Welcome to big city California Land

[oladub]

bust asked: "Would you rather live in North Dakota or California? North Dakota ranked first for quality of life according to US News, California last."

bust, That depends. If I was a multi-millionaire and money was no object and I could build walls around my estate, I would rather live in California. I'm sure there are some good private schools there for the kids and of course all the fancy restaurants and good weather. But I'm not a multi-millionaire so I would prefer to live in a place where my family is safe, there are good public schools, I can afford housing, the children aren't subjected to liberal brainwashing, ND's murder rate is only 58% that of CA's, etc.. California's personal income tax is the highest in the Country and its effective total income tax is fifth highest. I did live in California for awhile and left in large part because government stacked the deck so much in favor of the rich there including allowing or creating artificial shortages of housing to drive up prices. Last year, 142,000 more people moved from CA to other states than moved to CA from other states for those kind of reasons I wound up living and raising family in the midwest and never regretted it. However, California, in my opinion, offers more vacation opportunities than North Dakota. I would rather go to California for vacations.

Speaking of income equality, the Bank of North Dakota used to provide interest free loans to its college students to already inexpensive public universities. Unfortunately for North Dakotans, Obama expanded the federal role in student loans causing the end of that North Dakota program.

[JBMcB]

Yep, terrible:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/jerry-b...nia-1515624022

That's awesome. They can use that surplus to cover 4% of CALPERS $153 billion deficit.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/...-pension-hole/

[ABetterDetroit]

U.S. News Best States Rankings

California comes out #32 in this ranking. It's economy is rated 4th. in the Country while it ranks #50, dead last, for quality of life. This article credits high tech for the good economy. I would add that California also benefits greatly by being the center of so much Asian trade; linking Asian manufacturing and cheap labor with its U.S. market.

California has the 7th. worst income inequality in the U.S.. Its 1% averages $1.4M and its bottom 99% average $49k of income annually. It voted 62% Clinton and 33% Trump.

It is far from perfect but I can not understand the logic of villainizing the 4th best economy [[according to this article) among states based on not agreeing with their local politics.

Clearly California has something functioning economically much better then Michigan has over the last half a century and what those economic factors are should be identified.

A analytical approach does not require political idiological input in the slightest.

Take the top 10 performing state economies, find what they have in common then implement those economic factors here then take the 10 worst states find what they share and dump that garbage.

Never for a second lose sight of the fact that we have to compete directly against 49 other states for economic success.

Winners never get caught up in the bullshit. Losers always do exactly that.

[oladub]

It is far from perfect but I can not understand the logic of villainizing the 4th best economy [[according to this article) among states based on not agreeing with their local politics.

Clearly California has something functioning economically much better then Michigan has over the last half a century and what those economic factors are should be identified.

A analytical approach does not require political idiological input in the slightest.

Take the top 10 performing state economies, find what they have in common then implement those economic factors here then take the 10 worst states find what they share and dump that garbage.

Never for a second lose sight of the fact that we have to compete directly against 49 other states for economic success.

Winners never get caught up in the bullshit. Losers always do exactly that.

California does have a strong economy based on Silicon Valley innovation, a healthy litigious atmosphere offering a million lawsuits a year, Hollywood and its sidekick pornography industry, and is the major hub of Asian trade. Chicago and the midwest used to be the hub of trade when most things were manufactured in the U.S.. Since our political elites of both parties sent so many jobs abroad, California ports became the center of trade. I have a cousin who was one of the first people Hyundai hired in the US. She did very well at Detroit's expense and is an example of how California profits from its import trade. It is in California's financial interest to keep flooding the U.S. with products of cheaper Asian labor. That brings us back to income inequality. Not only does California sport its own income inequality, it benefits from having moved American jobs to Asia; nice foreign corporate headquarters for Asian companies in California vs. rusting shuttered factory towns in the mid-west.

The US News article already took California's economy into account. That's one big reason why California ranked 32nd of 50 overall. California still ranks near the bottom or at the bottom of income inequality, public school scores, homelessness, high state taxes, net out migration of state to state residents escaping, housing costs and quality of life. Considering that California is a one party state and that party claims to support working people, this is at least an irony. I think its a warning.

[ABetterDetroit]

There is way to much weight given to political party leanings in The State of California instead of its economic strengths and diversity. [[Please take a deep breath and understand the context of 'diversity' here is economic)

Trying to understand how Michigan could compete with Germany, China France, Japan or the UK would be utterly pointless because we play under the umbrella of the US government. We play by their rules, love them or hate them, that is how it works.

Amazingly to some, so does the State of California have to play by Uncle Sams rules and their economy is immense.

Ignoring that California is growing its economy faster than Michigan and has consistently for a long time strictly on current party politics would defy reason and intelligence.

Take a pass on the social issues as much as anyone wants but a deep detailed study of what is working effectively in California is highly valuable to States that give a damn about the economic prosperity of their own citizens.

