What the heck happened to California??? (Los Angeles, Davis: apartment, violent crime, house)
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Wonder what California would be like today if the movie industry had remained on the East Coast -- Jacksonville FL, for example -- and not contributed so much to the "boulevard of broken dreams" imagery that became Hollywood? The entertainment industry is allowed to define California, yet it represents such a small percentage of the state's overall economy -- and employs such a small percentage of residents. Everybody flocks to California for what they perceive it to be, and many are greatly disappointed when they get there. Hollywood, in many ways, has done a disservice to the state. And the industry is leaving for greener pastures -- Georgia, Louisiana, even Michigan of all places -- and leaving what behind? A broken dream?
They see the scummy, disgusting, dirty, and hate filled state, which the history books and Hollywood says doesn't exist.
Even in the "Golden Age" there were plenty of books and films which affirmed that California DID exist: while John Fante, Nathanael West, and Chester Himes weren't that widely read, John Steinbeck, Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler WERE very highly read and very influential.
In fact, Chandler in his 1949 book "The Little Sister" (speaking through his protagonist Philip Marlowe) goes into a long spiel about how California has been ruined by too many undesirable, criminal, thuggish outsiders coming in and destroying the California Dream - no, not from south of the border, but from the East Coast.
Ironically, Chandler himself was a transplant from England albeit born in the Midwestern US.
Why I haven't moved elsewhere? Pretty simple: I used to LOVE this state. ...
I've only become bitter toward this state in the last 5 years. ...
People who say liberals haven't ruined this state. What has then? The political climate in California is that of liberal/socialism. ...
So Phil, curious where you think will suit you better after California? Real question from me, not an attack. I'm curious. There are Red States doing better than CA, but many other Reds are also suffering badly. There are other Blue, liberal states that are suffering, but some are doing well. This reality would indicate that conservative/liberal politics alone isn't a controlling factor. Do you see some clear example where politics has made the difference? Isn't it more true that either identity can be a failure or success based on the quality of cooperation and execution at all levels?
I toyed with the Pittsburgh OP, not because I am a California patriot especially, though I do love the state, but because I have no tolerance for racism -- especially when it has violent undertones -- and because it was an attack without purpose or question. If you read my posts in this thread you may have noticed, in fact, that I not only never attacked Pittsburgh really, I actually never defended California either. (I just toyed with the OP's bigoted personality.) There are plenty of problems facing California ... some very serious. Personally, I don't believe that politics alone is the root cause -- or solution. I don't believe prevailing politics is anything but a symptom of a larger dynamic -- a dynamic that includes a great array of components including a region's available natural resources, agriculture, industrial base and other business character, and, most importantly, human nature -- even weather and geography. Thus, given that your viewpoint is clearly hard and passionate, and you have lived as a native Californian many years, I am genuinely curious if you have identified a political solution elsewhere that addresses your disillusionment with California?
So Phil, curious where you think will suit you better after California? Real question from me, not an attack. I'm curious. There are Red States doing better than CA, but many other Reds are also suffering badly. There are other Blue, liberal states that are suffering, but some are doing well. This reality would indicate that conservative/liberal politics alone isn't a controlling factor. Do you see some clear example where politics has made the difference? Isn't it more true that either identity can be a failure or success based on the quality of cooperation and execution at all levels?
I toyed with the Pittsburgh OP, not because I am a California patriot especially, though I do love the state, but because I have no tolerance for racism -- especially when it has violent undertones -- and because it was an attack without purpose or question. If you read my posts in this thread you may have noticed, in fact, that I not only never attacked Pittsburgh really, I actually never defended California either. (I just toyed with the OP's bigoted personality.) There are plenty of problems facing California ... some very serious. Personally, I don't believe that politics alone is the root cause -- or solution. I don't believe prevailing politics is anything but a symptom of a larger dynamic -- a dynamic that includes a great array of components including a region's available natural resources, agriculture, industrial base and other business character, and, most importantly, human nature -- even weather and geography. Thus, given that your viewpoint is clearly hard and passionate, and you have lived as a native Californian many years, I am genuinely curious if you have identified a political solution elsewhere that addresses your disillusionment with California?
