Finally a yes vote, but what price?

I was initially happy to get that Able yes vote, but the more I look at the details, the more annoyed I get.
I don't want to parse it here and now, but I think there are larger issues at play in the land.
It is curious that no one is going to trial for some of the excesses on the national scene, and no one seems to be paying anything more than HOME ARREST, ie., Bernie Maddoff. Wouldn't you think his ass would be slapped in jail by now?
I find Bill Maher to be a real jackass, and his new show last night really affirmed that, but finally at the end, he put it on the line...some people need to be held responsible...like executed! Or at least have a hand chopped off, or maybe fingers, digit by digit.
And get them out of their damn penthouses!!! How are they paying the rent with other peoples money!

ONE MORE YES VOTE!!!

Come on Able Maldonado...I know you can do it. Give up your salary, make the rest of them look like fools and do the right thing tonight!
I might even move to Santa Maria to vote for you next time! Not!!!
DO THE RIGHT THING

One 100 Days and still waiting!

I love this photo which was apparently taken yesterday. I just visited the Press Democrat site today (a Saturday by the way) hopeful that the Assembly had finally taken some action, but as of an hour ago, nada! They were to begin meeting at 9 a.m. today. The Senate is to meet at 5 p.m. also today presumably to vote on the same bill.

What I really loved after reading the paper this morning was the comment by Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria who stated that "This could be a career-ender for folks on both sides."

What does that tell us? Could it be that the people of California are sick and tired of this particular batch of politicans, all politicans, or only those politicians who vote based on whether or not it might be a career ending move for them? I think sometimes politicians have to think beyond their own narrow CAREER interests, and even the expressed opinions of a small but mighty vocal minority, and do the RIGHT thing! Even if it may turn out to be a CAREER ENDER!

Pay Now or Pay Later

Well, here's some more for the list of how we are going to be paying for the ineptitude of our legislative body for years to come. In a recent article sent by my son, his local irrigation district has decided to postpone infrastructure projects (as well as leave unfilled positions vacant) in an effort to trim $2.8 million dollars from their budget. But ...

Postponing maintenance projects now won’t make the work go away. In coming years, the projects could become more expensive capitol costs, Nelson said. “We know we have aging infrastructure needing more and more maintenance all the time,” Nelson said.

Oh, well, let's put our thumb in the dike for now. What's being left off the list? Pipeline replacement and painting projects - but what's some pipe and paint? Maybe the paint will flake into the pipes and they can drink it.

Next is a little closer to home. We received notification that our local transit company wouldn't be able to make flex stops to deliver students to our parenting teen program - without extra compensation and some strict rules. Thinking this was some bizarre unfairness, I went to speak to the transportation manager. What I found out was that in an effort to trim costs and prepare for funding cuts, our local transit company is evaluating all transit costs and, as the old saying goes, trying to get "the greatest bang for their buck" (a saying I personally detest and they didn't use!). What I hear the state funding bodies saying is let them eat cake - opps, wrong era - let them find their own way to school. So, we, once again, leave those with the least, with less. These are students who are struggling, who will cost us soooo much more if we can't educate them and provide them with parenting skill. They will remain dependent on subsidy programs while the big boys take payments for expenses that they refuse to realize are just a different kind of subsidy. Will it end? Not with just a new round of cuts and taxes. This is not a battle that will end today, even if the budget is passed. We will pay for a long time and not just with greenbacks.

I do give up!

I have been diligently reading the papers and trying to find hopeful signs, but from Sacramento to Washington DC, I find little HOPE for any meaningful CHANGE! What is going on with all of these fools?
I think in many ways I am more annoyed with the damn Democrats, especially on the national level. Talk about partisan politics and pork barrel stuffings. It is disgusting. I think we are seeing politics at its very worst. As some one mention to me, it appears that the Democrats in Congress are suffering from a mass Stockholm Syndrome...only they are try to outdo the Republicans as pay back from six years in the wild hinterland. Disgusting!

Have We Given UP!

I'm not sure if the title just doesn't say it all. We, once again, watch another week, or is it two now, of empty promises made by legislative millionaires about how they are going to give us a sensible solution to the crisis they created by bipartisan bickering and minority rule. Promises made while Rome burns.

A Big FAT Zero!!!

