Posted: 5/20/2009 4:51:52 AM EDT
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It seems to me that the imminent bankruptcy of the State of California gives rise to a couple of opportunities. We need to seize them.
1. The inability of California to tighten its belt and live within a budget is a result of outrageous gerrymandering. So many of the districts are "safe" for state lawmakers that there is literally a decoupling of the political class from the electorate and the interest groups (unions, etc.) are driving the boat. ETA: If we can get the public mood against gerrymandering we can perhaps take the government back. 2. If there is to be a bailout (and Obama will try it given California's national electoral importance) then remember the precedent has been set: Recipients of bail out money get to be told what to do on policy issues. That means while we should oppose bailouts with our full vigor, if it looks as if they're inevitable we need to shift gears to get our political creatures to add "conditions" to the bail out money to enhance the freedom of our California brothers and sisters. Concealed carry liberalization, etc. |
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Quoted:
It seems to me that the imminent bankruptcy of the State of California gives rise to a couple of opportunities. We need to seize them. 1. The inability of California to tighten its belt and live within a budget is a result of outrageous gerrymandering. So many of the districts are "safe" for state lawmakers that there is literally a decoupling of the political class from the electorate and the interest groups (unions, etc.) are driving the boat. 2. If there is to be a bailout (and Obama will try it given California's national electoral importance) then remember the precedent has been set: Recipients of bail out money get to be told what to do on policy issues. That means while we should oppose bailouts with our full vigor, if it looks as if they're inevitable we need to shift gears to get our political creatures to add "conditions" to the bail out money to enhance the freedom of our California brothers and sisters. Concealed carry liberalization, etc. Orrrrrrrrrrr, you can move out of Kalistan before it becomes the Hammer and Sickle state like I did back in 92. 
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| If the federal gov't gave California federal money for a bailout because of their failed policies, would that make it taxation without representation to those of us who do not live in California and do not get to vote in their elections and decide how they waste their money? I happen to remember a little conflict that started over taxation without reprensentation. |
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Quoted:
If the federal gov't gave California federal money for a bailout because of their failed policies, would that make it taxation without representation to those of us who do not live in California and do not get to vote in their elections and decide how they waste their money? I happen to remember a little conflict that started over taxation without reprensentation. Of course it would. And do you think that for the liberal democrats that means jack or shit? |