For Californians, the golden dream depends on where you live and how much you earn (San Francisco: home, income)

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by ysr_racer

Exactly, I wouldn't want the USA to end up like any of those **** holes. Glad we finally agree on something.

Lol.

[TR95]

Originally Posted by ysr_racer

Exactly, I wouldn't want the USA to end up like any of those **** holes. Glad we finally agree on something.

And we get nothing for it here in Ca or even the US for that matter compared to the more socialist countries. We pay the highest for university and more for healthcare than many if not all socially progressive countries. That’s why it’s difficult to support any tax increase in CA, especially what the new tax law did to us here with the $10k SALT limit and for new homeowners with the mortgage cap at $750k.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by TR95

And we get nothing for it here in Ca or even the US for that matter compared to the more socialist countries. We pay the highest for university and more for healthcare than many if not all socially progressive countries. That’s why it’s difficult to support any tax increase in CA, especially what the new tax law did to us here with the $10k SALT limit and for new homeowners with the mortgage cap at $750k.

Hmmm. Interesting. So you are pointing out that socialized education and healthcare costs less for better outcome than US capitalist policy. Well, there you go.

[TR95]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Hmmm. Interesting. So you are pointing out that socialized education and healthcare costs less for better outcome than US capitalist policy. Well, there you go.

Yes, that’s probably the case. The US has lost its luster in my opinion. CEO pay in relation to even upper management pay is way too disproportionate today. I’m with you about ism and ist’s. Don’t think one view works today. But no way in he-l I’d ever vote for any kind of tax increase especially in CA. We get nothing for it here. Just wasted money. Especially in the Bay Area Alameda County where we pay the most in property taxes on a percentage basis compared to the rest of CA yet our roads are some of the worst in CA. Not to mention all the other cuts, fees, etc.

What’s one to do though? Make the best of it, work and retire somewhere else in CA with lower costs like San Diego, somewhere in SoCal or maybe even on a boat.

[BeauCharles]

The stereotypical "California Dream" is for upper income folks living within 30 minutes of the ocean. For us inland residents our lives are pretty much like anywhere else in the country. In other words, an American Dream. Much more modest - being able to buy an ordinary house basically.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by TR95

And we get nothing for it here in Ca or even the US for that matter compared to the more socialist countries. We pay the highest for university and more for healthcare than many if not all socially progressive countries. That’s why it’s difficult to support any tax increase in CA, especially what the new tax law did to us here with the $10k SALT limit and for new homeowners with the mortgage cap at $750k.

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Hmmm. Interesting. So you are pointing out that socialized education and healthcare costs less for better outcome than US capitalist policy. Well, there you go.

In Germany: Free healthcare for all! Well sort of if you don’t factor in the 25% sales tax on everything. Not to mention it costs 3000 Euros to get a drivers license. I won’t even mention the price of buying a house there.

And as the title of this thread says, where you live the CA does affect the COL. Stay away from LA and the Bay Area and suddenly CA becomes quite affordable

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Mmmm? Like Germany, perhaps? Or Japan, Scandinavian countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand ... all of which are more socially progressive by far than California is / can be within the structure of being a United State.

I am not a socialist, communist, capitalist, or any other kind of “ist” ... well, pretty much ‘atheist’ I guess you could say ... or ‘taoist’ even more so. But I see science illuminating certain realities that lend value / danger to the various policies called for by differing factions. Homo sapiens is a social animal ... and one that has exceeded, exponentially, its evolutionary biological design to live in massive societies ... these societies require social management that benefits the larger population ... without which the individual can’t survive either.

Uh of those none are controlled by one party. Biggest difference. Compare to one party Countries.

[expatCA]

The "Golden Dream" now simply means have a lot of gold or all you can do is dream.

[Kevroqs]

"It's called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it"- George Carlin

Certainly does apply to California now because many people can't afford to buy a home.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Uh of those none are controlled by one party. Biggest difference. Compare to one party Countries.

Why? California isn’t “controlled by one party” either. It’s controlled by voters, who can change the dynamics anytime they see a reason to. This state isn’t an autocracy. There’s no king on a throne or general in charge of a state dictatorial army. If conservatives / republicans addressed the concerns of the majority better than the liberal / democrats, the majority would change.

You have an odd definition of “control”.

Boy are the readers going to be treated to a blast of wisecracks after this post! Lol