Bottom line is even some of those who call themselves "conservatives" are at the trough getting money from taxes. My co-worker, a so-called "conservative" has a wife who is a teacher. He couldn't wait to get to the polls to defeat the propositions because "teachers work hard for what they get and they are entitled to their benefits and the Union helps them get those". This same co-worker, who is staunchly anti-abortion, who decries liberalism in our culture, is for lower taxes, supports the military and resents social programs can't wait to get "life time medical benefits" from his wife's teaching career, at no cost to him. He also says adamantly she should do everything she can to draw social security because "she paid into it and is entitled to it".
It is "conservatives" like this who support the status quo in this state. Their hands are in the public trough and I really doubt there is the will to change it. As long as people are benefiting from public funds like this they are not going to change their votes. The problem is systemic and can only be changed by a complete overhaul, which is not going to happen anytime soon.
Excellent observation. It is "conservatives" like that, or CINO's, who have turned CA into a blue state.