EDITORIAL: STOP THE FISCAL INSANITY

By Rick L. Powell, Republican Candidate, 78th Assembly District

May  20, 2010 (San Carlos) – While the citizens and businesses of California continue to suffer economic hardship, Sacramento’s politicians are on an unsustainable and reckless spending spree with our money. This behavior is irresponsible and dangerous, and we must stop the fiscal insanity now.

In order to balance the state budget and reduce our outlandish deficit, we must do more than cut wasteful government spending and programs. Innovative cost cutting solutions, such as merging responsibilities of existing state agencies, need to be passed into law immediately. Like all of us during these difficult economic times, Sacramento simply must learn to do more with less.

We can also control our state budget by controlling our state border. Thousands of illegal immigrants continue to wrongfully take millions of dollars from California’s coffers. From healthcare costs to public education expenses, the drain on our state budget caused by illegal immigration is simply unacceptable. California must provide for its taxpaying citizens first, and while it’s necessary to increase efforts to secure the border, that is not enough. We must also stop public benefits to people who are here illegally.

Finally, California’s bloated budget will continue to spiral out of control until we get serious about standing up to the unions and reforming our public employee pension system. By some estimates, California’s public employee pension funds are currently in shortfall of more than $500 billion dollars! While public service is a noble calling, taxpayers simply can’t afford to pay for California’s current public pension system. There is a solution: pass public pension reform that takes care of our public servants but doesn’t bankrupt future generations of Californians.

Simply put, a vote for Rick Powell in the June 8th Republican Primary is a vote to stop Sacramento’s fiscal insanity now.

To learn more, please visit www.VoteRickPowell.com.

Col. Rick L. Powell USA (ret.) served 38 years in the military and received several decorations for his combat service in the Vietnam and Iraq Wars, including the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. In addition to a distinguished military career, Col. Powell worked in federal law enforcement for over 23 years as a Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and for US Customs. Col. Powell currently provides national security consulting services to the Department of State

The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.