[Steely Tom]

Ok here goes... Where/When did California get SO Screwed Up, I mean what was the pivotal Event/Year?

As one of Hemingway's characters says in The Sun Also Rises:

“How did you go bankrupt?"

“Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”

[Innovative]

“As one of Hemingway’s characters says in The Sun Also Rises:

“How did you go bankrupt?”
“Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”

You have the perfect answer.

That is exactly how it happened.

Gradually initially, so nobody noticed, then when it happened quickly, it was too late to stop it.