A: It is no surprise that states are looking for a bailout after Congress approved a $700 billion bailout for Wall Street in October. I opposed that Wall Street bailout, and question why Congress should use more hardworking taxpayer’s money, with substantial sums from California, to bailout the fiscal sins of another state, like the New York state’s government? While state governments fund different functions than the Federal government, there is no distinction on who pays the bill: the taxpayer. Unfortunately, Washington and state governments have a spending problem, not a revenue problem. So, instead of writing blank checks and using more taxpayer money in an accounting fix to bailout bad decisions, Congress should work immediately to craft a bipartisan solution that improves our economy and creates jobs. Congress should also take the lead in cutting wasteful spending to set a precedent for statehouses to follow, like the California State Legislature. Hard working middle class Californians deserve their government to work on their behalf and put forward solutions that rewards hard work, not bad decisions. |