Will California become America's first failed state?

[Jasman0717 9]

I hope I can make it to retirement before California folds. There also is that possibility of it falling into the Pacific

[mawilson 2,133]

drop 1,000 mile of coastline into the ocean and you don't think the results would be catastrophic for the planet Mr Wilson? Tsk, tsk

Drop? Like a meteor? Or slowly sink into the ocean?

If the latter, I doubt it would end life on earth.

[scandal 951]

California is beset by:

- A dysfunctional legislature in Sacramento

- The promiscuous usage of ballot Propositions to bypass the legislature and leading to a total collapse of representational democracy in the state

- Prop 13

- overly powerful unions: particularly teachers and prison guards

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't think the prophesy that Mr Nick was referring to was a gentle glide into the sea Mr Wilson

[mawilson 2,133]

California is beset by:

- A dysfunctional legislature in Sacramento

- The promiscuous usage of ballot Propositions to bypass the legislature and leading to a total collapse of representational democracy in the state

- Prop 13

- overly powerful unions: particularly teachers and prison guards

Nothing that another Republican-Democrat corporate fascist governor couldn't fix.

[Peikko 1,575]

Does any other state use that amount of ballots? I think it's ridiculous myself.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Does any other state use that amount of ballots? I think it's ridiculous myself.

Why do you hate democracy?

[Peikko 1,575]

I hate plebiscite democracy because it doesn't work - look at Italy.

[Heracles 417]

Just keep on spending close to a half a billion educating anchor babies and the kids of illegal aliens and the state will just continue to do well. Why stop there, now factor in all of the other services illegal aliens receive for free. The state is destined for bankruptcy.

Nonetheless, it's a great social project and lesson for others. How not to bankrupt your state providing free services for illegals. All while cutting services from your own people, like your kids schools.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Booyah!

[yogib37 3]

It is the fault of the Governor and the GOP Senate. They brought the state to the condition it is now. They keep on refusing to pass a bugget. Then they have to lay off workers while these A$$ wipes GOP Senators kept getting their 6 figure salary. While the hard working people got laid off or are force to take 2 Fridays off a month without pay but the Crooks in Sac. keep collecting there pay.

So I fully blame the Governor btw he is a very sh1ty actor, and the senators for the way they lead Calif. into the position it is in

The GOP Senators bought in the the GOP no tax hike ####### that is why they did not budge on the buget

[Heracles 417]

The GOP Senators bought in the the GOP no tax hike ####### that is why they did not budge on the buget

Unfortunately for us, this is the ####### they are trying to pull in Virginia too.

[aidan80 9]

And what the freeloaders haven't stolen from the CA taxpayer, the irish-descended white Californians have boozed away

Your ole balls!

Edited October 7, 2009 by aidan80

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It is the fault of the Governor and the GOP Senate. They brought the state to the condition it is now. They keep on refusing to pass a bugget. Then they have to lay off workers while these A$$ wipes GOP Senators kept getting their 6 figure salary. While the hard working people got laid off or are force to take 2 Fridays off a month without pay but the Crooks in Sac. keep collecting there pay.

So I fully blame the Governor btw he is a very sh1ty actor, and the senators for the way they lead Calif. into the position it is in

The GOP Senators bought in the the GOP no tax hike ####### that is why they did not budge on the buget

What you talking about yogi? The Dems have controlled both houses for ages in California. There is no Republican party to speak of in California, just a few hold outs in the eastern part of the state. Republican governors tend to be centrist. Deukmajian was the last fiscally conservative governor of California, leaving the state with a surplus, growing the General Fund by 98%, without raising taxes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Deukmejian

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Of the 17,304,091 California voters registered for the November 4, 2008 general election,

44.4% were Democrats,

31.3% were Republicans,

4.4% were affiliated with other political parties, and

19.9% were ("Decline to State") voters

Many leading members of Congress are from California. Among the Democrats are:

1. Rep. Nancy Pelosi from the 8th District (Speaker of the House)
2. Rep. George Miller from the 7th district (Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor)
3. Rep. Henry Waxman from the 30th district (Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce)
4. Rep. Bob Filner from the 51st district (Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs)
5. Rep. Howard Berman from the 28th district (Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs)
6. Senator Barbara Boxer (Chairwoman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works)
7. Senator Dianne Feinstein (Chairwoman of the Select Committee on Intelligence)

Among the Republicans are:

1. Rep. Buck McKeon from the 25th district (Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Labor)
2. Rep. David Dreier from the 26th district (Ranking Member of the Committee on Rules)
3. Rep. Jerry Lewis from the 41st district (Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations)

The California State Legislature currently has a Democratic majority, with the Senate consisting of 25 Democrats and 15 Republicans; and the Assembly having 49 Democrats, 29 Republicans, 1 Independent, and 1 vacancy. Except for the period from 1995 to 1996, the Assembly has been in Democratic hands since the 1970 election (even while the governor's office has gone back and forth between Republicans and Democrats). The Senate has been in Democratic hands continuously since 1970.