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[–] 36 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (8 children)

Yet another reason why California's ballot initiative system is a bad idea.

They say the bond spending would pay for itself, since Prop. 38 ensures that 10% of the revenue generated from research would go back to the state’s coffers. And cures funded with Prop. 38 money must be cheaper when sold to California residents — 20% less than the average national price.

Source. If that was actually a good investment then the private sector would have provided the funds...

In the words of a blogger I like,

The great thing about California is that it’s not just a state where a few big special interests can money-pump the public. Anyone, no matter how small or humble, if they try hard and believe in themselves, can become a special interest that money-pumps the public.

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  • [–] 20 points 1 day ago (7 children)

    Californians seem to overwhelmingly vote however the billionaires tell them to vote. It is heartbreaking.

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  • [–] 16 points 1 day ago

    They had people fully panicked that the “Billionaire Tax” would get rewritten by the state legislature to apply to everyone, despite (me pointing out to relatives) the part of the law that says they can’t do that.

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  • [+] -7 points 1 day ago (5 children)

    Americans do. I'm from California and I knew this wouldn't pass. Americans don't differentiate between the game (capitalism) and life. Our culture is competitive. According to the rules of the game, we have fealty to our social superiors, because they are the winners of life. It's not our place to inconvenience them or get in their way. If any of us won, we would expect the same. Anyway, having said that, I voted yes on it. I think it wasn't enough, but a starting point.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)
  • [–] 1 point 17 hours ago

    That's a pretty accurate description of the average US American. We have a belligerent zero-sum society that places high value on anti-social behaviors ie "rugged individualism" and paired with American exceptionalism and functional illiteracy... Yeah I'd say that description is very accurate of the average US American.

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  • [–] -2 points 1 day ago

    You didn't read far enough. I voted yes on it as did many others. I was referring to Americans in general. American society in general. A majority shot down this VERY logical proposition. Why? It has nothing to do with the state of California. In fact, a bill like this would do worse in practically any other state.

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