O, Sweet Saint Of San Andreas

7 Replies to “O, Sweet Saint Of San Andreas”

1. At least there are a few islands of sanity left in California.
   http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/06/06/atherton-revolts-over-cost-of-obama-visit-targets-donors/
   ATHERTON (KPIX 5) – A community on the Peninsula may take the unprecedented action of slapping a lien against two homeowners who hosted an April fundraiser for President Barack Obama that cost the town $8,000 in security and cleanup costs.
   The Town of Atherton has been unable to recoup the money from the Democratic National Committee or Secret Service.

2. outside of the weather I thought California already outdid ny for stupid.

3. I can’t say I would wish for an earthquake. Too many fine people could be lost. People who can reach their potential by immigrating to states that have their economic act together. The article indicates that is exactly what is occurring in high tax, over regulated blue states.
   To be fair, California is projected to have a budget surplus this year. OTOH, according to Democrats like WR Mead it remains to be seen if this is a substantive improvement or a blip due to rich Cali’s cashing in stocks before the tax rules changed at the start of 2013. Time will tell. Regardless, their long term prospects are tied to public service unions and psu pension plans. Bankrupt cities are defaulting on payments to the state pension agency Calpers. This has the potential to bring the system crashing down as psu pensions compete with the funding of public services that residents deem essential. Blue on blue battles will get ugly and encourage more productive citizens to relocate.
   Ontario and Quebec look to be trapped in the same viscous cycle with the addition of unsustainable health costs. Places like Saskatchewan have some challenges but at least all psu were converted to defined contribution plans a generation ago. Who knows…with low debt and no psu pension liabilities Saskatchewan might be able to compete with Alberta as a future home of head offices looking to escape to low tax provinces.

4. When I was reading this one word came to my mind over and over again….. “Ontario”

5. One thing to keep in mind is that when people ‘flee’ places such as California and NY State, they do so to escape excessive government, however when they get to Montana they want more government then that state has, thus bringing some of the failed ideas with them.

6. Liberals seem to enjoy the race to the bottom.
   Derek, I think to some extent that is happening in Alberta, and Redford is part of the problem.

7. Need to clairify something LC Bennett. Not all PSU pensions are defined contributions. I work at the U of S and belong (sadly) to CUPE. Our contract is now in negotiation and from what I understand the U of S wants to change our pension to defined contribution much to the displeasure of our wonderful union bosses. I’m predicting us going on strike over it. Personaly, I’m looking forward to crossing the picket line to annoy the union. Most of the people I work with have no use for the union and all the BS that goes with it and actually haul butt all day, everyday.