September 2009 ·
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Golden State fever
By Peter Schrag
Peter Schrag was for many years the editorial-page editor and a columnist for the Sacramento Bee. His new book, Not Fit for Our Society: Nativism, Eugenics and Immigration, will be published in the spring.
The great state of California is desperately ill: it has a chronic disease that’s been ravaging it for more than thirty years. This year’s symptoms include: a $26 billion, two-year budget deficit; a string of sudden multi-billion-dollar cuts to schools, welfare, and health services; and the possible elimination of the state’s college-scholarship program. In June, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened to shut down the government if the legislature—meaning its Democratic majority—didn’t approve the combination of budget cuts and other reforms he demanded. In July, the state controller declared that California was about to run out of cash and began issuing IOUs to its creditors, followed shortly by the announcement from major banks that they wouldn’t honor them.
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| December 2009 THE GENERAL ELECTRIC SUPERFRAUD
THE MASTER OF SPIN BOLDAK
MERMAID FEVER
UNDERSTANDING OBAMACARE
Also: Dave Hickey and Wendell Berry |
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