World Politics

[BroDeal]

I don't remember voting for a 2,000% pension benefit increase for CALPERS beneficiaries. I voted for Arnold. What was the viable alternative? His signature and endorsement of AB 32 will be what he's remembered for and it won't be flattering. In case you don't know, the legislature in California has been in the hands of Dems for a generation or so. I didn't vote for them. BTW, when elected officials spend the govt into oblivion (which is generally not a campaign promise, Obama notwithstanding) then shirk their responsibility to clean up the God-Awful mess... You're quick to point the finger at Wall St. (which is deserved), why the reluctance to admonish those in govt (State or Federal)? Who is really at fault here?

No problem, mate. All you have to do is create a head tax on illegals.

Another solution might be the old fashioned American way to solve situations like this: Borrow, spend, live the good life, declare bankruptcy, then start over and do it again.

 

[Anonymous]

No problem, mate. All you have to do is create a head tax on illegals.

Another solution might be the old fashioned American way to solve situations like this: Borrow, spend, live the good life, declare bankruptcy, then start over and do it again.

That's the way in Cali. Looks like the Feds are following our lead.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't remember voting for a 2,000% pension benefit increase for CALPERS beneficiaries. I voted for Arnold. What was the viable alternative? His signature and endorsement of AB 32 will be what he's remembered for and it won't be flattering. In case you don't know, the legislature in California has been in the hands of Dems for a generation or so. I didn't vote for them. BTW, when elected officials spend the govt into oblivion (which is generally not a campaign promise, Obama notwithstanding) then shirk their responsibility to clean up the God-Awful mess... You're quick to point the finger at Wall St. (which is deserved), why the reluctance to admonish those in govt (State or Federal)? Who is really at fault here?

I have absolutely no problem admonishing government in any way. What I also recognize is that my vote matters, and does make me part of government. You want more Republicans in power in California, do more work for the Republican party in California. Yes, I know it is easier to just vote and then bemoan the fact that the other party wins thereby absolving yourself of any responsibility. I would suggest a study of democratic principles, especially the ones discussed by our founding fathers (you know, the ones Republicans love to refer to, but don't seem to have read all that much) and I think you might find that what you experience is just part of the agreement we have with government. Again, the party of "personal responsibility" never seems to take any when it comes to the government of our nation. "Government" is also a verb, and it seems that many people have no idea of the definition. If government is our problem, then we are our problem. If you cannot see that, then there is no solution to your dilemma because you have a victims mindset.

 

[Anonymous]

No problem, mate. All you have to do is create a head tax on illegals.

Another solution might be the old fashioned American way to solve situations like this: Borrow, spend, live the good life, declare bankruptcy, then start over and do it again.

Or legalize and tax marijuana.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't remember voting for a 2,000% pension benefit increase for CALPERS beneficiaries. I voted for Arnold. What was the viable alternative? His signature and endorsement of AB 32 will be what he's remembered for and it won't be flattering. In case you don't know, the legislature in California has been in the hands of Dems for a generation or so. I didn't vote for them. BTW, when elected officials spend the govt into oblivion (which is generally not a campaign promise, Obama notwithstanding) then shirk their responsibility to clean up the God-Awful mess... You're quick to point the finger at Wall St. (which is deserved), why the reluctance to admonish those in govt (State or Federal)? Who is really at fault here?

And unless my math is wrong, 2000% of 160 million (the cost of pension in 2000) is a new cost of 320 billion. I am guessing it isn't quite there yet. Also note a glaring phenomenon that has begun during that time. Namely, baby boomers hitting the lazy line.

 

[BroDeal]

That's the way in Cali. Looks like the Feds are following our lead.

No, that is the way of America. For the last thirty years a major path of business growth has been to allow customers ever more creative and loose credit to buy ever more expensive or useless products. Many of these purchases make no financial sense whatsoever. My favorite are large motor homes. Do the math on those and try to make financial sense out of them.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Or legalize and tax marijuana.

I wonder if the increase in tax revenue wouldn't be more than countered by the drop in productivity?

 

[rhubroma]

Your opinion, I take it? Some pretty smart folks in the Eurozone disagree with your position. Oh, and they have the facts on their side, so there's that.

You may want to read an often praised (on this forum anyways) Nobel Prize winning economist's column in today's NY Times.

"Consider the often-made comparison between Greece and the state of California. Both are in deep fiscal trouble, both have a history of fiscal irresponsibility. And the political deadlock in California is, if anything, worse — after all, despite the demonstrations, Greece’s Parliament has, in fact, approved harsh austerity measures.

But California’s fiscal woes just don’t matter as much, even to its own residents, as those of Greece. Why? Because much of the money spent in California comes from Washington, not Sacramento. State funding may be slashed, but Medicare reimbursements, Social Security checks, and payments to defense contractors will keep on coming."

"So how does this end? Logically, I see three ways Greece could stay on the euro.

First, Greek workers could redeem themselves through suffering, accepting large wage cuts that make Greece competitive enough to add jobs again. Second, the European Central Bank could engage in much more expansionary policy, among other things buying lots of government debt, and accepting — indeed welcoming — the resulting inflation; this would make adjustment in Greece and other troubled euro-zone nations much easier. Or third, Berlin could become to Athens what Washington is to Sacramento — that is, fiscally stronger European governments could offer their weaker neighbors enough aid to make the crisis bearable."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/opinion/07krugman.html?ref=todayspaper


Greece and California kind of illustrate runnaway govt at it's finest, don't you think?

If everyone paid there taxes and the capitalists were kept in check, everything would work as it should. That everybody doesn't pay their taxes and that the capitalists aren't kept in check by government because of a conflict of interests as they say, it's all a sham. And so it is with California and Greece, andsoforth. But this is a story as old as the world.

