While the whole nation pays tribute to Michael Jackson, the situation of the state where he is buried becomes increasingly unbearable: The three great Californian banks decided to no longer discount IOUs from the State of California after Friday. After that, the only resort will be credit unions, which are institutions that lend usuriously and will take an important percentage of the check that is given to them. As for the development of a secondary market for these IOUs, there seem to be complications: Would we be afraid to learn the truth about the value of California signature?
The passing from June to July and the additional $2 billion deficit that came with it do not seem to move Californian senators and representatives. Democrats have radicalized themselves and refuse even to negotiate with Governor Schwarzenegger.
The stakes are high; the Democratic majority in the Californian houses gives them more than the right to obstruction. Nothing is possible without them in a state where 60 percent of votes are required to approve the budget. It’s in this context that California saw its ratings lowered from A to BBB.
The Governor, as a good Republican, attempts to reduce social benefits and especially the fraud related to these benefits. Thus, his commendable objective of diminishing fraud in the system is based on a contested estimation of fraud. There are also measures regarding pensions for new recruits, as well as other social matters. He is, it seems, ready to increase taxes if these measures are approved, which should save $1.7 billion of the $26.3 billion.
This debate will continue at many levels in the United States, where the budget deficit will be a record high, if it is approved. But what matters most is the nature of the debate: What are we trying to overcome and why? What is the logic behind such actions?
Let’s hope the budget will be voted on shortly: This will allow for situation to gradually normalize. It is difficult to imagine how President Obama could not intervene in this debate. He is in Italy for a G8, which is, in fact, partly a G13, and where the preliminary work is as vague and rhetorical as the others.
Poor California…
Tandis que le pays tout entier rend un dernier hommage a Michael Jackson, la situation de l’ Etat ou il est enterre devient de plus en plus intenable : les trois grandes banques californiennes ont décidé de n’escompter les reconnaissances de dette de l’Etat de Californie que jusqu’à vendredi. Apres cela, le seul recours sera des « credit unions » qui sont des institutions qui prêtent de manière usuraire et qui prendront un pourcentage important du cheque qui leur sera présente. Quant au developpement d’un marche secondaire de ces IOUs, il semble avoir du plomb dans l’aile : aurait-on peur de connaitre la vérité sur la valeur de la signature de la Californie ?
Le passage du 1er juillet et le déficit supplémentaire de $ 2 milliards qui l’accompagne ne semblent pas émouvoir les sénateurs et représentants californiens. Les démocrates se sont radicalisés et refusent même de venir a la table de négociation avec le Gouverneur Schwarzenegger.
Les enjeux ne sont pas minces ; la majorité démocrate aux Assemblées californiennes leur donne plus qu’un droit de blocage. Rien n’est possible sans eux dans un Etat où 60% des votes sont requis pour approuver le budget. C’est dans ce contexte que la Californie a vu sa notation baisser de A à BBB.
Le Gouverneur, en bon républicain, tente de diminuer les prestations sociales, et en particulier les fraudes relatives à ces prestations. Ainsi, son objectif louable de diminuer les fraudes du système partant d’une estimation contestée de la fraude. Il y a aussi des mesures en matière de pension pour les nouvelles recrues et en d’autres matières sociales. Il est semble-t-il prêt a augmenter les taxes si ces mesures qui devraient épargner $ 1.7 sur 26.3 milliards sont approuvées.
Ce débat va se poursuivre a bien de niveaux aux Etats-Unis ou le déficit budgétaire sera record s’il est approuve. Mais ce qui importe c’est la nature du débat : que cherche-t-on a dominer et pourquoi ? Quelle est la logique de telles actions?
Osons espérer que le budget sera voté sous peu : cela permettrait de normaliser graduellement la situation. On voit mal comment le Président Obama pourra ne pas intervenir dans ce débat. Il est en Italie pour un G 8 qui est en fait pour partie un G 13 et dont les travaux préparatoires sont aussi vagues et rhétoriques que les autres.
Pauvre Californie…
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link
.
Yet, over the long term, tilting towards the US doesn't seem to be the natural choice, especially when America is looking to re-shore manufacturing and disengage from China-centric supply chains.
The crown prince’s historic visit to the US this week crowned these bilateral relations, elevating Saudi Arabia to the status of a major non-NATO ally and a trusted strategic partner.
While Washington claims Tehran desires an agreement, Iran insists no dialogue will take place without the lifting of sanctions and guarantees respecting its nuclear rights.
Senator Ted Cruz's warning to the Christian establishment about the rise of antisemitism on the American Right applies equally to the Israeli establishment. This poison is spreading among young Christians who will form America's leadership in the next generation.
The crown prince’s historic visit to the US this week crowned these bilateral relations, elevating Saudi Arabia to the status of a major non-NATO ally and a trusted strategic partner.
While China has warned of serious consequences and may impose sanctions, the US frames the sale as a necessary sustainment measure for existing aircraft rather than an escalation.
Illegal aliens cost California $43 billion/year. Hard to have much sympathy for the Republicans and Democrats who circumvent immigration laws for their own corrupt ends.
Illegal aliens cost California $43 billion/year. Hard to have much sympathy for the Republicans and Democrats who circumvent immigration laws for their own corrupt ends.