Ben Boychuk's article in yesterday's New York Post, California's Crazy Train, raises an important question about California legislation to construct a high-speed rail between Madera and Bakersfield--"why would state lawmakers commit to spending $5.8 billion in state and federal funds on the first phase of a high-speed rail line that practically nobody wants in part of the state where practically nobody lives?"
Perhaps Californians, as a recent field poll suggests, are asking a more pointed one--why should they agree to Governor Brown's $8.5 billion dollar tax increase this November, when state law makers unabatedly discard billions of taxpayer funds on unwanted and useless public projects? With cities across California going bankrupt, slashing day-to-day services and others fearful "they may dissolve" or "cease to exist," California voters now seem less willing to impose sharp taxes on themselves to continue funding frivolous government spending.
As Boychuk correctly concludes, "by approving this $5.8 billion down payment on a boondoggle... Brown and his fellow Democrats in Sacramento have given away the game, and imperiled their hopes for higher taxes." Here's to hoping Californians "slam the breaks" on the "fiscal crazy train" this November.
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