|
Hasta La Vista, Economic Troubles
Governor Schwarzenegger (I still can't get used to that) has been in the news lately warning of a "judgment day" of sorts in California. It seems that the economy over there is in big trouble (Charlie, I'm looking in your direction...), and the Governator is slashing the budget to try and right the ship in time.
Besides the frequent rants, I also like to use my webspace to solve the worlds problems. Therefore I propose the following solution to California's lack of funds:
California, 2006: After a particularly violent earthquake, the state of California breaks off from the west coast of North America and drifts out to sea. With Stanford and Caltech out of the picture, WashU is now ranked 7th in US News and World Reports.
California, 2007: Armed with only a shotgun and a pair of sunglasses, Governor Schwarzenegger brings justice to the rioting and lawlessness that had erupted in the state and declares independence for the Nation of California.
Nation of California, 2008: In order to increase government revenues, the fledgling nation begins to export their only "useful" product: Apple Computers. When this idea fails because Apple's core customer group are the hippies who already live in California, the state offers its name to the highest-bidding corporate sponsor.
Intel Presents: The Nation of California, 2010: Dictator for Life Schwarzenegger sends the $15 billion from the Intel corporate sponsorship deal back in time to 2004 in order to save the state, but little does he know that another group also has designs on the cash, and that they've sent back one of their own...
Comments
What I've never really understood is how the federal govt. can go over budget by more than half a trillion a year without talk of impending doom, but when state governments do it's a big crisis (and what do people do in a crisis? why look to Arnold of course). Also, why do people demand tax refunds in surplus years but not demand more taxes during deficit years? What's this Keynsian (or wahtever) economics, and why do I think of Branch Davidians whenever I hear it mentioned?
My paycheck is fairly secure from budget cuts out here, but they're both cutting down on the bus schedules and doubling car registration rates, which makes it kind of tough to get around to buy groceries. I would think that they'd want to encourage people to buy more stuff in order to stimulate the economy and bring in tax revenue...
Posted by: Charlie at January 8, 2004 6:34 PM
When I was in Kansas City for Cerner stuff, the biggest complaint from the Californians there was how expensive housing, gas, and parking were. People only make [x] amount of money, so if they increase the price of necessities like these, there will be less for them to spend on economy-spurring stuff. Thank heavens for Missouri.
Posted by: Chris Hill Festival at January 8, 2004 10:23 PM
Housing is completely out of control. I don't have huge expectations for a house, just something that isn't falling apart or in a bad neighborhood, and I haven't seen one like that for less than half a million. I once saw a mobile home listed for $350,000. Apparently there are some wierd property tax laws that help keep the housing prices out of the reach of everyone except those who have lived there for 20 years or those who are very rich.
Posted by: Charlie at January 9, 2004 1:27 AM
At the Blues/San Jose Sharks game, after the National Anthem was played, I expected the California anthem: Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles....
Posted by: rkc at January 9, 2004 5:20 PM
|
