(Calif. Senate President Pro Tem) Steinberg considers cuts targeting GOP districts

[Newsjock]

Source: Sacramento Bee

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg today said he is willing to consider calls to target GOP districts with steeper cuts if legislative Republicans will not vote for taxes or to put taxes on a statewide ballot as part of a budget solution.

"When it comes to kids or the vulnerable, I wouldn't want to make distinctions between who lives in a Democratic district and who lives in a Republican district, but when it comes to sort of basic services, convenience services that affect adults... I have an open mind," Steinberg told reporters after speaking at a Sacramento Press Club luncheon.

... "You don't want to pay for government, well then, you get less of it," he said.

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/04/steinberg-4.html

[msongs]

1. OMG a democrat goes there. hooray :-) nt

[Angry Dragon]

2. +1000

[toddwv]

3. Interesting idea.

[freshwest]

4. Probably illegal but appropriate. Some areas of states refuse to pay for roads, schools, fire and...

Emergency services, won't even pass levies for police protection.

Their elderly, infirm and young are paid for by the progressive areas of the state willing to pay. The country freeloaders mock liberals while gaining the benefit of cheap labor, socialized medical care and housing for their old folks, because the funds aren't separate.

I think the man is calling their bluff, and I'm not sure they won't take it in exchange for not paying taxes. Their areas would devolve into nasty little fiefdoms, probably charge a toll to drive through their libertarian paradises.

You know what? They'll say that's just fine by them. No labor or environmental regulations, no human rights or other kinds of law enforcement, just the richest calling the shots.

They'd love this.

[former9thward]

5. The problem with this is that if it spreads then in red states

'blue areas' such as urban centers could be targeted.

[freshwest]

8. How? Blue areas pay their taxes. Or do you mean in reverse? Red states do that already.

[armodem08]

6. I don't know...

I like the idea as a way to get Republican votes, but it's only a good thing if the Republicans give in right away and no people are jeopardized by cuts to healthcare or food aid. These rural areas in California - especially the Central Valley - are the some of most medically underserved and food insecure. And ironically, they're mostly represented by Republicans at the state and federal levels.

[freshwest]

9. I think he said they would not eliminate those essential things.

[Ramulux]

7. Genius

If cuts are so great and necessary why dont the republicans embrace them and lead by example. I'm sure since they would help so much, their districts would flourish and it would make the dems look bad. Why dont these chumps put their money where their mouth is literally.


"You don't want to pay for government, well then, you get less of it,"

An excellent quote , I plan on using a lot.

[freshwest]

10. It's rumored red areas get the highest amount of welfare, so the GOP might have to face the music.