There were no new prescriptions for legislative initiatives to lift California out of its fiscal, social and jobs crises. It could all be summed up – do you want to suffer now or face an even greater catastrophe down the road.

Never acknowledging or admitting that the blame for the current crisis falls squarely on the state’s leadership. A mix of radical, aging sixties hippies, many with a with marxist viewpoint.

The speech was an implicit threat of further discomfort to come and an appeal to fellow legislators to seek a sense of the will of the people … by placing a tax-raising initiative on the upcoming ballot. The problem is that they can’t do it alone. They need a relatively few Republicans to vote with the democrats in order to place the issue on the ballot.

 Déjà vu -- How many can remember when six carefully chosen Republicans signed on to the last record tax increase with the democrats? The Republicans meeting behind closed doors – selecting those legislators who were termed out of office or who could be bribed with promises of future political gifts. Abel Maldonado comes to mind: the corrupt douchebag who was appointed to the Lieutenant Governor’s slot by Arnold Schwarzenegger – a progressive democrat with a republican tag.

Déjà vu again – It now appears that the Republicans are going to cave-in again. This time spearheaded by Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Beach) who appears to be readying a legislative package requiring the state to change the current defined benefit system which is bankrupting the state to a 401(k)–like pension system like that routinely found in the public sector. All in exchange for placing the tax increase initiative on the ballot. A pyrrhic victory because the tax increase will precede the pension reform – with the pension reform most likely to be killed by union intervention.

In his own words …

“California faces a crisis that is real and unprecedented. Each of us will have to struggle with our conscience and our constituencies as we hammer out a sensible plan to put our state on a sound fiscal footing, honestly balance our budget and position California to regain its historic momentum.”

“We are still a very rich society. In two years alone, Californians will have added more than $100 billion to their personal income.”

“Under our form of government, it would be unconscionable to tell the electors of this state that they have no right to decide whether it is better to extend current tax statutes another five years or chop another $12 billion out of schools, public safety, our universities and our system of caring for the most vulnerable.”

“My plan to rebuild California requires a vote of the people, and frankly I believe it would be irresponsible for us to exclude the people from this process. They have a right to vote on this plan. This state belongs to all of us, not just those of us in this chamber. Given the unique nature of the crisis and the serious impact our decisions will have on millions of Californians, the voters deserve to be heard. “

That’s it … once on the ballot, the unions will spend millions of their member’s dollars to remind us about the children, the police, the firemen and the nurses. They will not mention thousands of cubicle workers or unionized employees manipulating system to maximize overtime and pension payouts.

What was not emphasized …

You did not hear Jerry Brown, progressive, union supporter and sponsor of social programs for illegal aliens say anything about doing the four things needed to return California to its formerly golden status.

One, reduce superfluous, nonsensical regulations which demand a huge state bureaucracy to administer. This includes all of the global warming nonsense based on little or no real science.

Two, stop the special interest spending on unionized infrastructure projects and renegotiate the labor contracts. We do not need a high-speed rail system that nobody will use and whose destinations are calculated for political advantage not consumer benefit.

Three, immediately implement e-Verify for all employment and social services care. Reduce or eliminate all care for illegal aliens until legal citizens have been covered.

Four, eliminate the unions who only add to the time, cost and effort. Stop the proliferation of new employees and overtime to prevent outrageous unearned compensation. If they want a vote – let the Citizen’s vote on whether they want to pay for a privileged class of public workers who’s jobs, income, medical benefits and retirement are guaranteed for life – unlike the rest of us. Unions which corrupt politicians with their bribes of campaign funding, media and voter support – and threats of retribution.

Bottom line …

If Jerry Brown cannot manage pension reform, union reform and curtail the restrictions which are driving individuals and businesses out of our state – and use the savings to resolve our debt – then he should be recalled.

I do not know why I need to support illegal aliens or pampered unionized public employees at the expense of my own health and welfare. I do not know why I need to help cure global warming when the government cannot produce proof beyond a few computer models and highly manipulated data.

And I certainly do not approve of feeding the beast more of my money so they can continue to buy more political support from government workers and the special interests.

Jerry Brown is a progressive hack – articulate – but the type of politician who is helping to bring America to her knees in the face of rising socialism.

Jerry, you don’t need our money. You need the guts to act – to do what is right for the legal, law-abiding citizens of California. Not what is best for Mexico, illegal aliens or the alarmists who are promoting global warming for their own political power and profits.

-- steve

Reference Links …

Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address