Fixing California's Budget Mess at the Ballot Box; Plus, Reason.tv on How the Golden State Went Down the Tubes

On Tuesday, May 19 California will hold a special election to vote on no fewer than six ballot measures designed to help fix the Golden State's budget disaster.

Go here to read analysis of the various propositions from Reason Foundation, the nonprofit that publishes this website.

And to understand just how things went so wrong in California, watch this Reason.tv video: "Hasta La Vista, Arnold!: What's California's Economic Mess Means for America."

"Hasta La Vista, Arnold" is written and produced by Ted Balaker. Director of Photography is Alex Manning and Associate Producer is Paul Detrick. Approximatley 10 minutes.

For embed code, audio podcast, iPod and HD versions, and related articles and videos, go here.

Comments

[libertymike]

Who here doubts that Arnold is one of the single worst governors in American history? We are currently blessed with another in that category here in Massachusetts.

[24AheadDotCom]

There are at least a couple hilarious things about this video: on Youtube, it's only gotten about 1300 views. And, Reason seems to have forgotten about a certain issue that their quote source is strong on and Reason is very, very weak on. Hint: it's the second item on this list.

In fact, many of CA's problems can be traced back to MassiveImmigration. Not only does that increase costs for the state, but it also builds up a power base for those who are rather far-left. Reason has very little influence, but identical policies pushed by those who do have power have helped get CA into the mess we're in.

I mainly follow national the national side of this issue, but if you want to find out what's really going on - and all the things Reason won't tell you about this issue - click my name's link and subscribe to my feed.

P.S. In case anyone replies to this, their responses will almost assuredly be ad homs, thereby conceding my points and showing the childish, anti-intellectual nature of libertarians.

[Rice Bingham]

I smell some repulsive combination of cheap bourbon, american cheese and impotent rage.

Oh, hi Lonewakoff!

[Xeones]

Shut the fuck up, LoneWacko.

[ScottyG PackFan]

Hey 24AheadDotCom,

Just because Libertarians believe in open immigration doesn't mean we want to pay for their lifestyle.

I think most Libertarians believe that immigration is a huge burden on the system but instead of stopping them from coming just don't provide with school and other services.

[SugarFree]

P.S. In case anyone replies to this, their responses will almost assuredly be ad homs, thereby conceding my points and showing the childish, anti-intellectual nature of libertarians.

At least we aren't whiners. "Boo-hoo! Those mean Hit&Runners made fun of me! They object when I spam their website to drive hits on my DrivelBlog. They are probably all DirtyMexicans."

[Episiarch]

I smell some repulsive combination of cheap bourbon, american cheese and impotent rage.

LoneWacko was beginning to grasp the implications of what Hugh Jazz had said to him. This was bigger than American Idol. If everything Jazz had said was true--the hot dogs, the oatmeal, everything--then this would shake the foundations of government in the US. He had to find Dr. Haywood Jablowme. He was the key to everything.

[R C Dean]

I think most Libertarians believe that immigration is a huge burden on the system but instead of stopping them from coming just don't provide with school and other services.

I would say that illegal immigration creates second-order burdens on the system because illegal immigrants tend to consume taxpayer-supported services without necessarily participating fully in the tax collection system.

[SugarFree]

Edit

This was bigger than American Idol Kelly Clarkson.

[ScottyG PackFan]

R C Dean,

Dammit, I hate it when people can articulate my thoughts better than I can....thanks for the lift, yo!

[Warty]

Is Lonewacko implying that he's an intellectual?

[Forty-Two]

He would Google Dr. Jablowme, LoneWacko decided. Easy peasy.

Humming "Little Bunny Foo Foo," LoneWacko threaded his way through the stacks of old newspapers, around the empty Zima bottles, and past empty tubes of fungus cream to his MediaHub. He pushed a cat off his office chair, removed another from the keyboard, and lifted a third's tail from across the screen. LoneWacko sat, and had a quiet moment of relish: this was his favorite part. He carefully and deliberately reached over with a toe, and tapped the button on the power strip. MediaHub sprang to life in a sudden whir of fans and blinking lights. "Woo Hoo!" shouted LoneWacko, clapping excitedly. "Look Ma, no hands!"

"Quiet down there!" came the answering shout from the living room. "I'm trying to watch my stories!"

"Yes Ma," LoneWacko was glum for a moment, but then he remembered his mission. Dr. Jablowme's innermost secrets were but a few keystrokes away. MediaHub would only need another 5 minutes or so to boot up.

