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

[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.