Question for Californians

[S. Heisley]

Senior Ninja wrote:

Sharon,
How's the build coming along?

Thanks for caring, Steve. It means a lot that you asked. Yes, I've made progress but it seems to have been 1 step back for every 2 forward. I'm in the midst of solving my last problem...I think I have the answer ...and hope to post more soon. But, since this thread belongs to Arnold and California's problems, I won't go into detail here.

[Miriam C.]

Grant, could you move to MO and help out here. I can assure you we will appreciate it.

Mark---term limits aren't the same thing as voting out. Imagine if they only got elected once and never again for anything.

If your governor isn't paid, how do they survive?

[greg755]

Same stuff here in NY.
Cant pass a budget, keep raising taxes, keep regulating business and driving them away. etc etc etc

NY wants a bail out from the Feds too.

Seems to be the "cool trend" among our law makers.

Bottom line: No Accountability, No sense of honor, weak week people that refuse (or can't) do their jobs and are not Man enough to step aside....

The whole "bail out" is based on giving these people more money so the American people can go out and get mortgages (credit) and spend more.

Their solution is more and more taxes and programs.

I don't know about you bought I was always taught that you cant tax your way to prosperity.

The only solution is Harder work, cutting out the pork and stream lining production and you DONT Borrow any more until you have it under control.

But hey we just got ourselves a $30,000 oriental rug for the Governors Mansion. To bad he is blind and cant see the darn thing, it is really pretty

Speaking of Governors How do you slow down a Hooker? You put a Governor on her.

[Elumia]

I agree, term limits do not vote them out. Seriously, Miriam, if you are a D you are gonna vote in an R, just for change? and vice versa? The Party decides who is gonna be on the primary ticket, the party with the incumbent isn't going to offer another candidate unless they have been involved in some sort of scandal.

Term limits were put in place because when it comes down to it, NO ONE WILL VOTE THEM OUT!!! We only have term limits because of a ballot proposition, the will of the general electorate, not legislative action. The only Federal term limit is on the executive branch.

Incumbents win some outrageous percentage of ALL elections. In every state and municipality.

There is another thread with a beef about Pelosi and her jet - another perk of incumbency - she makes an "official stop" that is all over the news which is in effect a campaign message of "see how well I'm doing my job".

Every election, you hear, vote them bums out, what they really mean is vote the other bums out, my guy is working great for me. How else would we have so many legislators with 20+ year service records?

Mark

[hiker chick]

It has been interesting to see the California term limits gamed.

About 50% of Congress turns over every decade, mostly due to death, defeat and retirement. Felony convictions contribute some.

Politicians are expert on one thing: reelection.

Unfortunately, voters tend to vote for the higher name ID, unless it's through infamy.

2010 should be an anti-incumbent year, if voters will be motivated by anger. Historically, anger is the most effective catalyst for increased American voter turnout.

If you want to see more competition in elections, start by volunteering and/or contributing to a candidate in the primary. Unless a challenger is personally rich, it's a tough slog to defeat an incumbent. But it can be done.

Campaigns are fun if you have a candidate you believe in.

[Senior Ninja]

Two things: Not everyone who moves has to pay higher taxes. Some older people who move can bring their old property tax bill with them no matter what the new house is worth. Doesn't seem right. Blame Howard Jarvis and the greed of the people of Kahlyfornia. They had an opportunity to vote their property taxes down and did so, w/o regard for who was going to pay for the services they all passed on other propositions. You gotta pay to play. What about those who rent? And it now takes a two thirds majority to raise any of the taxes. In other words a minority can now decide tax policy. It's part of the American Dream, something for nothing.

Some Counties in other states are so strapped they use overhead photos to look for additions to homes made w/o permits to avoid a tax increase. They also look for boats and trailers parked "illegally" in a home owners' back yard so they can collect fines. They even use police officers to enforce this stuff.
Steve