Governor plans to completely eliminate welfare for families

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing to completely eliminate the state’s welfare program for families, medical insurance for low-income children and Cal Grants cash assistance to college and university students.

The proposals to sharply scale back the assistance that California provides to its neediest  residents came in testimony by the administration this afternoon at a joint legislative budget committee hearing. It followed comments by the governor earlier today that he would be withdrawing a proposal to help balance the budget with billions of dollars of borrowing and replacing it with program reductions.

The proposals would completely reshape the state’s social service network, transforming California from one of the country’s most generous states to one of the most tightfisted. The proposals are intended to help close a budget deficit estimated at $21.3 billion.

—Eric Bailey

Comments

[Ian-31 from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia]

I am a teacher who has visted the US (NY & CA) once. I was appalled by the myopic quality of your media and the dysfunctionality of your country. Us Ausstralians find your obsession with the right to bear arms, and the right to no universal health care quite odd. I thought we had evolved beyond a survival of the fittest in the jungle mentality, obviuosly not. Some readers here are insightful enough to recognise a lack of jobs in a recession means there will be problems for these "welfare scum" in obtaining employment. So when you cut their benefits, you will reduce cash-flow in the economy, exacerbate the recession and probably increase crime. So then what? Build more prisons and incarcerate more people. Great. Glad I am an Australian. Great idea about the marijuana legalisation/tax though. :)

[RTH615]

This is just another bluff, like cutting fire fighters, police and teachers. Don't fall for it because it will never happen.

[Rebel]

Hell, this sounds like an excellent idea to me. I'd like to see this go national.....get rid of all the entitlement programs, stop paying for poor, ignorant, teenagers to have babies, and send ALL illegals home. While we're at it, let's dismantle the Federal Reserve, impeach congress, bring all troops home, end international welfare to other countries, and work to reduce the overpopulation in the world. Let's start a revolution and a new way of thinking where we live to uplift mankind instead of hoarding money and power........just think, no more debt, no more hunger, no more wars, no more bankers, no more politicians, and no more brainwashing commercialistic capitalism.........

[Michele]

I am so surprised at the outrage in all these comments. Can't everyone see this is a "red herring?" Arnold and his CA legislation cronies will NEVER implement these plans, indeed I am sure they were not even intended, b/c Obama will come to his aid.

It's a Democratic, bleeding-heart, redistribution-of-wealth classic bait and switch. He had to say something THIS drastic to get the ire of the people up and force Obama's hand.

This is all for drama, for show. No one can honestly think CALIFORNIA is going to shut down WELFARE programs, do they?????? LUDICROUS. And they're not going to cut any beaurocratic jobs either. Since both these statements make excellent fiscal sense, it simply won't come to pass b/c LOOK WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW THERE!!

The reality is, CA will go further under, the state govt will grow even larger, more welfare recipients will be welcomed as will illegals and unemployment will rise and our federal taxes will increase to "cover" it all.

It's not going to get better in CA. EVER.

[JT]

If he completely eliminate these programs. It will cause students to drop out of college because they are unable to pay for school, because the tuition will increase. Families with welfare will probably end up homeless because would have to sell their home in order to put food on the table. But where are they going to put the food on the table. The governor it being unreasonable and because those are the programs that we need the most out of everything. Why don't he donate his money to pay off this debt. I mean he use to be a movie star and they make billions of dollars. He can ask some of his movie star buddies to cough up some cash too. The lower class can't offered their children to go to college and need help from the state in order for their children to be able to make a better life for themselves. If he cut these programs it will cause the residences of California to probably move to another state. This will make California more in debt because California needs taxpayer to pay off the debt and how are we going to do that if there are less residences.

[NiteRyder]

He sold our jobs to China and Israel and now there is
no taxbase for us to pay taxes from. Picking on women
and children and old people and the poor is his cowardly
style. Bush boot licker Mr Girlyman himself. Get Out, Quit
your job, you have failed

[Not an Arnie fan]

No welfare -->> people turn to crime --> people get caught --> people go to jail, costing the taxpayers a lot more than if they had just been left on welfare.

[GREG FORESTER]

All you people out there in Cali who are getting your panties in
a bunch about those proposed cuts are just suckin up more smoke generated by the Gov.. The reason he proposed cuts to the most vunerable people is to cause as much outrage as possible and try to force Obama into a bailout situation..After all, you people voted for him....Get real....Cali will be bailed out by Obama and your problems will grow bigger and bigger...Good luck to all you working people...I feel sorry for each and every one...Get smart, pack your bags....

[maxinatlanta]

Interesting proposal, however one must be careful not to eliminate the assistance for needed families, since we can see somewhat undesired developments with crime.

[Phil]

Rather than giving grants to students, give them low interest loans....to be taxed or paid back when they are financially able.
Welfare for single mothers should be for first born and only till old enough to attend school. After that they're on their own.
If they need a job, have them working on community payroll, cleaning streets, bus and train stations, parks or whatever the community they live in needs done. Maybe these people will have to spend time in the fields, planting and harvesting crops , rather than importing cheap farm labour from other countries. Pay a reasonable wage for work done....Work Fare.
For those that are medically or mentally certifiably incapable of working, they would need to receive a disability pension to allow for basic survival needs. A society is judged by how it treats its weakest members.
In a society that allows voters to continue to vote themselves ever increasing benefits without restricting job exportation, there comes a time when "the chickens come home to roost" and there is no more money in the pot or the industrial structure to provide the jobs needed for people to try and pull themselves up by working for someone else. Free Trade....what a joke.....naturally business will produce product where labour can be aquired at the cheapest rate.
Look at GM's agreements with china....try and find a product made in north america at walmart

The smart or ruthless ones will always find something to do to survive, but those that actually depend on welfare will suffer greatly.
For an inkling of the future that is almost upon us, in this peak oil economy, read James Kuntslers book "the Long Emergency"
Communities will have to revert from a position of what can I get for nothing to working together for the common good.
There will be many who cannot make it.

