Kaliforina Socialism, not working.....

[Team Sergeant]

Socialist Kaliforina is slowly going under......kaliforina is America's Greece.




More homeless camps are appearing beyond downtown L.A.'s skid row
By Gale Holland contact the reporter

January 24, 2015, 10:00 AM

Evicted four months ago from their Highland Park apartment, Louis Morales and his 18-year-old stepson, Arthur Valenzuela, live half-hidden by brush along the nearby Arroyo Seco riverbed..

Morales, 49, keeps a framed bible verse and a stuffed monkey in his tent. Water hauled by bike from a park heats up on the camp stove.

Next door, their friend Johnny Salazar fixes bikes and shattered computer screens on the cheap for people who live in the neighborhood. A brother and sister Morales has known for years live up the river, and three couples stay down by the bridge.

"Everybody here is from Highland Park," Valenzuela said. "We don't allow other people."

Over the last two years, street encampments have jumped their historic boundaries in downtown Los Angeles, lining freeways and filling underpasses from Echo Park to South Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a city-county agency, received 767 calls about street encampments in 2014, up 60% from the 479 in 2013.

cont:

http://www.latimes.com/local/califor...125-story.html

[mark46th]

I uses to work in downtown L.A. One of my favorite places to eat was on 4th St. I had to literally step over people passed out on the sidewalk. Yeah, the beef and potato burritos were that good.

[Richard]

I grew up in NorCal, left in 1970 and returned in 2012 after a 23 year military career and a secondary-career educator in Texas for nearly 20 years.

From my experiences and POV, many things have changed around here, mainly the increasingly diverse population growth and once expected seasonal weather patterns, but some things haven't - one being the size and impact of California's economy on the US and the world, and another being the relatively high unemployment numbers of a large migrant 'unskilled' labor force which has always led to such 'encampments' as those described in the LA Times article. I grew up out here seeing them up and down the valleys and in the cities, and still see them as I travel frequently throughout the region. I've seen them in every state and large city I've ever visited or lived in, and throughout the world as I've lived and traveled overseas.

I think this comment is the KEY takeaway from the article: "'Now that we're fixing up our communities, we're actually seeing a problem that's been there in plain sight for decades," said the LAPD's Chovan. "Gentrification just brought it to light.'"

As to whether such encampments portend a 'failure' to the reality vs the mythical Eden-like dream of the future of California (which in spite of its warts remains America's most populous and economically powerful state), I'm not so sure.

RANKED: The 50 US State Economies From Worst To Best

http://www.businessinsider.com/ranke...es-2014-8?op=1

California’s economy is large enough it could be admitted into G-8

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...tted-into-g-8/

And so it goes...

Richard

[The Reaper]

Just got home from Vegas.

I saw an average of a half dozen or so every morning on the way to the show.

TR

[PSM]

Originally Posted by mark46th

I uses to work in downtown L.A. One of my favorite places to eat was on 4th St. I had to literally step over people passed out on the sidewalk. Yeah, the beef and potato burritos were that good.

Ah! Mine was in Latin gang territory south of Hollywood. A Bolivian family ran it. Every Sunday, for a couple of years, I'd pick up a double tortilla green chili pork burrito on my way to work at LAX. I'd pull up in my new '82 Camaro and the family would come out and take up positions to make sure that I had no problems with the gangsters. Good times; good eats!

Pat

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

California's economy was built up during the years when it had a much more business-friendly Democratic legislature. Since the late 1970s, it has been replaced by a very far-left legislature and because of the Dill Act signed in the late 1970s by then (and current) Governor Jerry Brown, the state's public-sector workers were allowed to unionize. Today the state is controlled by an iron triangle made up of the labor unions, the trial lawyers, and the environmental lobby. And because of how left the legislature is, they have made California into one of the most highly taxes, regulated, and spending states in the union. California has since lost millions of people as a result, but it continues to hang on because of the nice weather and also because of the large, established industries there. One can only imagine what its economy would be if it had a more economically-friendly legislature.

