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
If there were not so many people, there would be room for everyone to live on the coastal plain.
Huh? The coastal plain in So Cal is basically only about 35x120 miles wide and long.
There isn't room for everyone in that amount of space. There really is no room to build more homes like they used to 40 years ago.
This is one of the big reasons why 40 year old homes in nice areas of So Cal are going for $450,000.
Supply and demand. Only so much prime land to go around. That is why the builders went east and out in the deserts...
You're too late for that. It is already in place.
3.5% sales tax on real estate, but it is refunded to you if you purchase another piece of California real estate.
Call it an 'exit tax'....
If the economy improves, you are going to see those prices go up even further, even if interest rates go up. Again, supply and demand. Only so many homes, and a whole lot of buyers.
Of course, if you want more house for your money, one can move to Missouri or Kansas.
Me? I'll stay in Cal thanks.....
Americans Are Fleeing The Golden State At An Alarming Rate"?
There isn't room for everyone in that amount of space. There really is no room to build more homes like they used to 40 years ago.
This is one of the big reasons why 40 year old homes in nice areas of So Cal are going for $450,000.
Supply and demand. Only so much prime land to go around. That is why the builders went east and out in the deserts...
Then it seems to me California had all the people it could comfortably fit many, many years ago.
Therefore, continuing to add people only exacerbates the problem: It continues to bring-down the quality of life.
The crowding forces people of average--or even somewhat above average--incomes to live in human anthills or in the bleak, monotonous desert among scorpions, spiders, and snakes.
That is not prosperity.
That is not freedom.
That is why people used to a better life are leaving California altogether.
Now if the United States restricted immigration of all kinds, it would put a halt to this decline, which like a stain on the map of America, will soon reach into every neighborhood in America.
Bet the rent. Homes in nice areas of California are selling in a matter of days, and they are getting multiple offers.
The real estate market is so hot, the many offers are coming in OVER full price, so as the buyer can hope to lock in to a deal and avoid a bidding war with another potential buyer.
Beware of disgruntal former Californians that sold in the 90s or sold over 3 years ago, as their homes *doubled* in value.
Ouch!
A lot of them are kicking themselves in the butt. Trust me. Hehehe..
It should work that way in a country that is truly prosperous.
For in a country that is truly prosperous. its working citizens should afford to live better and better.
A home--more than a PC or DVD player or big-screen TV--is one of the most important things in life.
In a truly prosperous nation, more and more people would be able to own beautiful homes on a coastal plain.
Not less and less people.
Adding to America's population, makes the ratio of home-buyers to great real estate worse--not better.
IIRC...there was a whole lot 'o complaining 'bout the census @ the time cuz it greatly undercounted the illegals in Cal.
Get further away than 20 miles from either the ocean (in SoCal) or the Bay (in NorCal) and you might as well be living in Texas.
The cold water is the key to creating the perfect Calif weather. In fact, when the ocean warmed up to 70 degrees for a few weeks down here in OC, every day felt like the tropics. Yuck - I was praying for fall.
A perfect Calif day (which is almost every day) is when the sun is bright and clear, and the air is a cool and refreshing 68-72.
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