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According to Mr. Kotkin, these upwardly mobile families are fleeing in droves. As a result, California is turning into a two-and-a-half-class society. On top are the "entrenched incumbents" who inherited their wealth or came to California early and made their money. Then there's a shrunken middle class of public employees and, miles below, a permanent welfare class. As it stands today, about 40% of Californians don't pay any income tax and a quarter are on Medicaid.
It's "a very scary political dynamic," he says. "One day somebody's going to put on the ballot, let's take every penny over $100,000 a year, and you'll get it through because there's no real restraint. What you've done by exempting people from paying taxes is that they feel no responsibility. That's certainly a big part of it.
And the welfare recipients, he emphasizes, "aren't leaving. Why would they? They get much better benefits in California or New York than if they go to Texas. In Texas the expectation is that people work."
#1 California Is Run By Elitist Control Freaks That Have No Common Sense At All
Politicians in California seem to love to impose absolutely ridiculous rules and regulations on the taxpayers. For example, many local governments in the state are now seeking to require that most new housing be built with at least 20 units on a single acre. This gives the phrase "being close with your neighbors" a whole new meaning. The following is from a recent Wall Street Journal article....
Metropolitan area governments are adopting plans that would require most new housing to be built at 20 or more to the acre, which is at least five times the traditional quarter acre per house. State and regional planners also seek to radically restructure urban areas, forcing much of the new hyperdensity development into narrowly confined corridors.
There are many more examples of this "control freak" mentality. As I wrote about recently, one California town is actually considering making it illegal to smoke in your own backyard.
In some California cities you even need to get permission from the government to gather with your friends. For example, in San Juan Capistrano it is actually illegal to hold a home Bible study without a "conditional use permit". #2 California Is A Horrible Place To Do Business
For seven years in a row, CEOs ranked California as the worst place in the United States to do business. Thousands of good companies have left the state in recent years, and yet California lawmakers continue to pile on more rules, regulations and taxes. #3 The California Economy Is A Gigantic Mess
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I was born in San Carlos in the late 1940's a fifth generation to a great-great-great grandfather who jumped a whaling ship in San Francisco in 1846 (two years before the 1848 gold rush) from Yekaterinburg, Russia. Yes, my roots in California go back farther than most.
A wonderful place to grow up as a kid. The south bay area from Palo Alto to San Jose (I remember San Jose as a cowboy town when the signs into town proclaimed a population of 120,000) was heaven for a young boy into his teen years.
The only two roads south was the bayshore freeway (101) and the El Camino Real, there were no other roads. Traveling the El Camino you would leave Mountain View to Sunnyvale where the El Camino would be a two lane road with orchards on either side. Same leaving Sunnyvale to Santa Clara.... again orchards either side on a two lane road. This was the 1950's.
I was glad I was there then. When I go back to visit, most of my family has left for Idaho, Oregon and Nevada, I no longer recognize the place.
Does anyone speak English in California anymore?
Really sad what happened. Liberalism took over and now you got garbage dump.
I agree with much of what Joel Kotkin says, but if he blames liberals for all of California's problems, then why did he vote for Jerry Brown for Governor? He says that he believed Brown would be "different". Seriously? Is that really credible?
Since 1967, the state has been Governed mostly by the GOP. For the 8 years preceding January 2011 a Republican Governor was in charge in California. Suggesting that the state's going to hell because of moderate Governor Brown less than a year and a half in office is beyond idiotic. Plain stupid. Ignorant.
I agree with much of what Joel Kotkin says, but if he blames liberals for all of California's problems, then why did he vote for Jerry Brown for Governor? He says that he believed Brown would be "different". Seriously? Is that really credible?
Since 1967, the state has been Governed mostly by the GOP. For the 8 years preceding January 2011 a Republican Governor was in charge in California. Suggesting that the state's going to hell because of moderate Governor Brown less than a year and a half in office is beyond idiotic. Plain stupid. Ignorant.
What's ignorant is thinking the governor has the power to pass diktats for laws. As if there is no legislature.
Less than 10% of the wealthiest people in America inherited family fortunes. But the effect of inherited wealth can also be seen on a more modest level.
And if I did earn money, if I paid taxes on it, what is it to you what I do with the money I earned?
Since 1967, the state has been Governed mostly by the GOP. For the 8 years preceding January 2011 a Republican Governor was in charge in California. Suggesting that the state's going to hell because of moderate Governor Brown less than a year and a half in office is beyond idiotic. Plain stupid. Ignorant.
O ehas to loo at the entire state governamnt when judgig why things are as they are ;not just oeperoswn. Without the snate and house control no doubt what obama has done would be very different. In mnay states they actully have rules on budget that they have to follow;other not.Everyhting usually start i the statehouseand ant govenor has to compromise likely. Buyt then California likes to do things by referendum alot also. Even local officals have alot do do with noe fical matters are handled.Bt bascially what I see is that people of means want alot done and can afford what they want ;just others may not be able to afford.Perhaps the polices that drive out inductry effects the middle class more tha those who have the means to want policy over jobs. Ive seen very small tones where unless your rich you can not afford to live and it seems almost by intent really.
Since 1967, the state has been Governed mostly by the GOP. For the 8 years preceding January 2011 a Republican Governor was in charge in California. Suggesting that the state's going to hell because of moderate Governor Brown less than a year and a half in office is beyond idiotic. Plain stupid. Ignorant.
try as you might California is a blue state. It voted 60-37 for Obama over Mcain. Its two US senators are both solidly left. It's a bastion of gun control, rent control, and other looney left ideas. Keep dreaming
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