patrick.net

Goran_K says

The biggest problem with CalPERs

I see, but I know nothing about CalPERs. In general you see I just don't trust anyone handling my money for a fee.

Reader says

The term financial advisor to me is so arsehole ridiculous. My take is if that person knows so much about making money they wouldn't be telling others how to do it for a fee, they would do it themselves with their own money.

That's why I do not have a "financial advisor." :-)

Nospam said: My state tax burden will be cut in half. I'm moving to a property that's got 20 times the land and 3x the living space for the same money.

And property taxes?

EBGuy says

Now you're being a bit silly. Nobody is exempted. Citizens United allows ANY entity (union, corporation, person) to contribute to a SuperPAC. Your beef is with the US Supreme Court, not Prop 32 (and BTW, I will join you in protesting Citizens United).

Actually, this article does a good job of laying out who is exempted from Prop 32. http://www.sbsun.com/pointofview/ci_21635501/proposition-32-is-phony-reform

Corporations are barred from payroll deductions, but they don't use them anyway.

Who is funding the Prop? Are they doing this out of the goodness of their own hearts?

So, the argument against 32 is that unions should have the same corrupt lobbying abilities as crime lords and corporations, and they should continue to have unilateral power of involuntary and unlimited payroll withdrawals over their members to fund whatever they see fit anyway they see fit.

Without corrupt powers of lobbying, the unions can never properly and competitively influence politicians under the table as an end run around taxpayer approval so that they in essence, can control the financial pot by continuing to bribe the politicians.

Without these special corrupting, lobbying powers, the process is just so much more inefficient. It would force the poor unions to actually argue the merits before the taxpayers when otherwise they can simply buy the politicians. It is terrible that taxpayers and voters would actually remove that power to influence and corrupt the politicians from our selfless teachers and government workers, who are only corrupting the pols for the good of the taxpayer, even if the taxpayer does not know or acknowledge this selfless act.

The only slight difference is that corporations are TAXPAYERS and the unions are TAXSUCKEES who are bankrupting our cities, counties and state. The TAXSUCKEES simply want the power to corrupt on an equal footing with the TAXPAYERS, they don't care a bit if the corporations rob us blind in some other venue, honor amongst thieves and all that.

Those are some great selling points for voting against 32, I vote for equal opportunity corruption, no on 32! So glad the unions are taking the high road again!

I have another couple years in the Bay Area before I move to somewhere with affordable housing. As a non-native of this area I have to say that I won't miss it a bit but I am greatful to have rented here. There is no other place I could have saved up so much money so fast by renting and saving. It's because of the Bay Area that I will be able to have such a high quality of living when I move away.

drew_eckhardt says

40% of all high-tech venture spending in America goes into the San Francisco Bay Area so being here maximizes one's chances of doing interesting things for a company with a viable business plan at the right point in its life cycle with a big enough equity share to stop needing to work for money.

Apart from having great sports medicine doctors to put you back together nothing matters more - not beaches, not taxes, not home prices.

As bonuses the weather makes for pleasant bicycling year round and the ethnic food is good.

Wasnt this true back in the 60s 70s 80s and up to the mid 90s ? Except home prices were lower and govt policies fostered growth.

Strategic Renter, did you rent "Falling Down" before coming out?

Strategic Renter says

The middle class is leaving California

also true:
California is leaving the middle class.

Californians are leaving the middle class.

If you and your family need change in California, you must vote the democrats out of office and out of power. You must starve their networks of money and influence from the top down.

Otherwise, our youth all going to be living in cramped 200sqft closets mortgaged for $500k+, while the Joe Bidens, Nancy Pelosis, Barbara Boxers, Elizabeth Warrens and Diane Feinsteins of the world look down, smiling, on us little people from their fraudulently-priced, taxpayer-supported $2m shacks.

The democrats' policies against young people are not ones of stupidity or ignorance. They are of intentional theft, intentional fraud, and intentional malice. The DNC must be destroyed.

Cliches are so passe.

B.A.C.A.H. says

also true:
California is leaving the middle class.

Californians are leaving the middle class.

So what is left is less than 1% who live in very narrow areas and the mass are poor people? Man wouldn't want to see that kind of hellhole after ten years.