Sitting around waiting for California to fail or fall into the ocean based on political ideology and hatred of where the opposition is currently in power makes no sense. There is far more at stake for Michiganders than the latest fad on cable TV where selling commercials for their own captive market is all that matters to them.

https://blogs-images.forbes.com/nial...161115_GDP.jpg

https://www.statista.com/statistics/...-gdp-by-state/

[oladub]

Although the majority of Californian will see lower taxes because of Trump's tax plan, one million California, mostly rich, taxpayers will have to fork over an extra $12B of taxes to the federal government. Gov. Brown is beside himself. The top 1% of taxpayers already pay 48% of California income taxes and now this. Gov. Brown calls this imposition on the rich "evil in the extreme" and says the new tax law will incentivize rich people to leave California. Trump's new tax law is, in short, a blow to California's hacienda economy that depends on its 1% and out of State Americans to pay the bills.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-...209015539.html

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place [[such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face.
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise [[what a nice surprise), bring your alibis

[oladub]

One of the Democratic losers in the California primary, Michael Shellenberger, blames progressive policies for California being "number one in poverty and inequality in America". His explanation:

Number One In Poverty, California Isn't Our Most Progressive State -- It's Our Most Racist One

[Honky Tonk]

Although the majority of Californian will see lower taxes because of Trump's tax plan, one million California, mostly rich, taxpayers will have to fork over an extra $12B of taxes to the federal government. Gov. Brown is beside himself. The top 1% of taxpayers already pay 48% of California income taxes and now this. Gov. Brown calls this imposition on the rich "evil in the extreme" and says the new tax law will incentivize rich people to leave California. Trump's new tax law is, in short, a blow to California's hacienda economy that depends on its 1% and out of State Americans to pay the bills.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-...209015539.html

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place [[such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face.
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise [[what a nice surprise), bring your alibis

__________

[Richard]

One of the Democratic losers in the California primary, Michael Shellenberger, blames progressive policies for California being "number one in poverty and inequality in America". His explanation:

Number One In Poverty, California Isn't Our Most Progressive State -- It's Our Most Racist One

Because it is not about how they spend their money,it is about how they spend your money,when enough yours leave, people start sleeping in the street.

[Ray1936]

I certainly hope it doesn't succeed in seceding.

Me either. If it does, Nevada will have to build a wall.............

[Honky Tonk]

Me either. If it does, Nevada will have to build a wall.............

....and make California PAY for it!

[Richard]

Yea,do not give them any ideas.

The illegals would build it in exchange for papers.
The rich would charge cost plus 150% mark up for the materials.
What is left of the middle class would pay for the materials.

That would be a win win situation for everybody,California style.

[Pam]

Jimmy Dore show-

Thousands Left Off Primary Day Rolls In Los Angeles

https://youtu.be/15tSrI2040U

[oladub]

A couple of statistics:

California ranks second highest among states for life expectancy.

California ranks 48th among states in average IQ score.

[aj3647]

Jimmy Dore show-

https://youtu.be/15tSrI2040U

Pam, since you seem to be concerned about protecting people's right to vote, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Ohio's policy of purging voters from their voting rolls who fail to vote in two consecutive elections.

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/61887...oter-purge-law

The Supreme Court just upheld this 5-4.

[GMan]

Pam, since you seem to be concerned about protecting people's right to vote, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Ohio's policy of purging voters from their voting rolls who fail to vote in two consecutive elections.

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/61887...oter-purge-law

The Supreme Court just upheld this 5-4.

Gee they didn't vote for 8yrs or return an address validation letter from the state. Sounds like a good check and balance of the voting roles.

[Zacha341]

^^^ Yes, that's a way to look at it. There have to be some standards for voting participation.

[Richard]

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities


Below you will find several rights and responsibilities that all citizens should exercise and respect. Some of these responsibilities are legally required of every citizen, but all are important to ensuring that America remains a free and prosperous nation.

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/citizenship-rights-and-responsibilities

[Pam]

Pam, since you seem to be concerned about protecting people's right to vote, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Ohio's policy of purging voters from their voting rolls who fail to vote in two consecutive elections.

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/11/61887...oter-purge-law

The Supreme Court just upheld this 5-4.

My thoughts- I don't like it.

[oladub]

PG&E is filing for bankruptcy. PG&E is facing $30B of liabilities because its equipment played a role in wildfires. However this plays out, when PG&E or its successor gets past its liability problems and paying for part of the fire damage, insurers will want more money for liability insurance protection. California's electric rates are already the highest in the Country. The $30B is a bonanza for California's law firms.

[Canadian Visitor]

In other California news

The Governor of California has just determined it a top priority to extend family [[parental) leave to six months.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/11/healt...rnd/index.html

Excellent progress, 1/2 way to global norms. [[for the developed world)

[oladub]

730,000 California electrical customers are without power to help prevent forest fires. This is unheard of. I haven't heard much about gas pumps not working, air conditioners not working, schools and businesses without lights, or groceries meat sections. I would have expected more coverage about so many people doing without electricity over such a wide swath of California. Portable generators must be selling well.
https://weather.com/news/news/2019-1...ildfire-threat

[jcole]

It's been all over WJR news; I think it's like rolling blackouts,but more extended. Supposed to be over by Monday, I think they said. The thing that interested me was that, instead of "cooling centers" they have set up "plug in centers" so people can keep their phones and tablets charged.

[Jimaz]

It's been all over WJR news....

WWJ too.

I'm wondering how many people are just going to pull up stakes and leave. Generator sales should be doing well.

[Richard]

Lines are long with last minute preppers as usual.

I wonder if in hindsite it was a wise idea to sue the power company in the past fires claiming they started it.

The response was predictable,cut the power.

Interesting how interviews people are blaming the power company and saying it is a public utility when it is not,they are saying a billion plus dollars in order to bury the lines,everybody knows who pays for it in the end.

Maybe they can divert some of thier sanctuary monies to the actual residents that they serve?