Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Help California now! Why?

California has spent years digging a big hole in which to dump its economy. Finally, they have got the hole deep enough that there is no way to see out. But do they put the shovel down? No way, they rent a backhoe so they can dig faster.

This is a state with out of control spending on every social program imaginable. Pensions are available to employees who have worked thirty years and retire. Pensions at 90% of post-retirement salaries. Firemen can retire at age 50 with thirty years service and their pension can top $100,000 per year. The state provides generous welfare benefits, and extends those benefits to the large population of illegal aliens, undocumented workers, whatever the euphemism du jour for people who are illegally in the U.S. Unions hold strong sway over the state legislature. All of this is supported by high tax rates on businesses and individuals. Employers have been departing the state as fast as they can relocate. Population growth is driven by illegals.

What is the solution to all of this responsibility? Well obviously, we (you and I and the citizens of the other 49 states) must bail California out. And we must do this without the state even making any changes in its irresponsible fiscal behavior.

I for one have no interest in helping California fix its budget mess. Texas has been pilloried for years as being stingy with social benefits, but guess what, we have a healthy economy even in the face of a national economic decline. I see no reason to sacrifice my hard earned dollars to save the citizens of a state who take no responsibility for their own fiscal house.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I have a great idea why dont we have a huge national telethon and let all those famous useless rich people who live there, donate just the money they were going to spend on purses this year...It should do the trick.