Lesson from CA: Socialism Doesn’t Work

Posted 11.19.12 by Todd Cefaratti, Editor of TPNN

By Todd Cefaratti
Editor of TPNN

How many times is society going to have to revisit the issue of the failures of socialism before we can rule it out as a viable system capable of producing long-term prosperity? It is getting exhausting.

California recently achieved a new milestone as it is now the leader of all fifty states in poverty. In a recent finding by the federal Census Bureau, California has the most people living in poverty with 23.5% of the population living in poverty, stealing the last-place spot for the most impoverished state from Mississippi.

The new measure of poverty, called the “Supplemental Poverty Measure”, incorporates a wide variety of factors such as the peoples’ ability to buy basic services and goods, welfare payments and the costs of food, gasoline and other essentials.

While this is certainly troubling news for California, it is equally troubling for citizens all across the country as California is just a dramatic example of the kind of socialist policies that are slowly taking effect on a national level.

Our elected leaders are currently trying to hash out a deal where we avoid a looming fiscal cliff created from unsound economic policies. While Republicans are trying to maintain tax cuts for those that have the ability to grow businesses, the Democrats are looking to create tax hikes to avoid having to cut entitlement spending.

The liberal paradise of California has been incredibly fortunate in that it has tremendous potential for revenue; and yet, it is still $16 billion in debt from having exhausted the taxpayers to pay for an ever-expanding welfare state. California has squeezed every last nickel it can out of taxpayers to fund a socialist state, and it just isn’t working. Now that they are officially the most impoverished state, can we please have an honest discussion about the shortcomings of socialism?

America’s economic situation is perilous, but we can still turn it around. We need to constantly be looking for opportunities to get people off of their dependency on government and find ways to foster genuine capitalism. Let California’s failures serve as a wakeup call to the rest of America as we head down the path of big government.

California is circling the drain. America doesn’t have to go with it.

About the post author, Todd Cefaratti

A graduate of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of California Irvine (UCI) and (HBS) Harvard Business School Executive Program. Todd Cefaratti holds degrees in economics, marketing and digital marketing. Todd is one of the top internet marketing experts in his field. Todd is also the founder of the nonprofit organization TheTeaParty.net which began in 2009 at the height of the Tea Party movement and today is recognized as one of the top national Tea Party organizations in the movement. The organization is still growing at over a 1000 new patriots every day and going strong with over 600,000 loyal active members. Todd is also the CEO of a major marketing consulting and fundraising organization and the Tea Party News Network. In his spare time, Todd is active with his wife and two daughters in their Christian church and Christian school that both daughters attend. View all posts by Todd Cefaratti →

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disqus_WePiQWNzkD

Lol taxes in CA could be a lot higher- and if they were we could actually afford to reform our really crappy educational system
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Pingback: Lesson from California: Socialism Doesn’t Work | CFO Daily Report
Lee Dutra

I was born and raised in California, but that was the California of old. I moved from there many years ago, but I won’t say where to. (Selfish I know, but I’d like my new home state to remain as it is.) lol
James Middleton

Unfortunately America will go with California. What is going to happen when they try to declare bankruptcy? The worst case scenario has already happened. The Democrats didn’t take over the House of Representatives. There is no way California is going to get billions of dollars in Federal support into the budget. Get ready. The potential for a civil war seems to be escalating rapidly.
Linde

Please…if you are liberal and live in California, stay there. Do NOT come to Texas and turn us into your third world country. I got a fabulous job offer in California with a $20,000 more per year offer. That wouldn’t have even paid for the increase in my taxes and living expenses. It would have been a pay cut. We decided that California has changed so much from when we used to vacation there 20 years ago that we just couldn’t move there. I’m staying PUT in Texas.
http://www.facebook.com/mark.strebe Mark Strebe

I can’t find these numbers (specifically the 23.5% poverty figure) on the Census Bureau’s website. Can you please give us a reference for these numbers? Don’t get me wrong, I think CA is a mess, I just want to know if these numbers are correct.
BigBobba

Most, but not all, unions have become self-serving businesses. Those in power get their $ by “indexing” their members’ wages; a major reason why they keep asking for wage increases. Even FDR, a BIG union guy, said a) the unions have NO right to compel anyone to join AND that government workers should NOT be allowed to unionize. I’ve been a member of some kind of union for most of my life since age 18!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-L-Coleman/1597110290 Robert L. Coleman

Socialism has & will never work anywhere in this world , So people use your God given Common Sense , It has been tried & tried & Failed & Failed Or are we all fools not to see whats already been tried all over the world & never ever worked , We are nuts as the world sees us as stupid Americans !.
IdolHanz

California is what happens when you create both a welfare and police state at the same time–each cancelling the other out. The state is now balkanized with whites fleeing and being replaced with scumbags.
IdolHanz

