[jyl]

California voters caused much of these problems by passing prop 13, prop 98, and constant bond measures. The voters also seemed unconcerned by the extreme gerry-mandering that locks the state in a legislative stalemate at budget time. Failing to pass prop 77 (2005) was idiotic. Finally passing prop 11 (2008) was a long over-due move in the right direction.

I'm not trying to bash California voters uniquely. Here in Oregon we have the ridiculous kicker law which makes it all but impossible to accumulate a sufficient emergency reserve.