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Maybe it’s time to leave California

Seriously.

I’m San Francisco born and bred, though I currently live in the Sacramento Valley. I’ve spent my entire life in California. I’ve visited hither and yon and have always returned to the Golden State.

I like it here. If you’re a motorcyclist, you’re never too far from a great riding road. If you like the sea, you’re never too far from the ocean, or some vast lake. If you like the mountains, well say hello to the Sierra Nevadas. If you like the desert, it’s right down there, and if you prefer gentle rolling hills, no problem.

Love cities? Fine, we can accommodate that, too. Bright lights, big city, welcome to this corner’s Starbucks, better than the next. And did I mention movie stars, glitz, and glamour? And politics? Oh, boy, do we have politics.

Which is the problem.

California politics aren’t just left-wing – and they’re not even extremely left-wing if you really look at them – they are insane. There is a complete sense of disconnect from reality. “Let us initiate this policy.” But we don’t have the money. “It is a nice policy, isn’t it wonderful.” How can we afford this? “This policy is wonderful.” The state is functionally bankrupt. “Yes, this policy is superb.”

The broadest range of tax increases in state history, possibly the largest ever seen in any state, has just been enacted. There is more to come. I’ve seen the bills, including the ones that didn’t pass. This time. It’s bad, it’s getting worse, the worst is yet to come.

This May will see a set of ballot measures, placed their by the Legislature, all dealing with the state budget. One of these measures is a token attempt at getting a grip on the state’s monetary swings. “Token” is a generous description, but it’s a state constitutional amendment and requires voter approval.

If the voters approve this, do you know what their reward will be? Several tax increases will remain in effect 1-2 years longer. For having the audacity of hinting that maybe there should be a vague notion of an idea of a meager spending cap – and it’s not even really that – we will get socked with higher taxes for more years.

Oh, jolly.

The sales tax is about to have another percentage point tacked on (it will exceed 8%; the national average is 5%). Vehicle registration fees are about to double (and California is already insanely out of sync with even neighboring states). Gas taxes are being left alone…so far, but the idea is still in play. Income taxes are going up, not just on the “wealthy,” the state’s favorite target, but across the board. Lottery revenue that was supposed to be for school’s will be able to be redirected to wherever they see fit. Tobacco tax revenue that was supposed to be for pre-school programs will be able to be redirected, as long as the redirect has some vague connection with kids.

As King says, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.”

Unemployment has risen to over 10% and shows no sign of slacking. California state revenue relies heavily on taxing the wealthy – you know, Obama’s favorite target – but they took a major hit when the stock market crashed. Guess what that did to state revenues? Oh, and they can just leave the state and forget the entire hassle, so off they go.

The nation’s economy isn’t all that great, but California’s is beginning to resemble that of a failed banana republic’s. What should terrify the rest of the country is that the precise formula that led to this mess in California is what Obama, Pelosi, Reid, et al, want to apply at the national level. Fun for all?

So maybe it’s time to consider another state. Though Washington is liberal, it is not insane, and Colorado is simply beautiful. Who knows about elsewhere. I’m sure there’s a budget office out there for me, I can watch movies anywhere, and all I need for writing is time and space.

Or maybe I’m feeling particularly depressed and letting cynicism get the better of me. For the moment.

So for now, I’ll go to a friend’s late Saint Patrick’s Day party, enjoy a black and tan or two, and continue to contemplate the whichness of why.

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