Cross-posted from the Washington Times Communities
Welcome to the People’s Republic of California.
Famous for “California Gurls,” the Orange County and Beverly Hills Housewives, labor unions, and corrupt politicians, the Golden State welcomes you to chaos, superficiality, and exorbitant spending!
Hate the Tea Party? Party it up in Maxine Waters’ hellish district! Hate wealthy people and believe in high taxes? Lavishly dine at Nancy Pelosi’s Napa Valley winery!
California’s current economic and cultural conditions should frighten all Americans. Make no mistake: it is on the verge of collapse.
The most populous state in the union is also recognized as the world’s eighth largest economy.
Firms like Qualcomm, Apple Inc., Google, eBay, etc., brought vast wealth, monetary and human, to the state. Attractions like Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Sea World, and Hollywood have drawn millions of tourists. California’s impeccable weather, endless beaches, and historic charm are the envy of other states and the world.
Nevertheless, my state is crumbling.
Decades of Democratic misrule, special interests, and horrendous legislation have set the Golden State up for disaster. Additionally, the Left Coast haven’s embrace of alternative lifestyles and secularism has brought more harm than good.
America led by Obama, much as California once and again led by Jerry Brown, has fallen into a dismal state. This is partly because both men share the same leftist vision for California and America.
California currently faces a$ 26.3 billion shortfall, while the national debt is projected to be $16.3 trillion by 2012.
Both officials believe that spending, not tax cuts, spur economic growth. By that token, both men believe that scaremongering constituents with class warfare conspiracies—namely redistribution of wealth and increasing taxes—is the route to fiscal reform.
Steven Greenhut of OC Register notes Jerry Brown’s affinity for class warfare rhetoric:
“The gap between rich and poor also keeps increasing because of computers, because of the declining power of unions and union membership, because of technology that replaces people in unskilled and semiskilled jobs, because of workers in foreign countries merged into the employment base of American companies, and because of the use of part-time workers putting people at a disadvantage and lowering their benefits.”
Interestingly enough, Obama shares the same sentiment:
“…I proposed, cut about $2 trillion in spending; if folks who could best afford it, millionaires and billionaires, were willing to eliminate some of the loopholes that they take advantage of in the tax code, and do a little bit more, and if we were willing to take on some of the long-term costs that we have on healthcare — if we do those things, we could solve this problem tomorrow.”
California’s version of the DREAM Act was recently approved by both houses and is en route to Governor Brown’s desk. This law will burden California’s taxpayers once it goes into effect on January 1, 2012.
Undeniably, President Obama will look to California as inspiration for passing a national DREAM Act. Although this legislation failed to pass in Congress, President Obama reassured his donors and supporters that he would continue to fight for it:
But my administration will not give up on the DREAM Act, or on the important business of fixing our broken immigration system. The American people deserve a serious debate on immigration, and it’s time to take the polarizing rhetoric off our national stage.
In addition to their ardent leftist and Marxist belief systems, both President Obama and Governor Brown are viewed as pop culture icons by their ilk.
The American Conservative noted Jerry Brown’s influence in pop culture as governor from 1975-1983:
If the current had a standard-bearer, it was Brown, with his mix of populist bravado, social tolerance, and fiscal restraint. But when Brown challenged Carter for the presidency in 1980, he failed. Being a pop figure, he managed even to flop in a pop-saturated way.
Similarly, the New York Times and Democratic supporters equally fawned over Obama and painted him as the Messiah:
Obama’s presidency will undoubtedly influence the tone and substance of pop culture. But what’s most pop culturally interesting about him is not so much Obama as cause but Obama as effect. He strategically harnessed pop culture, he produced it with two best-selling books, he avidly consumes it. In our Balkanized era, Barack Obama simply is the pop cultural colossus.
At present, California is beyond repair.
The entire political landscape must be changed. Citizens must lead the charge to reform both parties, reduce spending, cut unnecessary programs, and create a business-friendly environment.
Previously, the entire country looked to California for guidance and inspiration. Now, California must look to other states in 2012 and beyond.
Obama’s likely defeat in 2012 can and must propel California’s rebirth.