What racism? I criticized Californians for standing by as millions of illegal, illiterate mexicans flooded their state. Is it wrong to point out facts? Years ago a person was a racist if they hung a black person or burned a cross in someone's yard. Today, you're a racist if you happen to disgree with a non-white person. Disagree with Obama? Racist! Dislike illegal immigration? Racist!! Progressives like yourself claim that everyone in the world is a racist but them. It's laughable. You must have such a sad view of America. Once again, I gave a list of issues with California. Never once have you addressed them. Instead, you talked about spending time in Altoona and living under ficticious bridges. If you want to have a discussion about California, fine. Let's do it. Tell me why the wealthiest state in the country is nearly bankrupt. Tell me when the citizens of CA allow so many illegals, why the school system is pathetic, why crime is insane, why foreclosures are some of the highest in the nation, why the unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation. You can claim I'm a racist all you want, but that's not going to fix California. Drink the kool-aid, cover your eyes and ears, do whatever you want. But, the reality is that California has taken a massive nosedive and non-Mexicans are leaving the state en masse.
What racism? I criticized Californians for standing by as millions of illegal, illiterate mexicans flooded their state. Is it wrong to point out facts? Years ago a person was a racist if they hung a black person or burned a cross in someone's yard. Today, you're a racist if you happen to disgree with a non-white person. Disagree with Obama? Racist! Dislike illegal immigration? Racist!! Progressives like yourself claim that everyone in the world is a racist but them. It's laughable. You must have such a sad view of America. Once again, I gave a list of issues with California. Never once have you addressed them. Instead, you talked about spending time in Altoona and living under ficticious bridges. If you want to have a discussion about California, fine. Let's do it. Tell me why the wealthiest state in the country is nearly bankrupt. Tell me when the citizens of CA allow so many illegals, why the school system is pathetic, why crime is insane, why foreclosures are some of the highest in the nation, why the unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation. You can claim I'm a racist all you want, but that's not going to fix California. Drink the kool-aid, cover your eyes and ears, do whatever you want. But, the reality is that California has taken a massive nosedive and non-Mexicans are leaving the state en masse.
California 2009
Non-Hispanic White: 15,325,751
Hispanic: 13,681,370
Black (alone and in combination): 2,596,923 (2,159,178 alone)
Asian (alone and in combination): 5,137,990 (4,559,739 alone)
California 2000
Non-Hispanic White: 15,816,790
Hispanic: 10,996,556
Black (alone and in combination): 2,513,041 (2,263,882 alone)
Asian (alone and in combination): 4,155,685 (3,697,583 alone)
Non-Hispanic White Decrease: -431,039
Black alone decrease: -104,704 (but the combination increased by 83,882)
Hispanics increased by 2,684,814
Asians increased by 982,305
Where are the "waves" of Non-Mexicans leaving? You had a population of non-Hispanics INCREASE by almost 1 million this past decade. However, I do think its a bit troubling that Whites and Blacks are leaving the state, but they're free to move wherever they want.
Why don't you come here and fix the problem for us? Bring your Pittsburgh posse. Let's see how far that will get you!
And I don't believe for a second that the only reason why California is taking a nosedive is because of Hispanics who need bullets to their brains, especially from people who like to talk trash over the internet.
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CALIFORNIA = PARADISE LOST.
I've driven around LA with friends who grew up there and mourn what it has become. If you squint, you can see past the dirt and grime and ghetto industrial blight and see what a beautiful place it once was, but no more. I always tell people they need to visit California at least once before they die, to destroy the Hollywood myth and see it for what it really is. The California seen by the world has always been just a facade, but now it is bigger lie than ever. Very sad.
Because LA is representative of the whole state. What a ludicrous prospect. California has a lot of problems, but what area in the world doesn't? You make it sound like the land physically molested you as a child. There are counselors for that, you know?
Yes, I left when I could reasonably afford to retire after having lost half my retirement, including safety retirement, in a divorce some years ago. The difference is, I'm not bitter. The problems are mainly because of the people's choices in politicians and issues but they are, in the end, the people's choice. I don't have to agree with them, and I don't. But I'm not bitter. Rather, I'm disappointed. Therefore, I exercised my right to move elsewhere more in tune with what I think is right and responsible.