A Big FAT Zero!!!
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

I know it is a Saturday and no one in Sacramento is working, but DAMN IT, why not?
Why did they have the nerve to attend the Inauguration this week instead of hunkering down and working on the problems right here at home?
Today we had headlines of record unemployment, and what are they doing?
Nothing!!! Zero, a BIG FAT ZERO to quote Olga Telonicher Griswold. ZERO!

Inauguration Eve

Scanning the Sunday Forum section in the Press Democrat gave me a sense of the schizophrenia that is a part of today's culture (tomorrow's, too, I'm thinking). Headlines like: "Obama inspires unlike optimism (content is obvious)" Slouching toward 'Armageddon (content: CA budget crisis)", and "She saw her pale reflection in the window (a pretty funny piece by Keillor on what we are reading - which thank goodness I read after the Armageddon editorial so I could laugh a little).

In the editorial by Pete Golis, he outlines a pretty good plan with six starting points to solve the crisis - read them if you want, I'm sure they are somewhere on line. The part that got me, though, was here's a guy with common sense, an interest in what's happening, and some solutions. I doubt that it took him - let's see, how long? - months to write the piece, maybe the legislature could take ten minutes and read it, then another ten to do ONE of them!

But I forgot, it's a day off. I guess there's not much chance of our representatives doing much but preening, basking, and slouching. A quote I will put in from Golis states: "The sorry condition of the state government emerges from a decade of drift and dysfunction. The state Legislature - once admired - now serves no identifiable function, save to pander to special interest groups, engage in partisan feuds and remind us why we are so cynical about government." On that he is right, and no amount of Obama related optimism will wash that away in the near future, especially of the future continues to be what it is - systemic dysfunction.

BUDGET LIKE A ROCK

Yesterday, the Governor described the lack of a budget like a rock on the chest of California. Yes, we know because we can't breathe. At least the Governor took a page from this blog and is recommending no pay for the Assembly and Senate until they come up with a workable budget.

Onward, we need citizens of California to write their local and state representatives. You can access addresses from this blog. Do it now! Let's crack the rock open!

Are You Kidding Me?

The caption (for those you who can't make it out): Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger brings the sword he used in the movie "Conan The Barbarian" to the conference table before the state budget negotiations with legislative leaders Tuesday at the Capitor in Sacramento. Schwarzenegger joked with State Sentate President Pro Tem Darrel Steinberg, seated left, and Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto that he would use the sword to cut the budget deficit.

Arnold and the state legislature continue to treat this crisis as if it were a joke. Nothing new is out there - what are we waiting for? People to agree, or get their heads cut off?

Arnold and the rest of those carpetbaggers should move out. They sell us the doom and gloom each day and then bring movie props to the negotiating table.

How can we take it seriously? Four weeks and counting until we run out of money. Where did it go? How come there isn't any more - aren't taxes taken out of my check each month? They may be paralyzed by the prospect of coming to some agreement, but it's a democracy - you aren't going to like everything. Raise taxes and make some changes - the first should be to cut the salaries of the state legislators.

California Voters could HELP!

Today's column in the Forum Section of the Press Democrat features Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters. It is savvy and makes a lot of sense.
If the people really want to make their voices heard, let the people of California take these issues to the polls in an early election. Since the legislature can't seem to get the job done, and the Governor is either unable or unwilling to wield a big stick...let the people vote and bypass them both.

How Can We?

The SR Press Democrat ran an interesting editorial yesterday suggesting that as long as the lawmakers can't do their (most basic) job, why not ask the voters to suggest some solutions to the budget crisis. Now I could find several solutions to suggest, not the least of which might be to recall them all (including the governor), but the PD suggests we just check one response of these two:

Should the budget be balanced by spending cuts alone?
Should a mix of tax increases and spending cuts be adopted to balance the budget?

I'm not sure this will take us any further than we are now, but surely there's something we can do. We are paralyzed by fear of ... what could get worse? When do we march, begin to burn things, riot in the streets?

So how about a million post cards with a check of list of suggestions from the constituency. Suggestions like:

Is it time for the legislature to give up and resign quietly because they are inept?

Is it time to stop the strangle hold the minority has on the budget process and set up a new more deomocratic process based on majority rule?