YouTube = Solano Communist County
YouTube= Sewer Soon City
Debbie

Thank your president I believe he won in California. Tennessee didn’t vote him in for another treacherous four years. He isn’t my president I feel like we don’t have one.
ekaneti

The more socialism fails, the more leftist the electorate becomes.
http://www.facebook.com/mark.w.boucher.9 Mark W Boucher

the actors with their mansions, most r left wingnuts why is it that wear rich people live just around the corner are slums look at the capital all spit and polish and one of the most murders happen there
JimBob

Born and raised in California. Left ten years ago and don’t look back. I’m sad to see what it’s become and know that it is probably the first wave of what’s to come for the nation.
http://www.facebook.com/amanda.belge Amanda Belge

We know Pelosi is owned by unions. How else does she make all her money? The stock market? Commodities Trading isn’t that lucrative.
mrbill59

I know im living it. Ca is dysfunctional on so many levels. I dont think it can be fixed in my life time if ever.
That is all
http://www.facebook.com/baculley Brian Culley

Arnold please go back and help California get back on it’s feet
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lydia-Sheffler-Brown/100000072573938 Lydia Sheffler Brown

I worked all my life, paid into the system, am now disabled…I receive
SSDI and can’t afford what the government gives welfare recipients in
this area…..Obama has taken from the elderly and disabled to provide
more to those that don’t work at all?
http://www.facebook.com/bob.cancilla Bob Cancilla

Time to round up the illegals and send them back to Mexico and let Mexico take care of them. Lets see how many billion in free schooling, medical, foodstamps, and other programs do illegals get?

Stop this nonsense about legal Hispanics supporting illegals. Only liberals and politicians support illegals. How many illegals voted in this past election? We have no way of telling!

There are a few million Illegal Aliens (the proper name for them) in California. They are the cause of problems in our schools, our medical system, our budget crisis, and crime in California! Deport them and the problem goes away.

Lets implement tightly controlled temporary worker programs where workers are brought in to harvest crops and sent back to Mexico when the harvest is over. Anyone remember the Bracero program from 1942 to 1964 where employers brought in Mexican workers and then sent them home? It worked.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000601420028 Mike Stewart

SPICKS AND DICKS===> SO CAL
http://www.facebook.com/sandilee2u Sandi Lee

Please, lets turn it over (Cali) to the illegals and extreme lefties. Its mostly theirs anyway. really..They won’t have to pay us taxes, (they do not anyway) and shall not ask the rest of us (USA) for anything in exchange for their self governing opportunity.then lets watch.
disqus_aLvMR8Lqjt

I agree, all the fatcats in CA COULD bail it out, but they wont, because they are just as selfish and greedy and the washington fatcats. However,…I simply cannot see that “All the welfare people” are keeping this state impoverished. **And, even if it was that way, how many are illegals???? I find it hard to believe that just over 2 decades ago ALL entitlements, all social security ( altho I paid CASH for my disability insurance) all welfare, medicare etc never equaled more than 4 cents of any tax dollar, not even the biblical standard of 10 percent, FOUR CENTS, but NOW they want people to believe that we are in debt because of helping the poor. TOTAL BS. The Pentagon funded a seminar to discuss if Jesus also died for the Klingons, the Army spent 300 Million to study dinosaur feathers, and the list goes on. Our debt, at state level and federal IS NOT BECAUSE OF ENTITLEMENTS, not even close. Think about it, during his first term all welfare rolls declined,….so how can they be the biggest debt??? Easy, they are not, not even remotely close to the financial burden illegals put on our entire country, our jails, schools, hospitals, welfare etc, AND THEY ARENT EVEN OUR CITIZENS.And we ARE supposed to help our own, the poor, even tho Obama, with the stroke of one pen and no word to congress, OBLITERATED the welfare reform, the one “that was doing so good “. I hope the majority of educated americans sees through the smoke screen, yes we need help, but it isnt because of the poor people.
http://www.facebook.com/john.eveland.1 John Eveland

This socialist path we are on is as destructive as giving money to an alcoholic or drugs to a drug addict. We enable people to conduct thier lives with harmful and destructive behavior. Our government provides the means for this irresponsible behavior because it does no require the reciever to act responsibly. In the mean time we will give financial support to teen mothers who have never work a day in thier life, Provide public housing to those who have four to ten children with more on the way and no possible way for them to provide for the children and no intent to either. People on unemployment and enjoying thier time off for two years while making money on the side. Millions of people on disability who should not be. All these people should be required to do public work or be present at an appointed place if unable to work where observation of disabliities can be observered for 20 to 40 hours a week. What a departure from the current system it would be to actually something from those who recieve public assistance.
Lemrob

This is difficult for me to understand as California has some of the richest people in the nation and appears most of them support socialism; so where is the redistribution of their money? Not a good example for the rest of this “Great” Nation to follow.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1534357187 Robert Stevenson

