I’m beginning to suspect there’s something in the water at our state capital that is causing what I call Sacramento Budget Derangement Syndrome (SBDS). This tragic disorder is characterized by a lethal mixture of pigheaded obstinacy and cockeyed optimism, along with a stern resolve to never actually look at the reality of the budget crisis – because that would be so wrong. Instead, those afflicted with SBDS never move from their ideological stances while simultaneously being utterly convinced that something magical will soon happen so that the crisis will be resolved without them actually having to do anything or – gasp – compromise in hopes of reaching a solution.
…
Pretending the budget problem isn’t there won’t make it go away. There is an increasing sense of unreality from Sacramento, as they saunter about, deciding to think about maybe taking a meeting or two in hopes of further pondering the situation. When the Catholic Church elects a new pope, they lock the cardinals in a room and don’t let them out until they elect a Pope. Maybe that’s what Californians need to do with their irresponsible legislators. Lock them in their chambers until a budget is passed.
The budget should have passed on June 30, and the deficit grows by $1 billion each month. Yet Sacramento continues to do nothing.