[dumbcountryboy]

You pay firefighters and teachers and policemen $100,000 a year? To CALIFORNIA, you're too dumb to exist as a state. You deserve to go under, to sink into chaos and be taken over by the Chinese.
Slash the bureaucrats salaries and benefits, problem solved.

[Phil]

Dumb country boy......my guess is that you are a pyromaniac that didn't get along too well with your teachers or police....
At least you could research salary ranges before shooting off your mouth. Use google if you have never been to a library.
For the job these people do, they deserve all our support and respect. I wouldn't do their job for twice the money. Most of the police officers time is spent dealing with malcontents and assorted rif raff.
Who is going to pull your ass out of the house when its on fire.
If parents of children are like you, I know the teachers really have their work cut out for them.

[doogle]

I thought Kalifornia was a sanctuary state.

[Abdullah R. Chaudhary]

This is stupid and unfair....Many students live on calgrants. If calgrant gets eliminated many students like me won't be able to attend college. This is very unfair.

[Eric red]

What a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This plan at the very least will help rid california of gang trouble.

[Scott]

What is really scary about all these underlying comments about "illegals" is the similarity of tone before the rise of Hitler and the extermination of millions of innocent people that followed.. California wake up!, you unconsciously invited these people in with open arms because of jobs that the caucasians refused to take. I believe the US is on the very precipice of a very dangerous path toward civil and moral decay much like the years before world war II. Lest we forget. I think all ideas for solving the crisis warrent discussion, but discussion should be constructive - not destructive.
Scott from Canada

[dude]

I think it is great they are getting rid of welfare. Funny thing though. They won't get rid of all the human services employees. They won't need them either if they get rid of welfare. It's sad the governor is going to keep around a bunch of useless employees. They should befired because if there is no welfare to give out we have no need for a welfare agency.

[major]

If these turkeys in Sacramento had been responsible leaders all along, the Governor wouldnt need to take drastic measures.

Raising taxes is not a long term solution, responsible stewardship is.

Most of the legislators past and present should be put in jail for what they did to California.

Also keep in mind that at least half the deficit is due to handouts to illegal aliens over the last 20 years or so

[dumbcountryboy]

PHIL,
I DON'T CARE. I know how much they make in my state...and you're off your collective rockers. Corporates and collectives will use any criteria to justify their unjustifiable salaries. YOU ALWAYS create pain to the citizenry instead of taking it in the shorts yourselves, so you can ensure enough chaos to justify taking it out of somebody else's shorts. Socialism run's into trouble in the words of M. Thatcher, "when you run out of other peoples money".
I WILL GO TO WAR TO PREVENT UNCLE SAM BAILING YOU BASTARDS OUT, the same with the rest of the high living bastards. YOUR COMEUPPANCE is nigh, enjoy it....
SECESSION is the only answer to the Federal Monster, same as the California monster. And may all you bureaucrats, politicians and banksters, rot in hell.

[JD]

Want to go to college? Get a partime job! And what the hell is wrong with booting illegals from public assistance? Kick them out of schools and hospitals too....It is about time.

[phubar]

Illegals are here because they do the work that americans refuse to do, eliminate welfare and those americans refusing to do such "demeaning" jobs will take them and the illegals out of work will go back to their country. Kill two birs with one stone, get rid of those pesky illegals, make those crackheads on welfare do something productive instead of killing each other for drugs and solve the budget crisis, WIN WIN I say.

JUST DO IT! bye bye welfare!

[Cresty]

Prop 13 was a simple response to out of control gov't spending. The average citizen normally simply cannot fight the combined power of public sector unions, their clients, and other gov't hangers on.

what else could they do? All the public has left are the bluntest of instruments to express disapproval.

And now, CA has a 10% income tax and a 9% sales tax. And the state is out of money. How could that be, in the most successful state in the nation on so many levels?

Simple - illegals.

The CA politicians in DC have been, in general, some of the post pro-immigration and anti-border-enforcement politicos in the country. Well, now you have what you aksed for. Illegals driving up costs for government at every level - health care, education for their children, prisons, etc. And CA has more than any other state.

Yet still, there is no howl of protest from the state citizens. It is as if you all are living in a dream. Or simply cannot perform the most basic powers of observation and reasoning.

some of those citizens recently rejected all the tax hikes. They know that the problem cannot be solved by higher taxes. More and more illegals will absorb the benefit of higher taxes (although higher taxes will probably do more harm than good at this point, given how uncompetitive CA is and will continue to be compared to so many other locales). In any event, until illegals are kept out, and those that are here are sent home, the public has every right, and indeed obligation, to vote against raising taxes.

The CA and national press are silent on the issue. Damn you all! Your children and grandchildren are being robbed of their birthright by your narcistic-feel-good political correctness that substitutes short term feel good ness for the hard decisions that need to be made. And your greed.

CA has always been about 5-10 years ahead of the rest of the country on so many trends. The wave of government insolvency will be crashing to a town near you.

Don't say you weren't warned.

[cuthean]

Thomas Chittum was prescient.

[Pistol Pete]

Schwarzenegger is a Nazi and a demon! Eugenics anyone?

[educated Californian on assistance]

I am in shock by many of these comments. First off, bashing educators and calling them high priced babysitters is a slap in the face to all of us who have sacrificed so much in order to become an educator. I have a Master's in Education that I paid a fortune for, not counting what it cost to obtain my Bachelors degree. I can not find a teaching job when children need us the most. I am on assistance right now and my children are on Medi-Cal. I receive WIC and food stamps. I have been holding off because I want to find a job in the field I have wanted to do since I was a little girl. I think it may be time for me to look elsewhere and make a salary where I don't have to depend on assistance. Without educators, most of the successful individuals of the past and of today would not be where they are because of their "high paid babysitters". Walk a day in the shoes of an educator who has taken a job that does NOT pay 100,000.00. For most educators, it isn't even half of that.

[educated Californian on assistance]

Another thing, thank you ATS.com for posting this article on their site!

[the dave]

How bout the pensions of everyone who ever 'served' in the gov't. Obviously, by the state we're in, all were incompetent and therefore not deserving of living off the dole financed by the citizens for the rest of their lives.....

