I've lost my knowledge of the structure of California public financing, but it's fascinating how they're always about 3 days away from a budget crisis.
In more general terms, it really is the case that at some point Democratic politicians are going to have to show some leadership and overturn the state of political discourse in this country. Barraged with local campaign ads from Philly burbs in PA and NJ and aside from the fact that everybody's opponent is a corrupt liar, they all increased taxes which is The Most Evil Thing Evah.
At some point Dems are going to have to make the case that the government is good at some stuff, that those public services people want and need actually cost money, and some times you need to raise taxes to pay for that stuff.
