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As a wiser man once said, "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." California has big problems, but remember that it is also the 10th largest economy
by mustpax 17y ago
As a wiser man once said, "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."
California has big problems, but remember that it is also the 10th largest economy in the world (at least it was in 2007 according to the CIA factbook). These problems, given the scale of California's operations are never fatal, and usually quite temporary hiccups.
The state also tends to march to the beat of its own drum, which is not entirely unique coughTexascough, but this intensifies the criticisms of California's idiosyncrasies, and it's left leaning government expenditure programs.
The Bay Area, for all its business hustle and bustle, owes its origins to this, dare I say, quite Commie mentality. It's the blend of this socialist and capitalist ideology that creates an original mix of creativity and business sense.
- alex_c 17y agoit's left leaning government expenditure programs. [...] Commie mentality. It's the blend of this socialist and capitalist ideology I keep reading similar sentiments, but I don't really understand it. I believe the tax rate is basically on par with Canada's (so, pretty high). However, to give two counterexamples, California obviously doesn't have universal health care, and I've never seen as many homeless people as in the Bay area (the weather might have something to do with it). So what does all that money get spent on, compared to other states which might be more right-leaning or have lower tax rates?
- krakensden 17y agoThe prisons. Three strikes means we have an awful lot of prisoners. There's also a lot of dysfunctional allocation- in the school system, for instance, a majority of funds are earmarked for specific purposes, like special ed, regardless of local conditions. Which leads to bizarre things like bankrupt districts embarking on multi-million building projects.