[mike]

Cutting welfare is a good place to start as well as cutting salaries for over paid state employees. I know of a retired Battalion Chief who gets $154,000 a year in retirement benefits!
Also, for the Australian teacher: Your country has one of the most draconian governments on the planet! They even censor the internet! Your money is nearly worthless, even more worthless than the US dollar. If your people weren't so stupid as to give up your guns, your might have a descent country, but you will never get it back.

[Government Shrinking Skeptic]

Not a snowballs chance in hell will the Governor slash welfare. This will never happen. Not even close. This will be the fear mongering trying to get the pendulum and public outcry to swing the other way, seeking to get the sheeple to cry out for more government to save us.

There will be a major Federal Bailout before this would happen. Such shrinking of Government would be one of the greatest boons, blessings and benefits we've seen in 150 years, but such a cut in government will not be tolerated. We would be blessed to undergo such theraputic reduction in unconstitutional government. Painful? Yes, but not as painful as what lies ahead when all government self destructs after it has helped strangle all of us to death, leaving the private sector leached dry and a dying carcass unable to give life to it's vast parasitic host, the State, and all of the states beneficiaries, be they corporate welfare elite, or run of the mill folks taking handouts or subsidies of some kind. It's time to get back to 1776 and put government back into its constitutional straightjacket, which means it can't be involved in welfare in the first place, nor put forth the Marxist Graduated Income tax, nor the Privately held Monopolistic Central Bank of Vast Plunder (The Federal Reserve.)

If only this were truly what would happen, how blessed we would be. It will not transpire however. Not a snowballs chance in hell will the free bread and circus constituants and their would-be Emporers permit a cutting of government size or free bread and circuses. Nero would rather burn the city (state) than merely let us recover from a behemoth, out of control government size that should and must reduce it's scope and size.

I wish government would cut spending and size, but it won't. A great former California governor once said "Government is not the answer to our problems. Government is the Problem!" That, of course was Ronald Reagan, and he was right.

[Karma]

Arnold is consumed by hate but beware because karma is coming and justice will prevail in the end like it always does.
We need a recall election to finally eliminate this foreign intruder from our political system. This guy has no command of the English language and no history of ever being a politician- he is not qualified for the job of governor.

[Californian]

Please do cut ALL welfare now. Cut ALL the benefits to the teenage mothers, and to ALL the illegals, and deport ALL the illegals NOW, anyone getting any government aid on any type MUST get off there ass and go wash firetrucks, clean graffitti, pick up trash that is littered all over this state (look at the sides of the highways and most streets, and beaches and wash police cars etc.) Additionally, there should be NO RED TAPE WHATSOEVER for any small business that wants to hire up five employees (i.e., no complicated paperwork, no difficult tax deductions for the employer, just give a 1099 to the employee and that's it). So many small business owners don't hire an employee or two because of all the hassle involved in hiring one or two employee (tax id, deductions, quarterly payments to govt etc). Keep it simple. But most of all CUT EXPENSES TO THE LEECHES OF SOCIETY NOW, NOT NEXT MONTH OR NEXT YEAR, NOW. MR. ARNOLD, take it from me and millions of other Californians, you take a tough stand on this JUST CUT THE SPENDING, JUST DO IT....... and you will see your approval ratings go stratospheric. JUST DO IT, MAN. Good Day.

[mike]

For Scott from Canada: you can not compare the situation with illegal's in The United States with what Hitler did in Europe. The people Hitler killed or imprisoned DID NOT INVADE HIS COUNTRY!!!
Illegal's are called illegal's because they entered this country illegally, or more correctly, they INVADED our country. It would be morally wrong and logically irrational to invite some one to stay in this country when they have already demonstrated a total disregard for the law.

[Gosh]

Gosh,
You-mean-money-does-NOT-grow-on-trees???
I-don't-understand!Sure,money-grows-on-trees,right?
Let's-just-debase-the-currency-some-more-and
everything-will-be-o.k.,right?
I'm-really-clueless,see,I-went-to-a-California-public-school.
I've-been-taught-to-participate-in-my-own-destruction,so
that-way-I'll-be,like-you-know,smart,right?Cuz-I'm-insane.
Liberalism-truly-is-a-mental-disorder.

[Bob Bogus]

Arnie didn't mention cutting the outrageous pensions state workers get. How about all new government employees get 401Ks instead of pensions?

You'll never hear that because the government unions have Arnie in their back pocket.

[Bill]

Well. Maybe Arnold will be the governor we voted for after all.

[Bob Seatco]

Some stated that this would mess up the college plans of many young people. Well - there are no jobs for them out there any way...only 20% of grads are finding work.

[Joe Freeman]

There is plenty of money to care for and employ every citizen of California, the problem is the full amount of funds held and controlled by city, county, and state governments is a closely camouflaged system and the return on all these government investment corporate income holdings is never taxed. Instead government has shifted the raising of revenue to the backs of the people and has succeeded in the gradual impoverishment of the middle class. This practice along with the export of countless manufacturing jobs the middle class was built on is unsustainable and will lead to a third wold style economic life within the next generation. If you want to help reverse this situation and ensure the survival of your children please read about what Walter Burien has discovered about the CAFR. Otherwise known as Consolidated Annual Financial Report. Every government at all levels is required to publish these reports each year and if you learn how to read these you will discover California holds more then 300 billion dollars worth of business holdings and pays no taxes on their financial returns worth many billions of dollars each year. There is enough money available there to abolish all taxes on the people and force government to fund itself entirely from its already existing business ownership revenue. Can you imagine the freedom and prosperity we could generate in a tax free state? If you think this concept sounds good, you can find out more by googling Walter Burien CAFR1. You will not be disappointed with what he reveals about his research findings and where all this money is really going. I sincerely urge you to examine this information and help to spread the word to others you care about.

[Gary]

Isn't it always the case that the Left, who want to control every aspect of human life and punish anyone who disagrees with them, is forever accusing the Right of fascism. Stop looking in the mirror when you're speaking to us.

