No California Budget, No Government? Lost the Last Election? None Dare Call it Obstructionism

I think the Gang of 14 learned their tactics from the Bush Administration. When Bush doesn't like a piece of legislation, he attaches a signing statement to it saying he's not going to enforce it. In an attempt to submarine greenhouse legislation it unsuccessfully opposed, the the Gang of 14 is bringing state goverment to a halt, thereby hurting the poor, elderly, infirm and unborm. These Republicans. They're a grand bunch.

When the state goes bankrupt in the near future, as a result of the clinically insane budgets that keep getting passed, the "poor", "infirmed" and other various victim groups will be hurt a lot more.

DeWayne,

"Clinically insane"? What in the world are you talking about?

DeWayne, like a lot of modern day conservatives, hates to pay his taxes. That's way he goes on about out-of-balance budgets. However, he is the first to demand government services when he has a problem. Should poor DeWayne be stricken with cancer and lose his health insurance coverage, you can bet he'll scream long and loud for the benefits of Medi-Cal and the clinic that is about to close its doors because of Dick Ackerman and his Republican pals in the Senate.

Governor Schwarzenegger,

I am a registered Republican, resident of Rancho Cucamonga who has one question for you, as you may know, like many of us, are very unhappy with our State Senator (Bob Dutton) on how he is handling this budget situation. Many people are hurting from this catastrophe that is happening in our State Capitol and I am very disappointed and displeased by his and the so called 14 Republicans who are in a way exhibiting childish behavioral temper tantrums.
They have lost my vote and also damaged the vote of many Republicans I talked to as well. When the name (Bob Dutton) comes up again for re-election of Senate you can bet all of your movie royalties that I, including many others, WILL NOT SUPPORT this kind of misrepresentation he (BobDutton) is demonstrating to his voters.
So my question for you Governor is it possible to impeach a senator for misrepresentation of his constituencies and duties?

Thank you,
J. Valadez
Alta Loma, California 91701

Here I sit with outstanding invoices from the State of California totaling more that $23,000. And guess what, the state facilities want me to send more products. So... what do I do??? Keep sending materials hoping that the interest it cost me to borrow to pay my suppliers will be covered by my profit?? Or do I cut the state off, get a black eye because I didn't follow through with my contracts with them??

I am ticked, come on folks how about a temporary spending band aid bill. You are going to have to pay us sooner or later anyways!!

Fred

Thanks God for the Republicans, someone has to stop the crazy spending. What ever happened to a balanced budget, spend only what we collect in taxes. I won't be around in 25 years but my kids and my kids, kids will still be paying for the spending today. Bush is just as bad he is spending on a Federal budget. Common Sense!

Speaking of Bush, his whole Iraq fiasco is an "Off-Budget" item. The spending on the Iraq War, which is at One Billion a Day, according to recent estimates, depends on regular congresional approval.Thats 365 Billion a year. Approval that Democrats grant regularly, am that is for an unnececceary, unwinnable war. But when the state wants a budget we can't get one reasonable republican to sign on. I sure hope Schrznenegger remembers who's districts these Senator Obstructionists came from when he gets out that line item pen. He can cut police funding here, some fire suppresiion funding there. Maybe put the nexxt prison in their district.
California is the 5th largest economy in the World, that's right, if we were a country we would be number 5. I can only say Thank God we're a Blue State. And thank God I don't live in Orange County.

I work for a non-profit social service agency as a director. today i met with my executive team to discuss a "survival plan" if the passing of the budget delays past 8/20. It includes furlow for all management staff and non-revenue producing staff. that means everyday working people who "support the economy" will not be receiving a paycheck, living on credit in an economic depressed environment so a community based service provider can continue to provide services to families in need. these are individuals who contribute to the health and safety of children and families in the community, who live paycheck to paycheck who could experience forclosures and bankruptcy because the state budget is not passed. this is ridiculous - who will come to the aid of the working class-the blue and white collars of the state. It only takes 1 brave individual to change the course of hundreds of thousands of lives - in either direction!!!

