Here on the country's "left coast", us native Californians are in mourning over the "Late, Great Golden State". Our state government is in full collapse and our future indicators are not very rosy.
Governance on most all levels in California has been dominated by Democrat party liberals for a whole lot of decades. This state, which is something in the neighborhood of the seventh largest economy in the world among all the nations on earth, represents what a leftist utopia looks like when liberal Democrat party politicians are put in charge over long periods of time. The rest of America can get a clear and unambiguous view of the result of the real time implementation of liberal doctrine and leftist policies.
Where that track record is most instructive is when the current state of affairs in California are compared with what used to be the reality on the ground before this state was almost entirely surrendered to the political left. The outcome of that comparison could not be more clear. The downward trend in so many different arenas is stunning. A once great state is being reduced to a whimpering shell of it's former self. What follows are some examples that illustrate our current reality.
STATE GOVERNMENT: Both the nation and the world is well aware of the yawning deficits we face today in California. A severe fiscal emergency is at hand in a state with close to the highest taxation rate in the country. The Democrat party has dominated the state legislature for what seems like forever and the result has been wild spending on social programs that remain almost unprecedented in state history. From subsidized housing, to free health care, to no cost food stamps and including just plain welfare, the cost of our giveaways is staggering and constantly growing. All the while, legislators cannot come up with a workable solution for completely upside down budget. The bottom line: state government is in a failure condition.
INFRASTRUCTURE: This state used to have the finest system of roads, highways and bridges anywhere in America. Today, that infrastructure is crumbling. There is little chance that it will be improved much in the foreseeable future. State infrastructure now ranks amongst the worst in the nation.
POPULATION: In modern times, California has always been a state with a healthy rate of population growth. Residents migrated from everywhere in the country if not the world. This state has long had a diverse and burgeoning population. But that trend is in reverse. In the past few years, the population of American citizens residing here has diminished year over year. That continues to be the case. It is true that the total population of California has continued to grow but that is exclusively the result of illegal immigration. The number of American citizens living in the state follows a downward trend and will continue to do so as residents flee a failing state.
BIG BUSINESS: California has evolved into one of the least business friendly states in the union. Corporations and other big businesses have fled the state in droves and continue to beat a path to other states which welcome them with open arms. High taxation, onerous regulation and an ever increasing cost of living have forced businesses elsewhere. Gone are any number of corporations founded in California that are now headquartered out of state. The record is clear and the exodus continues.
SANCTUARY CITIES: Most certainly the Golden State leads the world in terms of the largest number of sanctuary cities. Such places are set up to allow illegal immigrants to live and work theoretically free from federal pursuit and prosecution. Further, local law enforcement officials are not allowed to ask, let alone determine or act upon, the legal status of people under arrest. There have been instances of the murder of American citizens by illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities here that could have been prevented had federal and local officials been allowed to pursue and deport known criminals allowed to live under sanctuary protection.
EDUCATION: The public school system in this state is in full free fall. With few exceptions, quality education has been abandoned in favor of teachers unions, political correctness, liberal curriculum, trial lawyers and identity group interests. Parents have abandoned and continue to abandon government schools wholesale. Alternative education like charter schools, private schools, parochial schools and home schooling are booming. Several local school districts have gone bankrupt and have been taken over by the state. The drop out rate has mushroomed. High school seniors consistently perform below grade level on standard testing. Worse, an ever growing percentage of freshman entering the California State University system cannot qualify for frosh level English and math courses and must begin in remedial programs. The bad news: it all continues to get worse.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS: Governments on all levels including state, county and municipal are, in California, wholly owed subsidiaries of the public employee unions. The primary force, although not the exclusive cause, behind the fiscal difficulties of governance here are those unions. Although paid well, regular salary is not the real problem. What drives governments, particularly on the local level, into bankruptcy are the realities of overtime pay, truly off the charts benefit packages (not matched in the private sector) and fabulous retirement compensation. The fact is, our government systems can no longer afford these incredible giveaways to public employees. The pending mandates relative to this issue will, in fact, break the bank for government entities on all levels. It is a disaster in the making that is just around the corner. All the while, keep in mind that California has among the highest tax rates in the country already in place.
The reality is that this liberal Shangra-la is rapidly imploding. Government by unions, special interests, identity groups, liberal Democrat party doctrine, over regulation, over taxation, and Hollywood elites does not work, is in a downward spiral of failure and cannot correct itself as currently composed.
Pay attention America, the rest of you are next.
California budget woes worsens
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California's budget crisis is growing worse as its shortfall for its current fiscal year has increased to an estimated $14.8 billion from a previously estimated $11.2 billion, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Wednesday.
During a press conference broadcast on his office's website, the Republican governor said he would call top lawmakers into a meeting to stress the need for fast action by the Democrat-led legislature on balancing the budget of the government of the most populous U.S. state because it may be out of cash by the end of February.