[Travis, Colorado]

Getting rid of welfare will git rid of gangs? Welfare was created to help individuals and families that NEED it, not ABUSE it.

[fred]

Well I sure hope that the warm fuzzy feeling of providing for millions of mexicans lasts long enough to carry many through the tough times to come.

This is really not complicated and blame should be assigned.

WE are to blame for allowing this to happen. You can't just invite everyone over from mexico and allow anchor babies etc. . . Because now the bill has come due and we are screwed.

[Mark]

No, 'country' boy is right,
With great respect to these men, it is also a fact if you care to look it up, before you shoot off your mouth.
Police and FF can after 25 years of service collect 75% -some times even well over 100% of their base pay. sad.
I wish as a soon to be ex worker that I had such a cush deal.
Yes its a dangerous job-and they should get some very decent pay for the fact -but nobody twisted their arms

And lets do away with the racist comment:

'when the welfare checks stop their will be rioting in the street'
add to that:
when the unemployment checks stop there will be rioting in the streets
when the paychecks stop-mostly because of Bush policies long in the making -there will be rioting in the streets
(this depression didnt start in the last 6 months)

And thanks to Bush and the Republicans-we are now ALL proud owners of GM, AIG, Lehmnan Bros etc and their toxic assets-or worthless failing business. Ya think theyre going to buy them back from us?
Think again-they took the money and ran

Remember this, and remember this well, folks -the Republicans ruined this country-they have given away our wealth and assets to the big boys as they are 'too big to pay for their bad investing mistakes' and have us on the road to Socialism-we pay they debts THEY keep the profits.
we will soon own all the banks-as part of their long ago drawn up plans

NEVER FORGET they have sold this our country to the highest bidders

[dude]

Yahoo! Now if he will just eliminate all the employees involved in welfare services at the department of human services in california they can achieve even more savings. There is no need for welfare employees if there is no longer any welfare.

[Vee]

Easy come easy go.
What i want to see is the closing of the prison system. Talk about Pork. California needs to close 60% of it's prison system and get rid of all those over paid guards. talk about a rip off.
I mean think about it. a career as a prison guard? you have to be really bent as a person to ever want that job to begin with. I would worry more about the mentality of a prison guard than the morality of and x con.
California has a chance to get rid of thousand of over paid and do nothing civil servant in the next couple of years. who knows the place may even be worth moving to again.
As for illegals? if they are illegal they are illegal, they need to go back and reappear legally. That is a no brainer that escapes the level of awareness of all those who have floated to the top in government positions everywhere in america.
When you think at it, there are only about 550 people who are responsible for everything that has been allowed to happen in america. I mean the elected congress and select civil servants. If we could figure a way to get rid of them then we would be doing something.

[IraqWarVet]

It makes too much sense, besides the illegals will probably vote him out...Nice try try Arny, but I don't don't think you cleared this with your wife did you?

[mariejoy]

Welfare is a joke.

When those freeloading criminals don't have money, they're going to come out to the berbs looking for money & your stuff and you better hope you have a gun.

After bailing out the banksters, the feds need to save money so they'll do the same. Next thing, Social Security and Medicare will be unaffordable, partly because we bailed out their contributors, the banksters.

What's next? We can bail out billionaires but not old people and the disabled?

Yup. THE most corrupt congress in the history of America and the most apathetic people (Americans) in the history of the world. They're (we're) about to get what we deserve.

[joegum]

As I understand it, your StateGov recently wanted more tax $'s from the people and was turned down. The point is to cut the things that will cause public outcry, rather than really going after the pork. Soon there will be stories all over the media about how much suffering the budget cuts are causing. Then you folks will be harassed into forking over even more of your dough. Or, the whole population will via the FedGov.

[patriot]

jobs caucasians refuse to take?
since when is this about race?
have you seen what's happened to the construction industry lately? there are a lot of AMERICAN CITIZENS (of all colors/backgrounds) that are being put out of work because illegals come here, live off of welfare benefits racked up thru birthright citizenship, live 10 deep in a 2br apt, and work for 50% (or less) of prevailing wages.
it's time to round up all illegal aliens (of any nationality) and send them home.
comparing logical thinking to the public sentiment in hitler's germany is ridiculous and dangerous.

[Fireye]

I think Kalifornia is a sick Nazi prison state. I hope that state collapses so I can have a party and celebrate. Same with Oregon. The brain dead citizens get what they deserve. There are no innocents as far I am concerned. While Kalifornians sat in front of their tv's they lost most everything and the best is yet to come. The corruption in this country defies description and it is time for a royal house cleaning. When the civil war starts I will break out the beer and party. I despise what this country has become. The worse it gets the happier I become. The Kalifornia prison state will go down in flames. F__k you Kalifornia and Oregon I hope you rot for what you have done to so many with your new world order totalitarian government.

[Ted]

My wife is a teacher in So Cal. She has students that fall asleep during class because then have been running in the desert for days to get here. They don't speak English or Spanish. She estimates that 50% of her class is illegal, and that they consume 95% of her time. The tax paying citizens are left with 5% of her time. She says we are going to have a lost generation of students that were denied their education because their teacher is preoccupied with students they cannot communicate with.

I know a lot of you have bleeding hearts, but this cannot continue. California cannot be Mexico's welfare department. Cut the welfare, deport the illegals, cut the excessive state programs, and empower the tax paying citizens

[Joe]

The first comment that appears in the list, claiming Arnold is like a Nazi bent on harming illegals is blatantly racist and race-baiting.

The American public has spoken and Illegals are not welcome in the USA in the numbers that they are here. If they were fewer there would be no problem at all.

People who accuse Americans of being racist for complaining about the huge number of illegals are themselves racist extremists.

[Jade]

Ummm. Is the Governator or the state legislature out there in California even talking about reforming property taxation?!

See "California Ruined by GOP" here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/opinion/25krugman.html

[Joe]

I agree that it may do some good. There are too many people who come to California looking for a handout.

