I see nothing wrong with putting a limit on taxing ability -- requiring the Legislature to have a two-thirds majority in order to pass a tax increase is a good thing. It's too bad the Legislature isn't required to have a two-thirds majority to pass spending increases, 75% of it for entitlements when what CA needs is spending to fix its infrastructure, for instance. That would be a job creator -- welfare does not produce anything, nor bring in any tax revenue.

The un-informed and greedy voters (read: tax recipients) are part of the problem, but so are the legislators that have made CA a welfare-recipient's paradise and a business-UNfriendly environment. CA is chasing out its revenue producers and its best and its brightest, the givers, and leaving behind the takers.

CA does not need any more tax increases when 1% of the taxpayers pay 50%-55% of the state income taxes. The fools in CA that want the taxes increased even more must be of the Russell B. Long school of thought -- "Don't tax you. Don't tax me. Tax the fellow behind the tree."

The Los Angeles Times has an interactive tool (see the link below) where you can balance the budget yourself. It's not hard to do -- just cut, cut, cut. I balanced the budget in about 10 seconds, with money to spare.

CA is a welfare state and desperately needs to change direction. I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger for trying to get the Legislature to cut the waste and the fraud by making much needed changes to the ease of getting gov't money, like gov't employees retiring after 30 years and getting a lifelong pension of 90% of their pay. That's unsustainable.

Barbara

• You Balance the Budget