The Continued California Disaster - Page 2
So how is California in such a mess? It’s simple: greed.
Despite high taxes and a large amount of corporate and individual wealth in the state, California spends like a 13 year old girl with Daddy’s credit card at the Gap. The California Teachers Association, and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, and other organized labor organizations, have such a hold on the political process, true fiscal responsibility in government is almost unattainable.
Because of the stranglehold of unions and special interests in Sacramento, California has no way out. Anytime sweeping proposals to cut spending are introduced, those folks are shouted down and outspent by special interests all in the name of greed. They can’t get anything done and the people of California continue to suffer.
Government continues to look for new ways to increase revenue, mostly through floating new tax proposals. They come in the form of small half-cent sales taxes in local cities or additions to the hotel taxes. Most communities are fine with adding the tax burden to visitors and don’t realize soon it might be so expensive vacationers choose Florida instead because of the better value and lower prices.
But the fact California’s government – at the state and local levels – looks only to raise taxes in one form or another, shows they still have not accepted the perilous position they are in. They’re not admitting they have a spending problem.
Having lived in California for 23 of the last 30 years, it is sad to see how we’ve wasted what so many worked hard to build. The rugged individualism that brought so many to California is gone. Replaced by high density, over-priced homes, stressed out families and strip malls, California is a diamond that needs some shining.
But, alas, greed continues to steal away what was once truly a land of unparalleled opportunity.
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