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$4.4 billion is the number the Governator is looking at in terms of new taxes.  In a state that's going to be facing a hard hitting recession, this is the last thing Californians want.

Of course, right now it's still in the proposal stage but it looks likely to pass.  Already Schwartzy has terminated spending on education, social services, health care and prisons.  So does that mean students now will be writing on the ground with rocks while teachers use poop smears to teach?

Three thoughts hit me in spotting this move:

• California needs to be split into three (maybe even four) states
• Californians need to realize that no matter who's in charge, they're screwed
• Time to get the hell out of California!

California Should Be Split Up

No politician would want this.  Probably most Californians wouldn't want this (because they wouldn't know what it meant).  But the state just is far too big to manage now.  I've been saying it for a while and I'll say it again: south, central and north.  This is the only sensible configuration (unless they make San Diego its own state as well).  Northern California certainly deserves its own government.  They are one of the most liberal and progress areas in the world.  Being held back on gay marriage rights, etc. just has been a detriment to them, especially as a progressive cultural icon.  Often times I've read about how different areas in California have been battling for funding.  Why should LA people pay for bridges they'll never use in SF?

Maybe even three states will not be enough.  Looking at the East coast, you'll see how the landscape is very diverse and gives people more options.  I mean, you really have different mindsets in Orange County vs San Diego vs LA, which would compose the initial Southern California component.  Probably Orange County would see far more Republican voters akin to Georgia.  Although I'm not Republican I do think it's fair for them to have that option of living in their own little world.  And don't forget Riverside.  Not everyone is a liberal, cutting edge techie.

Budget-wise, it makes more sense too.  I don't really see Central California needing as much money for schools as say LA (which has awful school systems).  But LA is in bad need of a better public transportation system.  It's possible in my mind that because California is just so large, they can't even spend for a better public transportation system.

You Elected Him, You Got Him

I hate being pegged as someone who comes from California on the basis of my governor.  Like George Carlin, I refused to vote in that stupid campaign that tossed a perfectly decent governor out of office and put an inexperienced roid-head in charge.  But now Californians might start realizing that he's not really on their side.  When their taxes go up, they won't have anyone else to blame but themselves for picking someone who has several years and multiple chances to enact reform, but instead finally admitted to getting rid of necessary programs and increasing people's taxes.  In short, you fucked up big time Californians.

Move out!

I like LA in general but the city is ridiculous.  California seems ready to become a parody of itself and there's no good reason for me to live there when there's plenty of other fine states to grow my own wealth.  There's just too many issues to solve in California and without it breaking up to be able to better manage itself, it seems like the short term option is to find a new place that won't be detriment to my pocket book.

People who live in LA should really consider that the sun and beaches are the ONLY true benefits of living there.  But the rest of the place has gone to hell.