F. George McDuffee wrote:
On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:50:59 -0800, Jim Stewart
wrote:

Got a cite that California is "on the verge
of bankruptcy"?
========
Our postings crossed. See my posting on this.

Several people also emailed me about this.

My only "error" was using the qualifier "verge," as it now clear
the State of California *IS* bankrupt, to the extent they are
shutting down a large portion of their prison system to "save"
money. FWIW -- it appears the per capita cost to incarcerate in
individual in California is about twice [c.40k$/yr] what the
other states such as Texas and Florida report [c.20k$/yr],
although this may be due to a difference in accounting.
California's prison systems are under Federal court supervision.

The California budget issue is election year
political posturing. Arnold is greasing things
up so he can stick the state employees' unions.

Bankruptcy has nothing to do with the costs
of incarcerating prisoners. It has to do
with paying off your debts at pennies on
the dollar. Hasn't happened, won't happen.

But hey, I don't mind your rhetoric, as long
as I know it's rhetoric.