For five months I have been living in one of the bluest states in the nation. California is not only controlled by Democrats, but it has the most oppressive political environment I have ever experienced.
It is not just the amount of taxes that are confiscated from me in income taxes, vehicle registration or property taxes. Or the regulatory regime that increases the cost of doing business in California by at least thirty percent compared to neighboring states. Or the fact that public employee unions are the biggest, strongest and wealthiest political entities in the state. It’s not even the fact that cities, counties and states are so strapped for cash that what used to be one of the perks of living in California – free parking at the beach – is now just another method to maintain out of control and massive budgets.
The fact is California is oppressive because it burdens its’ citizens at its’ own detriment. California makes the refining of oil overly complicated and expensive so that gas prices here are higher then anywhere in the country – even though California is an oil producing state.
California real estate is expensive not necessarily because of great locations or demand. It is because environmentalists wage war against developers exacting exorbitant fees and suing home builders with contempt. The result is that affordable and low income housing is so scarce it creates homelessness.
And the California Teachers Association, arguably the most powerful political group in the Golden State, has jammed every bit of political correctness, job security, and re-distributive policy into the education of children that California is top in teacher salaries and benefits but bottom in educational outcomes for kids. While Los Angeles’ grows due to illegal immigration, its schools are becoming smaller and smaller as families flee public education in favor of private and charter schools.
Being a white, Republican, conservative male in California is not just to be in the minority, but to be in the oppressed minority. And there is little hope in sight.
California politics are controlled by term limits, jerry-mandered districts, and money. Districts are drawn so safely that, out of 120 seats in both the Assembly and Senate, about five can be considered competitive. Money is plentiful in California and millionaires love to jump into races and self fund; just look at the Republican slate of candidates of the 50th Congressional District special election. Four, count them, four self-funded millionaires jumped into that race.
Political consultants love self-funding millionaires. With no track record of lower elected office, and allegiance, relationship, or responsibility to party, political consultants run mercenary campaigns that are the most vision-less affairs you have witnessed. Because the Democratic political machine tightly controls its’ side of the ballot, self-interested Republican campaigns do little to build party or cast a wider alternative vision.
The good new – Yes! There is good news – is that the Democrats are so corrupt and bankrupt of ideas it is only a matter of time. State wide Democratic registration just declined by 21,000. Not a lot for a state of 33 million but it’s a start. And the Republican party seems to understand that continuing a moderate versus conservative intra-party battle does nothing but maintain minority status.
I have two options: one I can comfort myself by knowing that I am only fifteen minutes from surfing and casting my cares onto the rolling waves. Or, I can work to build a new Republican majority in California. I think I will do both.
Beeware!! Buzzzzzzzz!!