[Episiarch]

This was bigger than Kelly Clarkson.

Why can't you leave Kelly alone? Just because she's a total flop doesn't invalidate the whole American Idol phenomenon. Just look at Reuben Studdard, Clay Aiken, um...

Ok, nevermind.

[Brandybuck]

In fact, many of CA's problems can be traced back to MassiveImmigration.

\

Considering the size of the Native American population, I would have to say that nearly everyone here is an immigrant or descended from immigants. They range from Spaniards, Russians, Chinese, Irish, etc. The state used to belong to Spain, and then Mexico, and finally the U.S. We have Laotians, Germans, Austrians (Ahnold!), Cambodians, Filipinos, Africans, Arabs, Jews, Finns, Indians, Pakastanis, etc. And of course, Native Americans from non-Californian tribes. Whew!

Checking my history books, before immigration California had a primitive subsistence economy mostly based on hunting and gathering.

Funny thing though, that this current economic collapse only happened during the Ahnold years. Even during the Great Depression, California was going well. Oh yeah, we got immigrants from Oklahoma back then too.

[BakedPenguin]

Lonewacker was driving his Omni through West Covina. He had to get out of mom's basement for a while, and looking for the doctor was as good of an excuse as any. That was when he spotted the taco truck. It was staffed and surrounded by the BrownMenace?. He was in a quandry; find the doctor, or report this IllegalCommerce to the L.A. health board.

"If only I could have made my cell payment last month, I could do both" he said to himself. Slowly driving to within a block of the cart, he realized he had seen it before. The IllegalImmigrant working the counter was a beautiful Latina he had previously called ICE about.

The memory flooded back to him. Sitting in the Omni about a month ago, down the block from the truck, masturbating, and hoping that ICE would arrest the girl as he came. But they obviously didn't, and neither did he, as he was interrupted by locals speaking their devil tongue and rapping on his window.

"Today will be different", he said, reaching for the Vaseline in the glove box.

[24AheadDotCom]

As the lurkers can see, libertarians have little or no counter-argument, but simply engage in ad homs exactly as predicted.

ScottyG PackFan does try to present a counter-argument, but fails. The reality is that we provide social services to people. If you think it's possible to support MassiveImmigration under the current system and not give them social services, you're living in a dream world.

Reason has never once to my knowledge said that they only want MassiveImmigration after social services are abolished. They support MassiveImmigration despite probably knowing about all of its impacts given our current system.

If they had any power, they'd be part of the problem.

[J sub D]

I would say that illegal immigration creates second-order burdens on the system because illegal immigrants tend to consume taxpayer-supported services without necessarily participating fully in the tax collection system.

Somewhat (largely?) mitigated by the FICA taxes paid by illegals who are unable to collect from the system.
---------------------------------------------

P.S. In case anyone replies to this, their responses will almost assuredly be ad homs, thereby conceding my points and showing the childish, anti-intellectual nature of libertarians.

I courteously explained why that type of response is so often given to your posts here. You are invited to respond.

[Episiarch]

LoneWacko was frustrated, and in more ways than one. The Vaseline wasn't working well--he should have bought some Astroglide. And no one was taking him serial. He realized that if no one was going to take his IllegalImmigrant news seriously, what would they do when he presented them with the news of all the IllegalAliens from planet Tencton?

[Paul]

And to understand just how things went so wrong in California

Things went wrong at the ballot box. Irony? You decide.

[R C Dean]

Somewhat (largely?) mitigated by the FICA taxes paid by illegals who are unable to collect from the system.

Both times I have hired (presumptive) illegal crews, I got a 10% discount for paying cash. Once, they did such an awesome job I threw in a case of beer. No FICA was paid.

[the innominate one]

LoneWacko sobbed. His wrist was sore and the Levitra was wearing off. Soon, very soon, his half-flaccid member would be completely flaccid again despite the double dose of ED drugs. If only the ICE had shown up before the IllegalImmigrants had left the Home Depot parkinglot. If only.

[Rice Bingham]

As his sobbing subsided and his tears dried up, Lonewako remembered his original mission. He smiled as he adjusted the expandable butt plug he was wearing. This would be his day yet.

