L91:

Balanced budget requirements are the problem? Right...

Since Pete Wilson left office, California has been a shining example of what liberal Democrats can do with one of the world's largest economies, a compliant populace, a fat tax base, and one of the most funamentally sound education systems in the world.

They raised every tax, fee and surcharge they could. Regulated anything that moved. Drove away businesses at the same time housing costs soared out of control. Funded every conceivable social program.

That is not to say that Spitzer isn't correct in pointing out that defined pension benefits and similar mandated spending isn't the fundamental problem. However, it is no accident that California and other large blue states are the first to fall. They've wasted the most money and are crippled by the most ideologically flawed thinking.

Social programs are only debatable as good public policy when you can afford them. Within a few more months, state governments like California will be lucky if they can afford law enforcement. Needle recycling programs and the like will just have to wait for better days.

Okay so needle recycling isn't a major priority, but where do you start cutting and who would be affected? Below are some of the ones that have been suggested on other forums. And I'm curious as to which programs can easily and painlessly be cut.

What about school breakfasts and lunches? Day cares for teen mothers? Subsidized medications for the elderly and disabled? Sanitation? Road repair? Public transportation? After school programs? Day care for the elderly? Subsidized housing? Tax credits for having kids? Upkeep on public parks?

If only someone would forgive student loan debts and put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of consumers, then people could buy cars and/or houses and right this economy.