The UC Board of Regents has evidently taken a break in its meeting, which was disrupted by a group of angrily chanting students. At this, the frustrated UCLA police cleared the room of spectators and declared the protest in general unlawful.
The UC Board of Regents is set to decide today whether to approve a proposed whopping 32 percent tuition hike, bringing the cost of a UC education to a minimum of ten grand a year.
UPDATE: They passed it, as we knew they would.
Here’s the news about the day on campus that Kevin Roderick of LA Observed (who also works at UCLA) has been shepherding.
Okay, now I’m going to go back to grading papers—for my UC Irvine students, who will be among the recipients of such a hike.
If anything, like the budget mess earlier in the year brought some serious consideration for reforming the state constitution, this crisis seems to be getting people thinking about just how important our higher education system (not just the UCs, but the CSUs and community colleges as well) is. Sacramento needs to realize that our state colleges are valued by many and they provide a crucial service for the state. Change has to happen in Sacramento.
The right-wing has done it’s best to destroy the state by hobbling the legislature. So much for democracy. So much for “fiscal responsibility.” If the “fiscal conservatives” can figure out how to actually cut spending responsibly – as opposed to creating a crisis – I’ll take their proposals to cap taxes seriously. Until that day – which is unlikely to come – they are reckless clowns. The truth is that California – and the country – would probably be better off if we were two or three states. We’re trying to balance too many regions, interests and issues. The Senate in DC would certainly be a more democratic body if there were, say, six Senators representing the bulk of the West Coast. And I’d be much happier if Sacramento was balanced by another state legislature in, say, Riverside and another in, uh, maybe Redding.
Obviously the below facts cast blame where it belongs unlike the ridculous notion Reg puts out that it’s the right wing’s effort to hobble the legislature that’s the culprit.
Regardless of his attempting to throw the blame on the minority party it’s only their efforts that haven’t put us in an even bigger mess. The left is in charge in this state and has screwed it up beyond belief, anyone thinking otherwise needs to sober up.
By the way, the post below is only part of the story.
———-
California’s general fund under Schwarzenegger’s tenure has grown 34.9 percent — from $76.3 billion in the 2003-04 fiscal year to $102.9 billion in 2007-08.
But over that same period, population growth and inflation together grew by only 21.5 percent.
If state spending had grown only at that rate, it would have reached $92.7 billion last year. Instead, Schwarzenegger and the Legislature spent $10.2 billion more.
“I wish it hadn’t grown that much,” said Mike Genest, Schwarzenegger’s state finance director, “but in some sense, it was inevitable. Had we stuck with a very austere budget, we would have been in better shape.”
“But that would have meant real, permanent reductions in service levels, like schools and health care and prison guard pay, and that would have required herculean effort from the Legislature. And there was no chance of that.”
Top Democrats cite voter initiatives as big drivers in the state’s spending — like the 1994 “three strikes” measure that increased the prison population, or Proposition 98, the 1988 measure guaranteeing at least 40 percent of the general fund for education. Add to that, they say, some major lawsuits the state lost, including a federal case requiring more spending to upgrade prison health care at about $1 billion a year so far.
It would be nice if you linked your bullshit so it can be vetted. I don’t consider you even remotely an honest source of anything. The point you can’t respond to is that the crackpot right has used the initiative process to hobble the legislature’s ability to put together a viable budget. This is a simple fact. Also, Schwarznegger, who I’m sure appealed to your Conan sensibilities, demagoged the shit out of the electorate and has proven to be a disaster. The past 30+ years of the idiotic Prop 13, with no viable plan by the Right to actually cut state expenses, has proved a disaster. You’re resentments don’t add up to viable policy.
Incidentally, I haven’t been a unionized state employee pointing my finger at “the left” as the problem. (I’d actuallly vote to raise cop’s salaries if standards were raise so guys like you weren’t living off of my dime.)
That’s “public” not “state” for the purposes of accuracy (which really don’t matter in the context of a response to this guy.)
Sure Fire Says:
November 19th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
“The left is in charge in this state and has screwed it up beyond belief,”
……….
Somebody tell this drunk cop that California’s governor is a Republican.
I’m not state Reg, and for the troll the governor is a Republican in name only. What kind of viable budget would you trust the majority of these clown Democrats to come up with when they’ve been over spending for years? Doesn’t matter does it Reg, you’ll swallow whatever bs they feed you because you hate conservatives.
Being the cop hater you are I’m sure you were all foaming at the month when the prison guards got that huge raise years back. Who gave it to them Reg? It’s like I’ve said before, large police groups support Democrats because they open the purses because it’s all about keeping that seat, not the fiscal responsiblity to the citizens that’s supposed to be their primary concern.
