You thought the California legislative body was insane? (hint: you were right) Wait'll you get a load of the typical proposed Propositions that wend their way through the system every year... the system wouldn't be so bad, if all those darned "bond" measures didn't always somehow make it through.

Want some light reading to cheer yourself up, perhaps by weeping hysterically? Try this: A website showing the progress of various propositions through the California ballot system.

Anyhoo— here's but two non-bond propositions trying to make it to the Big Time. Go ahead and start praying they don't get enough signatures out in front of Albertson's and Cardena's supermarkets to qualify:

Propositions wending their way through the "signatures" process; coming to an insane state ballot near you:

Wealth Tax. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Summary Date: 01/28/09 Circulation Deadline: 06/29/09 Signatures Required: 694,354

Proponent: Paul McCauley

Imposes one-time tax of at least 55% on property in California exceeding $15 million if single, $20 million if married. Imposes one-time tax (between 36.5% - 54.3%) on income exceeding $10 million when resident dies or leaves California. Imposes additional 17.5% tax on total incomes of taxpayers with income exceeding $150,000 if single, $250,000 if married; 35% if incomes exceed $350,000 if single, $500,000 if married.

... ah yes; "soak the rich"... I believe that is what "Eureka!" means when translated liberally...I have a grrrrr-eat idea! We can attract wealth to the state, and enrich our tax base, by threatening to tax anyone who has achieved any measure of wealth! IT'S BRILLIANT!!1! AND WE SHOULD THREATEN TO TAX THEM IF THEY DIE OR EVEN TRY TO LEAVE THE STATE!!

BWA-HAHAHAHAAAAA

... also, expect more of this in future rounds of legislation. There's nothing not worth spending millions of dollars on, over and over again:

Substitutes Domestic Partnership for Marriage in California Law. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Summary Date: 03/09/09 Circulation Deadline: 08/06/09 Signatures Required: 694,354

Proponents: Kaelan Housewright and Ali Shams (818) 472-0982

Replaces the term “marriage” with the term “domestic partnership” throughout California law, but preserves the rights provided in marriage. Applies equally to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. Repeals the provision in California’s Constitution that states only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

... repeal, baby! Repeal!... always remember: here in California, if not in actual life, sex (now "gender") is an artificial construct, a construct of the imagination, ranking in reality below possible genetic factors such as race and body-mass index. In my state, chromosomal differences matter less than genetic ones! W00t!