[Martin Noyes]

After working to stop NAFTA I worked to get Prop 187 (Save Our State) passed in the ninties. When the court overturned the will of the people I realized that California was not a democratic state but was in the total control of a judicial, legislative, corporate cabal. In otherwords - facist! Don't miss it a bit after 10 years.

Now, if you Californians think that a facist government will not punish the less fortunate before sacrificing themselves; think again.

I, as an American citizen, refuse to pay for California's mismanaged economy and if we are told to do so it will result in a nationwide tax revolt. You Califonian's need to cleanup your government. My prayers are with you.

Maybe it's time to start thinking recall.

[JT]

For those of you who applaud Gov. Arnold Schwarzenazi---oops i misspelled his name---You forget he is born of a Nazi father and has brought/infiltrated his way into the American life=style=mainstream-----So as you applaud him, remember you are throwing away what America has always stood for------

[cheryl]

I think Mr termanator has a screw loose. If he cuts all the welfare and cal grants. Then in a few months babies and elderly will suffer. I agree that only american citizen should get welfare. Also that the Collgeg grants should be refigured but not cut out completely. Why cut the poor college students and not the rich peoples pay checks. Let them live on a strict buget for a few months. Getiing only what is needed for them to survive on like the welfare and the college students live on. These rich senators and goverment officals will be begging for there pay checks by the end of a third month period. They are used to just charging it or paying with a goverment cash coupon to get waht they want not what they need. Sorry Califorinas we can't let these cuts take place our babies who will one day (if they live ) will run our goverment and they need to be healthy to do so. Take the air we breath look at it do the cuts there limit the car dealers,from selling unwanted cars no one can afford them. The ruckers should also be limited to only bringing in foods or clothing we the americans need not a truck load of cars and ne trucks noone can afford. Look a the cuts you've all ready made at the education level, and the safety level who's going to teach our children and keep them safe if we let the termantor do these cuts.
We have to pver rule this goverment and veto these cuts. We as voters can only stop these outragous cuts. To save our children the pain of not having medical or food. Cut backs should be done at the goverment levels first not at the poor peoples levels.
Please start with the hig and mighty first leave our children and grandchildren and students alone

Cheryl

[Mike]

With the exception of grants for education and those with legit handicaps, the elimination of welfare is a good thing. It will (hopefully) force people to get off butts and work for their keep instead of leaching off society. Ive personally seen and lived in a environment (So Central) were the effects of welfare are clearly visible.

Poor people should not have children unless they can take care of them and should not rely on the rest of society to pick up the slack for their careless irresponsible actions. End welfare.

[O. B. Server]

Hmmm. Notice how Cali's hefty police state of prison guard unions, DA Associations, police unions, etc. are taking it on the chin with huge cuts across the board - California just can't afford to arrest and imprison people for petty crimes like drug possession or growing a few pot plants any longer. Ha ha! Just joking! We all knew Cali would slash hospitals and schools and parks before they lay one finger on their precious Jail-Em-For-Jesus morality play marijuana laws. Pot laws keep the police state hummin' Sacred third rail: can't touch it.

[Cal Girl]

How come I am not surprized by this. After all, Arnold's dad was a Nazi. I am wondering why he isn't recalled the same way the Repugs went after Gray Davis.

Most civilized countries assist their poor and down and out citizens. They assist with their education because they believe in education. Most third world countries ignore the needy and just have a free for all where only might equals right.

So if we are understanding Arnie correctly, he wants to turn California into a third world nation. Doing the things he proposes will only make things worse. The state will become a locale for tent cities and rampant crime but if you ask me, I think this has been this Repug's goal from the very beginning. After all, California is a Democratic base which has swung elections so is it any wonder that Arnie wants to destroy it so much.

[Todd Hoops]

A lot of ugly, raging people in this comments section. California has a lot of trash.

[Todd Hoops]

To all the biggots raging against illegal residents, it's not their fault you're unhappy with your life. You have to make sacrifices, think of others and seek fulfillment in things that really matter. Relinquish your obsession with materialism, it will only cause you perpetual anger and grief for the rest of your lives.

[icantstandit]

One post in this whole loooong thread mentions legalizing pot. California could climb out of it's pit and be the first to get taxes from it. Also, why isn't Arnold mentioning cutting State Government? Typical Republican---Start cutting at the bottom of the food chain. Cheeze.

[Archie1954]

It seems to be problematic to cut the poor's lifeline when jobs have been curtailed. This is precisely when they need the help most. What's going to happen, will the poor die on the streets? Will they steal a loaf of bread and have their hands cut off? What else can the Republican governor do to them?

[Daniel Sanchez]

Arnold doesn't have a leg to stand on with this issue. He's accomplished nothing since he's been governor, providing Californians with a fate worse than what Gray Davis gave us. We voted Arnold in so he could change the way government worked in California. All he's managed to do is polarize both parties. He hasn't followed through on his campaign promise of bringing both parties together to accomplish real goals. Instead, he's run our state into the gutter, and many people are angry that we ever wasted our time with him. The wealthy only care about their own interests, and could care less about the needs of the poor. Arnold can't and won't take away healthcare for millions of poor families in California. If he does this, the Republican party in California will never recover from this atrocity. Not all people on welfare are illegals or taking advantage of the system. I'm a former soldier who served his country valiantly but became permanently disable after serving. I've needed help since I've been out of the Army, and the state has always been there for me. Please don't try to punish those who truly need help. Millions of children without healthcare or food is a bad combination for the future of California.

[Bud Mohr]

Eliminate wefare for cheaters..Great. I persoanly know of 4 cases where the mother works under the taqble and collects wefare. Let the ones who are collecting workmformcity orstatedoing choirs. Send all illegals back towhere they came from.

[RA]

California finally gets to pay for all of its politicians mistakes. You all must be proud of these morons wasting your money over the years. Welfare for illegal immigrants!?!?! What the ....?! I am sure they will get re-elected next time around. ha ha!

[martin]

Reply to SCOTT

Do you really buy into that line of thinking?

There is NO JOB AMERICANS are too lazy to do, however there are plenty of jobs Americans won't do unless they are paid a fair wage.