Interesting opinion, but I actually live here after having spent the previous 20 years in Texas. My electrical bill is - on average - about 70% less than what I paid in Texas, my property taxes (on 6x the amount of property I owned in Texas and a home valued at 3x the value of my home in Texas) are less than 20% of what I paid in Texas, and my water/sewage bill is about 10-15% of what I was paying in Texas. Unlike Texas, I do pay a state income tax, but that (for me) equates to less than what I paid in overall taxes/living expenses when living in Texas, and the climate and quality of life here living but 90 miles to the Pacific Coast and 90 miles to Lake Tahoe has proven itself to be much better than what I experienced in Texas. And having one of the world's great wine regions surrounded from the middle is a bonus to my wife and I.

As far as population and business goes:

http://journal.firsttuesday.us/rateo...ongrowth/1306/

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html

And for businesses there's a lot more to what attracts them to a state/region than taxes - which may be why 2 of America's 3 largest state economies (which are 3 of the world's 20 largest economies) are in what many consider to be 'poor' for business, and it's always important to factor into any business equation regarding location that a state like California neither desires nor cultivates businesses it considers to be environmentally problematic for its workers, its communities, its region, and itse governing bodies.

http://taxes.about.com/od/statetaxes...ness-taxes.htm

Budget-wise, the state has made a dramatic turn-around and is actually operating under a fiscally sound budget plan which, unlike the LA Times article's theme, shows reasonable hope for continued positive long term growth and quality of life for this state, its businesses, and its residents.

I live here and don't see myself moving again - unless circumstances arise which would force me to reconsider my position, of course.

But who knows, anything can happen - except me ever buying an effin' Prius...but so it goes...

Richard

[PSM]

Richard,

I've made the same argument about the taxes with my sister in TX and you are correct.

But, you inherited property that is covered by Prop. 13 and, I presume, you have no substantial taxable income now that you've retired. What would your property taxes be if you had not inherited the land (which is still protected by Prop. 13)? What would your state income tax be if you had a full time job, in CA, that would allow you to own that land? Would you have moved there and bought that property if you were in your late 30s or early 40s today? Is it possible that nostalgia is clouding your perceptions?

Got any Delta Smelt recipes?

Pat

[Richard]

And what if frogs had wings?

But so it goes...

Richard

[PSM]

Originally Posted by Richard

And what if frogs had wings?

But so it goes...

Richard

He wouldn't bump his ass so much, but he'd probably be the hero of Calaveras County.

Pat

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

Post

I disagree. The strength of both NY and CA is that they have always managed to adapt - eventually, and not always without painful struggle - to the constant 'change' occurring in both the national and global economic environments, and, based upon what I've experienced in my lifetime, I suspect will continue to do so in the future.

IMO and based upon my experiences, states like California and New York are tough to "make it in" if you're unmotivated, dumb, or shackled by 'issues' (re to the LA Times and numerous other articles).

My family has always operated upon a notion of taking a 'long view' to positioning ourselves to be more or less 'debt free' - no mortgage, no car payments, no loans, pay our bills on time, low taxes, etc - and able to continue to live within our means heading into our 'Golden Years.' My parents did it, my wife and I have done it, and we've taught our children how to do it for their lives.

My wife will retire this year and - with my retirement and SS, and her retirement and SS - we've estimated that I may need to sub (I'm a 'go to' substitute for 2 HS and 2 JHS here in the area) about 1 day per week for us to enjoy the same standard of living we have now.

To us, that is a part of our vision of the so-called 'American Dream.'

Others may have a different 'dream'...but this is America - and so it goes.

Richard

PS - nice rejoinder, Pat.

[Richard]

Our national and global economies work on taxes, regulations, and spending - 'excessive' is in the eye of the proverbial beholder(s) and the results speak for themselves...whether we agree with them or pretend to understand them or not.

MOO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FAdEzhorq4

However, YMMV.

Richard

[NurseTim]

Originally Posted by Richard

I disagree. The strength of both NY and CA is that they have always managed to adapt - eventually, and not always without painful struggle - to the constant 'change' occurring in both the national and global economic environments, and, based upon what I've experienced in my lifetime, I suspect will continue to do so in the future.