Californians never fear, Jerry brown is here…To build you a $100Billion fast Train, while watching your tax dollars go down the drain…to the unions it makes perfect sense, they need jobs as the unemployment is tense…when the train is done and the riders line up to ride, at $1,100 a ticket they’ll only say this just doesn’t make sense!
orlandocajun

As soon as the majority of producers leave the state, the parasites will follow them wherever they will go. There’s a reason that they tell us not to feed wild animals.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000159266948 Luther Henry

George Clooney should stay out of Sudan and start wringing his hands over the plight of his fellow Californians. The folks in Sudan should start sending donations to California as they are probably well off in comparison. Oprah should also kick in a few billion instead of funding girls’ schools in South Africa.. Come on folks, Obama don’t need any more contributions, he is set for life. Take care of the home boys.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Hubert-Bent/1188470428 Hubert Bent

Thank You Obama you and your Dumbocrats are killing out Country.
http://www.facebook.com/sharon.kidwell.54 Sharon Kidwell

Don’t you think the government gets enough already? Federal and State Income Taxes, Property Taxes, Medicare Taxes, Social Secuity Taxes, local excise tax, gas tax, tobacco tax, liquior tax, personal property taxes. Just start adding these taxes up and you will find you are already paying nearly or more than 50%. And who is using this money? The government to throw lavish parties, the white house to provide barbers and butlers, the Obama’s to rent $50,000 weekend vacation homes. I could go on but I think everyone gets the message!
disqus_xgGq5ihaoi

If California is truly circling the drain, let’s pull the plug
and see what happens.
http://www.facebook.com/The.Club.House Monika Liedl

many have questioned where our celebrities are now, why are they not helping, where is their money? Well folks, did you not read, over 200 million was spent on the elections! Our celebs go over seas, spend money there, helping the poor. Our celebs like many others have the right to spend their money where ever they desire. It’s not their responsibility to spend their earned money on anything they don’t want to, no more than you or I. What would be nice is if our celebs, athletes, CEO’s earned a real living wage. We the consumers drive what they earn by buying the products they endorse or sell. If CEO’s in some of these so called Charity organizations earned real living wages and put the money we donate to better use, things would be different. The CEO of The Red Cross earns over 6 figures plus stipends………………. where the CEO of Salvation Army earns roughly 13,000 a year plus a place to live.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Gilbert/1450832861 Steve Gilbert

Message to Californians:
As you face tough time remember the old saying :”When the going gets, tough, the tough get going. The smart left a long time ago.”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Gilbert/1450832861 Steve Gilbert

The author naively writes as if the politicians didn’t know socialism would fail.
The politicians always knew it would fail and increase poverty and misery,BUT that was always what they wanted.
More misery, more unemployment means more people vote Democrat.
When people have jobs and are paying taxes they get mad their hard earned money is going to welfare bums and stupid government programs and make work projects.
But if you don’t pay taxes, you don’t care, you don’t have any flesh in the game.
Mr. Incredible

I would like to say this is all going to get better soon. It isn’t! It is going to get far uglier, because it is cowardly politicians and lazy people United now!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Henry-C-Avery/1619123875 Henry C Avery

Starting in January to April new regulations, taxes and fines for not obeying them go into effect. Lots of them from every walk of life. In addition to what Obamacare is gonna cost. Companies are already laying off people, cutting hours and pay in an effort to stay afloat. This is all to get revenue to give stuff to all those who won’t work. Here is the problem. Every person layed off becomes another person on the dole. Socialisum which is what we’re talking about here is a self destroying model of government. The saying goes that when there are not enough money from workers to pay the bills, Socialisum emplodes and everyone on the dole gets to starve to death, or eat out of dumpsters, because all the services are gone.
http://www.facebook.com/dessie.howard Dessie Macomber Howard

Can we boot Cali out of the Union before we all wind up paying for their idiocy? We could boot a couple more as far as I’m concerned. Puerto Rico might be a nice substitute for one of them.
Mr. Incredible

It used to be “We The People…” When there are more lazy folk and gutless politicians (on all sides) it has become ” ME the People….”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1316510196 Barry Cooper

Socialism is based on hate, and hate is a powerful emotion. The problem is not a lack of data, but a lack of a coherent moral system for leftists outside of their politics. Socialism allows them to hate openly, publicly, and to claim plausibly, if erroneously, that it is for the public good, and that they care about the poor. The reality is that if they ACTUALLY wanted to help people, they would pursue policies that did so.
kenpo5

It’s funny how the two states with the highest illegal immigrant activity have the highest amount spent on welfare and social services. Let’s not forget about police costs and crime. Time to send the illegals home, California or it’s bankruptcy time with only the hollywood elite to bail you out…and they’ll just move once they realize what going on.
flgrl4x4

maybe all the movie stars can bail them out since they are all millionaires
Lee

When is the rumor about California breaking off and falling into the ocean coming true? Might pollute the water…..
http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.powell.7568 Charlotte Powell