Employers in bed with Republicans have been successful in creating millions of jobs Americans are supposedly too lazy to do.

Americans can clean rooms, flip burgers, sweep floors and pick lettuce, just like they did 50 or 60 years ago, just pay a living wage!

[Matt]

>>>you unconsciously invited these people in with open arms because of jobs that the caucasians refused to take.<<<

Oh shut up. There are plenty of "caucasians" (Mexicans are "caucasian" by the way [idiot]) who would work these jobs if we didn't have half the third world coming in and turning them into minimum-wage jobs with no benefits (or taxes).

[escapefromobamastan]

The millions of illegal foreign invaders will be sorely traumatized.

[Gary Matson]

I watched a very interesting documentary on the prosperous, business savvy, very educated country of Singapore recently.

The head of there Country (President, I think he was), looked at the USA as an example of how Government can & does destroy its own people when it funds welfare.

The man specifically said, "Welfare destroys a culture in only one generation (25 years)."

All you have to do to believe that is to look around the USA and California. Young people who think work is "evil" and for "fools." Young people who have money for tatoos and illegal drugs... but who demand "affordable housing." Young single mothers on food stamps, welfare, and Medical (walfare medical insurance).

Its time to cut off all welfare. People can work just the same as those people in Singapore. And, I might add, working improves a person's self appreciation by leaps & bounds. Sitting around "hanging in the hood" is the final stage of depravity.

[Rod Bleckstyne]

Hey California you willingly and enthusiastically elected a "Cartoon Hero" Governor..and guess what...now you're the proud recipients of another of his "Cartoon Brain" decisions.
So live with it...and th-th-thats all folks!!!

[Steve]

Dr. Eaton - your open corruption disgusts me. It is little wonder our education system is in the poor shape it is in with "leaders" like you. At least you do not disguise the fact that you expect monetary payback for your vote. Hopefully the school board will show you some love and dismiss you due to the upcoming budget cuts.

- Now it's time for the president for whom I voted and his administration to pony up and show California the love that it showed him in November.

- Posted by: Dr. Christopher Eaton | May 21, 2009 at 11:53 PM

[Gavin]

How about drug testing all individuals on welfare? If found to be using drugs then it's 'hasta la vista, baby'.

You live off taxpayer money from the government, then you play by the government's rules aka drugs are illegal.

I know of a number of individuals to make their entire living off of welfare. They live in dumpy apartments and sleep in until the afternoon. Watch tv until 10PM and then hit the bars to get drunk and smoke more dope. Then they go home and stay up until morning at which they fall asleep. Cycle repeats itself for each day of the week. Everything is free and they are content with life as it is. Work? They don't have to raise a finger. Why would you want to work?

Take away their money if they have drugs in their system. This would inspire these people to work independently and get off the government teat. With their work earned pay, they can live the private lifestyle of their choice.

[NHM]

The first thing that needs to happen is to pull all assistance given to illegals.All welfare,education, and medical assistance.Next is to round up all illegals and ship them back to wherever they came from.Anchor babied included, send them all back.Then Americans can fill the jobs left behind by the illegals, helping our people.

[Laffyduck]

Let the riots begin.
AZ brace yourself for the stampede of Mex freeloaders who've been disenfranchised by Ahnold.

[Siegmund]

Mr. Bailey comments that some strategy would result in "transforming California from one of the country’s most generous states to one of the most tightfisted."

Last time I checked and wholly unrelated to political postures, an entity which is insolvent and swamped under debt MUST become "tightfisted." Any debt counselor would advise this for an individual facing massive, self-inflicted debt. The choices would be abrogation of debt via whole or partial bankruptcy or, more preferable, becoming "tightfisted" and paying off the debt.

That politics wants to pretend government is exempt from this well-known truth shows that politics has become insanity incarnate. The simple arithmetic rules the situation, and the political posturing is in the long term meaningless.

Debt will be managed, because getting a new credit card to pay off your old one is never the answer it seems. Rather it is gasoline poured on a fire. When such a strategy is followed to its end, all the words in the world mean nothing. More debt for the state of California to answer its problem with debt? The structure of the question itself shows the lunacy of such a notion -- a notion which has been prevalent for decades, and is now coming to its special ripeness, as do all Ponzi schemes.

[evan thomas]

AMAZING how many people want to abandon us californians because of those who voted in governor arnold. have you forgotten what horrible choices we had to begin with? and have you forgotten that we're the most populous state with the third largest land mass? in 2007 we had the largest GDP in the entire country! our state alone is responsible for 13% of the nations GDP! our state's economy is larger than all but 8 nations in the entire world! you want a good movie? television series? a good bottle of wine? you want some of the best produce in the world? we're responsible for nearly 20% of all dairy in the US! and you're just going to abandon us in this time of need? what comes around goes around - remember.

[lamesociety]

o yeah reduce the budget by cutting the education of the future working class *roll eyes

[Artist]

With the welfare cuts so go the illegal aliens. Hopefully they will go back to where they came from and probably to a better economy then is here in California.

[Nicolas]

It's look like the total crash is showing is feet in california !
If the same thing was going one here in France (where I'm living) it will be the revolution immediately !
NicoM

[Dennis Essman]

Why doesn't the Governor just use out of the CAFR funds like he is supposed to/ Isn't that what they are for?

[joseph a canzoneri jr]

I LOVE IT !!! BURN BABY BURN,,,,NOW INHERIT THE WIND

[ComradeDictatrix]

"Americans can clean rooms, flip burgers, sweep floors and pick lettuce, just like they did 50 or 60 years ago, just pay a living wage!"

Jobs like those don't deserve a "living wage". Those are unskilled starter jobs... stepping stone jobs... not a career.

[BWilliams]

houston, we definitely have a problem........
we used to laugh at the "pesant" society... but the pesants had land to feed themselves and a measure of independence. They were squeedzed in a protection racket ........ but whats it like to be unemployed in surburbia with no basic welfare system... ?