The so called intelligent people of which you speak are stupid, or else intellectually dishonest and power hungry. That's the truth. The problem is that we can't find simple solutions for simple problems, which are the hardest problems to solve because not complex. It's like making a good tomato sauce.

Cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

And unless my math is wrong, 2000% of 160 million (the cost of pension in 2000) is a new cost of 320 billion. I am guessing it isn't quite there yet. Also note a glaring phenomenon that has begun during that time. Namely, baby boomers hitting the lazy line.

I didn't do the math as I was quoting another's calculations. Either way, the Greek workers increase (30% since 1999) looks reasonable by comparison.

 

[BroDeal]

I wonder if the increase in tax revenue wouldn't be more than countered by the drop in productivity?

Put an extea tax on Taco Bell at the same time and we have ourselves a winning plan.

 

[Anonymous]

If everyone paid there taxes and the capitalists were kept in check, everything would work as it should. That everybody doesn't pay their taxes and that the capitalists aren't kept in check as they say, it's all a sham. And so it is with California, and Greece, andsoforth.

The so called intelligent people of which you speak are stupid. That's the truth.

Cheers.

You forgot to add that the Greek Govt is entirely blameless for bowing to public employee advocates by making unaffordable promises that they now cannot keep.


You are the smart one, they are the stupid ones... yes, I know.

 

[patricknd]

I wonder if the increase in tax revenue wouldn't be more than countered by the drop in productivity?

but think of the job growth as the demand for capt. crunch, doritos and oreos goes through the roof.

 

[Anonymous]

Put an extea tax on Taco Bell at the same time and we have ourselves a winning plan.

Don't forget Pizza Hut.

 

[rhubroma]

You forgot to add that the Greek Govt is entirely blameless for bowing to public employee advocates by making unaffordable promises that they now cannot keep.


You are the smart one, they are the stupid ones... yes, I know.

Do you make a great tomato sauce?

 

[rhubroma]

Scott So Call you should re-read everything. There will be a surprise quiz tomorrow morning.

 

[Anonymous]

Do you make a great tomato sauce?

I think it kicks ass. If you are ever in SoCal you'll have to drop by.

 

[rhubroma]

I think it kicks ass. If you are ever in SoCal you'll have to drop by.

Doubt it, though I will make the necessary corrections where every correction is a negation.

 

[Anonymous]

No, that is the way of America. For the last thirty years a major path of business growth has been to allow customers ever more creative and loose credit to buy ever more expensive or useless products. Many of these purchases make no financial sense whatsoever. My favorite are large motor homes. Do the math on those and try to make financial sense out of them.

Geeez, the sole reason you buy a motor home, err Recreational Vehicle, is for the interest write-off as a second home.

 

[Anonymous]

You guys can laugh at the marijuana thing all you want, but the guys smoking dope are laughing much harder. In fact, they are laughing at strange looking dogs and Brad Pitt's bong harsh in True Romance as we speak...and it is funnier to them than anything that you laughed at today.

 

[Anonymous]

...and then that part on Up in Smoke where Chong said "here, take these........no wait a minute, don't take those" someone is pi$$ing in their pants right now over that line and you guys are all "I am Mr Straight whitebread vanilla dude with a job and stuff, and stoners are stupid and eat pizza" and they are all like, "hey man, have you ever thought about why we have body hair?"...and you are all like "honey, which TGIFennigans are we eating at tonight?"...and they are all like, "dude, I swear that Jimmy Deans Sausage Wrapped in a Pancake on a Stick is the greatest food EVER"...and you are all like "Buffy needs a new polo from Brooks Brothers"...and.....well, suck it!

 

[BroDeal]

"What if C-A-T really spelled dog?"

 

[Anonymous]

"What if C-A-T really spelled dog?"

And what if when I say, "hey man, what color is that car" and you say "green" and it is green to me too, but really it is the same color that brown is to you, and all of the colors are perceived by each person individually so that we all think we see the same colors, but really it isn't? See, if it were not for pot, questions such as ours would never be explored, and lets face it, the world would be a much harsher place.

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/general/view.bg?articleid=1253072&srvc=rss

 

[buckwheat]

Or legalize and tax marijuana.

After not indulging for 25 years I just went on a 3 day binge.

I'm actually having physical withdrawal symptoms. Terrible headache. It took a Percoset to right the ship.

The stuff was good and at first it relaxed me. 2nd and 3rd days were diminishing returns. If I kept going I think it would just diminish my already diminished capacity without the traditional positive benefits. It's kind of nuts to fire that crap up everyday and I think more than a few people do that.

Before I thought it should be legalized but now I'm having second thoughts. I'd rather have a beer or two, no more...

Damn, I'm getting old, preaching moderation and all.

 

[rhubroma]

You forgot to add that the Greek Govt is entirely blameless for bowing to public employee advocates by making unaffordable promises that they now cannot keep.


You are the smart one, they are the stupid ones... yes, I know.

No in fact the Greek government has comported itself scandalously in a state where corruption is the order of the day, by squandering all the revenue. The haves, as I have mentioned before, though, don't pay their taxes, so this has aggravated the drama, whereas the have-nots working for the state, of which there is an over-abondance in Greece, by and large do and this has fueled the social crisis presently at work though also explains why the public employee advocates are able to exert such leverage upon parliament.

Little tax revenue and political squandering of what's in the coffers explains the "unaffordable promises" you mention, but this is a financial and political problem, as well as I'd dare say ethical problem, not a socialist one. Then add Wall Street's financial manuveuring, equally reprehensible, and you arrive at the outcome of today within the Greek state.

As I said before to find a better Greece go to Denmark