The State of California Needs to Enter Rehab."
<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --><!-- message -->2012 Libertarian Presidential Hopeful Wayne Root Says 20,000 California Government Employees Losing Their Jobs is Not a Disaster- "It's a Start in the Right Direction."
Root Says, "The State of California Needs to Enter Rehab."
Las Vegas, NV-February 17, 2009-California's budget crisis and legislative standoff has brought the state to what the politicians call the brink of disaster. Wayne Allyn Root, 2008 Libertarian Party Vice Presidential Nominee and 2012 Libertarian Presidential hopeful, doesn't understand why California laying off 20,000 government employees is called a "disaster." Root says, "This is a crisis caused by too many government employees in the first place. Government has grown too big, too powerful, too bloated. 20,000 people losing their jobs is certainly a terrible thing under normal circumstances. But 20,000 government employees being laid off in California is a good start. It's moving in the right direction. The biggest danger to California's future is NOT earthquakes or global warming- it is bankruptcy and state default on debts of over $40 billion. Government debt is the true crisis that threatens to destroy the future of the children and grandchildren of California citizens."
Root described the tragedy of out-of-control government employee union spending: "Bloated government employee salaries, pensions and health care benefits are drowning California (and America) in debt. We have expanded government too fast. We have hired too many government bureaucrats. We have given far too much power to public school teachers unions and government employee unions. Unions destroyed Detroit; the state of Michigan; and 'The Big 3' automakers. Unions have wrecked our public school system. Now government employee unions threaten to turn all of America into one big Detroit. Unfunded liabilities for government union employees have buried California under an avalanche of debt. We must end the cycle. Spending more and hiring more government employees cannot prevent bankruptcy- it can only hasten the looming disaster."
Root described California's problem: "Increasing the size of government isn't the solution, it is the problem. California pays their government employees the highest compensation in the nation, and spends the most money on education in the nation. The results of this spending addiction are no coincidence- the state of California has the highest budget deficit; among the worst public schools (despite spending the most money); and the lowest bond ratings among 50 states. California is on the brink of economic Armageddon because of out-of-control government spending. Too many public employees, being paid far too much, are a centerpiece of this crisis."
But Root points out that the federal government has the exact same problem. "We presently have a $5 trillion dollar unfunded liability disaster looming over American taxpayer heads from the cost of retirement for federal government employees. In private industry the way to survive this economic downturn is clear- cut budgets; lay off employees; cut salaries; and reduce benefits. Why should government be any different? Why is a 'privileged government class' treated differently than all of us in the private sector? Instead of Obama's plans to dramatically expand government and hire hundreds of thousands of new federal employees and public school teachers, and give raises to millions of state and local government employees, we should be going in the opposite direction."
According to Root the solution is clear: "We must cut our losses now and save our country from bankruptcy by laying off public employees; instituting hiring freezes; cutting government budgets drastically; rescinding guaranteed pay increases; reforming overly-generous pension plans; and if possible, eliminating retiree health benefits altogether. Government employees should be living under the same rules as the rest of us. Government employees should be suffering and sacrificing just like the rest of us. Government employees must live within their means- just like the rest of us. The days of paying California civil servants 40% to 60% higher compensation and pension packages than private sector employees are over. That is what got us into this mess in the first place."
Root calls the loss of 20,000 government jobs sad and unfortunate. "I don't like to see anyone lose their job. Each job loss is a personal tragedy. But unfortunately government jobs are the albatross that is sinking our economy. The loss of 20,000 government jobs in California is a good start. We either cut a few government jobs, or we all go under. We need many more layoffs and cuts in government to stave off the bankruptcy of the state of California. While private industry is cutting budgets and employees, government must also deal with its spending addiction. The same rules apply to government. The state of California needs to enter Rehab."
Root compares government layoffs to the 'Black Box' in an airplane disaster. "If it takes an epic financial crisis to finally cut a measly 20,000 government jobs in California, then this crisis may yet turn out to be our 'Black Box.' When a plane crashes, something good can come out of a tragedy because of the black box. What we learn from that black box can save millions of future lives. Because of the black box, those plane crash victims did not die in vain. They are instead turned into heroes by what we are able to learn from the black box...
California needs to learn a valuable lesson about its spending addiction. We must do more than cut the annual increases in spending. We must cut the actual budget. My bet is that if California lays off 20,000 government employees, the average citizen won't even notice they are missing. This crisis will subside and we'll find out that we can survive just fine without all these layers of government bureaucrats. As a matter of fact, we may find that our lives actually improve. We need to get back to the American values of personal responsibility, self-reliance and individualism. If it is to be, it is up to me, NOT government."
Root compares capitalism to government. "Capitalism only had one bad year. Government has lost money in virtually every department, every year since inception. President Obama wants CEO's to be held accountable and responsible for their losses and waste. Well I agree. But I think it's time government played by the same rules as business. If they did, the President and our Congress would all be in prison for defrauding the American taxpayers. It's time for change. Let's hope the 20,000 government employee layoffs in California are merely a good start in the right direction."
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book will be released by John Wiley & Sons this Spring entitled, "The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts." The book is available for pre-sale at Amazon.com. Wayne also happens to be Barack Obama's college classmate (Columbia University Class of '83). For more of Wayne's views, commentaries, or to watch his many media interviews, please visit his web site at: www.ROOTforAmerica.com
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<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --><!-- message -->2012 Libertarian Presidential Hopeful Wayne Root Says 20,000 California Government Employees Losing Their Jobs is Not a Disaster- "It's a Start in the Right Direction."
