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'''California''' is an illustration of the failure of [[liberal]] policies, as the State is virtually insolvent, has one of the worst educational systems in the world, and has lost many high-achievers to other states despite having a better climate.  Known as the Golden State, it became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. It is located on the west coast of the [[United States]], by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and bordered by [[Oregon]], [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]]. It is the largest state in population but will be surpassed by the more [[conservative]] [[Texas]] by 2050. Its governor is [[Jerry Brown]]. It has served as a poster child for [[liberalism]] and [[Hollywood values]] since the 1960s, especially [[Los Angeles]] and [[San Francisco]]. It is estimated that California is now losing an estimated 500,000 people statewide every year.<ref>http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-330643-year-county.html</ref>

'''California''' is an illustration of the failure of [[liberal]] policies, as the State is virtually insolvent, has one of the worst educational systems in the world, and has lost many high-achievers to other states despite having a better climate.  Known as the Golden State, it became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. It is located on the west coast of the [[United States]], by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and bordered by [[Oregon]], [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]]. It is the largest state in population but will be surpassed by the more [[conservative]] [[Texas]] by 2050. Its governor is [[Jerry Brown]]. It has served as a poster child for [[liberalism]] and [[Hollywood values]] since the 1960s, especially [[Los Angeles]] and [[San Francisco]]. It is estimated that California is now losing an estimated 500,000 people statewide every year.<ref>http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-330643-year-county.html</ref>

'''''[[Liberal]]s ran [[California]] into the ground.'''''  In 2012, its [[leftist]] politicians proposed making its citizens pay an extra $9-billion in new taxes, with half of that going into [[government]] pensions.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/15/how-california-budget-blunders-led-to-my-divorce-from-golden-state/</ref>

'''''[[Liberal]]s ran California into the ground.'''''  In 2012, its [[leftist]] politicians proposed making its citizens pay an extra $9-billion in new taxes, with half of that going into [[government]] pensions.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/15/how-california-budget-blunders-led-to-my-divorce-from-golden-state/</ref>

In 2015, California faces a worsening water shortage after years of failed liberal policies toward the problem.  Attempts at voluntary self-restraint in the use of water have been unsuccessful in its [[Leftist]] culture.

In 2015, California faces a worsening water shortage after years of failed liberal policies toward the problem.  Attempts at voluntary self-restraint in the use of water have been unsuccessful in its [[Leftist]] culture.

An ugly budget crisis in 2009 was resolved after months of squabbling, with budget cuts, accounting gimmicks, and new taxes. The legislature in 2009 cut billions from education, healthcare and social services while temporarily hiking income, sales and vehicle taxes.  The 2010 budget deficit is projected at $21 billion which must be closed somehow.  

An ugly budget crisis in 2009 was resolved after months of squabbling, with budget cuts, accounting gimmicks, and new taxes. The legislature in 2009 cut billions from education, healthcare and social services while temporarily hiking income, sales and vehicle taxes.  The 2010 budget deficit is projected at $21 billion which must be closed somehow.  

Suggested solutions include raising tobacco taxes; cutting pensions for retired public workers;  repealing corporate tax breaks passed in 2008 and 2009; revising the tax rules for commercial and residential property; reducing the 2/3 legislative vote needed to pass a budget; and strengthening the firewall that protects local government and transportation money from being raided by the state. "There's a lot of people putting chess pieces on the board right now," said Jon Coupal, president of the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. "The question is which of those chess pieces will be moving."<ref> Shane Goldmacher, "California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion," [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget-deficit18-2009nov18,0,7647152.story ''LosAngeles Times'' Nov. 18, 2009]</ref>

Suggested solutions include raising tobacco taxes; cutting pensions for retired public workers;  repealing corporate tax breaks passed in 2008 and 2009; revising the tax rules for commercial and residential property; reducing the 2/3 legislative vote needed to pass a budget; and strengthening the firewall that protects local government and transportation money from being raided by the state. "There's a lot of people putting chess pieces on the board right now," said Jon Coupal, president of the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. "The question is which of those chess pieces will be moving."<ref>Shane Goldmacher, "California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion," [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget-deficit18-2009nov18,0,7647152.story ''LosAngeles Times'' Nov. 18, 2009]</ref>

==History==

==History==

*California surpassed France in 2000 to become the fifth largest economy in the world

*California surpassed France in 2000 to become the fifth largest economy in the world

*Los Angeles hosted the Summer [[Olympics]] in [[Olympics#1932_Los_Angeles|1932]] and [[Olympics#1984_Los_Angeles|1984]].

*Los Angeles hosted the Summer [[Olympics]] in [[Olympics#1932 Los Angeles|1932]] and [[Olympics#1984 Los Angeles|1984]].

*The California [[Redwood]] was named the official state tree in 1937. <ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>

*The California [[Redwood]] was named the official state tree in 1937.<ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>

*The [[state flower]] is the [[Golden poppy]]

*The [[state flower]] is the [[Golden poppy]]

*San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States; [[Los Angeles]] is the largest by population. <ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>

*San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States; [[Los Angeles]] is the largest by population.<ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>

*Since 2000, California has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similar to [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref> Same-sex marriage was briefly legal in 2008, but this ended when Proposition 8, a voter referendum to define marriage as only being between a man and woman, passed.

*Since 2000, California has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similar to [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref> Same-sex marriage was briefly legal in 2008, but this ended when Proposition 8, a voter referendum to define marriage as only being between a man and woman, passed.

