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California is definitely a state that is ahead of the curve in many ways, but the same could be said about Vermont, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington...just to name a few.
If I were to argue that any one state was ahead of the rest of the country, Massachusetts would easily get my vote. It's probably the most progressive state in the country.
Did California develop the world's best selling plug-in hybrid electric car? No, that was Michigan.
Did California put plans in motion to become the first state to have a single payer health care system? No, that was Vermont.
Did California become the first state to legalize gay marriage? No, that was Massachusetts.
Did California create the world's most and most dominant operating system? No, that was Washington.
Did California create America's most successful organic/healthy supermarket chain? No, that was Texas.
Did California enact the first state-wide law to guarantee workers the right to earn paid sick leave? No, that was Connecticut.
Now, could I make a list of things California did first or lead the nation in? Absolutely. My point is that while California is certainly a great state that is ahead of the curve in many ways, it's not unique in that since other states can very reasonably claim to be just as ahead. I love California, but smug Californians who fail to see the thriving world outside our borders are just annoying and need to be quieted.
I have been struggling with this idea for a while but it seems to me that California is ahead of the rest of the nation at least 10 years in every single aspect. Does anybody agree? I live in Minneapolis-St Paul (very progressive city by Midwest standards) and everytime I go to San Diego, LA or even the smaller towns like Riverside, it seems like the stuff that is new to us, in California, it is like old news. Example: Our light rail has been operating for 2-3 years, a city like Sacramento has had theirs since 1987 We have a lot of new food co-ops here and the whole "organic food" thing is starting to catch on. Some of the food co-ops in California were established in the 70's Gotta love California!
WOW Sacramento is only Behind Boston by 91 years!
and London by 100
California's a nice place but you should really shrink that head of yours.
It's fine. It's for my big brain
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We have a lot of new food co-ops here and the whole "organic food" thing is starting to catch on. Some of the food co-ops in California were established in the 70's 
