The refusal of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill to reach a budget compromise is costing California taxpayers $1.5 billion a week. That's how much it's estimated the state is overspending its income, and that will continue until a budget fix is reached.
So all you conservatives out there who think that doing nothing is saving money, you couldn't be more wrong. While you're cheering legislative gridlock, prepare yourself for an even bigger tax increase to make up for the overspending that's been going on during this ideological warfare.
If you like wasting money, tell your legislative leaders to do nothing. They are very good at that chore.
Well, it makes me angry, but then I think that both Democrats and Republicans in Sacramento are worthless. There are those of you who will defend Democrats on this, and those of you who will defend Republicans. You're both wrong.
If you'd step back from your party loyalty long enough you would see that Bass, Steinberg, Villines and Cogdill are only trying to win political victories. They are not serving the people of California. Bass, Steinberg, Villines and Cogdill are costing the people of California big money.
As I have said many times before, it is time to abolish the California Legislature.
Here are more details about the budget stalemate from today's editorial from The Bee.
I totally agree that everyone needs to step back from their parties and the state legislature needs to be abolished as well cause they can't step across the aisle and get it done. We will all suffer the wrath of their stupidity for years to come. It may be democracy but I do not like the whole two party system because most of the time it doesn't work since they both want it their way and point fingers at the other for blame. This type of childish behavior is burying our state and country. I would love to be there to scold all of them. Again they aren't gonna get it done until they are hit in the wallet with no pay.
"jackie krage" I am confused. Are you suggesting a one party system? I lived in one for 7 years. Time enough for a lot of Heil Hitler. If there are not different political factions it would not be a democracy and/or republic.
Every single person in Fresno should do as a character in a film did ages ago. Betwork be the film and the lead character urged all to go to thier window and shout; "I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it any more".
"She who must be obeyed" makes a point. There is already a one-party system in place in Sacramento, called 'fat cats' and they are dining on a 'public purse' with no coin.
MOI is mad as hell, writes letter he does and makes calls. Time folks here started to do the same.
Or learn to goose step and raise hand in a salute to the horrid 'tyrant'Sacramento has become.
Actually, when it comes to the budget we already have pretty much what Ms. Krage wants - and it isn't working. In order to get a budget passed with a 2/3 majority, in practical terms you need to get just about everybody's approval. And in a state as diverse as this one, that's becoming increasingly difficult. It's way past time to dump the supermajority requirement.
I agree that things are messed up, Jim. But when you say we should abolish the Legislature, what should we put in its place? Just an all-powerful Governor?
Wouldn't the wisest thing be to abolish the two-thirds budget requirement?
I should have added my solution to getting rid of the Legislature as we know it. I have proposed a unicameral system much like what's in place in Nebraska. It also would be non-partisan, and it would be part-time -- maybe sessions of 120 days, and procedures to return in cases of emergencies. Here's a link to a column I did about the proposal:
http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/jim-boren/story/896785.html
I will go for thye part time legislature and getting rid of the 2/3 majority. I have sent Arnold an email that I am sure he will never see. I told him to man up and be a boss among other things and get rid of their paychecks then I bet they will get their heads out of their butts. I know it will go straight to the trash folder before he ever sees it but at least I tried.