Whither California

Having been defeated in the Polls in their latest attempt to jimmy the books and raise taxes as a way to cover up the Liberal disaster that is California, now they are contemplating a constitutional convention. No doubt in the cross hairs will be the requirement for a 2/3rds vote to raise taxes. You see the left and special interests can't accept the fact that there policies have destroyed the Golden state, so they need a new right wing bogeyman to explain their failures. If only they could raise taxes easier, that would solve the problem! Now there are serious issues in California and perhaps some constitutional reforms are needed. Maybe even the breaking of the state in two or three parts (a choice with national implications and one the Democrat Congress would likely try and Block)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger returned home from a White House visit on Wednesday to find the state dangerously broke, his constituents defiant after a special election on Tuesday and calls for a constitutional convention — six months ago little more than a wonkish whisper — a cacophony.

As the notion of California as ungovernable grows stronger than ever, Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has expressed support for a convention to address such things as the state’s arcane budget requirements and its process for proliferate ballot initiatives, both of which necessitated Tuesday’s statewide vote on budget matters approved months ago by state lawmakers.

“There could not be more of a tipping point,” said Jim Wunderman, chief executive of the Bay Area Council, a business group that moved forward on Wednesday with plans to push for a constitutional convention. “We think the interest is going to grow by orders of magnitude now.”

More immediately, Mr. Schwarzenegger met with legislative leaders to begin the painful process of slashing state spending after voters rejected five ballot measures intended to balance the budget through a mix of tax increases, borrowing and the reallocation of state money.

The reality is that the Unions and the special interests have too much power over the state government leading to endemic waste and established forces that have wasted the states greatness. Add to this the significant burden of immigration and crack pot leftism and you end up a state at 10% unemployment with the lowest bond rating in the country. Of course the governor has a solution, a Federal Bailout:

Facing a $21.3 billion budget deficit, Mr. Schwarzenegger is requesting a $6 billion loan from the federal government, and has proposed a variety of politically unpalatable cuts, including commuting prisoners’ sentences, taking away health insurance from some poor children, reducing aid to community colleges and eliminating a large chunk of financing for shelters that serve children and women who have been abused.

The Legislature, controlled by Democrats, will hold public hearings on the governor’s proposals next week and come up with its own suggestions, which would probably affect fewer vulnerable residents and avoid jeopardizing the loss of federal education and health care money that requires a state match.

While California has suffered the same fate as much of the nation — high unemployment, large numbers of foreclosures, general economic sluggishness — its budget woes are greatly exacerbated by its odd and in many ways outmoded way of doing business.

Of course with the state under the thumb of Obama another 6 billion should end whats left of state power.

George Will On California and the Culture of Dependency.
Megan Mcardel on the dangers of a California Bailout.