[WeST]

"Yeah, yeah, taxes are bad and no one should pay any ever, because government is the problem. Blah, blah, blah. Thing is, that doesn't stop anyone from wanting the government to build highways, put police on the streets, and keep the air clean. It's far past time for this country to stop whining about taxes, so we can fund government to do what we want it to do. Government spending benefits us all, even if we don't immediately see the impacts." [jmonkey]

Jmonkey, I think you misunderstood my comments. I have no problem with targeted government spending on projects that have been through a cost/benefit analysis. You are right about the situation in California being more complicated, but if I tried to explain everything you guys would ban me. I agree that some people will always complain about taxes, but are also the first to complain about poor services. I am a passionate advocate for government that doesn't take the lazy way out of every problem by throwing more money at it. Delts is spot on when he says that politicians, particular in California, have forgotten how to say no or don't care anymore. I am speaking out against that mindset which tries to be all things to all people.

California's elected officials have taken its vast resources and pretended they are Santa Claus. Santa may be able to get his toys and goodies from some magical place where he has endless free labor from elves, but California needs to come back from the North Pole and remember that their resources are limited. Businesses and citizens can only be taxed so much until they vote with their feet and leave.

If and when this happens Utah will be ready to capitalize and we will be stronger because of their recklessness. I come from the position that business is societies golden goose. I believe that the amazing projects we see being proposed in Utah are the fruits of creating an environment that is fertile ground for entrepreneurs and developers. Of course we have to always balance the interests and needs of other groups when they come in conflict with these policies. California is a example of that balancing act out of wack.