All those actors who supported Obombus should put their $ where their mouth is! No wait, they earned that $, acting,hmmmmm. Could it be? They were paid?
http://profile.yahoo.com/2EKBKFY6LD2SYOLJVNNXERQGCI Iam

Perhaps if Angelina Jolie can boycot thanksgiving again as a protest against Obama*’s policies. she hates america anyway. she is in the market to buy another child from Africa again.
David Wheeler

we the taxpayers, as in federal tax dollars, will be bailing out the state — the final beginning of the end.
http://www.facebook.com/rita.gaus Rita Seuffert Gaus

The California Celebreties should start sharing their money with the poor people, they believe in sharing the wealth.
Greta

It’s time for a revolution…………………….
http://www.facebook.com/paul.milstead.54 Paul Milstead

yea fire the liberals then we wiil have our libertys back
http://www.facebook.com/terryadamo Terry Adamo

Very well stated. It’s a shame it will fall on deaf ears.
http://www.facebook.com/Donnacaforashepard Donna Cafora Shepard

Then WHY did Oprah, Beyonce, Jay-Z and the rest of those idiots in that state vote for Obama??? WHY??? I can’t wrap my head around this fact!
- http://www.facebook.com/jason.barnett.7121 Jason Barnett
  
  Power plain and simple
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591651871 Irma Torres

So sad…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kim-Williams/1363204453 Kim Williams

According to Forbes, 5.28% of the population of California are millionaires, 662,735 of them. California is ninth in the nation for the highest number of resident millionaires. Not only does California hold the distinction of having the highest poverty rate, it also has has among the most rich people. See how Socialism works? Welfare programs do not work, they only increase the gap.
- teddiegough
  
  If you own a home in certain parts of California—you are automatically a millionaire. These are just average homes. The millionaire status does not make your life any different—except you get “accused” of being a millionaire and get the “priviledge” of paying more taxes to take care of the poor unfortunates coming in from mexico and other countries—the same countries who do NOTHING for their own people.
  - http://www.ttsgreatdanes.com Kymber Tyner
    
    Ya but try to sell that house. . .lol. . .my parents have been trying for YEARS. . .
    - teddiegough
      
      actually. no problem selling. I live in zip code 94024 and all the chinese want to live there. they fight to live here and outbit each other. however—i think i will live to be 250 and NEVER SELL!
      Teddie LaVallee
      http://www.weekendswithmydad.com
      650 823-0299
      
      Subject: [teapartynewsnetwork] Re: Lesson from CA: Socialism Doesn’t Work
  - http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.powell.7568 Charlotte Powell
    
    Don’t you just love how the illegal immigrant kids get free college?!
    - teddiegough
      
      I was watching a “Weeds” episode. And the young college boy was at the college financial aid office. He was told that there was nothing the financial aid office could do for him, until he pulled out his foreign passport—then he was given a stack of applications for aid. Until then, I did not realize that this was the case. You wonder how these rules get passed. No one asked me. Every summer I have devoted time to tutoring children behind in math. I am now changing which children get the most attention.
      Teddie LaVallee
      http://www.weekendswithmydad.com
      650 823-0299
      
      Subject: [teapartynewsnetwork] Re: Lesson from CA: Socialism Doesn’t Work
http://www.facebook.com/frank.newlin Frank Newlin

you know they are always saying Regian was so bad but yet when he left as governor of Calif. for the first time in almost a 100 years Calif was in the Black but 6 months after their present Governor took over from him Calif. was once again in the Red because he reinstalled all the entilement progams that Regan had gotten rid of.
- http://www.facebook.com/angela.haas Angela Haas
  
  What he did for Cali, he also did for the United states. It only took a couple of burning Bush’s and a Clinton to get it all fu**ed again..
  - http://www.facebook.com/dessie.howard Dessie Macomber Howard
    
    You forgot the biggest perpetrator. OBAMA!
http://www.facebook.com/angela.meyerhoffer Angela Meyerhoffer

The slide into the quagmire of drugs and poverty, and the fact that California is the supreme example of a state populated by takers, will not “turn around” nor will the destruction of the entire U.S., for much of the population is immoral and depend on handouts. The socialist in DC knows this, and he realizes his opportunity to be president for life depends on the masses destroying their constitution and themselves.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002795410012 John Sylvester

I have a plan .. all the actors want the socialism – let them pay for it Tax the snot out of them, and if they move out of the state – that’s ok tax the studios that pay them — tax them on the actors’ salaries – 200M for a movie? good you get to give 150M to the the state. Give it up Komrade – it’s good for the populous. Commie pinko bastages.
Carlos

OUR TWO CALIF.STATE SENATORS SHOULD BE VERY PROUD……….
http://www.facebook.com/marty.williams.5055 Marty Williams