Root Says, "The State of California Needs to Enter Rehab."
Las Vegas, NV-February 17, 2009-California's budget crisis and legislative standoff has brought the state to what the politicians call the brink of disaster. Wayne Allyn Root, 2008 Libertarian Party Vice Presidential Nominee and 2012 Libertarian Presidential hopeful, doesn't understand why California laying off 20,000 government employees is called a "disaster." Root says, "This is a crisis caused by too many government employees in the first place. Government has grown too big, too powerful, too bloated. 20,000 people losing their jobs is certainly a terrible thing under normal circumstances. But 20,000 government employees being laid off in California is a good start. It's moving in the right direction. The biggest danger to California's future is NOT earthquakes or global warming- it is bankruptcy and state default on debts of over $40 billion. Government debt is the true crisis that threatens to destroy the future of the children and grandchildren of California citizens."
Root described the tragedy of out-of-control government employee union spending: "Bloated government employee salaries, pensions and health care benefits are drowning California (and America) in debt. We have expanded government too fast. We have hired too many government bureaucrats. We have given far too much power to public school teachers unions and government employee unions. Unions destroyed Detroit; the state of Michigan; and 'The Big 3' automakers. Unions have wrecked our public school system. Now government employee unions threaten to turn all of America into one big Detroit. Unfunded liabilities for government union employees have buried California under an avalanche of debt. We must end the cycle. Spending more and hiring more government employees cannot prevent bankruptcy- it can only hasten the looming disaster."
Root described California's problem: "Increasing the size of government isn't the solution, it is the problem. California pays their government employees the highest compensation in the nation, and spends the most money on education in the nation. The results of this spending addiction are no coincidence- the state of California has the highest budget deficit; among the worst public schools (despite spending the most money); and the lowest bond ratings among 50 states. California is on the brink of economic Armageddon because of out-of-control government spending. Too many public employees, being paid far too much, are a centerpiece of this crisis."
But Root points out that the federal government has the exact same problem. "We presently have a $5 trillion dollar unfunded liability disaster looming over American taxpayer heads from the cost of retirement for federal government employees. In private industry the way to survive this economic downturn is clear- cut budgets; lay off employees; cut salaries; and reduce benefits. Why should government be any different? Why is a 'privileged government class' treated differently than all of us in the private sector? Instead of Obama's plans to dramatically expand government and hire hundreds of thousands of new federal employees and public school teachers, and give raises to millions of state and local government employees, we should be going in the opposite direction."
According to Root the solution is clear: "We must cut our losses now and save our country from bankruptcy by laying off public employees; instituting hiring freezes; cutting government budgets drastically; rescinding guaranteed pay increases; reforming overly-generous pension plans; and if possible, eliminating retiree health benefits altogether. Government employees should be living under the same rules as the rest of us. Government employees should be suffering and sacrificing just like the rest of us. Government employees must live within their means- just like the rest of us. The days of paying California civil servants 40% to 60% higher compensation and pension packages than private sector employees are over. That is what got us into this mess in the first place."
Root calls the loss of 20,000 government jobs sad and unfortunate. "I don't like to see anyone lose their job. Each job loss is a personal tragedy. But unfortunately government jobs are the albatross that is sinking our economy. The loss of 20,000 government jobs in California is a good start. We either cut a few government jobs, or we all go under. We need many more layoffs and cuts in government to stave off the bankruptcy of the state of California. While private industry is cutting budgets and employees, government must also deal with its spending addiction. The same rules apply to government. The state of California needs to enter Rehab."
Root compares government layoffs to the 'Black Box' in an airplane disaster. "If it takes an epic financial crisis to finally cut a measly 20,000 government jobs in California, then this crisis may yet turn out to be our 'Black Box.' When a plane crashes, something good can come out of a tragedy because of the black box. What we learn from that black box can save millions of future lives. Because of the black box, those plane crash victims did not die in vain. They are instead turned into heroes by what we are able to learn from the black box...
California needs to learn a valuable lesson about its spending addiction. We must do more than cut the annual increases in spending. We must cut the actual budget. My bet is that if California lays off 20,000 government employees, the average citizen won't even notice they are missing. This crisis will subside and we'll find out that we can survive just fine without all these layers of government bureaucrats. As a matter of fact, we may find that our lives actually improve. We need to get back to the American values of personal responsibility, self-reliance and individualism. If it is to be, it is up to me, NOT government."
Root compares capitalism to government. "Capitalism only had one bad year. Government has lost money in virtually every department, every year since inception. President Obama wants CEO's to be held accountable and responsible for their losses and waste. Well I agree. But I think it's time government played by the same rules as business. If they did, the President and our Congress would all be in prison for defrauding the American taxpayers. It's time for change. Let's hope the 20,000 government employee layoffs in California are merely a good start in the right direction."
Wayne Allyn Root was the 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate. His new book will be released by John Wiley & Sons this Spring entitled, "The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts." The book is available for pre-sale at Amazon.com. Wayne also happens to be Barack Obama's college classmate (Columbia University Class of '83). For more of Wayne's views, commentaries, or to watch his many media interviews, please visit his web site at: www.ROOTforAmerica.com
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