SOLUTIONS GET 'FAR OUT MAN'

Good grief.

So now, in order to pull the politicians' fat out of the fire, we're
supposed to legalize marijuana so we can tax it to help us out of the
hole in which they put us.

OK, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't exactly say it should be
legalized, rather we should start the debate. He's kidding, right?

We already have passed Proposition 215, which allows for the use of
medical marijuana.

You see how well that's working. Guess those lawsuits and the
harassment up and down the state by counties and cities trying to
thwart the proposition don't count.

If we can't agree that using weed to ease undesirable side effects of
other treatments is worthwhile, how do we expect the objecting cities
and counties to go along with using it for recreational purposes?

The notion that an intoxicant should be legalized not because the
people have decided it's the right thing to do, but simply to feed
the state coffers, is wrong.

Essentially what that says is the politicians' need for money to save
their butts and protect their special buddies trumps what many see as
society's well-being.

As you can see, our state government's inability to run itself has
created a situation where the "solutions" are getting "far out, man."

We also could follow Nevada's lead and allow for legalizing
prostitution -- no, not the Sacramento trollops ---- and gambling.

If the people want pot legalized, or to allow gambling and
prostitution, fine, but not because politicians want to tax it so
they needn't act responsibly.

Frankly, our elected state officials probably would approve any of
those things before taking a real stand on spending, which would
require body parts apparently absent from their anatomies.

Instead, they'll continue to suck up to unions and other special
interests while they rob the cities, counties and school districts
blind even as they tax us to the poor house.

No, this job is one for the taxpayers. And once we're rid of the
"girlie men," maybe California will join the states putting the feds
on notice that the power residing in Washington derives from the
people, not the D.C. shysters, and we can decide fiscal matters for
ourselves without their rules.

With the vote on Propositions 1A-1F six days off, polls show five of
them losing.

The one that has found favor, Prop. 1F, would ban pay increases for
elected officials in years when there is a budget deficit. The
savings according to the legislative analyst's figures: "Minor."

In reality, Prop. 1F is nothing more that a back-door
institutionalization of budget deficits. Talk about a scam.

But what would you expect from state Sen. Abel Maldonado, Prop. 1F's
author? You remember him, Mr. Integrity.

He says he thinks "government has lost the trust of the voters." Ya
think? Pure genius.

By the way, if you want to make known your feelings, stop by Tom's
Farms in Corona from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday for the Tax Revolt Rally
organized by KFI talk-show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou.

And make noise. Lots of noise.