The TEA PARTY is smarter then all you clown rolled up together
- http://www.facebook.com/ndecent3 Ronnie C Bowling
  
  than* , clowns*
  - http://www.facebook.com/thom.peansr Thom H. Pean Sr
    
    great minds think alike Ron :)
- http://www.facebook.com/thom.peansr Thom H. Pean Sr
  
  actually your the dummie, Its “than” not “then”
  - teri mcguinn
    
    It’s “you’re”, not “your”.
http://www.facebook.com/newbirth35 Victoria Shephard

I live in Cali. I need to move to Arizona or Texas or SOMETHING…anywhere where SANE people exist, because it sure ain’t here.
- http://www.ttsgreatdanes.com Kymber Tyner
  
  I moved from there to Tx 20 years ago. . . best thing I ever did. . .
http://www.facebook.com/paynebs Tracy Ayersman Payne

We have to make the entitlement programs give basic necessities only. By not giving more than one NEEDS, it takes away the desire to continue living on government assistance. If section 8 housing were 6×9 bedrooms, basic kitchen w/sink, no dishwashers, no garbage disposals, and foodstamps could only be used at discount stores like Aldi….people would work harder for the good things in life. Give them the good things without having to work for them, and a large percentage of people will be satisfied living off other’s dime.
- http://www.facebook.com/thom.peansr Thom H. Pean Sr
  
  your talkin good sense, Tracy
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-McIntosh/1340414531 Steve McIntosh
  
  I have a better idea…why don’t we all just work together and provide for each other? And the ones that don’t want to work to help one another be forced out of this country! We could all live a lavish life if something like this were to take place, nobody would want for anything…sadly enough a little word called greed interferes with that! Of course there are those that can’t work but they would be provided for.
  - http://www.facebook.com/robin.short.33 Robin Short
    
    @facebook-1340414531:disqus I don’t consider myself greedy. I have worked at the same job for 29 years and have paid my share of taxes. In this day and age productive workers, like myself and millions of others, are already working to help others. More and more of the taxes withheld from our paychecks go towards the younger Welfare recipients who have been raised to believe that they too are entitled to receive these benefits without ever having to contribute to the funding of said benefits. Prices on everything have risen to the point that it’s more difficult for me to live the way I have for years, and yet the people on Welfare get cost of living increases. Personally, I think it’s people with the “work together and provide for each other” mentality that are the most dangerous to this country. A line from a book you may have heard of, “Atlas Shrugged”, says “I swear by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man or ask another man to live for mine.” At the rate this country is going, it won’t be long before the productive people in society go “on strike” and let the looters try and make it work.
  - http://www.facebook.com/dave.mathews.507 Dave Mathews
    
    Sounds like a little PURE communism.. but that’s probably coming anyway…
  - http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.powell.7568 Charlotte Powell
    
    How young are you? My soon seems to think along the same lines. Money ruins every thing, greedy people are the problem. Is this what schools teach kids today? My soon is 21 and has a job, thank God, but thinks all the people at the”top”are greedy, like with hostess going bankrupt, greedy CEOs!I say no, greedy bakers. My husband works hard, but hasn’t had a raise in 4 years! As you know, every price has gone up, which means we live no where near the way we once were able to. I’m not talking big bucks either, maybe 48,000 BEFORE taxes a year. No more child credits for us, and we’ve had to pay more taxes 3 out of the last 4 years!
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001254049095 Ray Lindsey
      
      Charlotte, I certainly don’t mean to discourage, but I think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. I and my wife retired two years ago, we are barely making it. Prices will only increase with the total implementation of Obamacare, Resturants are already talking a 5 percent surcharge to pay for gov/t reg’s. I don’t worry for me, I worry for my children and Grandchildren and what kind of America they will know. It is a sad day in America
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1439982378 Anthony Garcia
      
      Charlotte I agree with you 110%! I am a disabled ex phone worker, in 2009 I was in a very serious car wreck and became permenatly disabled. I had worked for a major communications company for just over 30 years, because of my injuries I was forced to retire at the ripe old age of 48! I applied for SSDI and was turned down, while I was being told I didn’t qualify a Mexican woman was applying for her son who was mentally retarded, she was awarded $1800 a month and had paid nothing into the system, I had paid since I was 15! Sadly my case is still on appeal three years later. The way our government works is by keeping the good people burdened down to supply the worthless peoples freebies!
  - http://www.facebook.com/dessie.howard Dessie Macomber Howard
    
    Very Utopian Steve. It has been tried and it does not work. Not everyone contributes equally and eventually the worker bees get tired of working for the slackers.
  - http://www.facebook.com/djderigo Dusty Derigo
    