[n2shalom]

I am for pulling welfare for most. I think it is abused by illegals and irrresponsible teens who get pregnant with the feeling welfare is their right. I do believe their needs to be a safety net for some cases however. For example the elderly and children. I believe a scale back is in order. Or shift some of the funds to charities whom could at least still give out food. With that being said, there are alot of other programs that could also be cut. We give Millions of dollars to saving the owls,field mice and seals. I think God can take of the animals.
We are a lazy culture,that needs to stop. If you are not a tax payer..i.e. illegals they should not benefit from our services. We are a nation of laws..sorry folks!!!
We need to return to the principals of the constitution.
Read the 5000 year leap it explains where we have lost our way, but we can get back on track.

[Zon Moy]

Only good thing about this is that it will bring down the government of california and probably the us government when the people realize the fascist kleptocracy that is now running our nation through such actions.

[Bobby]

So many of you people posting here are giving evidence of why welfare should be eliminated. I won't have food, I won't be able to attend college unless I have a Cal Grant,(paid for by citizens), etc. etc. Good Lord, go and get a job, you lazy worthless bunch of morons. Neither I, or any other taxpaying Californian owes you people squat. Get a life and get some self respect.

[bilbray]

Cali's self serving legislators couldn't figure out that the welfare state and open borders cannot live together. Now they have broken the state for good. the people of Cali voted for the idiots and the LA times wants them to pay the idiots even more taxes. Again, a stupid idea as any money the govt gets it is taking from the private economy, taking the jobs and growth with it. Seems like the californians still can't quite figure it out....kick all of them out and vote in independent candidates, get rid of the illegals and close the border or close down welfare, your choice. Any republicrats are all the same, rotten to the core, same as DC. california is now the perfect example of "how not" to do things. all the middle and upper class families are moving out, all the smart companies are moving out, it is a vacuum that will take decades to rebuild, leaving the aged and Illegals. Glad to have left in 2002, my commute is 5 minutes, my kids are not going to a prison camp school and are not scared for their lives of gun toting gangsters. there are so many better places to live. california is now irrelevant, the people of the state and their legislators are to blame, kalifornians were dreamin that they could have their cake and eat it too, but alas, there is no free lunch.

[katy]

I agree with Jolene.
There will not be any good to come of this folly. People will die, and horribly. Cutting welfare programs is not an option. I also cannot believe its actually being considered. But have no fear, it will never pass. Not ever. Not with so many lives depending on it illegal or otherwise.

[katy]

"Californian" You are a complete disgrace and its horrifying to me that you are even intelligent enough to even use a computer. Dont spout your idiocy to us, go find some illiterate sheep.

As for the rest of you. You should be ASHAMED. How dare you attempt or even think about cutting CHILDREN who are INNOCENT off much needed financial assistance and medical coverage? It is disgusting that you would even think for one second that is a viable option. Open your eyes. There will NOT be applause from the masses... What there will be is CHILDREN dying in the streets of starvation and disease. Think about it.

[Stephanie Morales]

I cannot believe that there are people on here selfish enough to be okay with this. Its very hard to find jobs now with the way the Country and State is in debt and welfare has helped many people throughout the years it doesn't last a lifetime but only helps people get back on their feet. I'm sorry not everyone chooses to marry some rich man and be so self absorbed to say that welfare is for irresponsible teens and immigrants like our governor right....? Not every child has grown up with everything but it's not their fault and taking away the little they have is painful to see. There are people who appreciate what they are given not out buying designer clothes and new cars and those are the people who don't use gas guzzling vehicles and continue to work in the fields protecting what little green we still have. Maybe if the selfish rich people of the world would give up some of their hardly worked for money our country would be a little better! I watched Americas Most Wanted and a 5million dollar reward for a tip on a drug dealer who is number 27 on Forbes only in the United States! Where is the money for that coming from?

[Andrea]

what about the billions of taxes going to the big fat ceos isnt that welfare that they are receiving and by the imigrants lol every european descendent is related to imigrants who came to steal land check your local librarys and you still have the odasity to act like you have a right to call people names and by the way if you want the jobs that the farm workers have go and apply im sure you will get hired and probly quit the same day, and dont forget the thousands of laid off workers who had to go and apply for welfare im sure you know someone. I agree there needs to be limits on the lazy people taking advantage of the whole system but there are good people who use it when it is really needed it....

[Voice of Reason]

Problem: Too deep in Debt
Solution: Stop paying illegals 13M/yr in Medicaid, Social Security, Healthcare, WIC, FoodSTamps, TAF etc and only help out working US citizens/families/Disabled Vets and REAL disabled people. (The definition of DISABLED needs to be REALLY tightened up.) STOP PAYING DAYCARE FOR NON-WORKING PEOPLE!! Help out only those who are ACTUALLY WORKING such as single mom's (most who's kids have dead-beat fathers who arent paying child support and need help with the outrageous costs of Childcare.) Oh ya, there needs to be a program to get dead-beat parents to PAY THEIR OBLIGATIONS!! THen a lot of parents can GET OFF THE SYSTEM.

When you eliminate ALL Welfare Programs, you hurt the most needy: children and the elderly. What about those 70-80yr olds who lost their retirements/living $$ in the stock market the past few years?

So alot of you want to cut $$ for pregnant teens - THAT is a STUPID idea: they can't finish their schooling to improve their family's life nor feed their child - stress makes them abuse their child, they end up in jail which causes taxpayer $$. HOW ABOUT STOPPING SEX ED IN THE SCHOOLS MORONS?!! Teen pregnancy has only escalated since that decision was made!! Back in the day before SEX ED (and by the way, the abortion industry wasn't booming back then) they didn't have this EPIDEMIC. So lets take away the innocence of children younger and younger by force-feeding them sex on TV, Movies and sex ed in the schools before their brains can even understand sex and then promote ABORTION (which makes rich doctors get richer - and who are in the politician's back pockets) (and oh, ya, lets fund ABORTION WITH TAX DOLLARS to Planned Parenhood) these abortions - which increases risk of Breast Cancer and other health and mental health issues which then are also making the rich doctors richer - WOW Great plan liberals!! LETS BRING BACK THE MORALS, AMERICA!!!