Sign it and send it off - to the governor? Who's going to get this message - and very soon, please.

Hummm, happened to find this today!!

From the LA TIMES Editorial Page:
5. I agree that all those cranky voter initiatives have added to the mess - but I guess that is where we got all these childish elected officials, from the same the voters. However, we should be angry that our legistators cannot complete their most important job. Our only consolation is that they won't get paid either. Who do you know who won't be affected by this lack of budget? Go to http://griswoldssacksac.blogspot.com/to follow our blog on the whole mess. We say in the most cranky way - Give us a Budget Now or TOTAL RECALL!
Submitted by: Margot Griswold
10:03 AM PST, January 9, 2009
I guess it really is time to put on our CRANKY PANTS and let it rip and roar!

Last Chance to take part!

I see that more people are voting in the survey, and that we have a new contributor called ChickenCoop Luke. Hope he makes a post now and again. The new generation needs to take an active role.

LA...Disaster

LA...Disaster
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

And how about this little snippet from the Chronicle. I wonder if the LA TIMES featured this story.
Disaster is looming.
Follow the links to write your elected officials.

Another VETO!

Another VETO!
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Where is the outrage? I don't hear the voices...just read the headlines. There must be other options. What are they?
I have written to my elected officials and only heard back from one. I will write again, but with less hopefulness.
This is Democracy?

Less is More?

Less is More
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

OH boy, this headline in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat got my blood boiling. My oh my, how in the world is this supposed to solve the problems of the state of California. For one thing, the largest segment of any school districts budget is salaries, and these, in the case of teachers are secured by contracts. Is the State not going to honor contracts anymore?
And who actually will be served by this shortening of the school year?
Certainly not our students who need to be in school more not less time if they are to meet the demands placed by NCLB...No Child Left Behind...,
Certainly not all the parents who will suddenly have to find and pay for extra day care for that week...
Certainly not all the vendors who supply the schools for that week, Certainly not the STATE OF CALIFORNIA!

High Anxiety

The school house is a-rockin'. Districts will be making their own mid-year cuts in anticipation of the hatcheting that will occur by fall 2009. Will it be good for the kids?

I did write my representatives, at least some of them. I suggested that as long as they couldn't come to some sort of agreement - now that it's the new year - they should donate their salaries to the general fund so others can be paid. I mean, I'm sure we could keep a few classroom paraprofessionals for one of them. I bet we could get these employees to work, too.

Lots of quiet and too much dis-ease from the legislature - and the governator - who knows where he is. Another day passes; more fallout. What's next?

Dear Lonely Govenator!!!

Here is the text of the email I sent the Big Guy today.
Governor Schwarzenegger...
As a life long Democrat the odds of me writing you a letter were somewhat dim until this current budgetary crisis occurred. When I read the caption in today's San Francisco Chronicle editorial which referred to you as "the LONELY MAN", I could wait no more.
I think you are a tough tough guy, and you won't have to be such a LONELY MAN, if you would get tough with those Republicans and Democrats who don't seem to know how to compromise. I think the time has come for you to threaten dogmatic politicians with Terminal Political Problems if they don't start working together to come up with a compromised budget solution.
It wasn't so long ago that you were calling Democrats, Girley Men...maybe you need to insult some of your own party and get them moving.
I am beginning to see the fall out from the stop work order that was issued in late December, and the implications are frightening. I have written to my State Senator and my State Assemblyman, and now to you. I have no sway with those hold out Republicans, so I have to depend on your to knock some sense into them!
Thank you for your time and I surely hope this finds its way onto your crowded desk.

They OWE us a solution!!!

They OWE us a solution!!!
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

I was heartened by two things today:
First I received a response from State Assemblyman Wes Chesbro saying he would work hard for a compromise on the budget, and Second, this editorial in today's issue of the SF Chronicle. You can read it online at SFGATE.com.
I don't pretend to agree with all the cuts which the governor has outlined, but some are inevitable. On the other hand, some "fees" and tax increases are also inevitable.
I just received a call from a county official that the Fire Safe grant is also on the block. The ramifications of this stalled action just keep growing and growing and growing.
Now to email that "Lonely Man" as the Chronicle called him this morning. Time for him to step up and put some pressure on in Sacramento.

Total Recall Cont.

