California's Endless Descent: A State Lost to Ideology
I first stepped foot in California in 1966, drawn by the promise of a summer spent studying at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. My intention was to visit Los Angeles, captivated by the iconic roadways and surreal landscape that had inspired my friend Laura Huxley, wife of literary giant Aldous Huxley.
Fast forward decades, and LA has become more than just a backdrop for my adventures – it's my second home. Yet, I've come to realize that California has undergone a profound transformation, one that reflects the state's warped obsession with health fads, spiritual gurus, artificiality, and the eternal quest for immortality.
Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California, embodies this surreal landscape. With his movie-star persona, coupled with an unyielding commitment to progressive ideals, he represents the very essence of Hollywood's fixation on youth, looks, and glamour. Despite being marked by colossal failures in governance and personal life, Newsom remains a formidable figure, thanks in part to his calculated ability to connect with the public.
Our paths first crossed in the early 1990s, when my radio show, "The Savage Nation," was rocking the state. As mayor of San Francisco, Gavin had recently championed a gay marriage bill, which would later become a defining moment in his career. I coined him "Any Twosome Newsom" on air, but his father, Judge William Alfred Newsom III, surprisingly agreed with my sentiment.
However, it seems that both of us were wrong. By embracing the powerful forces of the LGBTQ+ community and labor unions, Gavin Newsom effectively aligned himself with the Democrat machine. The results have been disastrous: California now boasts some of the highest state taxes, gas prices, and housing costs in the nation, as well as a growing homeless crisis.
The question on everyone's mind is whether California can be saved from itself. It seems increasingly unlikely that Republicans will ever regain traction in the state due to Newsom's relentless push for left-wing policies. Prominent business leaders have fled, citing concerns about taxes and regulations that discourage growth.
In particular, the SEIU's proposed wealth tax will only exacerbate California's problems. With this new policy, those who have enjoyed success under the current system would face severe penalties for even attempting to leave. It's clear that Newsom's vision for a one-party state is taking shape – and it will only get worse.
If California adopts Florida's successful policies, including lower taxes and stricter crime laws, people might return. However, this remains unlikely given the entrenched left-wing ideology that dominates every aspect of the state's politics.
I first stepped foot in California in 1966, drawn by the promise of a summer spent studying at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. My intention was to visit Los Angeles, captivated by the iconic roadways and surreal landscape that had inspired my friend Laura Huxley, wife of literary giant Aldous Huxley.
Fast forward decades, and LA has become more than just a backdrop for my adventures – it's my second home. Yet, I've come to realize that California has undergone a profound transformation, one that reflects the state's warped obsession with health fads, spiritual gurus, artificiality, and the eternal quest for immortality.
Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California, embodies this surreal landscape. With his movie-star persona, coupled with an unyielding commitment to progressive ideals, he represents the very essence of Hollywood's fixation on youth, looks, and glamour. Despite being marked by colossal failures in governance and personal life, Newsom remains a formidable figure, thanks in part to his calculated ability to connect with the public.
Our paths first crossed in the early 1990s, when my radio show, "The Savage Nation," was rocking the state. As mayor of San Francisco, Gavin had recently championed a gay marriage bill, which would later become a defining moment in his career. I coined him "Any Twosome Newsom" on air, but his father, Judge William Alfred Newsom III, surprisingly agreed with my sentiment.
However, it seems that both of us were wrong. By embracing the powerful forces of the LGBTQ+ community and labor unions, Gavin Newsom effectively aligned himself with the Democrat machine. The results have been disastrous: California now boasts some of the highest state taxes, gas prices, and housing costs in the nation, as well as a growing homeless crisis.
The question on everyone's mind is whether California can be saved from itself. It seems increasingly unlikely that Republicans will ever regain traction in the state due to Newsom's relentless push for left-wing policies. Prominent business leaders have fled, citing concerns about taxes and regulations that discourage growth.
In particular, the SEIU's proposed wealth tax will only exacerbate California's problems. With this new policy, those who have enjoyed success under the current system would face severe penalties for even attempting to leave. It's clear that Newsom's vision for a one-party state is taking shape – and it will only get worse.
If California adopts Florida's successful policies, including lower taxes and stricter crime laws, people might return. However, this remains unlikely given the entrenched left-wing ideology that dominates every aspect of the state's politics.
like seriously what happened to the golden state? it's just a bunch of rich folks living in their mansions while the rest of us are fighting for a place to live 
meanwhile gavin newsom is over here thinking he's still got it 
his dad may have agreed with me about him being a bit of an "any twosome" but hey at least he's consistent right? 
anyway back to california's problems - those taxes are CRAZY 
and don't even get me started on the homeless crisis 
someone needs to come in there and shake things up 
but i guess that would mean giving up on all that progressive idealism... sigh
. This whole Newsom thing? He's like a puppet on strings, and those strings are being pulled by the Democrats 
. I mean, have you seen the taxes they're slapping on people now? It's highway robbery! 
And don't even get me started on this wealth tax stuff... it's just another way to control people's money 
.
. Newsom himself is a perfect example of this - he's got this whole 'progressive' image going on, but really, he's just a puppet for the special interests 
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It's like they're sleepwalking into a one-party state and nobody's waking them up 
. We need to get back to basics and stop worrying about 'identity politics' and start focusing on what really matters: the economy 
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. The guy has all these amazing qualities, but somehow they get overshadowed by his ego and desire for control 
But seriously, the fact that he's pushed so hard for left-wing policies is like he's trying to convince himself that California is still the land of sunshine and happiness 
. Newsom's failed governance record and personal life scandals are just symptoms of his inability to adapt or listen to opposing views 
. Can we please just have a rational discussion about policies instead of relying on ideology? 
. The obsession with being 'green' and 'progressive' has led to some serious economic consequences - who thought $15 minimum wage would be a good idea? 
. He's more concerned with being a 'hero' than actually governing effectively 
. And the fact that business leaders are leaving because of taxes and regulations? That's just common sense, not radical left-wing thinking 
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. But until then, it's just going to be a never-ending cycle of decline 
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i swear if i had to pay more taxes just to live in a city with no homeless people i'd be outta there 
all these businesses leaving and people can't afford housing 
i mean i get it hes trying to help the environment and all that jazz but like come on governor be more subtle 
and it sucks. idk about the wealth tax tho that sounds super unfair 
and everyone is so into wellness and self-care it's kinda crazy 
but for real tho california seems to be losing its magic 
i mean i love la but it's just not the same anymore 
what happened to all the cool people and good vibes? 
I mean, have you seen those gas prices? It's like they're trying to make it impossible for people to afford a car 
It's like he wants to punish them for being successful 
They're all like "oh, I'll just move to Florida" and stuff, but honestly, I think that's a cop-out 
California needs to get its act together before people stop coming here altogether 
. If we could bring some of that sanity back, I'd be all for it! But until then, it's just gonna keep on getting worse 
- it feels like they've lost their way in life. They used to be all about innovation and progress, but now it's just about chasing after some unattainable dream of utopia. Gavin Newsom's got a lot of charm, I'll give him that