California a disasterous state (Los Angeles, Whittier: live in, professionals, price)

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by junkman18

There are many places now in SoCal that look like Mexico.
You think you crossed over the border without knowing it,

So what! California's steam-roller economy looks more like Japan or France, which to me is far more important than the skin tone of the state's residents or the multiplicity of languages one hears in one California day. From that standpoint, California looks NOTHING like Mexico. And please don't write back saying that "yah, but just wait 5, 10, 15 years..." I don't buy it. California will remain rock solid economically for a long time. No shortage of talent and resources in CA. In fact, should CA falter economically, the ripple effects would be felt globally! This doesn't sound like Mexico to me.

[Roma]

Cre8, Thanks for noticing what junkman18 said regarding Mexicans. I just can't believe what some people are saying on this board.
California is strong. It is DIVERSE which is why it is so strong. Yes we have problems with illegal immigrants but so do other states. There are millions of people here Legally from Mexico and all over the world and they contribute to the economy everyday. The color of ones skin has nothing to do with California. That is not what California is about.

[hockyis1]

Originally Posted by cre8

So what! California's steam-roller economy looks more like Japan or France, which to me is far more important than the skin tone of the state's residents or the multiplicity of languages one hears in one California day. From that standpoint, California looks NOTHING like Mexico. And please don't write back saying that "yah, but just wait 5, 10, 15 years..." I don't buy it. California will remain rock solid economically for a long time. No shortage of talent and resources in CA. In fact, should CA falter economically, the ripple effects would be felt globally! This doesn't sound like Mexico to me.

Actually, the California economy looks more like Italy or Spain if you just compare the GDP of each.

http://www.lao.ca.gov/2006/cal_facts...on.htm#economy

But don't you worry about all these numbers and statistics....we're just "bullish and niave"...

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by hockyis1

Actually, the California economy looks more like Italy or Spain if you just compare the GDP of each.

http://www.lao.ca.gov/2006/cal_facts...on.htm#economy

Any idea how Italy and Spain compare to Mexico?

But don't you worry about all these numbers and statistics....we're just "bullish and niave"...

Eh, we all have our weaknesses.

[wifmmmy]

Originally Posted by dusesean1986

Wifmmmy,

With all due respect, but if I were to come into your state's forum and blast your entire state with words of criticism and disrespect, I don't think you would be unaffected by it.

I never said that it would. i say blast away if you like or praise all you want. but dont criticize when someone counters your post. instead of saying dont post your bad experiences - - then just post the good ones and counter that post that disagrees with your view. my state forum IS california so go ahead and blast away lol. when i move to washington than i say blast away or praise all you want with that forum. for those that live here have their own point of view of how good,bad or otherwise california is. in my opinion for those from other states that have never been here should hear both sides of the same coin. and they can decide for themselves if the pros out weigh the cons. in their eyes they will decide what their personal pros and cons are.

[izzy]

California has changed over the years. I've lived here most of my 52 years. It is a beautiful state. But the cost of living is driving folks to move to other states. And more so for retirement age folks. It is just to darn expensive here even if you have a union job and both adults in the home work. You just get by...and I talking an income of about $65-70 k a year. Half the income goes on a mortage...

As far as hispanic population or other cultures. California has always been diverse. As far back as I can remember. Our areas of living were more separated in the early 60's each culture had their own neighborhoods. But that has changed and rightfully so.

Izzy

[Rondalw]

I was born and raised in California (Bay Area). I ditto izzy's remarks as I just retired. Taxes (not just income), lousy roads over crowding and the erosion of the small town amtosphere. Not to mention the ultra liberal amtosphere that is turning California into a welfare state. We personally are leaveing the state as soon as our new home is built in another state.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by Rondalw

I was born and raised in California (Bay Area). I ditto izzy's remarks as I just retired. Taxes (not just income), lousy roads over crowding and the erosion of the small town amtosphere. Not to mention the ultra liberal amtosphere that is turning California into a welfare state. We personally are leaveing the state as soon as our new home is built in another state.

A big part of the problem for California's wage earners is the erosion of union jobs, as izzy implied. Job security is largely a myth with at-will employment and employers who generally feel no long-term obligation to employees -- even those who give decades of their lives to a company or organization.

It puzzles me whenever I hear complaints about California as a bastion for liberals when California has largely done away with labor unions -- a solidly liberal concept! Complaining about California as too liberal certainly contradicts what has happened to labor unions and job security in the state over the past couple of decades.

[wifmmmy]

Originally Posted by Rondalw

I was born and raised in California (Bay Area). I ditto izzy's remarks as I just retired. Taxes (not just income), lousy roads over crowding and the erosion of the small town amtosphere. Not to mention the ultra liberal amtosphere that is turning California into a welfare state. We personally are leaveing the state as soon as our new home is built in another state.

thats where i was shocked while driving through Oregon and washington. the roads were in such good shape. not too many pot holes if any at all. Oregon doesnt have any state tax and their roads were awesome. my hubby and i were joking that as soon as we got close to the cali border the roads started to deteriorate immediately. my car was not very happy

[Rondalw]

Actually Cre8, to define my liberal comment, you must look at the political policies of the elected officials in California. In particular the cities that define California. Those being LA and SF. Tax and Spend, their efforts for redistribution of wealth. Personnaly I worked hard for my retirement and I plan to keep most of it close to me and not let CA penalize me for working.

I mentioned nothing about unions in my post. The union discussion is not appropriate for this venue but, I would be happy to discuss (in another venue) their role in the decline of not just California but the ability of American businesses to compete on an international scale as they once did.