This final note today, a story to warm the heart. Forty-five years ago, Dennis Ferguson was living in Southern California, working for the Douglass Aircraft company. He got laid off at one point, and collected $1,100 in unemployment benefits.

Fast forward to 2010. He's retired, living in South Carolina, reading about California's financial problems. Sits down and writes a check. $10,000. Memo line: repayment for what California did for me. State law says it'll go to the schools.

So Mr. Ferguson, on behalf of all of us out here -- thanks.