I am headed to California, which is on the brink of a fiscal meltdown. The not-so-golden state is so broke it can’t buy a crippled crab a crutch.
I went to Stanford Law School because it is located in California. While I am a city girl to the bone, I enjoyed wine tastings in Napa Valley, camping in Yosemite National Park and hiking in Muir Woods.
I lived in Russian Hill for a few years after graduation. One of my favorite pastimes was walking up the hills of San Francisco.
When I went out of town, I would look back at the skyline and wave good-bye. But that was then. Now, I shake my head and think, WTF?!
San Francisco spends $180 million each year on homeless programs, but the city has lost control of its public spaces. Street people sleep on sidewalks and panhandlers are everywhere.
And get this: Illegal immigrants are given sanctuary and a photo identification card to make it easier for them to access city services.
San Francisco’s $438 million budget deficit is a microcosm of a state that is spending beyond its means.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledged that "health care and other services for illegal immigrants cost California taxpayers as much as $6 billion a year." With a projected $24.3 billion deficit, the state is expected to run out of money in July.
And as for a federal bailout, President Barack Obama and taxpayers say, No way, Jose.
Besides, the federal government is also busted.