==Budget Crises==

==Budget Crises==

The state has had two severe budget crises in 2009, caused by high spending, a plunge in tax revenue (caused by the decline in income of the wealthy who pay most of the taxes), and a refusal of enough Republicans to provide the two-thirds majority in the legislature needed to raise taxes.  Long term borrowing is not allowed--the state has to balance its budget annually, but many gimmicks are used.

The state has had two severe budget crises in 2009, caused by high spending, a plunge in tax revenue (caused by the decline in income of the wealthy who pay most of the taxes), and a refusal of enough Republicans to provide the two-thirds majority in the legislature needed to raise taxes.  Long term borrowing is not allowed—the state has to balance its budget annually, but many gimmicks are used.

With a $26 billion deficit in its $92 billion budget, the state ran out of money and issued IOU's (warrants) before the solution was reached: massive spending cuts. In February 2009, the Legislature raised the state sales tax, bringing the total -- including local sales taxes -- to about 9 cents or more. Top income tax rates, already among the highest in the country, were raised. So were motor vehicle registration fees. Spending cuts approved in February and July are deep. Together, the cuts equal almost 30% of the general revenue fund and will affect schools, prisons, colleges and welfare. Some welfare benefits will be cut by half. California's student-teacher ratio, now about a third above the national average, will probably go even higher. The high prestige University of California system lost 20% of its state payments. It is raising tuition and student fees by 9.3%, imposing salary reductions of 4% to 10% on more than 100,000 workers, and postponing faculty hires until a better day.

With a $26 billion deficit in its $92 billion budget, the state ran out of money and issued IOU's (warrants) before the solution was reached: massive spending cuts. In February 2009, the Legislature raised the state sales tax, bringing the total—including local sales taxes—to about 9 cents or more. Top income tax rates, already among the highest in the country, were raised. So were motor vehicle registration fees. Spending cuts approved in February and July are deep. Together, the cuts equal almost 30% of the general revenue fund and will affect schools, prisons, colleges and welfare. Some welfare benefits will be cut by half. California's student-teacher ratio, now about a third above the national average, will probably go even higher. The high prestige University of California system lost 20% of its state payments. It is raising tuition and student fees by 9.3%, imposing salary reductions of 4% to 10% on more than 100,000 workers, and postponing faculty hires until a better day.

Republicans claimed victory in the end, as they achieved large budget cuts and no new taxes.

Republicans claimed victory in the end, as they achieved large budget cuts and no new taxes.

==Elected officials==  

==Elected officials==

===Federal===

===Federal===

*Sen. [[Barbara Boxer]] [D, CA]  

*Sen. [[Barbara Boxer]] [D, CA]  

*Rep. [[Susan Davis]] [D, CA-53]

*Rep. [[Susan Davis]] [D, CA-53]

===Statewide===  

===Statewide===

* [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Jerry Brown]] (D)

* [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Jerry Brown]] (D)

* Lieutenant Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] (D)

* Lieutenant Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] (D)

==Energy==

==Energy==

[[File:CA-oil.jpg|thumb|375px|right]][[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]] California is rich in conventional and renewable energy resources. It has large crude oil and substantial natural gas deposits in six geological basins, located in the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast. Most of those reserves are concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Basin. More than a dozen of the Nation’s 100 largest oil fields are located in California, including the Belridge South oil field, the second largest oil field in the contiguous United States. In addition, Federal assessments indicate that large undiscovered deposits of recoverable oil and gas lie offshore in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), although Federal law currently prohibits oil and gas leasing in that area. California’s renewable energy potential is extensive. The State’s hydroelectric power potential ranks second in the Nation (behind Washington State), and substantial geothermal and wind power resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with Nevada. High solar energy potential is found in southeastern California’s sunny deserts.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  

[[File:CA-oil.jpg|thumb|375px|right]][[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]] California is rich in conventional and renewable energy resources. It has large crude oil and substantial natural gas deposits in six geological basins, located in the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast. Most of those reserves are concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Basin. More than a dozen of the Nation’s 100 largest oil fields are located in California, including the Belridge South oil field, the second largest oil field in the contiguous United States. In addition, Federal assessments indicate that large undiscovered deposits of recoverable oil and gas lie offshore in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), although Federal law currently prohibits oil and gas leasing in that area. California’s renewable energy potential is extensive. The State’s hydroelectric power potential ranks second in the Nation (behind Washington State), and substantial geothermal and wind power resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with Nevada. High solar energy potential is found in southeastern California’s sunny deserts.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  

   

   

*[[San Jose]]

*[[San Jose]]

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Jefferson State]]

* [[Jefferson State]]

* [[Strategic relocation]] - [[vote with your feet]] [[Free States Movement]]

* [[Strategic relocation]] - [[vote with your feet]] [[Free States Movement]]

* [[Left Coast]]

* [[Left Coast]]

== External Links ==

== External links ==

[http://www.ca.gov Official Website]

* [http://www.ca.gov Official Website]

[http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-330643-year-county.html]

* [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-330643-year-county.html]

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category : California]]

[[Category:California]]

{{USstates}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category : Featured articles]]

[[Category:Featured articles]]

[[Category : Western United States]]

[[Category:Western United States]]

[[Category : Anti Second Amendment]]

[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]

[[Category : Blue States]]

[[Category:Blue States]]

[[Category : Gun control]]

[[Category:Gun control]]

[[Category : Homosexual Agenda]]

[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]

[[Category : Liberalism]]

[[Category:Liberalism]]