When these students are screaming about the raise in tuition they can thank the Dems for the unwise budget choices they’ve made for years now.
Here you go Reg, it goes into greater detail. As I’ve said before you don’t have a clue as to what I did as a cop, you’re just all mouth like the countless “punks” I’ve dealt with for years, nothing more.
California budget mess: Where did our money go? – San Jose Mercury …California budget mess: Where did our money go? By Paul Rogers. and Leigh Poitinger. Mercury News. Posted: 02/08/2009 12:00:00 AM PST …
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11649004 – Cached – Similar
In Reg’s world there would be no conservative representation in any political body. That a minority of them hold back the spend, spend, spend, tax, tax, tax dems here causes him to howl like the mad dog he is.
Tough Reg, deal with it like a man instead of the constant bitch machine you are. I’m sure the idiot from Cal will get your support in his attempt to change things so a simple majority vote will pass everything your socialist pals want passed in Sacramento.
Would somebody please explain to the drunk cop that this liberal, socialist state elected and re elected our current Republican governor? They should make cops pass the 6th grade before joining the force.
Surefire – your natterings about “socialism” are part of the problem. You’re operating out of ideological resentments that make no sense – and are particularly bizarre for a unionized public employee. You’ve got a GOP governor – and have had quite a few during the run-up to this mess – but you can’t take responsibility for him. Schwarznegger promised the voters a tax cut – the stupid demagogy about the “car tax” – and that he would balance the budget by “cutting waste” while building up a “rainy day fund.” People fell for it. I’m sure you did, even though you won’t man up. And yes, I think the prison guards union has raped the state – but crackpot, demagogic “law enforcement” strategies like the “war on drugs” and “3 strikes” has only increased their power.
You enjoy talking your game, but when it comes down to it, you’ve got nothing – except blaming stuff that is far from my version of good, efficient government and which fits snugly into your own right-wing POV. Do I respect all Dem politicians and think they’ve governed responsibly ? No. But the super-majority budget rules are nonsense and destroy any pretense of effective government. The truth is that all the righties want to do is run your mouths, take cheap shots but never present any plan to rein in spending that you can actually get passed. So your best “plan” is to make it impossible to govern and let the state go to hell. Righties don’t really give a shit. Adults would let the majority rule and vote them out of office if you don’t like their policies. Tthe worst pols who bear the most responsibility for the state and national deficits are those that worship all things Reagan and promise the electorate tax cuts but simply can’t produce when it comes to actually cutting spending. There is plenty of blame on the Dem side – but the “conservative” line of telling people that their taxes can be cut but not having anything resembling a serious plan to keep the books in reasonable balance over time is ridiculous. It’s childish and sheer demagogy. Schwarznegger’s meltdown isn’t because he’s a RINO – it’s because he played to the “conservative” peanut gallery with a line of horseshit in order to get himself elected. “Cut taxes-cut waste-rainy day fund!” Even without the deep recession it was a joke. Now his tax cuts – which were bullshit pandering – have helped deepen a disaster and he’s got no game plan. Guys like you talk a lot, but when it comes down to it there’s nothing but a bundle of bullshit and resentments – “conservatives” who rattle on about “socialists” ruining the state are childish and suckers for anything. I don’t hate conservatives incidentally – I just don’t see any. I see a bunch of demagogues who can’t come through when it matters. So yes, I’d like to see the legislature have the power to do what they’re supposed to do and come up with a plan to pay for the cost of government. If you can convince people to cut back those costs, then get back to me about your magic tax cuts. Otherwise, you’re just full of crap and blowing smoke. It’s that simple, whether you like it or not. And shove your “socialist” nonsense up your tax-payer-funded butt.
Incidentally, I read that Merc News article and it…uh…makes my point. Explicitly. (Of course Dems are part of the pig-fuck, but the super-majority rules, which apparently your screed was meant to defend, have made things worse, not better.) I see why you didn’t originally post the link.
Also, for our “conservative” readers, they might try following the commentary of this guy, economist Bruce Bartlett, for some conservative insights that have credibility, as opposed to partisan rancor, cheap shots and a “sore loser” complex:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-08-12/the-gops-misplaced-rage/full/
I don’t care what you think any part of any problem is Reg. I don’t care that you think you’re the only person that can figure out what’s going on with any subject talked about here. I don’t care what you think at all beacuse every time you open your mouth all you do is show what a self absorbed asshole you are.
Now go ahead and talk some more shit because it’s pretty obvious it’s the only thing you have.
