The budget crisis is certainly a hot topic these days. I'd like to know California, how did we get here?

In the recent special election on May 19th, voters overwhelmingly, (60%), rejected 5 out of 6 ballot measures that were designed to help pull us out of the ever so deepening budget crisis; a landslide. Understandably, nobody likes taxes, I get it; but taxes are the cost of civilization, our way of life - we get what we pay for.

No matter how the elections would have played out, we were still going to face drastic cuts. It's just a matter of what is getting eliminated or cut and by how much. Legislators are now trying to decide how to minimize the casualties. Even more frightening, if there is no budget in place by July 1, 2009, which is, um, in about 2 weeks, California comes to a grinding halt. This is not to scare you, but rather, it’s the harsh reality of the situation.

So what’s the mindset that’s been created by this crisis, you ask? Well, for starters... let’s cut services to the poor so that more people have to turn to crime. Then, to deal with the increase in crime, let’s make laws tougher, hire more police, prosecutors, judges and build more prisons. Do you mean to tell me that in LA County, we can’t afford to give someone General Relief but we can afford to pay a judge over $200,000 in yearly wages? We are laying-off teachers and trying to hire more police; where are our priorities? Think that’s bad? It gets better folks. Let’s sell our landmarks and our parks to generate revenue, (I was thinking about bidding on San Quentin. Anyone interested in going half?)

Think I’m exaggerating? Let's take a look at what’s on the chopping block:

— Doing away with a welfare-to-work program that more than 500,000 families participate in.

— Terminating health coverage for nearly 1 million children as well as cutting Medi-Cal coverage for dialysis, breast and cervical cancer treatment for those over age 65, and ending non-emergency health care for undocumented immigrants.

— Cutting $335 million in funding for the University of California and California State University systems and phasing out the Cal Grant college aid program for students.

— Cutting general fund money to state parks by 50% this year and eliminating it entirely next year.

— Releasing of non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenders one year early.

What are we doing people? How did it all get turned so upside down? Once upon a time, we were the envy of the world. We can’t continue to let “California Dreaming” turn into the California Nightmare!

Thoughts?