Schwarzenegger's new budget shortfall estimate comes a day after state Controller John Chiang reported the state's general fund revenues in November were $1.3 billion, or 18.5 percent, below expectations.
California's shrinking revenues and swelling budget shortfall reflect the severity of its housing downturn, rising unemployment and weak consumer spending as both the state and national economies slow.
Schwarzenegger has urged lawmakers to balance the state's budget with a combination of deep spending cuts and new revenues, including revenues from increasing the state's sales tax.
(Reporting by Jim Christie, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
CALIFORNIA: A LIBERAL'S UTOPIA
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32 comments:
Worth a look.
http://www.jbs.org/index.php/component/content/article/974-userblogs/4262
I agree with your column but for one little piece. Some state workers like correction officers and CHP fit the bill in your union paragraph. Their union is strong and they get much even in hard times. As a state worker in another area though under another union our benefits are going down constantly to the point now that many private companies have better. We went without a raise for 12 years. Thank you Arnold for finally giving us one. We have lost much of our benefits that we had 20 years ago. As in the infrastructure we use substandard equipment in our offices. I'm not complaining, I'm grateful for my benefits and job, but lets be fair.
Anon-
Thanks for that insight into your portion of state government. You could include legislators and their staff members in the same category with CHP and corrections officers.
You have helped balance the view. Keep up the good work.
AKA-
Thanks.
Although I cannot claim to be a Bircher, it is reasonable to expect that informed people look at every perspective in order to be fully informed.
But do you think with all this failure, CA will be forced to cut out the waste?
Anon-
Most certainly something has to give or California will experience full financial collapse.
Most likely a combo of deep cuts and increased taxes will be put into place.
There is no way either deep cuts or significantly raised taxes will be implemented. This disaster has been brewing for years, and they have not made a significant change yet, why start now? They will beg and plead for a bailout which the Feds are likely to grant. The Feds are throwing money at every other bad system, why neglect CA.
Hi Historian,
I just found your blog today -- very interesting.
As a "left coast Californian," I can attest that you used the right word when you said we "mourn" the demise of our wonderful California.
Best regards...Honeybee
http://honeysbobbrinkerbeehivebuzz2.blogspot.com/
Honeybee-
Welcome, and thanks for the visit and comment. We can all only hope that someday the late great Golden State will make a comeback. Think good thoughts!
Anon-
A fed bailout might be in the making but it most probably would be no more than a temporary fix that would ultimately return us to square one.
Too bad really. I spent a summer in southern CA (Grenada Hills) and found it to be a magnificent state. Dazzling to a kid from VT. I've been to many a large city since both here and abroad but I dont think I've looked over my shoulder as often as I did in Los Angeles. The potential for violence was palpable. Of course that could be the imagination of a very young me.
Re: fed bailout.
Agreed: it will only postpone the problem. I'm hoping if that happens, it will allow time for the redistricting laws to allow for some new legislators. Thanks for your article.
From the first anon
Yes the legislature is the worst. The per diems, the perks, the easy retirement, they work part time. I hear libs talking all the time about how awful it is that CEOs are paid so high, well the CA legislature fits that bill perfectly. This state needs a major shake up. I am a forth Gen Californian and when I retire I'm gone. This state is a bad joke that is getting worse daily.
First Anon-
I'm on the same page. The only question is, which one of us will be the last one out and have to turn off the lights.
Fed Bailout Anon-
Hopefully we just voted for a sane way to redistrict.
Soob-
Unfortunately, that was not your imagination. The ethnic gang warfare in LA is terrible and budget issues are squeezing law enforcement.
first anon- I have 14 years to retirement. I've been looking at New Zealand and Vancouver Canada among other places. Panama sure wants us bad, if you move there no taxes for 20 years and they are building first class hospitals and all kinds of things to lure us.
Jay @soob I was born and raised in LA. I moved as soon as able. When I go back it scares me as well.
Anon-
Apparently it is no longer the City of Angels!
AFV-
It used to be everyone wanted to be here. Now many search for reasonable alternatives, such as those you mention.
Before too long the only people left in liberal utopia will be those on government subsistance programs and government employees.
Oh Man! I love this post. You hit the nail on the head when you stated, "California is imploding" - those 3 words say it all.
That's what happens when the parasite government takes over the hosting taxpayer.
Not good.
Mr. Historian
I just found your blog today with your link from the Townhall George Will column. I'm glad I did.
Why is it that simple common sense is so lacking in our politicians today? And even more stunning, why do we keep electing them? You describe yourself as a moderate. From what I've read, I would describe you as a sensible man with an awareness of our past, a clear understanding of human nature, and a keen ability to express yourself.
But what and who are these extreme right wingers to whom you refer? I understand the extreme left, which has come to a resurgence in the Democratic party today, but please describe the philosophy and name some names of the extreme right. We used to have the Birchers and the KKK. But they seem totally irrelevant today. This country is often described as center right. I'm not so sure. It seems a lot more left than we may care to acknowledge.