Good for you!!! Me? I am bitter. I've been through too much, in the past 22 yrs of police work. Too many lawsuits (brought on by liberal BS attorneys), too many investigations tossed out, because of liberals, too many everything; all because of LIBERALS.
Its funny, really its not, but, in Alameda County, the most liberal county in California, an investigation will not be charged. Same investigation in Orange County (fairly conservative) charged.
Case in point, do you lovely, I love California, its the greatest thing since sliced bread lovers know: In Alameda County, there has NEVER been a successful death penalty case against a cop killer? Ever? And the answer is POLITICS. Plain and simple politics. LIBERALS, who REFUSE to commit someone to the death penalty.
California, on PAPER, looks great. But when you come here; when you spend TIME here, you see it is a hyped up, worthless nothing. NOW. It wasn't always this way. This state was once great; as the OP said: What happened to California?
I agree with everything Phil has said . the one sided domination by liberals has ruined the state. California is the only state ive been to where you can kill some one, be out in less than 8 years, and kill some one again. Its insane here and the quality of life is terrible. I moved here as a kid, and if a chance comes up ill shake too. The third world mores and values that have become mainstream here is sad. I was back in the midwest for a vacation and me and my wife were going through CLEVELAND YEA CLEVELAND and we noticed how much higher the quality of life there is compared to california. Its unbelievable how backward it is here compared to the United States.The weather sure is nice I suppose tho
I agree with everything Phil has said . the one sided domination by liberals has ruined the state. California is the only state ive been to where you can kill some one, be out in less than 8 years, and kill some one again. Its insane here and the quality of life is terrible. I moved here as a kid, and if a chance comes up ill shake too. The third world mores and values that have become mainstream here is sad. I was back in the midwest for a vacation and me and my wife were going through CLEVELAND YEA CLEVELAND and we noticed how much higher the quality of life there is compared to california. Its unbelievable how backward it is here compared to the United States.The weather sure is nice I suppose tho
The violent crime rate was actually HIGHER in Cleveland compared to "third world" Los Angeles in 2009 (the most recent data available).
Also...let's remember before you blame the liberals for ruining the state we've had a Republican Gov. every year since 1983, except for 1999 to 2003 (Gray Davis).
Wonder what California would be like today if the movie industry had remained on the East Coast -- Jacksonville FL, for example -- and not contributed so much to the "boulevard of broken dreams" imagery that became Hollywood?
While there was some early film production in Jacksonville the industry would've never located there. The popularity of Westerns in the silent era made California's rise inevitable. Now, the industry COULD have very well set up shop in the Bay Area rather than L.A. but definitely not in Jacksonville. (The industry in the US began in NYC, and has never really left there - NY seems to be able to hold on to production).
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And the industry is leaving for greener pastures -- Georgia, Louisiana, even Michigan of all places -- and leaving what behind? A broken dream?
While I get your point, Michigan's strategy of attracting the film industry has been a colossal failure and an embarrassment for Gov. Granholm. Georgia's more specialized. As for Louisiana and New Mexico, true to some extent, but in reality the industry's gone to Canada more than anywhere else. Many of the California businesses which have left the state have also gone to Canada. Vancouver's the real "entertainment capitol of the world". Canada's less anti-business than California or the US in general and has a better economy.
Back in the day the entertainment industry and aerospace drove the SoCal economy, although the entertainment industry was never that important in the NorCal economy. Sadly, that's all gone. California has a high tolerance for dysfunctional government and for a long time was able to coast despite that, but eventually it couldn't do that anymore (namely because of too many people). OTOH, if California gets a new constitution, then it will make progress on solving its problems and be headed back in the right direction again. Unfortunately too many special interests have a great deal to lose from a new constitution.
Also...let's remember before you blame the liberals for ruining the state we've had a Republican Gov. every year since 1983, except for 1999 to 2003 (Gray Davis).
Governors do not make the laws. They just enforce them. Its called the executive branch of state government. And if we had not had the checks and balances we have had on the liberal legislature california would likely be resemble a hybrid of mississippi, peurto rico, and baja california.
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