CAN CALIFORNIA BE FIXED?
Review of Steve Hilton’s CaliFailure
Steve Hilton’s latest book, “Califailure – Reversing the Ruin of America’s Worst-Run State,” is a particularly depressing read for those of living here…but every word is an accurate statement of how bad things have gotten here. Every bad liberal idea that has born “fruit” here is highlighted, even as the “fruit” was essentially rotten at the core.
Hilton highlights the underlying problems under a variety of ‘isms’: elitism, narcissism, Maoism, climatism, socialism, bureaucratism, compassionism, cronyism, incompetism, laying the blame at the too-long-present, one-party rule. Though not mentioned, a core part of the problem is the failure to look at policy options scientifically. First, propose a solution to a problem, then analyze likely outcomes. If it looks good, try it out in a test scenario (not the whole state), then assess the results. If they are good, roll it out. If not, go back to the original problem and find another solution. This is NOT what happens in California.
Some Examples
Compassionism is different from compassion. Real compassion requires tough obligations, holding people responsible. The homeless addict has to commit to getting off his addiction AND training to get work, so he can support himself. It is not Housing First. Compassion in crime is making sure that criminals know the punishment they will receive (and ensure they get it), and then, including in prison training and education so that they can earn a living when they are released from prison. Compassion is helping a student get additional support when they struggle in school, not grade inflation. Compassionism is looking at a problem the wrong way and basically, not holding the individual responsible.
Incompetism reminds me of an old Clinton statement, where he said, “It depends on what is is.” No nouns. No one to blame. That’s at the heart of how California politicians and the state employee unions work. Incompetent teachers, even those who are dangerous, are shifted around, generally to schools in lower income areas. No state employees are fired, not matter how little they do, or what value their work is. We used to build infrastructure almost overnight at a reasonable cost. Now, after billions have been thrown away, we have what is essentially an overpass with no rail laid as the result of years “laboring” on the High-Speed Rail project. We funded water projects for years, acknowledging the growing population. Nothing was built. Dems are good at asking for money, not good at spending it wisely.
Some Good News
In the latter part of the book, Hilton references how many people are beginning to doubt the value of California Democrat rule. It costs too much to live here, regulations keep housing prices high and businesses to move elsewhere. But he believes that if we can start voting in people with actual solutions, we might be able to turn it around. This “Golden State” was once where dreams were realized and people longed to come; many of us remember those days.
Hilton specifies actual solutions in this book, what needs to change first to make it work. Just like our federal government, Democrat rule has caused things to go backward for a time, but he believes we can fix California. And it matters. We have an outsize influence on the country, when, by our policies, we should not.
Too many California politicians have ambitions beyond California; the disaster they have made of this state could easily come to the other 49. You have to care. Read this and see if you want to live in a state like this. Sure, we have good weather and an interesting geography. But no matter where you live now, you can’t want the policies that have destroyed this state. Vote accordingly and read his book.
Good article. We live in a state of one-party rule, where the politics are incestuous, and inbreeding takes place, which leads to genetic problems. Until the coastal population wakes up, we will continue to have the majority in the legislature controlled by liberals. I have lived in California for 46 years, and watched, with a few exceptions, the misfortunate outcomes. The Democrats never met a dollar they didn't like.
From disastrous software projects (DMV, Child Support, EDD), in a state that started the tech revolution! The low-speed rail project is a national embarrassment, with ground broken in 2015, and not a mile of rail laid. Still waiting for the new reservoir up near Dunnigan to be started. I moved here in 1976, and they had the by-pass tunnel for the Auburn dam completed when they decided that the 4-year drought was over, along with the environmentalists screaming about the American River Canyon, decided we didn't need another dam!
When I was working, I was on a Chamber Committe that vetted "job killer bills" out of the legislature. The proponents would appear before us to make the case, and I wondered what planet these people lived on. Many times, it was a solution looking for a problem.
One of the challenges to changing the composition of the legislative is the people who put the liberals in office. The elected are a reflection of the voters, so you have to get to those people and educate them to (1) The consequences of harmful policies, and (2) Those advocated by their liberal candidate. Most voters are party line, and you have to break through that.
Lastly, we have a very serious pocketbook issue coming up shortly, A 65 cent increase in the gas tax on July 1st, 2025, and two refineries planning to shut down. This will hit a lot of people where is hurts, and I am afraid that the legislature is tone deaf.
Bill Walters