How Bad is it in California?
Very, very, very bad.
An article brought to my attention by a friend--who, like half a dozen Californians with whom I've spoken over the last couple of days, is looking for property in Nevada or Texas:
John Smithton, Sacramento Times
Updated 12:19 p.m., Thursday, November 8, 2012LOS ANGELES - Democrats after gaining a two-thirds majority in both the
California Assembly and Senate following Tuesday's election, will be
bringing several new laws forward, all without the need for Republican
votes.The most striking of these is a bill which would restrict wealthy California
wage earners from leaving the state without facing a large penalty
assessment on their real estate and financial assets...."It's time to start anew and to live within our means but at the same time
invest in the cornerstone of our future and of our economy. We need those
fortunate enough with higher incomes to continue paying their fair share,
and if that means making them pay dearly if they decide to leave our state
so be it," Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said in
a telephone interview....State Democrats have also proposed forming a new branch of the state police,
to be known as the "STASI" or "State Team Action to Stem Income" which would
be staffed with volunteers from every community, monitoring residents
contemplating moving out of the state. The staffers would report on
neighbors and family members with moving plans or otherwise acting
suspiciously....
UPDATE: Searching online, I'm unable to find the original, so I'm to suppose the article a hoax. If so, I'm relieved. On the other hand, what does it say about the present political climate here in the Golden State that neither I nor the friend who sent this to me feels--well, entirely sure?
If any among the Ricochetti can figure it out one way or the other--this thing seems to be floating around cyberspace, but, again, I'm unable to find the original--I'd be grateful.
UPDATE on my UPDATE: Fool that I am, I only just now remembered that the paper in Sacramento isn't the Times but the Bee. John Smithton? No such journalist seems to exist. This is a hoax. And, for about ten minutes, yours truly fell for it.
Lord. Rob Long will never let me live this down.
All right, all right. That's enough chortling, everybody. Go off and stuff start basting your turkeys.
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Comments:
May '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
The amazing thing about a democratically elected republic is that immediately following every election we get the government we deserve - well done California.
May '11
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Peter Robinson: State Democrats have also proposed forming a new branch of the state police,
· 1 minute ago
Peter, I never know when you are just kidding. Tell me this is a joke.
Jun '10
Re: How Bad is it in California?
This is incomprehensible to my American mind.
Sep '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Truly? STASI??
That's not from The Onion?
Sep '11
Re: How Bad is it in California?
This shows the failure of the public education system in California: the article, clearly intended for publication on April 1, didn't make it into print until 7 months later.
There's simply no way that this is anything but an April Fool's Day joke.
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Southern Pessimist
Peter Robinson: State Democrats have also proposed forming a new branch of the state police,
· 1 minute ago
Peter, I never know when you are just kidding. Tell me this is a joke. · 4 minutes ago
It is a joke.
I can only explain that the election reduced me to a jelly-like state of gullibility.
Sep '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Until the mention of "STASI" it was entirely believable. That's what is truly sad.
Apr '11
Re: How Bad is it in California?
"UPDATE on my UPDATE: Fool that I am, I only just now realized that the paper is Sacramento isn't theTimes but theBee. This is a hoax. And, for about ten minutes, yours truly fell for it. "
Took me ten minutes, too. Sadly, and especially in this case, good spoofing must contain a bit of believability. Onion quality.
Mar '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
In other news, Peter has been contacted by a representative of a Nigerian prince who needs a bank account to transfer a considerable fortune out of his country, in exchange for sharing a third of said fortune. Will he keep this opportunity to himself, or be sharing with all of us the chance to be of assistance to (naturally conservative) Nigerian royalty?
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 4:55amRe: How Bad is it in California?
Sumomitch: In other news, Peter has been contacted by a representative of a Nigerian prince who needs a bank account to transfer a considerable fortune out of his country, in exchange for sharing a third of said fortune. Will he keep this opportunity to himself, or be sharing with all of us the chance to be of assistance to (naturally conservative) Nigerian royalty? · 9 minutes ago
Edited 9 minutes ago
In the words of Jack Benny--who knew I'd be able to tie the two posts together?--"Now, cut that out!"
Aug '11
Re: How Bad is it in California?
The sad thing is this story is so plausible. I would totally believe that California is contemplating such a thing.
May '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
There's no need to post fiction Peter. Just post what is really happening in the People's Republic of California. It's so bizarre and troubling it is as if California has become Sweden.
or this;
If one considers that there are about 4 million or so people in California who reliably vote Republican(2010 & 2012) I think what other red states should do is implement a refugee program for beleaguered(& outnumbered) conservatives in California.
Edited on November 22, 2012 at 5:44amApr '11
Re: How Bad is it in California?
The STASI were the East German state police. Should have been a tip off.
Aug '10
Re: How Bad is it in California?
On another note, it IS California law that one must listen to "California uber Alles" while reading this article.
Oct '10
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Amusing in a way, save nothing about California is a suprise anymore. Expect a hefty excise tax on UHaul trucks leaving the state for starters.
Aug '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
On these grounds, Audi never would have made the Green Police Ad, but lowe, they did.
May '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
I bought off on it right away and still don't think there is anything in Peter's story that sounds too far fetched from what is coming for California.
May '10
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Paging Prof. Yoo: Is it not unconstitutional to penalize citizens for leaving a state? Commerce Clause? Something? Bueller? SOS!
Mar '12
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Peter, read this after finishing our traditional pre-Thanksgiving crab dinner. Gave me a start. Delighted to see it's a hoax, but didn't aid the digestion.
May '10
Re: How Bad is it in California?
Don't feel bad, Peter. A few years ago NPR did an April Fool's piece on "exploding maple trees" in Vermont (they were becoming too engorged with sap during syrup season), complete with recordings of distant ka-booms. I called a friend who has a modest syrup operation to alert him of the danger, and, well, that call is now legend.