Author: R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D.
The founding fathers were wise in many ways. One of the best things they did was to allow states to operate pretty much independently of each other. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our independence, it is increasingly obvious that some states have gone in dramatically different directions. The result is being reflected in the mass migration from states like California and New York, to states like Florida and Texas. Let’s take a look at what California has done wrong.
Ever since we annexed California, it has been considered the finest state in the country. Starting with the gold rush of 1848, the climate, natural resources, fertile soil, and natural beauty attracted millions of people. These were people who were looking for a place that would allow them to profit from their hard work and provide a future for their families. California was called the “Golden State” for many reasons–not just the gold mines. During the Great Depression in the 1930’s, many people moved to California. Those people became the bedrock of an economy that grew to provide the highest standard of living in the country. By 1950, the population of California was 10 million. They were a reliable conservative Republican state that elected Ronald Reagan to two terms as governor. The public school system was rated the highest in the country, and the standard of living and affordability were unmatched. The hard-working middle class was thriving; it was close to paradise.
Okay, so where are they now and how did they get there? First, they became controlled by Marxist ideologues who fooled the people into accepting destructive ideas like open borders. The elite-like current governor, Gavin Newsom, began a policy of sanctuary cities that morphed into a sanctuary state. Always remember, Marxists do not believe in the sanctity of nation states, rather they believe in global governance where people should be free to relocate to any part of the world that they wish. The result was that the population of California is now over 40 million, many of which are illegal aliens from all over the globe. As expected, this has destroyed the public school system, which has to deal with students who not only do not speak English but have values inconsistent with traditional America. The flood of immigrants has ruined the middle class by working for lower wages and not paying taxes. One of the bedrocks of America is that every person should support themselves. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight–and that he shall not be a mere passenger.” California’s leaders have not only ignored this principle, but have overtly made California into a refuge for the irresponsible, the drug addicts, the mentally ill, and other people unwilling or unable to pull their own weight. They are allowed to live in the streets, get free food, and prey on the public. What happened to vagrancy laws?
Another thing that has led to the demise of California is crime. Marxist DA’s refuse to prosecute law breakers and do not even arrest people who steal less than $1,000. California cities have some of the highest crime rates in the country. The cost of living has also risen to the highest in the country. The average price of a home is over twice as much as it is in other states. In addition to this is corruption, Dr. Oz recently reported that Medicaid fraud in Los Angeles is so rampant that one-third of all the funds spent in the entire country on Hospice Care by Medicaid are fraudulently expended in that one city! The total indebtedness of state and local governments in California is over $1.6 trillion. Given all this, is it any wonder that people are fleeing California at monumental rates? In 2025, 225,000 more people left California than arrived. Just hope that they have learned their lesson and do not vote for Marxist Democrats in the states they now reside.
So, the lesson is clear. We must uphold the values and beliefs that made this country successful for 250 years. As Lincoln once said; ”This country will never be defeated by another country, if we are to fall it will be from within.” We owe our children and grandchildren a country that can survive for at least another 250 years. Get out and vote! Support true-conservative, country-loving candidates. The Trump agenda will not survive if we do not get out and support him and his administration. It is very simple, if you voted for Trump in 2024, get out and vote again. You know what to do. Let us all pledge to do what is needed to save this country from Marxist communists.