Well, here it is. Read on for more interesting information.

Arnold may very well be the man for the job. In the previous Total Recall adventure, Arnold had to find his old memories - perhaps they were memories of campaign promises - just like today. Movie trailers exclaimed:

They stole his mind, now he wants it back.

Maybe it's still true. But before he can get it back (whatever 'it' is) Arnold will have to endure a series of unexpected and harrowing.

I think we've done that already. Let's move on Arnold, or you may be part of the next installment: Total Recall Two - the revenge of the State of California.

Tomorrow's Monday, many of us go back to work. How about the state legislature?

TOTAL RECALL!

A comment from Lonely Voice deserves to be a post and we hope Lonely Voice will join us soon as a regular contributor.
Lonely Voice said...

Although I am ready to have my posts read by the world at large at "Griswolds Take on Sacramento" I don't know how, so I'll make a few comments here.

First, I will write, along with my last Christmas cards, my representatives TODAY. We have been silent too long.

Next, let's consider outside the box - what can we do? Rant, rave, march in the streets (hey, that was pretty effective in the 60's, but has fallen into disfavor as we've become more accepting of the pain - see most recent study on that subject) no I say we take a play from Arnold's book. Why not TOTAL RECALL. Let's recall all these people who are not doing their job - and isn't their job to provide leadership, a way to pay for state services, and probably more? Maybe that's what we need to do - write a job description.

I have more and will figure out how to make my voice part of the Griswold voice!
January 4, 2009 7:11 AM

Contact Your LOCAL City and County Representatives

An earlier posting gave you a web address to contact all State representatives.

Here is an address for you to find all local representatives as well as the State representatives. Go to the site and scroll down until you get to California Cities and Counties.

http://www.statelocalgov.net/state-ca.cfm

Local governments may have more impact than we as individuals. Let them know that we support their push on Sacramento to end the State budget crisis. 

Start emailing. We want a budget or we want TOTAL RECALL!

Govenator's New Proposals!

Here is a link to an article in today's LakeCountyNews which details proposals for the budget and also its specific impact on Lake County in particular.
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/6857/764/
It is worth checking out and commenting on, here, to the Govenator, your legislators, and anyone else you think would be willing to raise a voice.
I think it wouldn't hurt to email your local City Council people, your County Board of Supervisors and any other officials who will be put on the spot with the current situation.

Contact Your Sacramento Representatives

Contact Your Representatives in Sacramento

Join the Griswold's march on Sacramento and contact your representatives to come up with a workable budget this week.

www.legislature.ca.gov

Who Do You Know?

Reading the papers and watching the nightly news (maybe I should break that habit?), it occurred to me to ask everyone to consider how many people they might know who are at risk from one of the immediate fall outs of this budget mess. Over a holiday weekend, I found out that more people on a local level were effected than I would have suspected.
Consider anyone whose job is funded by state grants?
Consider anyone who has contracts with the state and won't be paid?
Consider anyone who works for a school district?
Consider anyone who works for a city or county government?
And consider the fallout to your community.
I think that people have to be realistic rather than simplistic about solutions: I know it sounds harsh in this climate to raise some taxes, but come on PEOPLE!!! You have all these services and someone has to pay for them.
Veering into the Rant&Rave...

For the Good of Calli-FOR-nee-a

At the least, you should contact your State Assembly Person and State Senator. Tell them that they have failed at their most important job - to craft a state budget. To avoid being fired (aka voted out of office), they must all get off of their soap boxes, and realize that a budget will contain cuts as well as new taxes if the State of California is to function.

The Republicans want to rely on failed business plans - does recession mean anything to them? And the Democrats want to protect too many programs. Make some choices and get together on this budget. If neither side will budge, the State has no budget.

Join the Griswolds in expressing your outrage at the lack of budget. Remember, State Assembly and State Senators work for all of us. Let them know that the State of California needs a budget now, this week.

Sacramento MUST do something

The Griswolds reach the summit!
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Sacramento MUST do something

Our state is facing financial disaster and we want to do something about it. Until we can get to Sacramento to try to talk some sense into the big players, we decided we would start a blog...to generate ideas, stir up people, and try to get something done!!!
If you are interested in writing for this group blog, join the Griswolds on their trip to Sacramento either in person, or via the blog!