Davis’ Downfall

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• Reader Comments (7)

  Page 1 of 1 pages

  This is a very enlightening story.  Most Californians do NOT know this truth.

  Posted by Rahel on Sep 6, 2003 at 6:51 PM

  Mr. Jones appears to be a reationary idot.  First, who would want to work in a prison while living in California for less that $50,000 per year?  The system itself did not come about on its own, it growth is directly attributable to the voter of this state, their fears and their racism.  Natually, the “prison guards” union has become powerful and influential, dummy, it does not work any other way! 

  Posted by Clark Gomez on Sep 6, 2003 at 7:32 PM

  The real problem is Davis’s and most of our politiciains refusal to address mass illegal immigration which has caused a huge drain on the states ( and countrys) budgets.
  When states like California pay for free education, health care and other services for millions of illegals
  ( whom pay zero or minimal taxes)
  then the rest of the taxpayers pick up the tab. I have nothing against the immigrants. Instead I have a problem with the overwhelming volume of immigrants and the impacts of politically inept policies that DOES divert monies from programs to help American elderley, vets and poor of all races and creeds.

  Posted by chet polwin on Sep 9, 2003 at 2:11 AM

  Well Chet, I think you do have a problem with immigrants; studies show that most immigrants pay taxes but they sure are a handy target ‘cause, lets face it, they’re different from us great americans - no, the real problem is that politicians pander to special interests because they think it will ensure their re-election…‘cause that’s what’s reeeeelly important..not the needs of the vets, elderly or poor…when will Americans wake up to the fact that their democracy has been bought lock,stock and barrel by the fat ole rich piggys that call themselves fancy names like lobbiests and compassionate conservatives and the like. Class warfare? It’s been a reality in this country for decades! That Davis is held to a different standard than the rest of the fattened sows is telling in itself-he challenged the Energy Companies and whoa, low and behold , someone(a republican someone) starts a recall bid. Does he deserve to get booted out-probably-anyone who makes a profit off prisons is very close to pond scum in my book, especially at the expence of other programs that could make(and have made) a real difference in peoples’ lives.

  Posted by Kate on Sep 11, 2003 at 8:19 AM

  Kate,

  No I dont have a problem with immigrants ( unless they are terrorists or criminals) . In fact, the ones I have worked with are all hard working people, trying to do the best they can. My problem is with the incredible VOLUME off illegals and legals. I agree some are paying taxes BUT most of the illegals do not. The USA Today reported that 1 in 5 of recent immigrants get governmental cash assistance. When one considers that there are between 38 and 52 million in this country we are talking huge dollars tat are diverted from programs designed for needy Americans, including the relatively new naturalized citizens. Kate dollars are finite and when you consider this factor and the mandated free education and healtcare for millions of illegals, the cost is staggering. The sad part of this whole mess… is the very folks you despise are the ones capitalizing on this issue as they are able to get cheap labor and keep the wage scale for the poorest Americans. Seems to me many of us limit the size of our families based on econmic factors, the government doesnt. They keep adding millions each year t the american family knowing the costs to existing americans to provide services will be huge. Like you say, they pander to lobbyist, voting blocks and special interests no matter the repercussions on American taxpayers.

  Posted by chet polwin on Sep 11, 2003 at 10:33 PM

  It seems that there is too much focus on prison spending.  Indeed, almost the entire article is devoted to it.  When the deficit is $38.2 billion, there are many budget items that contribute to the problem.  My guess is that prison spending is a convenient target to attack as part of the infamous “prison-industrial complex” (not that I deny it’s existence).  I know that never would education, health care, or another untouchable social program appear on Jonesí list of over-funded budget items.

  According to Rush Limbaugh (no ad hominem attacks, please), since Davis assumed his gubernatorial post for his first term, state spending has increased by 40%.  This is quite a staggering statistic.  One good way to balance the budget—or perhaps restore some of those surpluses that I hear Bush has decimated—is to cut spending to pre-Davis levels, before that 40% binge.  This would amount to approximately a 28.5% overall spending cut.  Chances are that this would be too extreme for Californians’ tastes—I can see images of the hell depicted in Dante’s Inferno pop into the minds of the spending-cut averse as they imagine the consequences to “the people”.

  In essence, a deficit is what occurs when spending is greater than revenue. “Man, I’m not going to have enough money to make rent, car payment, AND credit card payments,” is an example of an individual who faces a budget deficit. When it is a state, however, the government does not have to face eviction or hunger as deterrents to overspending.

  Posted by Cal-El on Oct 11, 2003 at 12:25 AM

  It seems that there is too much focus on prison spending.  Indeed, almost the entire article is devoted to it.  When the deficit is $38.2 billion, there are many budget items that contribute to the problem.  My guess is that prison spending is a convenient target to attack as part of the infamous “prison-industrial complex” (not that I deny it’s existence).  I know that never would education, health care, or another untouchable social program appear on Jonesí list of over-funded budget items.

  According to Rush Limbaugh (no ad hominem attacks, please), since Davis assumed his gubernatorial post for his first term, state spending has increased by 40%.  This is quite a staggering statistic.  One good way to balance the budget—or perhaps restore some of those surpluses that I hear Bush has decimated—is to cut spending to pre-Davis levels, before that 40% binge.  This would amount to approximately a 28.5% overall spending cut.  Chances are that this would be too extreme for Californians’ tastes—I can see images of the hell depicted in Dante’s Inferno pop into the minds of the spending-cut averse as they imagine the consequences to “the people”.

  In essence, a deficit is what occurs when spending is greater than revenue. “Man, I’m not going to have enough money to make rent, car payment, AND credit card payment,” is an example of an individual who faces a budget deficit. When it is a state, however, the government does not have to face eviction or hunger as deterrents to overspending.

  Posted by Cal-El on Oct 11, 2003 at 12:26 AM

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Also by Van Jones

• Davis’ Downfall
  Prison spending bloats California’s budget