[Forty-Two]

In time, his sobs subsided to to peeping whimpers. His nose was running, so he wiped it on his shirt sleeve. He snuffled, then wiped his cheeks dry of tears. Rather, he tried to dry his cheeks, but had forgotten the Vaseline and now had two bright smears across his face. He snapped on the Omni's radio, and lost himself in the solid honest beat of American rock n' roll. He was pretty sure the singer was white. Music like this was written for achievers, and by achievers, LoneWacko realized. It was impossible to feel down when tunes this righteous were rocking! He could succeed! He could help the libertards see the light, end the scourge of IllegalImmegration and at last turn needed attention to Tencton! With a renewed sense of purpose, Wacko swerved the Omni into traffic. BrownMenace members nearby saw only a flash of puce and gold as he sped from their neighborhood, but there was no mistaking the joyful chorus booming from his windows: "We built this city!!!!! We built this city on rooooooock and rooooooool!!!!!!"

[Brittanicus]

City councilor Andronovich stated that $ 11. billion can be attributed to every illegal alien, who breaks into America, get a free lunch on the taxpayers in Los Angeles county. That's just Los Angeles? What about the rest of the state? How about the taxes extracted from every American, throughout AMERICA? Give a resounding--- NO--- to all propositions. Recall that Proposition 187 was killed, so now Sacramento Democrats must be held accountable. Every year trillions of dollars go silently to supporting the illegal immigration invasion, plus a new AMNESTY will keep extracting money from your taxes to pay for those who keep coming across our border. Join NUMBERSUSA JUDICIALWATCH to stop 2nd AMNESTY? NO MORE TAXES TO PAY ILLEGAL ALIENS & FAMILIES! IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE NOT BROKEN, JUST NOT ENFORCED! So enforce the 1986 Simpson/Mazzoli bill, the Immigration Reform & Control Act as enacted. Offer your support to Rep.Shuler (D-NC) on his gov website. Phone: [phone] and Senator Sessions (R-AL) [phone]

[Brittanicus]

Perhaps Libertarians should read this..?

Knowing that Amnesty will be passed secretly behind closed doors, no matter what the consequences under a Democratic-Socialist majority? Those 20.000 in town protesting equals another 200.000, because once legalized there want to bring in their Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Nieces. All those they can sponsor, by signing an affidavit that they will not become a financial burden on the population. However our government does not enforce this law and then the Taxpayer ends up paying for their upkeep. Their handicapped and infirm can apply for SSI, SDI without ever paying into the system. These people know the the welfare government benefits, better than the majority of Americans. KEEP MULTIPLYING THE NUMBER UNDER CHAIN MIGRATION LAWS! Sick old folks end up on dialysis machines, that cost around 100.000 dollars a year and their sponsor pays nothing! Nor does the parasite business that hires cheap labor.

But it is perforated with loopholes, so new arrivals and their U.S.-born children (anchor Babies--intentional misinterpretation of emancipation for African Slaves after the Civil War) often become lifelong public burdens. A blockbuster example is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Economics writer Ed Rubenstein's new report, "The Earned Income Tax Credit and Illegal Immigration: A Study in Fraud, Abuse, and Liberal Activism," The author says immigrants collected about $12 billion from the EITC last year, the majority not paying a cent towards it. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation found high school-dropouts-who headed households pay an average of $9,700 a year in taxes but collect an average of $32,138 a year in benefits. All this money in real dollars is procured from unaware taxpayers. THIS IS CALLED CHAIN MIGRATION.

[Kolohe]

This was bigger than Kelly Clarkson.

Why can't you leave Kelly alone? Just because she's a total flop doesn't invalidate the whole American Idol phenomenon. Just look at Reuben Studdard, Clay Aiken, um...

Ok, nevermind.

Clarkson has sold over 10 million albums and has earned some serious coin in her concerts. Like most 1st season 'reality' show contestants, she was actually 'real' vice a non-SAG actor.

And she became a teeny bopper waif for a bit after the show, but now is back to the proportions of a real woman.

Just sayin'.

[MJ]

"Somewhat (largely?) mitigated by the FICA taxes paid by illegals who are unable to collect from the system."- J sub D

Why do you assume that people who ignore our counrty's immigration laws (and their enablers) are following our tax laws to the letter? Don't you think that there might be a flaw in at least one of your premises?

[Abner MacGillicuddy]

Brittanicus, if you go to LoneWhackJobs house then neither you nor he will have to masturbate alone anymore.

You two need to get together for a circlejerk and leave us alone.