Two Californias

National Review Online ^ | 15 December 2010 | Victor Davis Hanson

[ScottinVA]

Abandoned farms, Third World living conditions, pervasive public assistance -- welcome to the once-thriving Central Valley.

The last three weeks I have traveled about, taking the pulse of the more forgotten areas of central California. I wanted to witness, even if superficially, what is happening to a state that has the highest sales and income taxes, the most lavish entitlements, the near-worst public schools (based on federal test scores), and the largest number of illegal aliens in the nation, along with an overregulated private sector, a stagnant and shrinking manufacturing base, and an elite environmental ethos that restricts commerce and productivity without curbing consumption.

During this unscientific experiment, three times a week I rode a bike on a 20-mile trip over various rural roads in southwestern Fresno County. I also drove my car over to the coast to work, on various routes through towns like San Joaquin, Mendota, and Firebaugh. And near my home I have been driving, shopping, and touring by intent the rather segregated and impoverished areas of Caruthers, Fowler, Laton, Orange Cove, Parlier, and Selma. My own farmhouse is now in an area of abject poverty and almost no ethnic diversity; the closest elementary school (my alma mater, two miles away) is 94 percent Hispanic and 1 percent white, and well below federal testing norms in math and English.

[Bonden]

An eye-opening article, especially after having just read the Enemies trilogy by Bracken.

I ask help of the many fine minds here to counter the crux of a comment posted after the VDH article in NRO. I sense that the commenter is wrong due to the influences of power over critical issues (immigration enforcement, federal and state entitlement programs, etc) being centralized more at the federal and state level, which then somewhat dominates politics and so dictates many conditions at the local level. Can someone give specific points I can use to counter the thrust of the following comment (besides the fact that the commenter is a delusional CA lefty; I get that part):

~~~~~~~~~
gilroymom
12/17/10 11:46
Victor Hansen and many commenters here should realize that the Central Valley is red-state California. What he saw is the result of local republican leadership and conservative policies: lack of social safety net, minimal public services (road maintenance, municipal waste removal, code enforcement — all local services.) Coastal California is the blue-state zone, with higher local taxes and much better public services. Just as there are rich people in the Central Valley, there are poor people in the coastal areas, but the different approach to policy, taxation and public amenities makes a big difference in the quality of life for all.
~~~~~~~~~~

PS: I’m new here. How can I find “thread # 9,573”? Any advice appreciated...

[Carry_Okie]

Thus my point that conservatives should take positive action and not buy California Municipal Bonds nor spend their vacation dollars in California.

I take it you have no interest in preserving a remnant. I suggest you go back to your Bible and read it for what it says.

[Carry_Okie]

That help needs to come from patriots taking back the federal government - and we will - and sending a division-size force - attorneys, investigators and armed federal agents - into your state to arrest and imprison all the thieving leftists in CA.

You're hired. Let me know if you need a list of targets; it's a long one.

[dragnet2]

I like CA — always have — to this day am happy to return to Ca/L.A., as bad as it can be at its worst, when coming back from a trip elsewhere.

Good write up...

You have to understand, many of these, "California is doomed" threads are posted by out-of-staters up to knees in brown snow and ice, and others who fled that now regret it, as they beg yet others to join them...