Not Another Word California
Californians had a chance to remove one of the most corrupt and incompetent governors in the country and chose not to
Californians had a chance to recall one of the most corrupt and incompetent governors the state has ever seen. They chose to not do so. Governor Gavin Newsome handily survived the recall effort winning with over 60% of the vote.
Many wonder why this happened. One article blamed Larry Elder arguing that nominating a real conservative who dominated the field excited a normally apathetic Democratic base. That same writer suggested a bland candidate such as former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer may have been better for the recall effort. I disagree and think this is an oversimplification.
Faulconer is a bland candidate who doesn’t even excite his own base. Faulconer was on the recall ballot. While Elder captured almost 50%, Faulconer never got out of the single digits. To run a lackluster candidate for fear of exciting your opponents base doesn’t seem like a winning formula. It does seem like classic Republican party thinking which is one reason the Republicans are firmly locked in second place in a two-party system.
People, mostly from the middle class, are leaving California in record numbers. Are they leaving to escape our perfect weather? Are they leaving because of our beautiful coastline, mountains, or deserts? Possibly they’ve grown bored with our world class surfing or fabulous ocean fishing? Unlikely.
People are fleeing California because of our terrible government. Or more specifically because of the results of the policies implemented by our terrible government.
What’s puzzling about the recall is that the policies implemented by Newsom and our corrupt single party legislature hurt all Californians. Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, left, right, it doesn’t matter. We all suffer under these policies. So why do voters keep Newsom and his friends in power?
Why do Californians who would describe themselves as politically left leaning continue to support politicians who consistently implement policies that lower their standard of living and are slowly ruining the state? I don’t have an answer to this. I think the reason is more complex than an apathetic, uninformed electorate or a ruthless Democratic party that will stop at nothing to remain in power. But as I said I don’t have an explanation.
Californians will have another opportunity in November 2022, another shot at the title. In 2022 the state will likely be in worse shape than now. So, until then Californians:
· Not another word about high taxes – California has the highest aggregate collection of income, sales, property, and capital gains taxes in the country.
· Not another word about crime – There were 2202 murders in California last year, the most in a decade. Rape, aggravated assault, and auto thefts are also increasing. Criminals are not aggressively pursued or prosecuted due to a far-left Attorney General and left leaning prosecutors in our cities. Businesses are fleeing urban areas due to increased crime, shoplifters are rarely arrested or prosecuted if what they steal is valued at less than $950. 30,000 prisoners were released under the California Public Safety Act with another 76,000 (3/4 of the state prison population) able to “earn their way home sooner”.
· Not another word about the homeless – 161,000 homeless live on the street in California, the largest homeless population in the country. Many are drawn to California due to the state’s wrongheaded policies. The plight of the homeless brings increased violence, disease, and filth to the streets of California cities.
· Not another word about rolling brownouts - A problem likely to get much worse with the prohibition on new power plant construction and the mandate of electric vehicles.
· Not another word about raging wildfires fires and water rationing – Democrat policies prevent the responsible thinning out of forests or the construction of water storage facilities.
· Not another word about COVID restrictions – California is one of the most restricted states, restrictions that arguably have little impact on the virus but have been devastating to the people in terms of the permanent closing of many small businesses, jobs lost, negative impact on children’s education and mental health, increases in rates of suicide and drug addiction. State restrictions seem to specifically target small businesses and religious organizations.
· Not another word about public education – California schools rank among the lowest in the nation with many students performing well below grade level
· Not another word about the suppression of your Second Amendment rights – California gun owners cannot purchase guns and accessories that are readily available to almost all Americans outside the state. California gun control laws do nothing to impede criminals yet make gun ownership difficult and costly for law-abiding citizens.
As terrible a governor as Gavin Newsom is now, he is likely to be much worse going forward having soundly defeated the recall effort. If Californians choose wrong in 2022, what will be left of the state at the end of King Newsom’s reign?
©2021 Joseph T Drammissi
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