Posted on 09/22/2003 9:40:55 AM PDT by Vindiciae Contra TyrannoSCOTUS
Perhaps it's fate. California, named after a mythical island of paradise, as described in a 16th century Spanish novel, may have been too good to last. Whether you blame incredible amounts of immigration [nearly 12 million people in the last 25 years or so into a current population of around 35 million], overcrowding, high taxes, or the most socialistic state government in the country bar none, Californians are leaving at an alarming rate.
Of course, there are those who are taking a more sanguine view. They would argue that there have been plenty of migrations in the US, starting with the general "Manifest Destiny" trend westward, even before that term was coined in 1845. There was much movement of industry out of traditional New England centers starting in the 1920's, and there was significant migration of Southern blacks to the North starting even earlier in the 20th century. Notably, there was much movement to California, spurred first by the Gold Rush, and then by the aircraft boom of World War II, not to mention the mild climate. Relax, they would say. This is just another population shift.
Point well taken. Still, it's cold comfort for those who have grown up here, and have seen the changes first hand. We remember when California public schools were the envy of the nation, and we remember when the Los Angeles Times took an arch-conservative editorial stance. We remember city, county, and state politics before their every aspect was dominated by racial overtones, and we remember when film production actually occurred in Hollywood.
Indeed, the very industry that gave California most of its glamour has all but vanished, leaving behind little more than office towers and historical studio buildings filled with administrative functionaries. What other industries might depart the state? Rather, we should ask what industries have to stay here.
Fortunately, agriculture, the foundation of the state's wealth, will top the list. Mining, fishing, forestry, and their secondary processes would round out those basic endeavors that are intimately tied into the physical geography. The military is well entrenched here, but bases have been known to close. Government has been a major employer, but will be affected by an ever shrinking tax base as industry moves out. Public sector cutbacks are inevitable, as are higher taxes, which will cause more businesses to leave, in a truly vicious circle.
Population-fueled enterprises such as education, health care, and construction will change dramatically. At some point, the state will have to bail out of running its impossibly expensive elementary and secondary school system, embracing, I predict, a voucher model. Publicly funded hospitals will be crushed by the burden of illegal aliens, and as the state loses its middle class, builders will either be erecting large apartment blocks or mansions. There will be scant need for new commercial or industrial development.
Given the disastrous employment prospects, many productive and able bodied young people will continue to leave, further intensifying the basic problems. At that point, the state will be forced to create tax-favored enterprise zones to lure industry back into California, but the long-term benefit of such policies is dubious at best. New Hampshire, to name one state, has shown that the most splendid "gimmick" is to have no gimmick at all. Just keep taxes low, workers educated, and the environment favorable for business.
But this precept is lost on an arrogant and despotic Leftist leadership class, that ultimately survives based only on the ignorance and naïveté of the have-nots, and the desperate guilt of so many of the haves. © Copyright 2003 — This report, is submitted by the writer for publication exclusively in Toogood Reports, but remains the property of its author and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the writer's express prior written consent. The opinions and facts expressed herein are those of the writer alone, who is solely responsible for its contents, and does not purport in any way to represent Toogood Reports, its owners or its management. To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Michael at
The first thing they do is buy a big ole Excursion, then preceed to hit every available thing on (and off) the road during the first snow. One can be practically assured that the SUV going by you at 70 mph in a snowstorm is going to have California plates...
Deported illegals return, steal same jobs September 22, 2003 -- A small company in Canton, Georgia (30 miles north of Atlanta) was recently raided by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Twenty five illegal aliens were apprehended and deported to Mexico. Within a week and a half, all were back on the job with phony IDs and SS #s.
Owners of the firm threatened legal American workers with reprisal if they reported the violations to law enforcement. The company is Japanese owned.
9/4/03 -- On Tuesday, September 2, passengers were not allowed to immediately deplane when their flight from Phoenix landed in Chicago. BICE found 89 illegal aliens on board the flight. Most were from Mexico. Officials in Chicago say that it's likely that about 1,000 illegals arrive in the Windy City daily using the airlines.
Atlanta -- 8/27/03 -- 7:10 am PDT -- A construction contractor reports that Latino workers in and around Atlanta are becoming very militant. They are angry over increased immigration law enforcement, and claim harassment by blacks. Urged on by Spanish language media, including pirate stations, they are planning civil disobedience... or worse.
I love the state too, and I stand to the right of Bush. Your in Arizona? Isn't that were they are legalizing illegals too? I'd rather fight a political fight in California, then live in the blazing brutal desert of Arizona.....No offense.
Oh, and your relatives sound like certified idiots.
Why, because some in Georgia have had it with illegal aliens?
DOH!
Atlanta -- 8/27/03 -- 7:10 am PDT -- A construction contractor reports that Latino workers in and around Atlanta are becoming very militant. They are angry over increased immigration law enforcement, and claim harassment by blacks. Urged on by Spanish language media, including pirate stations, they are planning civil disobedience... or worse.
Maybe they need to have a chat with the KKK!
I think a chat with President Bush and Tom Ridge would be a little more appropriate. Don't you?
Watch it there bucko!
The liberals have created the problem in California and actually are arranging for more of the same.
In the face of a remarkable deficit the legislature continues to spend like drunken sailors. And the moron voters continue to elect and re-elect them.
So... what leads you to think they would want to leave?
Me? I have lived here all my life and am on the list of refugees first chance I get. And trust me, liberalism and "progressive" BS is the least of my interests.
Smart move on the summer home......
This is great news. Nevada or Kansas would be a great place for them.
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