Anyone effected by the California Gov. Gray Davis?

[Nminx]

I am - police academy got canceled.

[zander_zye]

Actually, to set the record straight, Gray Davis is only partly to blame for the current crises in CA. If he were the primary cause of the problem, then 30 other states wouldn't have the exact same problem. The problem is the economy. Some in the civil service doesn't understand that if I am not working, then their jobs are at risk as well. (tax money doesn't come out of thin air) My brother told me that 700 Chippies got thier notices. I feel for him (he won't affect him, he has over 25 years in), but the company I work for has laid off 72% in the last 2 years.

The Republicans are just cry babies. Instead of putting a decent candidate that could beat Davis, they put forth Bill Simon, a clown with lots of skeletons in his closet. (failed S&L, etc) The recall petititons are being paid for by Rep Issa - he is paying signature gatherers up to $2.00 for every legitimate voter. (another loser politician who has lost the governors race as well as a senate race).

I have never like Gray - he is pompus and arrogant. But he was voted in only 6 months ago.

Energy crises 101: If you must blame a someone in the statehouse for this, blame Pete Wilson. While de-regulating the suppliers, they retained regulation on the supplies. It is really an all or none proposition. This led to companies like Enron to affect the marketplace in CA.

Edit: After some research, I found that 44 states have major deficits, 2 more are on the brink, and 4 states are doing well (Vermont, NM, Wyoming, and NC). CA's budget crises is caused by among other things: overspending, reduced capital gains taxes, and reduced property taxes. I guess it is time to pay the piper. A good reference is: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/econom...amesource.html

Count on cuts in LE and other protection services (ambulances, fire, etc.) At a time that we need it the most, they are being cut in the greatest numbers since the 80's.

[dizza]

Which Academy are you refering to? I haven't been effected by him yet... but seeing that most agencies around me have put on a hiring freeze due to lack of funds from the State and Feds, I guess thats effecting my ability to get hired

David

[Nminx]

Davis is an easy figurehead to blame. He is essentially the manager of the state. A big part of his problem though is his refusal to cut spending on supporting illegal immigrants. He would rather cut funding to the education system first. I see your points though.

[zander_zye]

Illegal immigrants are not the cause of the state's problems. Like most states during the upturn, they spent like drunken soldiers. The Enron manipulation into the CA energy market didn't help things as well. (that actually caused a great deal of the problem).

Because I like factoids, I understand that for the most part, illegal immigrants pay much more than they take from the economy. Case in point, most illegal immigrants pay taxes (SS, State, Fed, etc.) because they work someplace usually for pretty low wages. Most don't try to get medical benefits because they are afraid to be deported.

Governor Davis is basically a ***** to the California Correctional Officers Association. While I have absolutely no problem with Davis increasing their pay, I think it should be done on the backs of the convicts and not by taking away from education. (did you know that the CCOA is now the most powerful union in CA - makes you think ----)

[Nminx]

Dizza - San Diego Academy.

Zander - I definitely see your point on all that. Its just frusturating to see education cut in a state that is already bottom of the barrel.

[dizza]

And the government wonders why kids are not passing their high school classes, and spending another year or two in high school. And then we give them a piece of paper that says they finally got it, and toss them into the real world. No job... turns to theft or drugs... still no job, does something alittle worse... and the cycle begins

I feel sorry for teachers. They are way underpaid for what they provide to the kids of America. Its said to know that a lineman for the local electric company who strings up power cable makes more money than a teacher sculpting our future.

David

[Samuel]

I disagree. I believe illegal immigration has been a huge drain on our resources and is a key cause of our current economic situation. State leadership (either party) being stupid and shady is not helping either...

[richjorg]

Zander,

If the CCOA is so powerful, why do you think CO's wages are such crap?

[zander_zye]

At the low end, they are. As a non-probationary officer, the pay is identical to the CHP which requires much more training and education. (I am not knocking the CCOA, just stating a fact). They received a 15% pay increase when everyone else was either taking pay cuts, or getting pink slips.

I thought it was interesting that the CDOC only cares about the last 7 years of your life - (the ACSD went back as far as HS which for me is nearly 25 years)

Samuel: I would like to see your data on the excessive costs of illegal immigrants. I stand by my statement that most illegals pay more into society than they take. I believe most studies would support this statement as well. Lets be honest, our farm economy would collapse without them. (would you work in the fields, getting sprayed with toxic substances, stooping and picking for less than $7. an hour? NOT!) Politicians just find it easy to put the blame on them because they don't vote. It is easy for incompetents to blame others instead of merely fixing the problem.

So, what do you think of Arnold running for Gov?

[Samuel]

Zander,

I don't have hard figures. I base my opinion on my experiences with the criminal element of illegal immigrants, long discussions with county health care workers (doctors and nurses), and the belief that most illegal immigrants are paying sales tax but little else (state, federal, ss, insurance, etc).

I also agree that the good/hard working element of illegal immigrants often provides necessary and difficult services and labor and I do respect those illegal immigrants (even though they snuck in) who are leading productive lives and trying to better themselves and their families.

Don't even get me started on politicians... lol

I don't think we'll ever find out which of us is right or closer to being right (get rid of illegal immigrants/immigration entirely and see how the economy reacts).

If I was the voting type, I'd vote for Arnold.

[Nminx]

I would love to have Arnold as Governor (it would be fun to say that the Terminator is my Governor!)

Zander - Just to clarify, and this may be what you are referring to, but we are not upset about the excessive costs of an illegal immigrant, we are upset about how much the government spends to support them.

Its just an area that should be cut before education. Davis cut education FIRST and still has not cut funding for illegals (priority level).

[zander_zye]

My point is that no matter who is in office, they are going to be unpopular because of the state of the economy. When companies like Enron created more havok on the California economy than illegal immigration or other issues, it makes me wonder why these scums are not in some hard core jail. (I would love to see Ken Lay on some Alabama road crew - another dirtbag).

Gray has never been a strong leader - but CA had 16 years of Republican governors who contributed to the problem. (beleive me, our last governor was no prize either).

What do you think of the recall? Another waste of taxpayer money in my opinion. It is amazing that Issa, a man whose only drive in public life is for this own gain and not for the benefit of his constituants, is leading the charge. A man who has skeletons in his own closet and is quick to blame others ("oh, it was my brother who stole the car, the gun charges were in my youth, oh - I didn't defraud someone to gain my millions - me? oh, not me"). Time for Issa to come out of the closet and explain himself. Issa reminds me of the politican played by Martin Sheen in the original movie "The Dead Zone". (Christopher Walken movie)

Arnold ought to think out this move carefully. If he fails, his movie career is probably over and done with - people are going to associate him with a losing effort.

[Nminx]

I think that in general I want to see effective management. As far as the recall goes, if it helps remove ineffective leaders then im all for it. If it fails, then I will take responsibility for the recall (simply stated, if im willing to agree with the recall I will accept the consequences).

Unfortunately for Davis, he is the manager of the state and represents what I disagree with (if that makes sense).

Out of curiosity, why do you think that Issa is motivated solely for his own gain? I am not an Issa supporter or an anyone supporter until its time to be, but I found your comment interesting.