San Diego's "Financial Free Fall" (crime, maintenance)

[Oerdin]

That's not a city job. That's paid for by the state. It doesn't have anything to do with the city's financial mess.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

wasn't the issue with the parcel tax that every property in the city/county would end up having to pay it? why should someone living in the beach or downtown have to pay for those who chose to live in the foothills? a better idea would have been to zone certain areas as potential fire zones and tax those areas specifically. an even better idea would be for the state to charge an additional fee on fire insurance policies in "fire zones", since it is usually CDF who ends up eating the cost of wildfires.

Even if they did that it would have failed even more than it did. The vast majority of those that approved that tax live at the coast and not in the fire zone. The vast majority that did NOT approve that tax livie in the foothills and mountains right in the middle of prime wildfire territory. So basically the people that need that additional protection the most voted AGAINST it the most. That is a great example of that backwards "free lunch" mentality so many here have. And lets not forget how they are suing SDGE for its power lines causing one of the major wildfires but also flipped out when SDGE was going to cut the power during times of high winds and high fire danger to prevent exactly what they are being sued for. I seriously cannot understand that backwards thinking of many of the residents that live out there.

[Oerdin]

It's like you said. These people think the world owes them something for nothing which is a strange position to have since they claim to be small government Republicans. The answer is they're just cheapskates.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by sav858

I read that book probably about 4 or 5 years ago for a college class and I actually still have it, it's a good and INTERESTING read. San Diego has a long history of shady, corrupt politics its kind of sad.

As a fan of old neighborhoods, I think one of the greatest "crimes" the city committed was to allow so much of the character of the old neighborhoods to be destroyed with cheap apartment buildings - including the parking lots that paved over what used to be front lawns. I'm not sure if that's a result of the author's allegation that San Diego has allowed developers to do whatever they've wanted to do, but it sure looks like a good example of it.

[loveautumn]

state, city, whatever...they are all broke. Oh yeah, if you are expecting a state tax refund, forget it, it's not coming (at least for awhile).

[Mira-Mesa-Resident]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

My friend has worked for the UC college system for over 30 years and will retire soon...at almost 95% of salary for life, plus health benefits at the cost this person is currently paying (about $40 per month). This person makes about $55k per year. Never paid SS but has 401(3)b...sounds like a SWEET deal to me...nobody in private sector gets anything close to this.

This is what I am saying, the government and military employees do not understand the lifetime benefits they are getting as compared to the ones employed by the private sector. I now realized the mistake I have made. I should have worked for the government for 20-30 years and complained everyday to raise the taxes and threatened that services will be cut if the taxes are not raised. The union will take good care of me. Being a government employee and unionized was the best job I have had.

Here's the best deal. Join the military at 18 years of age. After 20 years at a tender age of 38, you retire and collect benefits. Then get another job with the government like the post office, state-funded college, etc. and you will get more lifetime retirement benefits. After you retire from that, you will never have to worry about money again. Because all you did during your employment as a government employee was complain about your salary and benefits and the union or someone else fought for it.

You won't know how good a government job is until you experienced both sides.

[Mira-Mesa-Resident]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Many of those city positions do not pay highly and are necessary positions like civil engineers.... are you suggesting we eliminate the city services and let the city rot?

I am suggesting to make good use of the funds collected from taxpayers and eliminate waste. I thought Sanders was going to do this.

When I see a bunch of school employees spend time telling stories at their work each day, I cringe like wow. That's a cool job.

[NYSD1995]

Originally Posted by Mira-Mesa-Resident

Here's the best deal. Join the military at 18 years of age. After 20 years at a tender age of 38, you retire and collect benefits. Then get another job with the government like the post office, state-funded college, etc. and you will get more lifetime retirement benefits. After you retire from that, you will never have to worry about money again. Because all you did during your employment as a government employee was complain about your salary and benefits and the union or someone else fought for it.

You're going to have a hard time convincing San Diego that 18-year old kids risking their lives into Iraq aren't entitled to a whole lot of things. Kid goes and throws himself in front of a bullet for the USA, he can have all the pension he needs as far as I am concerned.

[Mira-Mesa-Resident]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

You're going to have a hard time convincing San Diego that 18-year old kids risking their lives into Iraq aren't entitled to a whole lot of things. Kid goes and throws himself in front of a bullet for the USA, he can have all the pension he needs as far as I am concerned.

Agreed! War veterans are more than entitled! They are our heroes forever.

[cobmw]

Double agreed.