Ok, for whatever reason, the budget will be delayed indefinitely. What steps can the state government take to mitigate the damage being done? Enjoin landlords and mortgage holders from evicting tenants? Require insurance companies to continue coverage for policyholders who cannot pay their premiums? Suspend the assesment of any late payment or overdraft fees for the duration of the crisis? Perhaps declare a state holiday until the budget is passed?

Spread the burden of this budget mess around a bit. When big companies start getting squeezed, we'll get a budget.

Is it possible to recall the entire state senate? Clearly they are not up to the job.

I don't see President Bush as a factor here in California politics however I am also frustrated with our Republican Senators. I don't believe they represent the Republicans of this state. I have been a Republican for 30 years and they no longer represent my beliefs.

California will never fold up and go bankrupt, it is too progressive a state. We tighten our belts when we need to. But causing people to suffer is deplorable. They have had months to come up with a budget and it is the same every time. I believe the next election Republicans will be losing a record amount of seats.

One area that hundreds of millions can be saved in is the prison system. They didn't need to pass 8 billion dollars in bonds to build more. And that is just to build them. We just need to reform the sentencing and parole. The experts have done all the studies and reports on how to create a successful system, at the same time saving hundreds of millions of dollars. But no, they don't listen. They are terrified to admit they were wrong about what prisons should be. The prison medical is now under Federal Receivership it was so horrendous. Half a dozen inmates die every week from things that are easily treatable.

These legislators need to tackle the big issues and at the same time save tax dollars, not keep throwing our money down a well because they are too lazy to roll up there sleeves and turn things upside down. It has become too easy to waste money.

I read on Tom McClintocks site that there are State offices that are alloted X amount of employees. Even though they have half that many employees they still collect the money for them. What's up with that!! Is it true? Now that is waste.

Californians, WAKE UP!!!

I love how all democrats and even some republicrans are crying. Budget will be passed only when Democrats give in. Yes, you can say it will be delayed indefinetly

Here is my comment I have a son that is sick with his kidney. Is the goverment going to make him all better when he gets worst? Because my son is on medical! There is going to be one very mad mother if something happens to my son because the damn budget won't get signed Think about the people...The people who voted for you all

I am getting fearful! Not only do I work for an agency that provides drug treatment services to those who might otherwise be filing prison beds, but I also live in a community that is in need of services that are supposed to be provided by the state or county. The agency I work for is worried about making payroll for our next paycheck. If our doors are to close, what will happen to those who are receiving our services. Back to the streets for them to committ drug addicted driven crime. Not a pretty picture indeed. Do those in the government ever think of the big picture, the cost of treating problems such as drug addiction in drug treatment centers pales in comparison to the cost of keeping inmates incarcerrated in an over populated state prison system. Worse yet the prisons are so crowded that prisoners are released to committ crimes time and time again, never getting to the root of the problem. 80% of those in prison have a drug addiction problem, pass the budget and let us do what we do best. Help eliminate crime, change lives and ultimately save the state money.

I have a 5 1/2 year old son with severe disabilities. He does not speak so I will speak for him.

PLEASE PASS THE BUDGET!!! I currently receive state benefits so my mom can stay home and take care of me and my 3 year old brother. The benefits also help my mom bring in a care giver to help me with my daily needs. My care giver loves me and she lives paycheck to paycheck and if the state does not pay her we will have to let her go. My entire family will suffer along with our wonderful, loving care-giver if this budget doesn't pass VERY SOON!! More importantly, I may have to live in another home if we do not receive these benefits and I would miss my family more than words if I had to be moved to a facility. Plus, those facilities may not even be available since I hear they're having to close due to no budget. The impact of this budget not getting passed is tremendous and has such a rippling affect on individual lives.

PLEASE PASS THE BUDGET!!!

Reply to Mom-to-disabled son,

Budget will be pass if and only when Democrats give Republicans exactly what they want. That means it can be this monday or it can in a year. It all depends on how long Democrats want to hold out.

Dmitry,

You are one stupid, simplistic, mean-spirited fool. Complex issues and you have your super simplistic solution. You give immigrants a very bad name. MANY people are suffering, some financially, some physically, due to the budget impasse. Thanks for your creative response--just give up Democrats! Let the Republicans have whatever they want. If the price the Republicans demanded was the deportation of all non-US born inhabitants, would you think that was okay? Grow up and start to see this issue for what it is--political stonewalling by the gang of 14.

