Unable to hammer out a balanced budget agreement Wednesday's deadline, California is now a state without a budget, soon to be without cash as well. Unwilling or unable to make the necessary cuts, state lawmakers must find some other way to bridge their $24 billion shortfall.

Not to worry, though. A state known for its creative industries is sure to find an innovative and clever solution. In fact, state officials have already come up with a slew of ideas. With a deficit this large, though, even the best plan won't resolve the issue all on its own. It's going to take a whole

of bold new ideas. Here are just a few:

Make use of California's biggest and most visible asset. That's right, everybody. "Get to da choppa!" Citizens can pay $250 a pop to have Gov. Arnold leave his voice on their answering machine to impress their friends- though he cannot say his catchphrase "I'll be back" due to term limits.

In light of Monday's surprising Supreme Court Decision in the New Haven Firefighters case, some have accused the court of reverse-reverse discrimination. The city had decided to throw out the exam because they feared litigation over the apparently racially divided results. By upending a lower court decision and ruling against the city, the High Court has essentially forced New Haven to not not promoting these men because they are not black. So, you could argue that these men were promoted because they are white.

Well, one of them is Hispanic, but you get the idea. The facts aren't as important as the initial impact, the undeniable edginess of the statement. If I play my cards right I'll get called up to the talk show big leagues.

In court on Monday afternoon, a judge sentenced Robert Madoff to 150 years in prison for his role in a far-reaching Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of billions of dollars. However, just when it looked like his victims would see some modicum of justice in this case, it now appears that Madoff won't see a single day behind bars. Through a complex series of contracts and asset transfers, Madoff fooled a Manhattan couple into doing his entire sentence for him in exchange for worthless stock in his company.

Even as we reel from the terrible events of June 25th, we must pause to take stock and attempt to learn whatever we can. Sadly, it often takes a tragedy like this to open our eyes to what we as a nation must do. After the demise of the manufacturing sector and the exporting of white collar jobs, celebrities are now just about the only export product we have left. If America is to survive economically, we have to find a way to prevent further tragedies like this.

Known as a real man in an age of real men, Joe Jackson died in Berlin this afternoon from complications related to lung disease. A lifelong smoker, Jackson refused to quit for health reasons- everything, it seems, gives you cancer.

In the late 70's Jackson had some success with novelty songs like "Be My Number Two" about a love-struck fecophiliac but is probably best known for founding the Steppin' Out tap dance troupe for adorable old ladies.

After years of recording and touring, though, the stress of the industry began causing health issues. In the summer of 1983, Jackson was hospitalized for three months with a mental illness known as "beat craziness." Up until his death, Jackson performed charity shows around Europe to help raise awareness of beat craziness and raise money to research a cure. In time, Jackson discovered a homeopathic remedy that seemed to alleviate his symptoms: nicotine. Jackson left his home in New York after the city-wide smoking ban to take up smoking full time.