IMO and based upon my experiences, states like California and New York are tough to "make it in" if you're unmotivated, dumb, or shackled by 'issues' (re to the LA Times and numerous other articles).

My family has always operated upon a notion of taking a 'long view' to positioning ourselves to be more or less 'debt free' - no mortgage, no car payments, no loans, pay our bills on time, low taxes, etc - and able to continue to live within our means heading into our 'Golden Years.' My parents did it, my wife and I have done it, and we've taught our children how to do it for their lives.

My wife will retire this year and - with my retirement and SS, and her retirement and SS - we've estimated that I may need to sub (I'm a 'go to' substitute for 2 HS and 2 JHS here in the area) about 1 day per week for us to enjoy the same standard of living we have now.

To us, that is a part of our vision of the so-called 'American Dream.'

Others may have a different 'dream'...but this is America - and so it goes.

Richard

PS - nice rejoinder, Pat.

For now and maybe for a few years to come, but I'm afraid the 1-2 days a week will slowly increase due to necessity. I pray I'm wrong for your sake.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

If California and New York had been built into great economies based on high taxes, high spending, and lots of regulations,...

Re this topic, I think the underlined adjectives are your views (and a few others) and, based upon the 'ledger', not necessarily representative of the views of either the world business community or the global economy.

Richard

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

IMO, if Texas had the regulatory and tax climate of California and New York, it would not be where it is today. Note also people leaving California and New York. Texas has gained two seats in the House, while New York has lost two.

Texas has actually gained 4 seats (32 => 36) as of the 2010 census and has its own issues - of which there are many. California lost no seats and remains at 53.

Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio all lost a seat or two while Texas (4), Florida (2), Arizona and Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington ( 1 ea) gained seats. There are a number of reasons for that, with taxes being but a part of it.

As for people 'leaving' CA - I guess you missed this factoid (link below) and the fact that California's apportioned representation in the House of Representatives has never lessened but grown since its admission to the union and remains at 53 (no change in the last two decades).

http://journal.firsttuesday.us/rateo...ongrowth/1306/

But change is inevitable. Improvise, adapt, and overcome - or suffer the consequences. Maybe you don't see it in NY, but out here, I see a people and a local government continuing to embrace that concept and working to make it happen.

MOO - and so it goes...

Richard

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

Entire post.

IMO, your POV would benefit if you were to provide data that show

• how California's economy is resting on its laurels, or
• how the state government's regulations and taxes drive / keep out businesses, or
• how the state's public sector workers and their pensions drag the economy, or
• how the state is lagging behind in terms of innovation / research and development. IMO, such data would be even more compelling were they cast against national averages and/or similar data for those states that you consider to be more business friendly.

FYI, the data that might help achieve these goals, or goals that you define are available at http://www.census.gov/ and http://www.bls.gov/. To frame the data, the state legislature's database here may help.

MOO, I think your take on California politics continues

1. to disregard the steady decline of the aerospace industry,
2. to ignore the impact of the Cold War,
3. to overlook how the voter initiative/referendum process impacts economic and social policy, and
4. to neglect the latitude that the state's municipalities have in shaping their economic development, even those cities that have to guide their policies past the state's coastal commission.

FWIW, in regards to (4), I work in the planning department of a structural engineering consultancy. I write memos and reports that are scoped to help clients develop land. Most of the projects I work on these days are in California. Sometimes the clients are developers. Sometimes the clients are municipalities. Sometimes the clients represent existing land uses (like mixed use developments, shopping malls, hospitals, airports, and colleges/universities).

In my department's experience, when projects don't come to fruition it is because of either an overabundance of stakeholder NIMBYism, or miscalculations in the master planning process, or municipal departments misreading bureaucratic politics, or stuff changing from the client's perspective. AFIAK, no project has been a causality of "progressivism." On the contrary, if progressivism were the driving force in California's economic development, buildings in California would be going up even faster than they already are.

My $0.02.