Although certainly not I, but many in this country would categorize you as extreme right. Perhaps even General Colin Powell.
cdor-
Thanks for the kind words.
In my view the spectrum of moderates runs from center left to center right. My location is probably slightly right of center. Moderates most probably make up the majority of the voting population.
The extreme right would be those, as an example, who demand that a border fence be built and enforced BEFORE any consideration be given to comprehensive illegal immigartation reform. In other words, a my way or the highway approach to dealing with very complex issues that, in truth, require comprehensive solutions.
The California Republican party is another example. They continue to put forward only very, very conservative candidates for statewide office in a state where such candidates have almost no chance for success. The far right controls the levers of power in the state Republican party and thus almost no Republican can gain office via the normal nomination and election process. But for those on the extremes, it is all about doctrine, not the general welfare.
Why no common sense amongst our politicians? Political office no longer attracts the "best and the brightest". More often than not it is the more extreme, agenda driven, crowd that runs for office. Not to mention that far too many politicians are lawyers, who almost by definition, are in it for themselves. Thus the choices we as voters are offered, like McCain vs Obama, turn out to be hold your nose and pick one elections.
chuckypita-
Exactly. This state cannot endure when the only folks left in residence are those receiving government welfare and those working for government. That is where we are headed by and large.
Well, thanks for your reply. I completely agree that we have far too many lawyers, or rather, far too few representatives from the overall spectrum of our society, as our elected politicians.
In reference to the "far right", I am curious. You use the example of those demanding a border fence before discussing any kind of comprehensive immigration reform. Setting the method aside, and the fact that there is a huge difference between legal and illegal immigration, how can there be any reform if we do not control our borders?
Can you not understand the frustration and outrage of citizens who abide the laws of our country while our government ignores the willful lawlessness of illegal immigrants? It seems to me that immediate (by whatever means) border control is the simplest route to comprehensive, long term immigration reform. Or maintaining a terribly weak economy might be another solution. Not one I would prefer.
cdor-
The example of a border fence was meant to emphasize the 'my way or the highway' attitude of those on the extreme.
Any sensible person understands and supports the need for border control (the weak economy aside, although it has eliminated much of the immigration magnet). But insisting that a fence is the exclusive answer when up to 20 million illegals are already here is short sighted in the extreme and does not address the heart of our multiple problems with illegal immigration.
But the far right insists that the fence goes first or nothing. So what we have gotten as a result is nothing, beyond a partially completed fence. Now we even have a massive drug war on our southern border.
Extremists are so doctrine driven that their view is all that exists in their minds. They typcially live in echo chambers where their own perspective is continually reinforced leaving them with the belief that their convictions are the only correct perspectives.
Returning to the issue of illegal immigration (not my passion by the way), it is undeniable, if one is reasonable, that border control in conjunction with a host of other solutions is the workable way to deal with illegal immigration.
But both the far left and the far right are one way streets. In their worlds, they are exclusively correct and everyone else is both wrong and dumb.
afriendlyvoice:
I find it amusing and somewhat sad that you look to New Zealand or British Columbia to escape California.
As a former San Diegan now living in Vancouver, trust me on this:
It won't be long before BC suffers the same sort of progressive utopia meltdown you're seeing in California.
All the early signs are there, all the spending, all the taxing, nanny-state intrustion, well intentioned foolishness, and a growing immigration problem. But it doesn't have as robust (and varied) of an economy as California had either, so the fall will probably come quicker and uglier than the slower rot of California.
I actually long for the golden days of 2005 and the comparitively low cost of living and taxes I had in San Diego, and the pleasantly short 1-hour commutes.
My career led me up here, and I don't regret it. But it's no utopia here.
To whoeven mentioned the last one out of California turning out the lights, my guess is the lights will go out long before the last person leaves.
I live in Colorado, but provide tech support for a large cable company serving LA. Since just before Thanksgiving, when our regional data center in Orange suffered a power outage followed by a power surge bad enough to take out our panel protection, we've been struggling with the after effects of dirty power. It has been seriously impacting our customers for almost a month, and has damaged millions of dollars worth of equipment. Any chance we'll get compensation of any kind from the utilities? Not likely.
Colorado, as one of the refuge states for Californians leaving the left coast, is turning into California-Lite. Unfortunately, it's far too late to stop the infection now.
Sigh!
PhoenixLady-
Thanks for the report. Sounds like a big problem.
Sorry about the "Californication" of beautiful Colorado but you will most certainly see continued transplants as those who do pay taxes leave this welfare state.
anon-
Vancouver... a beautiful city in Canada... an established nanny state.
Is there nowhere to hide?
I live in Arizona/Colorado. Both states have become infected by the liberal budget busting fever. We mourn it daily. I don't think California will EVER get it. I pray others can learn from watching what happens in California.
Anon-
That is the value of California: it is the perfect example of failure in real time, providing a high profile illustration of what not to do.
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