> . . . .considering the state's financial condition

It might be far more productive to put the state out of its misery. At least as we know it today



Some sociology professors from USC and UCLA have suggested that a three way split-up would actually create new states, each with a far more cohesive populace - a southern state north to the top of tehachapi/Cahon, and up the coast to SLO; A northern coastal state above that; and an interior state from Tehachapi to the Oregon border. It would hardly be the first time a state split up, the first being Virginia - into Virginia, W. virginia, and Kentucky. Texas already has Federal authority to split into as many as four states, but they have opted not to do so - so far.

An intriguing idea I'm sure; but I wonder if it would really help. Kaliphonia got into this predicament because of voter approved but ill conceived initiatives that appropriated general funds, while the legislature just spent it all again when they got their turn.

A great example of ill conceived initiatives being the $10 billion HSR bond, which appropriated a billion a year from the general fund for 30 years, to pay it all back ("a billion here, and a billion there - and pretty soon your talking really big money!"). Need I also mention that the $10 billion is less the 1/4 the amount needed, and thus HSR will fail the same way NWP has, and for the same reason - insufficient resources.

And then there's the corrupt politicians we keep re-electing - - - But the real problem is Kaliphonia's stupid dummied down voters who just rubber stamp everything presented to them! We voters have only been getting exactly what we deserve! But with the state split up - those same dumbed down voters would probably just continue to do the same, at least in the northern coastal state where the NWP and SMART reside. -- No change there!

Thus no hope either!

OPB