It’s amazing you never mentioned the dems before hand but everyone is supposed to know that’s what you meant (Of course Dems are part of the pig-fuck..) and if you enjoy being taxed up the ass, which is what you’re apparently fine with it shows what a misguided sucker you truly are. What does the Reg checkbook look like?
Your words are so insane it’s hard for me to keep a straight face. You can’t be serious with this line..” The truth is that all the righties want to do is run your mouths, take cheap shots but never present any plan to rein in spending that you can actually get passed”. It wouldn’t matter what plan the conservatives came up with, the dems would trash it and you know it so your little song and dance is simple b.s. like always. Absent given the chance by the liberals assholes that run this state other choices have to be made, like the dems wouldn’t do it if the shoe was on the other foot.
And yeah Reg, I didn’t post the link because I thought it would give you ammo dip-shit, not because I rarely post links.
Surefire – you’re a total waste of time. Rage on, little man…
“Your words are so insane it’s hard for me to keep a straight face”
I know the feeling…
reg, you’ve totally lost it. Get back on the meds. Your whinning, attacks, and false claims add nothing but useless space to the comment sections.
I’m gonna ignore the stupid fighting (and surefire, when you don’t post the link readers don’t take your information seriously. That’s just how it works.)
Reg’s point about breaking California up probably has some merit, though there would also be major downsides. As long as we’re in fantasy land, I’d love to see states operate with different political parties from the national parties. The issues are often different as are the remedies, but voters often pick based on national priorities and platforms or on vague notions of personality.
“But the super-majority budget rules are nonsense and destroy any pretense of effective government.”
In the spirit of compromise, this tax-and-spend liberal would support a deal instituting pay-as-you-go rules in exchange for the repeal of prop 13. This means the legislative majority and executive can actually govern as they see fit and the voters will know who to throw out of office if things go bad (instead of the current situation where everybody blames “gridlock”). Additionally, you couldn’t institute new programs without paying for them (and I’d love the pay-go rules to account for business cycles) so politicians can’t give free lunches and bill us all later. Any takers?
I don’t do a lot of linking Mavis. I like investigating things and will look at various sources on any given story and make up my mind on where I stand based on what I find. How hard is it to google anyway?
That being said here’s a link for Reg and all the other Obama supporters here.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/obamas_home_teleprompter?utm_source=videoembed
If you’re quoting it in depth, you should probably link to it.
Why? Wasn’t it obvious there were facts presented that were easy enough to check? If I link to a source, let’s say anything from FOX or conservative websites many of you will just write it off anyway. Look at Reg’s response as it is, did the link really matter. All he does is make my point.
All you did was make my point…the full article totally supported what I wrote in my initial post. You’re sick-ass attitude doesn’t trump reality.
A police officer’s perspective on Ft. Hood and “political correctness” –
http://www.copinthehood.com/2009/11/political-correctness-kills.html
In your cloudy geriatric mind I’m sure you believe that Reg.
And in your bitter and burned out mind, I’m sure you believe all of the childish shit that you spout. Read the fucking article, moron.
Here’s the article in greater context:
“We got what we wanted and we’ve never figured out how to pay for it. And then we had this recession, and that made everything worse,” said Stephen Levy, director of the Palo Alto-based Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy.
“Everybody’s got somebody to blame, but in the end these are services people wanted,” Levy added. “Look at the screaming when you close a swimming pool, let alone try to cut education.”
The Mercury News analyzed state spending, line by line, from 2003 to 2008. The major conclusions:
# California’s general fund under Schwarzenegger’s tenure has grown 34.9 percent — from $76.3 billion in the 2003-04 fiscal year to $102.9 billion in 2007-08.
# But over that same period, population growth and inflation together grew by only 21.5 percent.
# If state spending had grown only at that rate, it would have reached $92.7 billion last year. Instead, Schwarzenegger and the Legislature spent $10.2 billion more.
“I wish it hadn’t grown that much,” said Mike Genest, Schwarzenegger’s state finance director, “but in some sense, it was inevitable. Had we stuck with a very austere budget, we would have been in better shape.”
“But that would have meant real, permanent reductions in service levels, like schools and health care and prison guard pay, and that would have required herculean effort from the Legislature. And there was no chance of that.”
Top Democrats cite voter initiatives as big drivers in the state’s spending — like the 1994 “three strikes” measure that increased the prison population, or Proposition 98, the 1988 measure guaranteeing at least 40 percent of the general fund for education. Add to that, they say, some major lawsuits the state lost, including a federal case requiring more spending to upgrade prison health care at about $1 billion a year so far.
“If you factor out voter initiatives and court suits, the remaining part of state government grew at or less than inflation and population growth,” said John Laird, a Santa Cruz Democrat who served as Assembly Budget Committee chairman from 2004 to 2008.
