Letter from Jerry Brown to the people of California...

[YvonneCa]

...here:

http://www.jerrybrown.org/sites/default/files/GovernorsLetter12_5_11-1.pdf

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. More taxes. But considering what's been happening to the elderly and poor and disabled in CA

that's okay. Go Jerry!

[YvonneCa]

3. I agree. Both are temporary...

...taxes. Both are to be used for necessities during California's fiscal crisis. And the people get to vote on them.

Governor Brown is a fair man.

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. +10

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. Has there ever been a temporary tax?

It seems to me you can go all the way back to the SF earthquake of 89 during the World Series... a "temporary" sales tax increase was imposed. It's still on the books.

[Luminous Animal]

4. Well, the elderly, the poor, and the disabled won't see a cent of this.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. I'm a disabled Californian, so I'm hoping that we will.

[Luminous Animal]

2. So, how much for education and how much for "public safety"? How much in cuts

of each will be restored?

[YvonneCa]

6. Both are good questions. I do not know...

...the details, either.

I thought I heard somewhere that...at least for education...the goal was to prevent FURTHER midyear cuts to current, already pared-to-the-bone programs. I could be wrong about that.

[Pachamama]

7. The wealthy need to pay more...

I know & live amongst those that will have to pay 2 % more....i assure that none of them will have to give up qnything or change their lives or suffer in any way....

Meanwhile, our state has been suffering, particulary the students and communities that have had to endure the severe budget cuts.

I fully support this & I believe so will the voters of CA.

[YvonneCa]

8. I support it...

...to, Pachamama. It's good to see you still around here... :hi:

[Pachamama]

9. Recently returned from a DU Sabbaticcal....

Mostly due to health reasons....had been dealing with Melanoma....but I'm good....

Nice to see old DUers are still here..... :hi:

[YvonneCa]

10. Glad you are doing better. Any kind...

...of cancer is no fun. Hang in there. We old DUers have to keep kicking around... :7

[Kablooie]

16. You're right. just change a few numbers on a page and millions of lives will be improved...

And no one's lifestyle will be compromised.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. It's a very good letter.

I hope that he can get this done.

[YvonneCa]

15. So do I. I'm glad he's...

...not like Walker in WI, using our financial problems as an excuse to go after collective bargaining.

[Jack Sprat]

14. Same as national problem, is it not?

republicans want to starve government so that it cannot spend money on citizens in dire need. The prevailing attitude is "I'm okay, too bad about you." American individualism is being exalted as American collectivism is constantly berated. I see an eventual breakdown in society with divisions among citizens growing ever deeper. One nation united is an old cliche without meaning in the modern world. It is truly sad when a nation turns against itself.