    Steve, that is the social model known as “communism”. Sorry.
- http://www.facebook.com/thom.peansr Thom H. Pean Sr
  
  your making good sense, Tracy
- http://www.facebook.com/jo.sain.3 Jo Sain
  
  very well said
- Teasip
  
  The only true entitlements are Social Security and Medicare, both of which we are REQUIRED to pay into. We are entitled to that money. Anything else seen as an “entitlement” is far from it. They are giveaway programs enacted over the years to buy votes for one party or the other (primarily Democrat). Until those “giveaway” programs are brought under control or eliminated, this country will continue to be a nation of “takers.” Those people are only entitled to three things: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
  - http://www.facebook.com/djderigo Dusty Derigo
    
    Emphasize, the PURSUIT of happiness. Happiness is not guanteed, you must work for it!
  - http://www.facebook.com/ronaldr.worthington Ronald R Worthington
    
    you fool! SS & medicare are not entitlements to those of us who , like me-i have paid into this since 1963. now, when the gov’t starts giving SS & SSDI to immigrants and other people who are not proper plan recipients, that is an entitlement!
    - ritha
      
      They have a new name on the SS checks now, and it means entitlements. WRONG…..
- http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.powell.7568 Charlotte Powell
  
  Excellent point, here in SC, the mom can claim food stamps for herself and kids plus check, the Dad who lives next door, supposedly, claims all the same kids for food stamps and a welfare check as well. Why aren’t ssn numbers flagged? Sorry, but here the people on the system are the same ones sitting behind the approval desks. Fraud it’s rampant in every gov system. Last night on the news locally, dead people still receiving ssi checks. That didn’t happen when my mom died. Ssi was immediately notified and the checks stopped. Who isn’t notifying ssi and allowing this to happen. But it’s everywhere, in every gov system. It’s why I dislike entitlements!
- http://www.facebook.com/dessie.howard Dessie Macomber Howard
  
  Bingo!!! This is what I’ve been saying for years. I would go one step further and say you shouldn’t be allowed to vote while on government assistance. Another incentive to get off the dole, and it couldn’t be used to buy votes.
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Lawrence/100000798545026 David Lawrence

Everybody knows the truth, they are simply waiting for a miracle…hoping that if the state whines loud enough….something will take pity and fix the problem. Surprisingly, poverty will not pay a high enough monetary tax to fix itself.
- http://www.facebook.com/gladys.crump Gladys Crump
  
  I thought Obama was their miracle….LOL Isn’t he the me- sigh-uh?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1079923049 Dixie Miller

I live in California and it is greed which also applies here. The unions run the state as they do the rest of the country and our politicians. Well they actually own our politicians. Boxer, Feinstein, the teachers union, our governor, they are all in for the money, the power and what it does for them. None of them really care about anyone or anything else. They are union puppets and do whatever they are told to do to maintain their positions. Boxer nor Feinstein even campaigned for their positions and governor Brown and his wife who are both disgusting, bullied their way with the support of the unions. So rather than give anything up, they cut programs which affect the poor and the children, and then told everyone to vote for propositions which actually supported more money to unions using the poor and our children in ads. They are such disgusting human beings. Their facade is the materialistic people that they are and for some reason I guess people who appear well dressed and in nice cars and homes, voters seem to think they are smart. The fact is, they figured the game out and how to fool the voters. I am in the minority because I can see through them and their greedy evil ways. But most don’t. So they get re-elected with empty promisies as they live in their mansions, and have maids and housekeepers and drivers, and people come to their homes to show them jewelry and clothing, while others live in the streets and live out of trash cans for food. But I know there is a God and He sees this. That is my only hope for this country at this point.
- http://www.facebook.com/Ronkster00 Carolyn Ronk
  
  couldn’t be the overwheming amount of hispanics that live there, not picking, just saying
  - http://www.facebook.com/rubentastic Ruben Mendoza
    
    Yes, Carolyn, it is the overwhelming number of Latinos that live there. California, with 18% of the people in this country, has 33% of the public-assistance cases. Get ready for a truly astounding statistic; 10% of all the people born in Mexico and are still alive, are in the U.S. illegally. The reason the rents are so high in California is because Latino illegals will rent a house and move in large numbers of other latinos, causing occupancy rates to be low, with the resulting high rents! I, being a smart latino, moved to another state to get away from the congestion.
    - http://twitter.com/Southtxsurplus Cruz Quintana
      
      Need references for ur #s plz.
  - kenpo5
    
    Carolyn, it’s probably is!!!
    - disqus_aLvMR8Lqjt
      
      The stats on the cost of illegals is way more troubling than helping our own citizens
      - http://www.facebook.com/sherry.holt.77 Sherry Holt
        
        Only legal citizens should be eligible for any assistance!
      - http://www.facebook.com/faye.vance Faye Vance
        
        Only people that paid in should be able to get assistance!!!
      - http://www.facebook.com/rudy.torres.336 Rudy Torres
        
        I agree with you for the most part but there are those who were disabled from birth and will need to be dependant on the system for life. I believe in stiff penalties for those who abuse the system. Public shame and humiliation are very powerful motivators in keeping your nose out of trouble for many, or at least it used to be, now people show off at how they are getting over on the man. The problem is that when they get over on the “man” that is you and I they are getting over on we are the tax payer.
      - http://www.facebook.com/rudy.torres.336 Rudy Torres
        
