CALIFORNIA, WE AIN'T COMIN' – AT 7:47 A.M. ET:  California is in desperate trouble.  A new poll says that Californians actually support raising taxes, although I suspect many who voted "yes" think someone else's taxes will be raised.  From Andrew Malcolm at the L.A. Times's Top of the Ticket blog:

If the conventional mantra about California being on the forefront of the nation's political trends holds true, it's really bad news for America's taxpayers.

According to a new L.A. Times / USC Dornsife poll, a majority of Californians -- 52% to 38% -- are just fine with Democrat Jerry Brown's plan to fill the state's chronic budget deficit with $14 billion in new or renewed taxes along with cuts, as long as they get to vote on it.

At least the voters are demanding that they be included in the decision. 

This despite the recent history of waste, corruption and spending abuses in the most populous state's vast government.

This despite the state's continuing 12% unemployment rate, second-highest in the country.

This despite the weak 44% job approval rating for Gov. Brown.

This despite 41% of Californians believing that wasteful, unwise spending by ....

... state officials is responsible for the deficit.

This despite 67% of Californians believing the state's coughing economy is not yet improving and possibly worsening.

This despite 66% of Californians believing the country is on the wrong track under the Obama administration...

COMMENT:  As I wrote here last week, I'm afraid higher taxes are coming because the Dems will scare voters by saying there'll be no more medical care or Social Security without them.  Maybe even the schools and college football will go.  Today soccer, tomorrow the Rose parade. 

Both parties know how to demagogue tax issues.  I think only a change in presidents will result in any kind of rational, thoughtful national conversation.

April 25, 2011