Reader says

So what is left is less than 1% who live in very narrow areas and the mass are poor people? Man wouldn't want to see that kind of hellhole after ten years.

"As goes California, so goes the nation."

Or something like that.

freak80 says

Reader says

So what is left is less than 1% who live in very narrow areas and the mass are poor people? Man wouldn't want to see that kind of hellhole after ten years.

"As goes California, so goes the nation."

Or something like that.

No, I think what goes on in Wackoville the rest of the Nation now will watch and learn. The last ten to fifteen years I think has altered perception.

lostand confused says

Cliches are so passe.

And in my view so is California.

Reader says

lostand confused says

Cliches are so passe.

And in my view so is California.

California is a cliche.

E-man says

Could it be that you couldn't make it here?

That's a rather rude statement. It's probably a smart move for a state that is moving towards the direction where only the rich and poors can afford to stay. One would need to make so much, for e.g., in bay area, to be classified as middle class compared to other states. Common conversation for a typical income of 250K in bay area are always housing prices, stock markets, else where, like East Coast, anything but constant preoccupation with money. At one point, ones really need to think if you live to make money or you make money to live.

SparrowBell says

At one point, ones really need to think if you live to make money or you make money to live.

EVERYONE on Patrick.net should read THAT line! Because there are plenty of money loving hungry greedy bastards on here who either live in a dream world or just to me live to fuck people over.

Either way, it all comes back ten-fold so I pity each of them.

And furthermore regarding that "make it here?" remark. There is no "making it" pal if "making it" means living amongst 99% of a population that is welfare and spending 500K or worse 800K to live in a shack. THAT is just plain stupidity in my book.

We've been in North Bay, north of San Fran, for 10 years now.

We still like it - moderate tempts, water and hills nearby, no mosquitos, etc.

But the taxes here are absurd - from extra dollop of tax on every gallon of gas to ~1.25% per year on full valuation of properties (in the nations most expensive housing market so collections are monstrous) to income taxes now topping the 10.8% bracket. We paid almost 8% in state income taxes last year...that tax alone could rent a modest place in Florida (where we have lotsa' family) and elsewhere. Florida has 0% income tax, too.

I try not to calculate how many actual dollars we've paid in income taxes these 10 years. We've lived in Washington DC and metro NY previously so we're no strangers to high taxes and relatively high living costs...but California takes it to a whole new plain.

For now, we're happy here all in all. But I'm thinking there's somewhere else in our future to come as this is kinda' madness spending this much in such a poorly governed state.

jsmarket says

.that tax alone could rent a modest place in Florida (where we have lotsa' family) and elsewhere. Florida has 0% income tax, too.

But I know from my family in FL you may not pay some of the same but you WILL be hit with outragious electric bills you must run AC 24/7. Food and gas are higher than Manhattan. Schools are a mess. And real estate is still grossly with a capital G overpriced. SO in my opinion don't buy the bullshite. FL is not what it was in 1965.

bgamall4 says

Again, what is your stake in seeing Calpers destroyed?

It is already "destroyed" because it is a failed, and ridiculous system that puts tax payers on the hook for any investment failures. I had no part in that at all, it was simply "self fulfilling" if you will.

freak80 says

bmwman91 says

The labor groups already have VASTLY more representation in CA government, and we have the results for all to see. This would dial down their influence to a level closer to that of the "nefarious, evil" private enterprise boogeymen that the opponents all love to name-drop.

We have a similar political dynamic here in the Rust Belt. Any attempt to dial back the power of *public sector* unions is seen as an attack on *all unions.*

"You don't want teachers to strike? Well then, you're no different than a Pinkerton thug at the Battle of Homestead!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homestead_Strike

The big problem back home is that EVERYTHING is viewed through that 100 year (or more) old frame of reference. Every year is 1932, every Democratic president is FDR and every labor action is the big sit down strike of 1936-1937. It's even that way among the younger folks because they've become so dependent on the old folks for jobs and survival that whatever the old fart becomes gospel whether it's actually true or not.

I'm SO glad I moved out of there.

