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Edited on Tue Sep-29-09 10:29 PM by TomCADem
I think this snippet just underscored just how misinformed people can get watching Fox News even when they aren't watching Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity. Instead, it was Gloria Van Struten interviewing some guy who pumping a new CA tax plan, then called California a test case for Obamanomics, and noted that given the failure of California's economy, why would anyone want to copy this on the federal level. :wtf: :argh:
*sigh*
This is absolute bullshit on so many levels.
:rant:
First, California is only one of three states that require a 2/3 majority of its legislature to approve a budget and collect new revenues -- the others are the smaller states of Rhode Island and Arkansas.
Second, California also has a separate 2/3 majority requirement to pass any tax increases. This allows a minority of Republicans to hold the entire budget hostage as leverage to pass legislation that has absolutely nothing to do with the budget.
Third, California passed Proposition 13, which limits property tax rates to 1 percent AND limits any re-assessment to 2 percent annually. PLUS, there are numerous exceptions to reassessment. Since property taxes are primarily used to fund schools, this has a huge detrimental impact on California schools, which were once among the best in the Nation. Also, due to this strict ceiling on property taxes, other taxes such as income taxes and sales taxes are increased to compensate for the lack of revenue to provide basic services such as education, fire protection and police.
Fourth, California has had a Republican Governor for 22 out of the past 26 years.
Fifth, California passed term limits on State legislatures. This combined with the 2/3 majority requirements has resulted in Legislators who have no interest in the long term viability of the State, because they would be termed out in a few short years anyways. Thus, Republicans will simply sign a no new tax pledge, then simply try to get through their alloted term limit without passing any tax increase. They just mail it in without having to deal with the long term consequences of their intransigence.
In other words, this expert on Fox News was not just wrong, he was saying the exact opposite of what is the cause of California's problems. California is a test case for many ideas that Republicans hold near and dear. The fiscal irresponsibility that is hallmark of the Republican party, and the complete incapacitation of government due to terms limits, anti-democratic super majority requirements, and Republican leadership has resulted in the fiscal hell that California currently is in.
It is just mind boggling the complete lies that are being fed to Fox viewers. Indeed, with the Senate suddenly requiring a 60 vote threshold on legislation, that is a step in the direction of California's governance.
Finally, the "expert" said that California has a health care plan similar to President Obama's proposals. No it does not! California has nothing that is vaguely similar to any of the proposals being debated in Congress. Even under Baucus plan, Californians can only wish there was prohibition against post-claim rescission due to pre-existing conditions.
It is absolutely sad the degree to which Fox viewers subject themselves to the daily falsehoods being spread by Fox News. They literally live in a world that bears no relationship to reality.
:shrug:
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