        I agree if you came here ilegally you should be deported.not supported by the people of this great land.
  - http://www.facebook.com/rudy.torres.336 Rudy Torres
    
    Nope not the overwhelming amount of Hispanics, they arent the ones making the decisions. They don’t have a say in how tax payer money is spent, unless they are citizens. So most of the hispanics in CA don’t vote.
    Just saying
    - Guy
      
      Rudy, Yes they do vote, illegally I might add also!!! How do you think Boxer and Fienstien and brown won the election??? The same with Harry Reid in Nevada, He had the SEIU bus the illegals in to vote!!
      - disqus_WePiQWNzkD
        
        That’s just not true. No one would do that and risk being deported.
      - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=560813113 Guy St.onge
        
        @disqus_WePiQWNzkD….Right, like anyone gets deported out of Calif…what a joke!!! This state deports no one, and still has the welcome sign out for all illegals!! This is what you would call a sanctuary state!!
  - Guy
    
    It is Carolyn, Oh it is alright… Gov moonbeam just keeps giving them more and more…
  - http://www.facebook.com/lstenersongomez Laura Stenerson-Gomez
    
    Ummmmmm…probably because California residents were all MEXICANS before anglos came??? Why does everyone keep leaving that little bit of important iformation out of this issue all the time???? That of course has nothing to do with the problem of continued illigal immigration but can probably solve your issue about the overwhelming amount of hispanics. I myself am pretty grateful for hispanics (Mexicans) for the incredible work skills they have in which many so called Americans have left behind a generation or two.
- honeypearl
  
  Excellent thoughts, I agree and am heartbroken as to how my place of birth is in such a terrible mess. I’ve never voted for tax increases, casinos, cig an booze taxes, or anything Sierra Club. The Left have just about trashed CA. to the point of no return with their extreme agenda. I am looking for a new place to move, but every state has it’s problems or drawbacks.
  - teddiegough
    
    Adding to this. The Middle class—who pay the bills—-are being driven out. 1. New obamacare rule—3.5% sales tax on sale of home (all homes in silicon valley are worth more than 250 t- 500k. 2. Push to get rid of prop 13 so we must sell our homes because we can’t afford to pay the taxes.
    3. Loss of jobs or jobs paying less and less and expenses going up and up.
    4. Our children can’t afford to live near us.
    5. Cost of education for our children. Schools overrun by “minorities” that want to run the schools for their own minority group. (sunnyvale school board wants classes in mandarin) (LA school board wants school board meetings held in spanish).
    - http://www.facebook.com/rudy.torres.336 Rudy Torres
      
      Watch the movie Obama2016, it is not a bash Obama movie, but it explains a lot very well thought out documentary
      - http://www.twitter.com/wixostrix WixosTrix
        
        No it doesn’t.
      - teddiegough
        
        I saw Obama 2016 when it first came out. I stood and applauded at the end. Now I understand why Obama mailed Churchill’s bust back to the British. There was so much detail, I want to see it again. Soon should be on cable soon. I think Obama has more luck than anyone I know. The Storm right before the elections. Israel attacking Gaza just when “Behghazi Gate” is finally hitting any news agency other than FOX. Speaking of Benghazigate—-next thing I expect to hear is “the butler did it”.
        Teddie LaVallee
        http://www.weekendswithmydad.com
        650 823-0299
        
        Subject: [teapartynewsnetwork] Re: Lesson from CA: Socialism Doesn’t Work
    - disqus_WePiQWNzkD
      
      The school system overwhelmingly screws over minorities. I see nothing wrong with board meetings held in Spanish if a large percentage of families are Spanish speaking, that’s a great way to reach out.
      - teddiegough
        
        I speak from experience, the school system works for the children IF the parents work with their children to get the most out of the school system. Spanish at the board meetings will not help, except to alienate the english speaking and other non-english speaking minorities. My children had great educations, all-state in sports, all honors, top percentiles, full science and math curriculum. Both graduated with honors and went on to flagship state universities, majoring in sciences. It ONLY happened because I was watching what was going on. If they ever fell behind, I made sure I PERSONALLY put out the time and or money to get them back on track. In other words, it is not about parents “demanding” their rights to their “heritage”, but it is about the parents acting as parents in the best educational interests of their children and making sure their children get an excellent educational foundation—science, math and english so their children will succeed. If you have spent any time in Mexico and seen the school system, you would NEVER want your children to participate in such a mess. The classes are total, no exageration, bedlam. Multiplication tables begin in the 2nd grade in the US—In Mexico 5th grade. I looked through one of Mexico’s chemistry HS text books. It was on a 3rd grade level and never even addressed basic chemistry principals and laws. This is not what we need in the US. And this will not help anyone, except those competing with the hispanic community. I know it sounds nice “to get everyone to participate and understand everything said” at board meetings—but these parents are parents and need to behave as parents—-responsible for what is educationally best for their children. A parents of 2 very successfull children,
        Teddie LaVallee
        
