It appears that California has solved their budget crisis. But if you live there be prepared for an ugly senerio. The usual "Don't raise our taxes" mantra came out of the right as usual. Small businesses were delighted that taxes weren't raised but as I see it what difference does it make if you have no business in the first place. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you do business with state government and your taxes get raised. Don't you then calculate the increase into the price you charge? You would thereby be sending the tax increase back to the state to pay. At least this is my understanding from having done contract work for the last 18+ years.
I see that state workers will now take a 14% pay cut. I just wonder if that includes the governor and state reps as well? All this just after a governors conference which I'm sure cost the state a pretty penny. I'll see if I can find some info on that to rub in their faces later.
But I really feel sorry for the poor kids of the state because the children of the poor just got their state health care cut off. And in true republican fashion they dump on those who can least affort it and have no high priced lobbyists to represent them. Makes me wonder how many children will die because of this. Basic republican strategy, go after the weakest least armed of the group. Then blow your own horn when you've saved your corporate masters from having to sell his yacht. And don't trip over the babies in the gutter while walking to your BMW guys.
What does it all add up to in terms of human suffering? I hear the state will be borrowing money from the cities. Hey don't cities get some of thier money from the state? You'll see slower response times for police and fire as well as fewer officers and firefighters. City governments cutting back on work days (call before you go there in case they aren't open). Cutbacks in libraries. Great just when you can't afford an internet connection to look for a job. And not to forget roadways, healthcare, and education so don't fall ill because the medic just might be stuck in traffic that is if they were able to maintain the ambulance. And then there's the highly motivated state worker who just had his pay cut by 14%, won't he be in just a great mood when he gets there.
So maybe you think it's time to repeal Prop 13 and actually pay for what you have and need? Where's Robin Hood when we need him?
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5 comments:
Republicans jut love when they get to cut social programs. It's as if they really want, more than anything in the world, to create an underclass.
Let's not forget how cutting state workers' pay will help undermine the federal effort to goose demand through the stimulus program. Likewise for many of the other austerity measures.
You're so right about Prop 13 and other measures over the years to limit taxation. It's a perfect example of people having a champagne taste for services, but wanting them for a Kool-Aid price.
Holte Ender, what the Republican right seems to want most is to turn America into a classic Latin American-style banana republic. A wealthy, well-connected few own virtually everything worth owning and run the government for their benefit. The middle class is small and weak. The underclass is huge and even weaker, struggling just to survive.
That, BTW, is quite similar to the social order in the U.S. deep south prior to the 20th century, and especially prior to the Civil War. I think it's not coincidental that the deep south is a Republican stronghold.
The deep south used to be democratic that is until LBJ passed the civil rights act. Remember Lincoln who freed the slaves was a republican.
It's just as bad here in good ol England I'm afraid.
I don't think that we will see children lying by the roadside just yet but it can't be too far off.
Enjoyed reading your post.
Demeur, I well know how the South's party shifts. Clearly, the GOP of today bears almost no resemblance to the party of Lincoln's time.
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