My wife and I are both professionals. We were paying well north of $1000/month in state income taxes. We left California in 2006 for Texas. I think the taxes really impact the middle and upper middle classes. The rich can afford it. But, if you and your wife are making $90,000 to $200,000 the taxes are very painful. They force you to give up a lot of things. These are the people leaving.

bgamall4 says

You are still not disclosing your interest in having Calpers fail. What is your Wall Street connection? I guarantee you have one.

I used to work at Goldman Sachs. :)

bgamall4 says

Don't let the door hit you in the rear. I know folks who make in the200k range and they are doing pretty well.

Lol

You're squabbling with someone about California taxes using a "my friend said..." argument?!?

THAT'S a sound position.

anon12366 says

The democrats' policies against young people are not ones of stupidity or ignorance. They are of intentional theft, intentional fraud, and intentional malice. The DNC must be destroyed.

Finally somebody that gets it.
While the republicans are vile in their own right, their agendas only negatively effect the current moment. All of their ailments are easily treatable by one single vote.

It is the Democrats that do a far more insidious destruction on Democracy. They are the ones that want to carve out factions and assign life time roles to different segments of the population.

You'll never see the Liberals trying to run the Shit on Haitian or Jamaican communities they try run rough shod over the American black constituents.
They have American black constituents convinced they are worthless and it is fine if they are lawless, because it's the White republican fault.
Then they leave them with... "Don't change, never change, the checks in the mail." Meanwhile Haitian and Jamaican families are working on buying their third and fourth home, while the father works three jobs, and the wife works two jobs. With in another ten years, they'll own a fleet of taxis, or a monopoly on Caribbean AM radio in their market.

Our poor poor Black Americans it's got to be the skin, but how do Islanders skirt this impediment?

Democrats are warm water. The poor people, including poor blacks and poor Latinos, are frogs in that warm water. They feel so comfortable when the water warms up to the boiling point.

Wow, revistionist history much? So it wasn't white conservatives that concluded that "separate but equal" was viable under our Constitution? Jim Crow laws? Segregated seating and bathrooms? All pleasurable lifestyles for blacks until those filthy Democrats actually passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It's like you live in a white fantasy land.....

bgamall4 says

I know folks who make in the200k range

ALERT: NO ONE CARES.

bgamall4 says

Crap. I bet you work in finance somewhere. :)

That's why I'm able to ascertain that CalPERs is a zombie. :)

Well, Australia is ahead of the USA in net immigration. But look at Syria on emigration!
http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?v=27&c=as&c=br&c=ei&c=sy&c=us&l=en
Didn't see a chart for states.

bgamall4 says

So, you have a vested interest in having private rather than public retirement accounts. I thought so. I work in thinking.

What is my "vested interest" Mr. Thinker?

My vested interest is not having to pay my share (as a taxpayer) of CalPERS' missing $20B in interest income this year.

The California pension system is a very scary thing. Promises have been made. Money's not really there, not with the transition to ZIRP and resulting loss of 8% risk-free yields.

If CalPERS was relying on that $20B of missing interest income this year (and they were of course), it stands to reason that it has to be made up with either higher employee contributions, cutback of benefits, or taxpayer money.

um, yeah. Oh, CalSTRS is in similar situation, but not quite as big (still a hundred billion dollar plus time bomb though, ~$8B of lost interest income this past year).

Washington State is looking better today, LOL.

bgamall4 says

just workers can contribute more to the fund

$20B more???

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=cA8

shows total government payroll is around $150B . . . that's a 10%+ rise to make up the missing investment yields . . .

Face it bgamall, CalPERs is done as a solvent fund, or maybe bellingham bill is a "wall street interloper" just like me.

bgamall4 says

More private accounts.

I do think CalPERs risk should be privatized, and not socialized, like they are now.

Bellingham Bill says

My vested interest is not having to pay my share (as a taxpayer) of CalPERS' missing $20B in interest income this year.

you cant be missing $20B that you never had to begin with. But your short in the required pension balance. Thats the problem with a defined benefit pension .. plenty of bankruptcies in private sector to prove the point. And in todays near zero interest environment .. wont make it . Start packing !

bgamall4 says

Don't let the door hit you in the rear. I know folks who make in the200k range and they are doing pretty well.

Question is, can they do better in Texas?