The Californization of Washington [America]

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	FWC: The Californization of Washington [America]
Date:	Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:22:47 -0800
From:	Jas Jain

Lest we forget Californicators elected an average actor turned corporate pitchman, "Ronaldus Magnus," and later a very successful bodybuilder-actor, "Governator," as governors. Of course, Ronnie was later elected the President of the US and he did a lot for the wealthy and nothing for the working folks, but he made them feel good. Dope may make people feel good temporarily but it has bad consequences later. That is precisely what Americans are in for. The process did begin under Reagan-Greenspan. What brought Governator to power says a lot about a bad political system.  

Jas

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704541304575099371249822654.html

MARCH 4, 2010

The Californization of Washington

California's economy is large, rich and vibrant. It accounts for more than $1 of every $7 of goods and services produced in the U.S. and is bigger than all but seven countries. California has less taxpayer-backed state debt per person than Massachusetts and less as a percentage of its economy than New York, according to rating agency Standard & Poor's.

By such measures, California, though hit hard by the recession and housing bust, would seem an unlikely candidate for a government that might not pay its debts. But it is, the result of a dysfunctional political system that combines well-financed referendums, super-majorities in the legislature and politicians unable to grapple with fundamental issues. Talk, now fading, is that only a constitutional convention can fix things.

The future, it's often said, arrives in California first. Is Washington next? The stalemate over health-care legislation, despite widespread acknowledgment that the status quo is unsustainable, underscores the inability of the political system to cope with complex, long-term fiscal issues. Call it the Californization of America.
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