What happened to California? (Los Angeles, Fresno: crime, how much, house)

[MisterDuke]

1) Prop 13 passed in 1978, and has slowly brought inequality to California's housing market and tax base. That was a love-letter to commercial real estate interests who have made out like bandits for three decades.

2) The passage of Prop 13 showed other special interests how they could use the ballot box to get their way when the legislature turned them down. Since then, ballot initiatives have exploded, putting upon citizens the task of planning that should be done by their elected officials.

3) Term limits. Where we need knowledgeable, experienced elected leaders, we now have a culture of politicians that are perpetually focused on making it to a higher office, and reticent to make the hard decisions that would benefit the state. It's created a power vacuum that has been filled by various unions. As a result, California has lost the ability to do effective long term planning.

4) Two-thirds majority required to pass a state budget, which puts a disproportionate amount of power into the hands of a small group of extremists, who can bring the state to a halt.

5) Poor regional planning, especially when it comes to transportation.

6) The federal government's inability to address illegal immigration, which adversely affects border states like California.

7) The explosion of the prison population since the passage of 3-strikes. More prisoners, more guards, more power for the prison guards union.

et cetera

[roanoker 4]

Growing up in the 70's I had the "California Dreamin" spirit. After visiting many times since it is still my favorite state. The coast drive is awesome, as well as Napa and southern California. I have been shocked and discouraged recently not by all of the financial woes there but by the Prop 8 vote. I am not Gay but California can do much better! Man, that was horrible! Anyway I will always have fond memories of your state and we are all hoping that Prop 8 thing is overturned soon!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by MisterDuke

1) 4) Two-thirds majority required to pass a state budget, which puts a disproportionate amount of power into the hands of a small group of extremists, who can bring the state to a halt.

...or keep a larger group of extremists from bankrupting the state in the name of pandering and political correctness.

Oops! That's what happened, didn't it?

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by CA central coast

it's not?

Im sorry but the Bay Area is very different in its outlook then the rest of the state.

I keep forgetting that.

[Huckleberry3911948]

well its part of america so what happens there happens here.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Den Mathias

Very good analysis in a paragraph. If we were in the South we might be discussing how the "carpetbaggers" did in California.

Yep, too many people in too quick of a time period!

They are carpetbaggers for sure.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Im sorry but the Bay Area is very different in its outlook then the rest of the state.

I keep forgetting that.

That's probably b/c it has the least amount of conservatives than any other part of the state since many that seem the most upset with the state tend to be on the more conservative side from my observations. The Bay Area is fairly homogeneous in that respect.

[Kibby]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Its not that bad.

This is the real answer ... total denial. A refusal to understand that all these "programs" and "progressive" ideas have to be paid for by real live people.

When you spend money you don't have - massive debt comes as surely as sunrise in the morning. The day of reckoning has arrived and there are still people who say -

Its not that bad.

[jc76]

Some of you act as though California=Hell. Come to Indiana if you want a real taste of hell...minus the warm air or course.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Kibby

This is the real answer ... total denial. A refusal to understand that all these "programs" and "progressive" ideas have to be paid for by real live people.

When you spend money you don't have - massive debt comes as surely as sunrise in the morning. The day of reckoning has arrived and there are still people who say -

Thank you, Kibby. Those of us who think this way are outnumbered, unfortunately.