What is happening to Los Angeles or simply Califonia? (Montclair: schools, taxes)

[mollymonk]

Originally Posted by iansmom

I've live here since 1976 and this is not the same California I moved to many years ago. What is wrong with this state is the socialist politicians in Sacramento who are nothing but a bunch of crooks. They spend spend spend and they sure don't represent me or my views. The majority of them are sneaky and underhanded. That was made clear during the past elections in February. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senator Don Perata authored Proposition 93 which would extend their term limits in office, but the bill was presented by them to us as doing the complete opposite. I was happy to see California voters were paying attention and defeated Prop 93. Come December 43 of California's politicians will be hitting the unemployment line and Nunez and Perata will be going with them. We basically put together our own mini recall. Unfortunately for the tax payers the damage has already been done and who is left holding the bag will be us the tax payers who will be feeling it in the form of increased taxes. You see what is happening in California is the middle class is disappearing, that is happening now. What will be left in this state will be the rich and the poor. And if someone wants to deny this is happening then your not paying attention. There are other dynamics that have flushed this state right down the toilet which are not to be discussed in this forum and has it's own place but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what I'm talking about especially if you live in Southern California.

I agree with your post 100%
I've lived here for 59 years and the state legislature are mostly money grabbing crooks, plus the illegal popuation is taking over!

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by prim2007

Yep, this is a depressing topic. What's even more depressing is that 10-20 years from now we will look back on these years as the better years just like we do every decade/generation.

I respectfully disagree: hindsight being 20/20; the Clinton era, especially from about 1996-00 felt prosperous almost by 1960's standards-----even for those Americans at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by mollymonk

I agree with your post 100%
I've lived here for 59 years and the state legislature are mostly money grabbing crooks, plus the illegal popuation is taking over!

Looking at Calif; here in Arizona we are trying to stem the tide of destruction.

For whatever it is worth: whenever I cross the Colorado River from Arizona to California------it feels like I am heading from '1960s' SoCal as depicted in the beach movies (Arizona today) to New Jersey (with all due respect to the Garden State) The vibe W of the River is that icky.

I lived in Mohave County for most of 2000-06 so I know of what I speak of.

[Christine Joan]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

The city, county and state have got to realize that we taxpayers can't afford any more taxes then we are already paying. The government has got to find ways to get along on their present budgets. If there isn't enough money then government will just have to be more efficient and quit wasting money on nonproductive uses.

The government can't just keep raising taxes without limit. It's got to stop somewhere, and many of us are already at the breaking point. That's why so many businesses have left the state (taking jobs with them I might add) and in many cases why so many people are becoming disenchanted with California and moving to less expensive areas.

There's got to be an end to the ever increasing tax burden.

Great point, but it isn't just taxes that keep going up here. Every time I turn on the news I hear about the utility companies, DWP, Edison, seeking to raise their rates. A while ago, there was a news report over how at DWP, the company paid for some type of nursing program that isn't offered almost anywhere else, that seemed rather expensive and excessive. Now every time I pay my utility bill I think about paying for workers at DWP to have benefits that many of us, well at least me, consider to be a bit over the top for a utility company to offer their employees. Instead of cutting costs, the utility companies simply raise rates. Frankly, I would prefer for them to try to cut costs. I'm tired of my rates going up.

Of course, I'm tired of paying ever increasing taxes too, but my gripe is mostly with the federal government, not state.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

I respectfully disagree: hindsight being 20/20; the Clinton era, especially from about 1996-00 felt prosperous almost by 1960's standards-----even for those Americans at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder.

There were 6 very good economic years during the Clinton era (thanks, in large part, to the Internet and dot com boom) and there have been 6 very good economic years during the Bush era (thanks, in part, to the two tax cuts).

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by Christine Joan

Great point, but it isn't just taxes that keep going up here. Every time I turn on the news I hear about the utility companies, DWP, Edison, seeking to raise their rates. A while ago, there was a news report over how at DWP, the company paid for some type of nursing program that isn't offered almost anywhere else, that seemed rather expensive and excessive. Now every time I pay my utility bill I think about paying for workers at DWP to have benefits that many of us, well at least me, consider to be a bit over the top for a utility company to offer their employees. Instead of cutting costs, the utility companies simply raise rates. Frankly, I would prefer for them to try to cut costs. I'm tired of my rates going up.

I too have been annoyed by what used to be called "achieving parity with the private sector."

Everybody tell me this: How often have you envied all the long list of great benefits that government workers get? How often have you wished that you could get such good benefits in private industry?

I know exactly what the city's benefits are, in detail. One of my best friends works for DWP and we compare his government deal and my private industry deal all the time. I'd take his any day, particularly the great retirement package. And in most cases you can't even be fired from a government job, not without long protracted proceedings. They are virtually fire proof.

[Lionhearted]

Originally Posted by KimK

At night in Southern California when a car jumps the curb on the freeway, they need three police cars for their own safety. Chances are good there was only one cop in each car if you were in a jurisdiction other than L.A. County Sheriff or L.A city police; hence three people not six. Why is anybody jumping the curb unless they are intoxicated, blind and in need of help or having a medical emergency? Missing an offramp is not a valid excuse.

Most police in circa 2008 in California have college degrees. And, the only reason a cop may make more than a teacher is because cops are paid overtime. Yes, they will get paid more as they are working overtime to get it. Teachers do not get paid overtime.

I don't get intoxicated; I don't need to; I have enough fun just being a provocateur. It was sprinkling and the off ramp was 360 degree turn that I missed the sign indicating such. There was at least 5 cops because one was a sergeant who said they were having a slow night. Most cops with degrees have them in criminal justice. Why don't they just go to a trade school?

[Lionhearted]

It was obviously WBNR (written but not read) because I would have put some qualifiers if I'd wanted not to have so much fun. If anyone couldn't tell I was using hyberbole, they probably listen to Rush Limbaugh. And they think the 3 greatest problems facing America are -- terrorism, immigration and crime. They answer is easy -- by and far the mortgaging of our future, global warming and racism.

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by rmarski

I don't get intoxicated; I don't need to; I have enough fun just being a provocateur. It was sprinkling and the off ramp was 360 degree turn that I missed the sign indicating such. There was at least 5 cops because one was a sergeant who said they were having a slow night. Most cops with degrees have them in criminal justice. Why don't they just go to a trade school?

Why would you even question what degree another person pursues? Your points on LE and correctional officers are becoming more of a reflection on you and your perspective than on the LE and correctional officers.

I have worked in corrections for the past decade, and continue to this day. You obviously don't work in prison, or you wouldn't be making broad generalizations about a lot of smart, dedicated individuals. *(and no, , I am not talking about the criminals!) Not to mention courageous. It takes guts to work in a prison environment. We C.O.'s say we walk the toughest beat in America. No batons, no gun and nothing but a radio and our wits. Care to saddle up and join one of us for one night and spout off about trade school?

What is happening to california is the topic, stick to it, please. BTW, I have a four year degree, and it's not a votech trade.

[Lionhearted]

Originally Posted by htmlfamily

Very few are aware of what you just said and I agree! Most people have no idea that Lawyers and Pharma did not advertise--those were much better days...

Did you know that the robber barons who claim they must charge such high prices for drugs is because they need the money for research. The truth is they spend 20% of their revenue on research and 33% "pushing" the drugs.
Of the 20% they spend on research a lot, if not most, goes to extend the life of their patents. There are no new blockbuster drugs I've heard of in the pipeline,