[lexy]

everybody got here illeagally some how not one of us belongs here rather is from now or hundreds of years ago.So leave all the illegal people alone they work harder than anyone else.They are willing to work wherever and wheneverthe job belongs to whoev er wants to work.Its the stupid govenor hes trying to take from the poor and leave the rich people.We need our modern day robin hood. for the people complaining on here about werlfare to illegals let them have the right to work here if you did there woulndt be so many people on welfare and we wouldnt be having this problem. Quit complaing this isnt any specific persons country its everones.ii understans like send the criminals and murderes back to their country but everyone has a right to be here and try to make a living

[shelbing]

Please welcome the world's seventh largest economy to the third world. Where's our welcoming committee? I expect NGOs throwing bags of rice off the backs of trucks. Where's Doctors Without Borders?

[Jennifer]

I do mind that Cal Grants will be cut because it helps me pay for my education and I am planning to transfer to a 4 year college in the fall of 2010. To be honest I don't care if they cut down the welfare to familes. I know so many families in my community that lie to the government saying they don't know where the fathers are and they get checks. The fathers live with them! Even in section 8 housing they stay there and leave early before someone from the county checks the living conditions. Checks to pay for new cars instead buying things that their children need. What is the point of having welfare checks pay for cars! It angers me because my mom asked for welfare when I was a child and for health insurance and they asked if my mom knew where my father was and she said yes. She didn't lie and because she told the truth, we didn't receive food stamps or health insurance or any kind of help to pay for our apartment. She had to work many hours, I barely got to see her. If welfare were to be kept, the government needs to have these women go to school instead of sttaying at home watching tv and buying things that are not necessary. No one is going to tell the truth but we need to start cracking down on all these families what are receiving money and aren't returning anything to the community or state. People can argue with me but everyone has to realize that there are families who actually need this more than the ones who lie. Yes it will be hard to weed out all the ones who lie about the family status but don't you think it is suspicious of they get welfare for 1 or 2 children and the next year they're asking for more help with their other 3 kids? Has anyone noticed this?

[Dianne Foster]

This is a disgrace. There are people who temporarily need to be on welfare and my family was one of them. So was I. Now we are really well off. We pay back by doing volunteer service. Perhaps it cost working people and for that we are sorry. But it is also true that we gave back in our many subsequent jobs, some of which paid so badly that it is clear someone profited hugely from us. However the attitudes here expressed show that California is really post-Christian or something weird and hateful. Next earthquake guys, may wipe YOU out. Will I help you? Hey, I live somewhere else. Why should I? Morally - why should I? You tell me.

[209]

The problem with the welfare program is that it's not being used only by those in temporary need. There are many people who have used it as a means of living. Those families have been welfare recipients for generations.

The question should be one of ousting the abusers. They are one of the main problems with the program in CA, and elsewhere in the country. Can benefits for the leeches. The reduction in spending will help the budget issue CA is currently facing.

[Kathy]

I'm remembering a time when California was the target for the Enron scam. California and little old ladies, according to remarks made by Enron traders back then. Look it up - - Enron, Cheney & California on Google.com
We lost over $30,000,000 because of that scam. The Bush Justice Dept. was trying to keep tapes by Enron traders from going to a Washington state power company, probably because of the implications. Those tapes were finally retrieved and reported almost word by word by CBS back in 2004. Did we ever get any of that money back? I bet there's a lot sitting in foreign banks. The whole thing still makes me mad, especially now when we're down in the dumps, financially and spiritually.

[SD Resident]

This is a tough issue. When I was young, my father left my mother with 2 boys and no support. We were on food stamps and some assistance when times were difficult (in Florida). We weren't on it for less than two years, but my mother found decent paying work and affordable day care. This is how welfare is meant to work. It's a safety net for families that need help. My mother remarried, worked many years in marketing and put us through college. The investment in helping our family led to us becoming contributing members of society that pay back to the system in tax revenue. But this was in the late seventies.

Now thirty odd years later of stagnant wages, I don't think the same public assistance can help people get off of welfare. The cost of child care, healthcare and all other expenses has skyrocketed. I think if my mother was on public assistance today, we may never have gotten out of the place we were in. I don't think its fair to simply point at people on welfare and say hey you are a deadbeat because you cannot lift yourself up. Especially now with the current economic situation. College grads of the last five years are already finding out that their thirty thousand dollar education is worthless in the job market.

Where were all these people on this comment page complaining about illegals, etc for the last twenty five years. Most likely voting for the conservatives (Republican and Democrat alike) that brought us deregulation, decreased protections for workers, globalism and other neoliberal policies that have eviscerated the middle class. These policies are directly responsible for the hardshipsa we are experiencing now.

At the same time, I am a realist. California is going to have to make hard decisions to get out beneath the budget deficit. California has to cut somewhere and the most vulnerable members of society will likely pay the price. Next in line is government services such as public education, the police force and fire departments.

Before you start pointing fingers, ask yourself what you did to stop this mess. And then, please try to find some compassion for the less fortunate.

[vzo1976]

People need to wake up. Ask yourself this simple question..did poor people get by before welfare systems existed?? Obviously the answer is yes! Most of our grandparents were dirt poor at one time in their lives. They never depended on the government for anything then. They lived with their families, worked very hard, saved their money and eventually got married and started their own lives. What is wrong with this?? Sure the welfare program originally intention was good but is obviously out of control in this country especially in most our major cities. Sure there will be massive protests, cries of racism, you name it. The poor will flee California in droves so the surrounding states better watch out. Crime will get out of control too in CA so you better be careful if you live in the major cities. People are country is broke! We are running a huge risk of hyperinflation which will do more harm then cutting programs like welfare. When times are bad, tough decisions need to be made. Cutting welfare in CA is an obvious one. This is not about race, or hating poor people, it is about massive debt that can no longer be paid in the current environment. I expect congress to bail out CA in some form. Even if it backing the bonds that are officially worthless in CA.