Communism Arrives in California

From each according to his ability and to each according to his need – Communist Axiom

George Rebane

California consumers will soon be paying for their utilities according to how much money they make.  The long-denied face of Marxism will have arrived in full force if the utilities and the Public Utilities Commission have their way.

When this authoritarian regime gains a foothold, its principles will then be applied to control the means-based prices of life’s other necessities.  This is what always has happened when the butt stupid half of a country’s citizenry takes to using the government gun to milk their productive neighbors.  Our Left has always denied that their goal is organize America according to Marxist-cum-Communist principle.  Today they have gained enough support from our double dummies that they can talk about their progress to authoritarian rule out in the open.

All this is in the works in California because this is the way Gavin Newsom’s state government wants it: “The income-based bill proposal is part of the companies’ compliance with legislation passed by the California state government last year requiring these types of plans for utilities. The California Public Utilities Commission would have to approve the proposal and make a final decision by mid-2024. The fixed rate could start showing up on bills as soon as 2025.” After that, watch for the wall to be built around California to keep those who are productive from escaping becoming slaves to “equity,” unless the whole country has embraced Marxism by then. (more here)

 

Comments

[scenes]

It's already done via the CARE plan.

I haven't had any luck finding the actual proposal, just people writing about it.

[MikeL]

Cool….I see a booming business opportunity for the poor serfs making less than 180k. They can run black market charging facilities for the rich serfs making above the 180k threshold. When Vladimir Newsom dictates there vill be no Tesla charging due to da climate crisis or whatever made up bs excuse his non-science brain comes up with, you can still have a fully charged e-bike.

[Scott O]

Golly, if only the govt could run everything.

Democrats join Patriotic Millionaires group to call for 90% tax on income above $100 million

"...an organization of high-income and high net worth individuals favoring higher taxes on the wealthy, are calling on Congress to pass a 90% income tax on incomes above $100 million as fears of a recession are growing."

Could have sworn Biden said the economy was "strong as hell".
Of course these "patriotic" folks are all voluntarily paying 90% of their income right now, right?

https://justthenews.com/government/congress/democrats-team-patriotic-millionaires-call-90-tax-income-above-100-million

[Misanthrope]

Are the same people calling the PG&E plan communism, the same ones who think e-car drivers are not paying their fair share of road taxes since they don't buy gas?

Rich people don't care how much electricity they use. They leave the lights on when no one is in the room, the heat on and the exterior doors open, have all kinds of energy vampires plugged in, pool and fountain pumps, e-cars they plug in, and on and on.

They might have solar panels that they get energy credits for but PG&E needs to trim trees, repair lines, etc. and solar users don't pay their fair share of those fees.

I don't agree with an income based rate but I do think a "conservative credit" where credit is due could get some to think about turning off lights, etc. But, like I said, the rich don't care.

20-30 years ago when the speed limit was 55mph, one of the ticketing schemes used was and excessive fuel use ticket in place of the normal speeding ticket.

It's the same thing.

Calling it communism is so Tucker Carlson.

[Gregory]

"I don't agree with an income based rate but I do think a "conservative credit" where credit is due could get some to think about turning off lights, etc. But, like I said, the rich don't care."

It's clear Missy hates the wealthy. At least those who are wealthier than he/she/it.

I was a houseguest years ago at a school chum's home. Her dad was a captain of industry, building a semiconductor company in Tucson, from scratch, and they lived a reasonably waste free life.

[scenes]

"I don't agree with an income based rate but I do think a "conservative credit" where credit is due"

Ummmm...they have such a thing. It isn't like there's a single rate per watt-hour.

While it's a trivial example of 'Communism', I think it nudges that direction simply as a mechanism for attempting to run the economy via edict rather than organic means. If nothing else, you end up with absurdly complex rule sets, some of which counteract each other.

If you want to help the poor, give them some money to spend as they see fit. Electricity should reflect it's exact cost to produce and deliver to your house. Rural areas should pay more, rates should reflect time of day if that increases cost, externalities like pollution should be built in. As a monopoly, The State will be involved, but it sure would be a life simplifier if cost-to-deliver and reliability were their only measures.

I don't know why people are so fixated on actively managing other peoples' lives. There's something enthralling about being the guy with the PowerPoint charts I guess.

[Gregory]

"I don't know why people are so fixated on actively managing other peoples' lives."

That's what motivates the "Progressive" Left.

[Misanthrope]

I don't really understand it, but I think Nevada City has a couple of months early in the year where they look at your water bill. They take that bill as your base rate for indoor household water usage.During the summer months I think they figure everything above that is from exterior landscape watering, etc.

Scenes is correct. PG&E also has a base rate I believe.

The income based idea sucks for another reason, why should PG&E have access to your tax returns?