When Stockton declares bankruptcy in a few weeks – which it almost certainly will do unless creditors agree to accept pennies on the dollar –it will be the largest city ever to declare bankruptcy.
Is there any solution to save Stockton? Cut spending, says DNCPhil. Face down the unions, says St. Croix. Well they have done both – they laid off a quarter of the police force at a time when the state is forcing them to jail state prisoners. The result -58 murders this year and a growing crime wave. They fired a nearly a third of the fire department – the result, a lot of smoldering buildings when fires break out.
Of course, before 1979 Stockton could count on a healthy share of property tax revenues to balance its budget. But that all ended following Prop 13 and now get they a fraction of what they use to get.
Stockton can’t afford to spend money on pest control. The result-rats roam City Hall. And don’t drink from that water fountain – the water comes from 1920s pipes and is full of lead. Stockton bought a gleaming office building with plans to move City Hall there – but they can’t afford the move. So the building they bought sits vacant.
But hey there’s good news – if you live in Stockton you pay next to nothing in property tax bc of the combination of Prop 13 and sinking houses prices. I’d buy some property there myself if I wasn’t so adverse to rats.
Which California city will be next to fall?
...that paying taxes actually matters? Property taxes is what funds local communities. It funds police, fire fighters, it keep libraries and public schools open, it's the admission fee for living in a civilized community.
This is what it looks like when entire civilizations begin to collapse.
civilization looks like 9/11 .
But that's exactly what they want. Talk about parasites. They'll suck all the wealth out of the public interest that they can, until we become quasi feudal. As many developing countries as I have been to, we're starting to look just like them. The SAPs and govt corruption has sucked them all dry, and entire buildings remain vacant.
When I was in Thailand last (late 90s), Mahboonkrong center, a huge shopping complex, had lights on on only the first few floors (it's like 8 stories high). The escalators were all turned off to save on electricity. It was sad and depressing- so desolate. Their economy was hurting pretty badly then. This is what the US is beginning to look like.
(although from recent photos, looks like they've been more prosperous since.)
They want a servant class. A caste system. I'm convinced.
As long as they have theirs, screw everyone else. Sadly, they don't understand John Donne's famous and entirely prescient poem:
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
This is what it looks like when entire civilizations begin to collapse.
I've never met anyone more consumed by a topic, and that individual does not even live in California. I sure hope your basketball game and sex life have more moves than your current affair topics.
First, I really don't give a shit about Stockton. Second, let them file for bankruptcy. That's what it's there for. Third, they could have followed San Jose and San Diego. They just passed measures this past Tuesday limiting their "LEGACY" costs. Both passed with close to 70% approval. Unions plan to fight it in court. There are options. Remember we talked about legacy costs being the biggest burden on local and state governments.
You really haven't thought this issue through, have you? I don't even think Prop 13 is even relevant. Back in 1979 Stockton was nothing but a dirt town in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley. Think mari, when did most of Stockton's growth occur? When did most of Stockton's housing growth occur? What were the assessed values of those homes when they were built? What happened shortly after this massive building boon? Stockton is reassessing property values from a high of $350K to about $150K. That is the value of the property. Nothing to do with Prop 13.
Do your research before you come to class tomorrow.
-- Modified on 6/7/2012 8:47:43 PM
Actually, I thought I did a great job of covering the largest city bankruptcy in US history, the release of state prisoners and resulting crime wave, proof that California has a revenue problem that overrides their spending problem at the moment, and even Prop 13 for good measure.
The link expressly listed declining property tax revenues as a part of he problem. Good point on the time line but still not persuasive bc if you raised the property tax and increased city contributions you go a long way to helping their revenue problem. No wait, let's spend money on the High Speed Train to Nowhere instead. LOL
The only themes I didn't work in were drones and Roman Polnanski. But even there I started to throw in a gratuitious reference to the Tacocopter - the delivery of tacos by helicopter drones - until I learned that the service has not started in stockton yet.
But don't worry St. Croix, I hear ya- I'm thinking of expanding my posting portfolio to "there is no god." I'm sure you agree that we all need to be reminded of that more often.
-- Modified on 6/8/2012 6:11:45 AM
Obviously, the Unions don't give the least fuck about anything but seniority. Last hired, first fired.
Other than that, what do the Unions give a shit about?
Safety? What "The Public" cares about?
Next thing you will tell us, is that Culinary gives a shit about food. Or how "food" should taste? If it is safe to eat? GIVE US A BREAK... if food is "unsafe" the first people Culinary will point their finger at is management.
Perhaps police give the least fuck about criminality? Of firefighters (heroes) give a shit about the heat of fires?
Unions couldn't give a shit less about anyone else other than DUES PAYERS. It is about "PAY UP, SUCKA!"
The last ass-munch Unionite in Stockton, CA doesn't give the least shit about Californians. He gives a shit about getting paid. If he gets paid $400,000 and Stockton burns to the ground, what the fuck does he care?
He got paid...