California's GOP lawmakers should do the budget math

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wow....imagine that. The saint of modern Republicans being pragmatic about raising taxes. Was it political suicide for him? Nope. He went on to become the 40th President of the U.S.

And the hippies hated every moment!

Let's focus on the current issue, Bill - the California budget. So given these facts about Reagan, why aren't the state Republicans willing to go along with their Republican Governor now and vote for this budget?

I'll give you my answer - because the state Republican Party has lost it's common sense. They've traded fiscal responsibility for meaning, just say 'no' to new taxes. They've decided that all government spending is wasteful spending and they'll be damned if they're going to let the majority push forward their heavily compromised budget plan, but won't come up with an alternative. Hopefully the sorry saps who elected these Republicans into office thinking they were getting someone who cares about them will realize these politicians are willing to shut down the entire government before they'll vote for a tax increase. Sad and pathetic.

And that is a bad thing?

"That government is best which governs least." -- Thomas Paine

Edited February 18, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Danno 1,228]

Fancy if you don't now..... you should work as a professional Spinner.

As you work to drive your state farther and farther down the toilet, ... you make it seem so: noble.

[Peikko 1,575]

Wow....imagine that. The saint of modern Republicans being pragmatic about raising taxes. Was it political suicide for him? Nope. He went on to become the 40th President of the U.S.

And the hippies hated every moment!

Let's focus on the current issue, Bill - the California budget. So given these facts about Reagan, why aren't the state Republicans willing to go along with their Republican Governor now and vote for this budget?

I'll give you my answer - because the state Republican Party has lost it's common sense. They've traded fiscal responsibility for meaning, just say 'no' to new taxes. They've decided that all government spending is wasteful spending and they'll be damned if they're going to let the majority push forward their heavily compromised budget plan, but won't come up with an alternative. Hopefully the sorry saps who elected these Republicans into office thinking they were getting someone who cares about them will realize these politicians are willing to shut down the entire government before they'll vote for a tax increase. Sad and pathetic.

And that is a bad thing?

"That government is best which governs least." -- Thomas Paine

As a tag line, a hook to capture the imagination of those who vote on rhetoric. Seriously, it's a great idea but the reality is, those who proclaim it really mean "I want you to elect me, but I don't want to do anything once I am in office except collect the pay check". I am not saying that this is confined to the GOP, politicians on both sides of the house do this. What I am saying is that if you are a GOP member, this is such a gem.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

As a tag line, a hook to capture the imagination of those who vote on rhetoric. Seriously, it's a great idea but the reality is, those who proclaim it really mean "I want you to elect me, but I don't want to do anything once I am in office except collect the pay check". I am not saying that this is confined to the GOP, politicians on both sides of the house do this. What I am saying is that if you are a GOP member, this is such a gem.

Yeah, I know, many have lost there way along the way. Perhaps some time spent wandering in the wilderness will enlighten the minority party. Perhaps we could adopt the British term of 'loyal opposition' for the party out of power..

Edited February 18, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Peikko 1,575]

The British system is no picnic either, but I understand it rather better

I would suggest that it is also rather less financially wasteful as an institution.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wow....imagine that. The saint of modern Republicans being pragmatic about raising taxes. Was it political suicide for him? Nope. He went on to become the 40th President of the U.S.

And the hippies hated every moment!

Let's focus on the current issue, Bill - the California budget. So given these facts about Reagan, why aren't the state Republicans willing to go along with their Republican Governor now and vote for this budget?

I'll give you my answer - because the state Republican Party has lost it's common sense. They've traded fiscal responsibility for meaning, just say 'no' to new taxes. They've decided that all government spending is wasteful spending and they'll be damned if they're going to let the majority push forward their heavily compromised budget plan, but won't come up with an alternative. Hopefully the sorry saps who elected these Republicans into office thinking they were getting someone who cares about them will realize these politicians are willing to shut down the entire government before they'll vote for a tax increase. Sad and pathetic.

And that is a bad thing?

"That government is best which governs least." -- Thomas Paine

As a tag line, a hook to capture the imagination of those who vote on rhetoric. Seriously, it's a great idea but the reality is, those who proclaim it really mean "I want you to elect me, but I don't want to do anything once I am in office except collect the pay check". I am not saying that this is confined to the GOP, politicians on both sides of the house do this. What I am saying is that if you are a GOP member, this is such a gem.

MC - it is the CA state Republicans who have turned themselves into the 'do-nothing' party. And look at Bill's response - some people can't see the forest for the trees....how this will end up hurting all of California. Sad and pathetic.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

The British system is no picnic either, but I understand it rather better

I would suggest that it is also rather less financially wasteful as an institution.

I've experienced it already in Canada and it certainly is not less wasteful.

[Peikko 1,575]

Britain isn't Canada (I doubt it's as wasteful as the US though) but UK politicians don't earn fabulous salaries, the gov doesn't take as much money to run as an institution, health care is cheaper (even with its faults and I recognize there are some, no heads in the sands here) and elections are a snip compared with the US versions.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Britain isn't Canada (I doubt it's as wasteful as the US though) but UK politicians don't earn fabulous salaries, the gov doesn't take as much money to run as an institution, health care is cheaper (even with its faults and I recognize there are some, no heads in the sands here) and elections are a snip compared with the US versions.

Yes, we could shorten the election process some. It's tough when you are just sworn in office, and looking over your shoulder at the same time. But then again, the Senate serves longer terms, and is the saucer to the steaming cup, whose role it is, to deliberate, despite the whines and fleeting whims of fickle folk.

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't know what the answer is, certainly there is no perfect system anywhere, but really the US system just seems to have more than it's fair share of problems, it reminds me of Italy, although their problems are somewhat different