What the heck happened to California??? (Los Angeles, Orange: foreclosures, crime rate, how much)

[Smallville]

lol wow

People are so defensive about their own state.

[Rhenzanite]

Originally Posted by Smallville

lol wow

People are so defensive about their own state.

When you get people telling you how horrible your state is, especially if they've never actually been here or have only been to LA on vacation, yeah... I get a little defensive.

[Newsboy]

Hey! I'm no huge fan of California, but I can still spot a troll OP from a mile away. Pittsburgh would surely benefit if some of dem Mexercans moved up to PA ... but then, they know better. Nobody likes gray, cold and depressing.

[Phil306]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

All of which begs the question of why you haven't moved elsewhere since these matters appear odious to you.

You don't burst my bubble at all. I, too, am a California native born in San Diego and raised in Newport Beach. I spent 44 of my 64 years in CA and worked for the state for 25 years, including seven in law enforcement. My wife is also a native.

We left CA just over a year ago following my retirement for many of those same reasons you cite. However, while we deplore what's happened, and continues to happen in and to our home state, we're also concerned for family still living there and saddened. I spent my last 18 years in the political arena trying my best to temper and mitigate many of the policies you rail against. What are you doing besides complaining and, yes, I know you're in law enforcement, but beyond that...?

Why I haven't moved elsewhere? Pretty simple: I used to LOVE this state. I was born and raised here. Even got into physical fights while in the Marine Corps, standing up for this state. HOWEVER, I was basing and still base my posts on the OP's question: What happened to California?

You left for the same reasons I will leave, in 3.2 years. I am 46, will be 47 in a few months. I cannot retire from my job until age 50. What sense does it make, on a financial front, to leave now? I've only become bitter toward this state in the last 5 years. I can hold out for three more years.

Now, in so far as what do I do to improve things? I educate or at least try. The simple fact of the matter: People don't want to know the truth. They could care less what the truth is, as long as they get what they want, when they want it, and how they want it.

People who say liberals haven't ruined this state. What has then? The political climate in California is that of liberal/socialism. Give, give, give, and take, take, take. Where is this money coming from? You have people taking to the streets, in Oakland, right now, because the state won't pay for THEIR childcare. THEIR kids. Why should I be taxed, to pay for childcare for their kids? This is just ONE example of The People's Republik of Kalifornia.

There is a REASON the rest of the country, and world, for that matter, refer to Kalifornia as: The land of fruits and nuts.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Caliguy2007

Yup I agree....What matters is where people are happy whether it's in California,Arizona,Nevada,Texas,Etc...Heck their are people who are even happy living in Barrow,Alaska

And even worse, people who are happy living in Blue Eye, MO! Imagine!

[Phil306]

One more thing:

I am NOT stopping, nor encouraging ANYONE from coming to California. You want to come here? Fine, be my guest. I was answering the OP's question on what happened to this state.

I've had the pleasure of traveling around the world and this country. I have found, many people have some romantic idea of what California is: Hot weather, beaches, hot women. While that is partially true, I've actually had people call me a liar, when I said it snows in California. I've had people not even realize San Francisco is in California.

I've seen, first hand, THOUSANDS of people come to California, looking for the great, laid back, "make love, not war," California. The California of not working, going to the beach, eating avocado and bean sprouts; they get here, live a year, find out they can't afford it, and move back to Myrtle Beach. They see the scummy, disgusting, dirty, and hate filled state, which the history books and Hollywood says doesn't exist. After all, California is full of love and tolerance for all, right?

Tell that to my wife, when she got up and found "****** lover" spraypainted on her car; oh yes, I am a black man, married to a white woman, in the loving and forgiving, tolerant, SF Bay Area.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Phil306

You left for the same reasons I will leave, in 3.2 years. I am 46, will be 47 in a few months. I cannot retire from my job until age 50. What sense does it make, on a financial front, to leave now? I've only become bitter toward this state in the last 5 years. I can hold out for three more years.

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.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Phil306

I've had people not even realize San Francisco is in California.

WHAT? San Francisco is a part of California? When did that occur? I thought it was floating on marijuana fumes offshore and totally independent. SF actually a part of not just CA but the U.S. as well! Who knew?

[Newsboy]

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.

[Ceece]

The problem, as a couple people have pointed out, is that it is not now nor never has been peoples romanticized fantasy like they see on TV. They move here and hate it because their dreams don't come true. That's ok, just leave and everyone is happy