[jayasena]

Sonambule, I don\'t necessarily disagree with you.  But when you\'re talking about cutting either a)k-12 education b)taking on state employees\' unions c)cutting prisons and d)cutting Medicaid, or e)cutting higher education, and you probably need to cut at least three of the five to make budgets balance, the choice is complicated.

K-12 education is pretty dismal as it is. That needs major reform which should include how it\'s financed. Look no further than GM to see the end result of unsustainable unions (state or otherwise). Prison system in CA and the US in general is a disaster for people in and out of it. Medicaid cuts are only necessary because the cost of healthcare is ridiculously high -- and that needs to be addressed for various reasons (including business competitiveness).

This is only complex because of entrenched interests. Not from a logical point of view.

[jayasena]

Sonambule, I don\'t necessarily disagree with you.  But when you\'re talking about cutting either a)k-12 education b)taking on state employees\' unions c)cutting prisons and d)cutting Medicaid, or e)cutting higher education, and you probably need to cut at least three of the five to make budgets balance, the choice is complicated.

K-12 education is pretty dismal as it is. That needs major reform which should include how it\'s financed. Look no further than GM to see the end result of unsustainable unions (state or otherwise). Prison system in CA and the US in general is a disaster for people in and out of it. Medicaid cuts are only necessary because the cost of healthcare is ridiculously high -- and that needs to be addressed for various reasons (including business competitiveness).

This is only complex because of entrenched interests. Not from a logical point of view.