Isn't CA's top state tax rate 10.3%? Isn't that one of the highest in the USA? Wouldn't that make it a "high tax state"? (Colorado's state tax rate is not graduated, but rather a flat 4.63%... therefore 10.3% seem "high") And is THAT the essence of the of the thread? I'm beginning to think you just like to nit-pick and argue... reminds me of my wife..
I could go on and on about taxation in California, but why you seem to think that taxation is the basis for making the claim about SOCIALISM is absolutely beyond me. Don't all states in the union require some sort of taxation? Aren't a majority of states RAISING TAXES in order to make up for the lack of corporate tax, wage, and property tax revenues? Why is California any different than what is impacting state budgets across this country? Why does this seem to be such a "new" concept to you??? It's basic Economics. I REPEAT: The newly passed budget allows for a PERMANENT $1 BILLION dollar corporate tax break - - - directed mostly at multi-state and multinational companies that do business in California. It is an incentive for business to EXPAND operations in California; or at least not leave. And you call that a "Road Map to Socialism"??? I'm sorry, but your "Road Map to Socialism" and the means in which you go about to support such a claim is rather simplistic, if not bizarre. Perhaps its because it fits so neat and tidy with your political views.
I hate to rain on anyone's parade but Florida has some serious budget difficulties as well. Florida has no state income tax, Republican Governor and thoroughly dominated Republican Legislature. Can't blame current financial problems on socialism here...
Businesses and individuals make long term decisions based on their belief about what the rules will be in the future, will the current rules persist, and will there be consistency. If someone has their foot on your throat and then lets up a little, and says lets be friends and do business. I think I would rather find someone who didn't put their foot on my throat in the first place. I wouldn't start a business or build a factory in California because I know I might be a target in the future and it is not easy to relocate then. Better to go to S. Carolina, Alabama, etc. where you would be appreciated and could make long term plans. Stosh
The only problem in that arrangement is that Universities are far superior in Cali and Northeast. UCLA, Berkeley, Cal Tech, Stanford, MIT have no equals in the Southeast.
Thats why our founding fathers established a REPUBLIC. And that's why its enemies spend their whole lives attacking it.
Who said anything about Democracy? We are a federal constitutional Republic. By the way, California is only ranked 17th in the Nation for property taxes as a percentage of income (3.17%) in 2006. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/PropertyTaxesWhereDoesYourStateRank.aspx
I've lost a lot of faith in big name schools and their products in recent years. Besides intellectual capital is mobile....they will come to where good jobs, challenges, and freedom exists. Stosh
Yes, but it is still based on one person, one vote with virtually no qualifications to be met. The vote of the ignorant and irresponsible counts the same as the wise and hard working. And which group do you think is growing the fastest? Stosh