It was bound to happen...

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by TheGame

The Fed isn't dictating this, you can call it that, but once again past decisions led to this.

No but the Fed does everything BUT dictate this by holding billions over their head like a cudgel. If the Federal government were to actually take over control formally, I think the constitution would literally explode and take out the entire Library of Congress. This is a Constitutional end-around, and everyone knows it.

California has been in debt for as long as I can remember. And it was our state government's decision to take the money. If they had their sh** together to begin with we wouldn't have this problem.

To me, the dire straits of California are a reason NOT to meddle with their budget, especially when they're trying to CUT IT. Also, did the Federal government let the states know that they would be micromanaging them if they took advantage of the stimulus money? No. I wouldn't be this offended if they had. Also, the amount of money being offered is near or more than the total tax revenue of the state and meanwhile they're billions in the red. California was made "an offer they couldn't refuse", but it was never in the power of the Federal government to make the offer in the first place.

And I think only pushing one thing that only accounts for 1% of the funds provided is perfectly reasonable. It'd be unreasonable, if they gave the funds... and then pushed for a lot more to be done, I can't label an exact line on it cause its grey.. but I'd say it depends on how long the state had the money also. 1% this early in is nothing...

Except a violation of the 10th amendment. Thats a sticking point with me, and I don't think there should be any exceptions regardless of the situation. Once we start bending our constitutional laws, I think we will twist them until they don't resemble what they once were. It's human nature.

This is a dangerous precedent, IMO. Once a government begins to take power, they normally don't give it back, or stop acquiring it. This administration's hand has been VERY heavy, beginning with business, and now with California. I'm curious to see if this will happen with other states.

If it stops HERE, I think what has happened hasn't been that bad and in some cases may work out. But we're barely over 100 days in this administration, and so far the precedent that's being set does not bode well for future governmental decisions.