So looking at the past five years, where did that “extra” $10.2 billion of state spending above the rate of inflation and population growth go? The Mercury News found:
# The state prison system received the biggest share, about $4.1 billion of it. Corrections spending has increased fivefold since 1994. At $13 billion last year, it now exceeds spending on higher education. Tough laws and voter-approved ballot measures have increased the prison population 82 percent over the past 20 years. Meanwhile, former Gov. Gray Davis gave the powerful prison guards union a 30 percent raise from 2003 to 2008, increasing payroll costs.
# Public health spending — mostly Medi-Cal, the state program for the poor — received $2.9 billion above the rate of inflation and population growth. Part of that spike is due to an aging population; part is rising national health care costs. But state lawmakers also expanded Medi-Cal eligibility among children and low-income women a decade ago, increasing caseloads.
# Schwarzenegger’s first act as governor, signing an executive order to cut the vehicle license fee by two-thirds, blew a large hole in the state budget. It saved the average motorist about $200 a year but would have devastated the cities and counties that had been receiving the money. So Schwarzenegger agreed to repay them every year with state funds. That promise now costs the state $6 billion a year, or $2 billion more than the rate of inflation and population growth since early 2003.
# Spending on a few other areas, such as higher education, general government, transportation and environment, also grew faster — by about $1 billion each — than inflation and population over the past five years. That was mostly to cover debt payments on bonds that voters approved for parks and highways, along with moves to limit university tuition increases.
# Finally, general fund spending on K-12 schools and social services, like welfare, actually grew less than the rate of inflation and population growth.
‘What voters wanted’
Some budget observers say spending more than inflation and population growth is OK, particularly if the economy grows faster.
“The spending is not out of line. It’s what voters wanted, and some programs grow faster than the rate of inflation,” said Jean Ross, executive director of the nonprofit California Budget Project.
And here’s my comment on “conservative” (actually “reckless morons”) budget considerations:
“If the “fiscal conservatives†can figure out how to actually cut spending responsibly – as opposed to creating a crisis – I’ll take their proposals to cap taxes seriously. Until that day – which is unlikely to come – they are reckless clowns.”
A Harvard education means more chances to make connections, to network, it doesn’t mean someone received a better education than a guy from SC, Penn St. or any other major college.
Moskos is an idiot and his agenda is clear with how he trashes his fellow cops, bet he’s a real popular guy on the force. No wonder Reg uses his words as if they’re what most cops believe, but nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s not that cops are “less concerned with those policed” it’s that they recognize the assholes in that group and could care less about how they feel.
————
Moskos argues for drug legalization as the only realistic way to end drug violence and let cops once again protect and serve. Cop in the Hood shows how officers in the ghetto are less concerned with those policed than with self-preservation and maximizing overtime pay–yet how any one of them would give their life for a fellow officer. Moskos ventures deep behind the Thin Blue Line to disclose the inner workings of law enforcement in America’s inner cities.
I read it mother-fucker, put down the fucking pipe bitch.
At least have the honesty to blame the voters – which Schwarzie pandered to with his “kill the car tax” horseshit – rather than “liberals.”
Now I have to ask myself why I bother responding to a nasty guttersnipe POS…
Wasn’t Davis aliberal who caved to the guards and gave them the huge raise you idiots bitch about day in and day out?
You’re a fucking whiney bitch dude, clean up your fucking act or expect more of the same.
Your response to Moskos is your typical style. I have no idea what “most cops believe” and guess what, I don’t give a shit. Either respond to Moskos with something other than your usual bitter burn-out shit or STFU.
You’ve given us your best and you always come up sounding like a fucking, arrogant asshole…
I know you don’t give a shit, with that said why post his fucking comments if you don’t care anyway?
I’m the one still on the job, not some old fucking waste case sitting on his pc all day. You’re a fucking clown with a hard on for anyone who doesn’t see the world through your bloodhsot eyes.
I’m “whiney” ? At least I don’t try to worm out of responsibility for calling you out for the POS you are (“Ooooh, it’s all his fault. He made me say bad things.”) Talk about a bitch. You’re pathetic. My guess is that you haven’t “lasted on your playground” and the rest of your days are devoted to dealing with your own inner ugly. Good luck.
Lol, if you only knew Reg. Going to play poker little guy, I’ll leave you with the memories of how you ran from the Ft. Hood thread when it turned out all your thoughts on the terrorist mass murderer were just a bit off base.
You’re no challenge, just another poser.
Your words below Reggie. Pretty “absurd” that you could be so wrong?
