Californians object to increasing taxes in order to pare the state's massive budget deficit, and instead favor closing the breach through spending cuts. But they oppose cuts—and even prefer more spending—on programs that make up 85% of the state's general fund obligations, a new Los Angeles Times/USC Poll has found".

Voters favor cuts to balance the budget — yet they object to most of the cuts that could be made, a Los Angeles Times/USC Poll shows. - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-poll-20101118,0,1496673.story - broken link)

Nothing new here. It's all part of the entitlement mentality....You know..... "My little bit isn't that much! Cut someone else's".

I will add that one area that is continually ignored is all the money we pay for health care that isn't being wisely spent. The health care system needs to be totally revamped. Unfortunately, the emphasis has been more on guaranteeing expensive insurance rather than pushing for a prevention oreitned health care system that does more than just give people pills/surgeries for when their poor eating habies bring obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure etc.

We've successfully found ways to cut smoking without being draconian about it, having the 2nd lowest smoking rate after Mormon dominated Utah. Now it's time to take on junk food.

Key to Affordable Health Care: Healthier Lifestyles

Scientists this week are reporting a breakthrough therapy to lower the risk of developing the most common and deadly chronic diseases — diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer — by about 80 percent.
In some ways, this might sound like old news. The therapy is called taking care of yourself: not smoking, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight.


http://www.livescience.com/health/09...lifestyle.html

[RCCCB]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

California already has taken massive cuts against the most vulnerable.

They have reduced their SSI supplement payments from $233 per month to $166 per month, a cut of 29%. In addition, they completely cut out any dental care for Medicaid, including basic exams, cleaning and x-rays. This is in addition to eliminating vision care.

So the adults who are handicapped have already taken massive financial and care hits from the state.

Fire tons of government employees.
Give government retirees SS instead of Lottery sized pensions they could never get in the real world.
The unions make Soros look like a choir boy.

We have 10% of the population of the USA, so why do we have almost a third of all the welfare?

Guess where to cut.