Government Incompetence

[swchandler]

Just curious mrgybe, what country in the world would be your ideal? I was under the impression that it was the US, and that's why you immigrated here, but seemingly I'm wrong about that. Your commentary indicates that you're particularly unhappy with the government here and how it's run. Moreover, you're at odds with what the majority of Americans believe in. If you think that your conservative ideas and those pedaling it will save the day, I think that you'll be sadly disappointed.

[keycocker]

When choosing a country, those that lack a healthy educated population are unlikely to even be considered.
I have seen lists of the best places to live and the countries with socialist leanings like Sweden, France, and the US seem to dominate at the top.
The citizens are not always Socialists, but the resultant societies are a lot more enjoyable in my experience.
Myself - I am an oldfashioned Conservative of the type not represented by the GOP these days. Residents of GOP states like Mississippi are much more the New GOP style.

[mrgybe]

[pueno]

[swchandler]

techno900, I'm surprised that you can't open the link that you posted, so I wonder why you offered it.

With respect to my view of conservatives and their ideas, I think you would be surprised to learn that many of the ideas I hold are in fact quite conservative in nature. However, for the most part, I tend to be more liberal overall, particularly when it comes down to lifestyle issues. That's why the majority of dialog and commentary from the hard right really turns me off. Their views are consistently so negative and fatalistic, and often linked with religious nonsense. They're also so quick with the socialist and communism labels these days, and seem ready to flush what they don't like about our society. When it comes down to you and me, you're clearly more negative about much around you, and are much more ready to shovel out blame.

I have to ask whether you took some time to review the list of California agencies you posted. Did you note that the list included all the state university and university systems in the state? Higher education is something that greatly improves our standards of living and the quality of life. I'm surprised that you look at them as evidence of a bloated and failing California.

[techno900]

swchandler,

A little confusion, the link I posted, I can open. Your copy of it I can't open.

Actually, I did see all the colleges and universities listed, which are state supported agencies. Good schools no doubt, but nevertheless a drain of tax dollars. There are probably many more essential state agencies in California, but the point of the list was the startling visual one gets by actually seeing all of them listed. The question you should be asking is which agencies could the state do away with to help keep your head above water?

What the hard right might say about California is that instead of the state trying to shrink government, they would look at the extensive list of agencies and ask what they are missing and what could be added to make it better with no regard for all the holes in the ship that are causing it to sink.

[swchandler]

techno900, the reason you couldn't open the link in my post is the fact that I included a quotation mark at the end of it, and seemingly it became attached to the link. I think that you're probably aware that when quoting someone, it's appropriate that quotation marks be included at the beginning and end of the quote.

I'm sad to hear that you think California's university systems are a drain of tax dollars. While I don't think of California's university systems a state agency, I seriously doubt that there are any more essential state agencies in California.

[mrgybe]

SWC.........I know you will want to respond in support of your statement.

[mac]

Techno--You've said nothing about my post about what the actual costs are, or what has been cut. You are excused for not having inside knowledge of California, but forming opinions without some grasp of facts does not distinguish you from your peers.

[keycocker]

Nearly every thinking person has opinions on subjects where they have limited data. This is part of the reason we post here among others with varying expertise and data to work from.