Regarding Hasan, the reality is that individuals raised in our culture, as he was, and trained/educated primarily in the military but who turn and commit mass murders have, for what are probably complicated reasons, lost their way and have more than a couple of screws loose. To treat this mass murder as primarily political or religious – despite the obvious political and religious connections that can be drawn – rather than essentially pathological and deranged is absurd.
What a fucking dope.
Given what’s come out, I treat it primarily as a horrible institutional cowardice to deal with one of their own – and during Bush’s watch, no less which is when his emails were being monitered. Precisely the same kind of mentality that kept the Catholic church protecting child molesters and police departments letting animals keep their jobs.
I’m not revisiting this thread – haven’t “run” from any, because I’m not a burnout with unlimited time on my hands – because your an insecure, totally dishonest little weasel – crippled by anger – who isn’t worth a sane person’s time.
Incidentally, you started this thread with an attempt at a personal hit and a clipped “quote” that hid the fact that the article you cited supported my key point about the legislature being hobbled and GOPers’ being unable to effect spending cuts to match their tax cuts.
Those are the facts.
If this was a poker game, you’d have been wiped out when your hand showed.
You’re weak.
Actually I responded to your mad dog bs attack on conservatives, learn to read. I don’t hide anything ever, especially from a worthless low-life like you.
You’re a miserable bitch Reg, your wife has to be a saint.
“Actually I responded to your mad dog bs attack on conservatives”
No, you made it personal, as usual, from your very first reg-obsessed comment, which is a huge bore. Also, and more to the point, anyone who thinks California’s economic crisis is the fault of the LIBRULZ shows they have zero understanding of the economy. Zilch. It’s not a “conservative” issue, it’s not a “liberal” issue. Do your homework and leave your personal attacks at the door.
All liberals are boring, same old crap every day, the answer to our problems is spending more than we take in and taxing the citizens to make up the difference. It’s bending to the unions to make sure their taken care of so we can assure we have the votes to stay in office and continue our lavish life styles.
I don’t need to do anymore homework when I already know those are truths. Like a true liberal elitist you attempt to lecture those who disagree and we could care less you arrogant ass.
Regarding the content of your comment (which wasn’t much), it’s clear you’re either being willfully ignorant or are just plain ignorant. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Start educating yourself with something like this:
http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/blog/comments/the-great-housing-bubble1/
Once again, for the tone-deaf: you can pretend California’s financial crisis is due to THE EVIL LIBRULZZZ, but you will be wrong. You can say it until you’re blue in the face, and it won’t affect reality.
Incidentally, it’s also funny how you constantly whine about being insulted by people, and yet your responses are always full of insults. Educate yourself.
When an idiot calls me a bore or any other name I give it back a little so spare me your bs Scott.
Let’s be clear, here: I said your obsessions with reg are a bore. You might be a helluva guy. But your constant whining about reg is a fucking bore. That’s not an insult, it’s an observation–one every commenter I’m sure would agree with.
Your comments on the economy aren’t so much boring as wrong.
You’re misguided at best, I’ve made single comments to Reg where he makes multiple comments back. Don’t let the facts get in your way on our history, your limited thoughts show it really doesn’t matter now does it?
It’s our own war but since you appear to be cut from the same mold of Reg, without the constant vulgarity, I’d expect nothing less in a response from you.
As for my comments on the economy, Obama and his henchmen have done nothing but dig us into a bigger hole and no link you send me to is going to change that. The public, with his approval rate falling more on a weekly basis, is another indicator that the idiotoc love affair the electorate had with him is coming to an end.
More people out of work, a still failing economy, the weakness he projects to the average citizen when dealing with foreign governments, his decision on the terrorists trials in New York and his indecisiveness on Afganistan is hard for him to overcome with his only true ability, to talk and talk and talk.
“As for my comments on the economy, Obama and his henchmen have done nothing but dig us into a bigger hole and no link you send me to is going to change that”
Another example that shows you have no idea what you’re talking about. If you think the economy was going to “recover” within two years, or even four, when the fallout from the recession from ’01 was postponed through bottomed-out interest rates, when the Fed, Wall Street, banks, and idiot homeowners all participated in liar loans and a Ponzi scheme of epic proportions, when we still have huge waves of foreclosures backlogged and thousands of Option-Arm loans ready to re-set, then you don’t understand how the economy works. And if you think the Democrats (in California or otherwise) were more responsible than Republicans for this, and that Obama or any other president would have magically made it all disappear by now, then you’re either ignorant or intellectually dishonest.
Look, I don’t care what you believe, but when you spout false comments about the “fault” of the bottomed-out economy, I’m going to call you on it.