Guess what California just paid $50 million for?

Photo above - "Bring it on, Donald". California Governor Gavin Newsom announces $50 million in emergency funding to prevent the deportation of migrants with criminal warrants. Unrelated news: Newsom is running for president in 2028.

If I were Paris Hilton, I would be soooo pissed. Not only did the city let my $10 million mansion go up in flames, but now the governor is spending $50 million to hire lawyers for migrants facing deportation. Um . .. $50 million is 3 TIMES the amount Los Angeles cut from their fire department budget.

Not to belabor the point, but the Santa Ynez reservoir that could have saved the city is also still empty. And it will probably stay so for the foreseeable future.

But migrant legal aid . . . how quickly can politicians make THAT happen?

In case you think Newsom's heart in is the right place, let’s stop and consider who is actually going to get the $50 million. It is certainly NOT going to feed the families of felons facing deportation. That money will be doled out to their lawyers, for billable hours.

If you’re a cynic like me, you can immediately imagine a line of well-connected lawyers queueing up to collect these hourly reimbursements. Lawyers who – might possibly – also be past contributors to someone's election campaign. Or simply friends and neighbors of elected officials. You can never have too many friends, eh?

I have no idea who’s might get arrested first. Neither does Governor Newsom, who is championing this slush fund (actual description, see the link below). I’ve written previously that the US government would have its hands full simply arresting and deporting illegals with active warrants. Hombres who didn't show up for their previously scheduled hearings. This writer has no desire to see money wasted on arresting someone simply for working without a visa. Let’s concentrate on the drug dealers, human traffickers, pimps, stick up artists, carjackers, and accused murderers. That should be a long enough list to keep authorities busy.

Let’s NOT use California taxpayer money to fund the pretrial motions and petitions by lawyers for these felons, while 12,000 homes are still smoking.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

California Dems Propose ‘Slush Fund’ To ‘Trump-Proof’ Illegal Migrants From Deportation Amid Deadly Wildfires

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wildbill83 · 41-45, M

since california has so much money laying around to waste, they shouldn't have anything to complain about when Trump cuts all their federal funding...

If it takes either going broke or the entire state going up in flames for voters to make better decisions... so be it...🤷🏻

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

@wildbill83 actually the state, and most of the counties and cities are in dire straits most of the time. by law, they ALL have to balance their budgets. which is why the fire department is out $17 million, the reservoir is empty, but there are "slush funds" around to buy votes and campaign contributions

wildbill83 · 41-45, M

@SusanInFlorida which is why they should get no taxpayer money, it's an absolute certainty that whatever money is given to them will be spent on anything but what it was given to them for...

It's like giving a homeless addict money to go buy food for a week, & they blow it all on more drugs to get high for a few hours

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

@wildbill83 i'm a fan of increased voter involvement. Any proposal to spend taxes, create a new agency, or spend in excess of the budget should require a direct vote of the constituency

wildbill83 · 41-45, M

@SusanInFlorida but that only works if they actually use the funding on what they claim it's for; more often than not, they bloat spending bills with "extra" expenses hoping it will pass without notice (like all the recent disaster "relief" funds that only send more money overseas)

In many states/districts, funds should be earmarked; and when someone or some city politicians/staff attempts to use them for other purposes, they should be immediately dismissed and charged with fraud/embezzlement, etc.

jehova · 31-35, M

@wildbill83 should the us be giving that "tax payer money" to israel instead? Thats what we do now. Maybe help our neighbors instead of an international crime syndicate attaking civilians in Gaza?

wildbill83 · 41-45, M

@jehova I'm fine with that (within reason), Israel is our ally, one of our best; and is a strong trading partner with good products. Ukraine isn't, and see's us as nothing other than a welfare office...

We most definitely shouldn't be giving "aid" to these countries that openly condemn us

jehova · 31-35, M

@wildbill83 agree it is a balance. That "balance" has been u.s. sending money and resources to Israel for many many years. Given isreal is commiting humans rights violation against Gaza and Palestinians, regularly, id conclude financially broke u.s. needs to stop helping israel as it attacks a portion of its own residents and neighbors (using religious\historic justification?).