Posted on 08/31/2025 6:03:16 AM PDT by MtnClimber
At City Journal Joel Kotkin observes the fate of Colorado, Oregon and Washington, formerly beautiful and prosperous states until they began to slavishly follow the California model in energy, housing and out of control regulation.
But that changed as these states began adopting the very policies—above all on energy, housing, and regulation—that many newcomers had fled from in California. Once politically purple, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon have turned solid blue, embracing the same agenda that even the New York Times concedes has turned “the California dream” into “a mirage.”
More like a nightmare. Gavin Newsom’s one, indisputable achievement as a California politician has been to make every aspect of California life measurably worse. Running for president, Newsom has nonsensically suggested he’ll bring the glories he’s imposed on Californians to the rest of America. Should he succeed, there will be nowhere left to run, no red, free states to which to flee his brand of socialism. And there won’t be any gas to help Americans run:
Graphic: Oil refinery in Martinez, California.
California gas prices could jump to $8 per gallon in 2026 thanks to the planned closure of two oil refineries in the state, according to an estimate by the University of Southern California.
Valero’s Benicia Refinery near San Francisco and Phillips 66’s Wilmington Refinery near Los Angeles are both slated to close in the coming year.
In explaining the company’s decision to close its Benicia refinery, Valero CEO Lane Riggs said on an earnings call that California’s tough “regulatory enforcement environment” was the main factor driving the closure of the state’s sixth-largest refinery.
The April announcement came six months after regional and state air regulators fined the company $82 million for exceeding toxic emissions standards for more than 15 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
de plan, the plan. Smart cities, no cars, high rise housing, digital currency. “You will own nothing and like it.” Eat z bugs.
Vivek talks a lot. What has he done?
Trump and Musk support him. My take is he wasn’t a good fit in Trumps administration, but that he might be useful in another situation. We have all experienced that.
The media crucified him for a statement taken out of context.
Let’s see how he does in his bid for governor before we make final assessment.
Remember how Trump surprised us?
And don’t come to Texas!
We should go back to heating with whale oil.
Who do you suggest who is a non-politician and has shown a desire and ability to extend and expand MAGA towards restoring America’s Free Constitutional Republic past 2028 and into the next generation by dismantling the 80%+, $3+ trillion unconstitutional portion of the feds?
If no answer, then my next question is what do you have to lose by going with Vivek. Worst case is what you’ll get with the do-nothing GOP politicians like Vance. Best case is he will do what he said and we win.
Rattler sanctuary... Wind farm... I'm thinking!
"California Governor Gavin Newsom is actively trying to find a buyer for the Valero oil refinery in Benicia, which is set to close in 2026, as part of broader efforts to prevent fuel supply shortages and stabilize gasoline prices."
What a hypocrite. Can't be said enough.
Vance all the way for the win.
Newsom making Jimmy Carter proud.
Sure just like GHW Bush and Pence.
Rots a ruck with that.
AMERICA AND HER FREE CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC FIRST!!!!
If you are comparing Vance to the worthless Pence then I won’t waste any more of your time.
Thank you.
Newsome and Swalwell should have a televised gass passing contest. Infrared cams and all.
The leftist dream is to criminalize private autos, homes, and air travel. $8 gas is just the next step.
For those here that dig this stuff, the message is clear: Newsom is controlled opposition for white hats. Patriots are in control. We are now at the 'Precipice'.
Let em freeze in the dark.
Yes, just because Biden admin lowered the threshold for certain air pollutant.
According to state senate hearing, there is no way, we can ever reach that threshold during our hot days, even if we ban cars in AZ altogether. The pollution from China and CA is enough to trigger alarm now.
But we have to try! And pay!
Interestingly, CA has huge oil reserves.
Could pay for the high speed railroad ten times over!
But, due to all kind of regulations, most of them are absolutely out of reach for humans to use.
So they just continue to leak and pollute the CA beaches naturally!
WA state, is wasting money on Hydrogen. Building a huge electrical storage facility, banning gas appliances, and Gas is over $4 because the money goes to carbon trading. Carbon trading is a place where those who get elected, make millions investing “in our future”. Pricks.
I have higher hopes for Vance, I see DJT bowing out and taking the VP job in perfect timing so Trumps remain in control for at least 10 more years after 2026
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