I am very upset that so many disabled people have to suffer because of this budget impasse..honest good people shouldnt have to go through this just because of a debate over the budget...it should have been passed a long time ago..if it get this bad what about next year? i hope it gets passed soon so those health care facilitys stay open etc. oh and Dmitry you sound like a broken record on every topic...do you actually know whats going on with the budget impasse? because it seems to me and others(dont mean to speak on their behalf) that you dont know a thing about it

Dmitry,

Continuing to read your posts just solidifys to me how ignorant you are. Jan put it very well calling you stupid. You know the saying stupid is as stupid does. So just do everyone a favor and stop posting your useless comments. You obviously have no clue what is going on, these issues are affecting people's lives, and Republicans are using the budget to hold Californians hostage to address non-budget issues PASS THE BUDGET

ive been reading some of the topics and i have yet to see one person agree on anything Dmitry says..i bet if his family were being affected by this budget impasse he would be singing a different tune(im assuming its a guy because theres no way even a blonde would be this dumb)

What we're all missing here is that the Legislature has 365 days to formulate and pass a timely budget. They can't seem to do that. If any one of us performed our jobs as poorly we would be bounced by our employer in a New York minute. What do these clowns in the Legislature get for their incompetence? Re-elected. Why should they take the us seriously when we keep doing that?

Most people do not care.
They go to work, get taxed to much, come home.
The lack of a budget does not effect most people, the higher taxes do.
Dmitry is correct
Sorry the facts hurt.

I don't even think this is true for most Republicans.

Check out "A Day in the Life of Joe Republican."
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/04/a_day_in_the_li.html

Good link, Just like I thought

Attention that voters have been giving to efforts to pass to states budget:
a lot:12%
a little/none:51%
This poll is for registered voters. How about the millions who don't even register to vote or read the newspaper.

Reply to Jan,

Do you not understand republicans do not care about the poor. They can hold this budget till next July and they will not only be reelected but also be seen as heros by those that relect them. This republicans are doing exactly and i mean exactly what they were elected to do. Like it or not the issue is pretty simple, give Republicans what they want and they will vote for the budget

what a bunch of stupid comments from a bunch of stupid left wing nuts. Blame it on Bush, gang of 14, 14 white men hurting the poor, elderly, disbled and children. Now that we have less then 365 days left to debate the next budget, how late do you think it will be? Get a grip morons. The budget isn't passed in a day. You all want democrat control so there is no debate "EVER"! That is "COMMUNISM"! And to that I say screw you!!!!

I always find it interesting that there are Republicans among the lower and middle classes. What I find interesting is that the party leadership and legislators don't give a rat's-ass about these segments of society. Even the much worshipped tax cuts offer little help to the struggling lower and middle classes. What the party and pols do give them is a lot of insincere soft soap about God and morality. They also give them a war their kids can fight and die in. I think you Republicans of modest means ought to demand a little more from your political masters. At least the Democrats give their supporters a little something to feel good about and don't kill their kids.

Dmitry,

My mistake. You do have a brain. You noticed that the republicans truly do not care about the poor. How astute. Now if only you could also see that the republicans do not care about our planet, our state, our state's children, our state's economy. The only thing this gang of petulant little boys cares about is getting THEIR next paycheck, and THEIR next elected position. For an entire year, they have not done their jobs. I don't know about you, but I am paying very close attention. And I vote. And I contribute to political campaigns.

Reply to Jan,

Republicans district have been drawn in such a way that no amount of political attention will put them in danger. This people were elected by those people that are not harm by no budget. The gang of 14 is try to get done now what this people that elected them want them to. State attorney general has started enforcing the environment laws by suing the local cities and to Republics that is a big no no as it hurts business.

Current lawsuit(s) are pending in federal courts to force the states to pay for health programs, i haven't been following it so got no clue what the progress is.

As much Democrats saying they will not negotiate with Republicans, they don't seem to have much choices as they don't have the votes.

Republics party is minority party during the year and same thing will likely happen next year unless Democrats start listening to them much sooner.

I only have on thing to say about Jan. You're a complete idiot!!!!

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