        Subject: [teapartynewsnetwork] Re: Lesson from CA: Socialism Doesn’t Work
  - http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.powell.7568 Charlotte Powell
    
    Try Texas, they seem to know what they are doing.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1635266824 Karen Riddell Quinn
      
      No! We’re getting crowded! lol
      - http://www.facebook.com/people/Gary-Gustafson/1671693228 Gary Gustafson
        
        It is Texas; crowded is a relative term.
    - http://www.facebook.com/sherry.holt.77 Sherry Holt
      
      Yes, we do :)
    - Cameron Whittaker
      
      My husband and I are planning to move out of this state as soon as he retires (and yes, probably to Texas). Can’t fathom trying to raise children in these schools. And yes, there’s no way to afford living by our parents. Just hoping they move with us when grandkids arrive!
    - ritha
      
      Oklahoma is a good state, and has a good state govt. Illegals are not welcome here. If caught, they are bussed back to within the country of Mexico… Not to the border, but farther. That way they can’t thumb a ride back so soon.
      We are death on drugs also. You do them, you spend time in jail or worse. Our sheriff’s are a lot like Sherrif Joe.
    - enviro_nazi
      
      We’re looking at Utah & Arizona. I like Jan Brewer.
    - http://www.facebook.com/karen.marie.75873 Karen Marie
      
      Texas is so overrun by illegals, even our children can’t go to school here without being victimized by anchor babies. My son, who was one such victim, was repeatedly assaulted by them, but a school official told me (“off the record” for fear of her job), that nothing could be done due to the threat of a lawsuit our school district could not afford by La Raza or other hispanic groups. So much for Texas knowing what its doing.
  - http://twitter.com/daisyamos Daisy Amos
    
    The Left is trashing not just CA but the entire country. The end of America as we know (or knew) it.
  - http://www.facebook.com/sherry.holt.77 Sherry Holt
    
    And yet the people of CA keep re-electing the liberals!
    - IdolHanz
      
      just like the Greeks keep electing socialists.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=560813113 Guy St.onge
      
      Most, but not all of us… there are still some conservatives here, but we are way outnumbered by liberals and illegals that vote!!! Illegally I might add… None of them are afraid of being deported out of Calif… This state no longer deports anyone!!! Sanctuary state!!!
  - tmck
    
    If you’re not willing to work – don’t come to texas!!!!
- teddiegough
  
  I live in the silicon valley and I agree with what you say about the unions.
- Danny
  
  Great article! As a former Illinois resident, I could have written an identical piece about Illinois. The Communists own the state and head quarter the Democrat Socialists of America and The Communist Party USA. I am now living in Florida where a former Florida State Senator for 31 years, pretty well summed up the election process. To get elected, simply tell the people what they want to hear. Works every time.
  - Farleyagain
    
    Yes, and when Reagan ran, we wanted jobs; now America apparently just wants easy street!
- tennocker
  
  I am a union worker here in Ca. Let me tell you us workers are not all voting liberals, and even some of them which are, did not go to the polls in Nov. Calif. would be in worse shape if the union workers did not get paid what we get, as, it sets a guide line for non union work,without it more would live in poverty.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HE4PM3LC6JHYS2NDYOOWL7ISQE WILLIAM
    
    I think Unions is what is running our jobs overseas, Granted there are some good unions, but most are very greedy because that the way the union bosses operate. get every dime out of company that you can, if they go broke so what.
  - Ada
    
    and non union work is a guideline for union work. Not too hard to figure that game out.
  - http://www.facebook.com/debbie.o.brewster Debbie Oswald Brewster
    
    For those of us who blame unions, it’s not the rank and file members of the unions we are blaming. It’s the union bosses…those chicago type thugs. Here’s a thought to ponder, however, tennocker. Union scale wages are one of the main reasons companies are outsourcing jobs to China, et al.
    - Cameron Whittaker
      
      I quit a job because I was told I HAD to join the Union and not only would they be taking mandatory dues out, but everything (schedules, raises, etc) was based on seniority rather than effort. Got out of there ASAP. I was lucky enough that I found another job quickly. Unions are thugs and only exist because they FORCE people to do what they otherwise wouldn’t.
  - http://www.facebook.com/leon.jones.167189 Leon Jones
    
    tennocker, I respectfully disagree. When I was a child, 50+ years ago, we were poor, but we did not live in poverty. We had little materially, but plenty socially and spiritually. We were taught benevolence, respect and appreciation. We learned to work at very early ages and volunteered whenever the community needed help. Unions were very near non-existent in Arkansas at that time. However, employers found ways to increase pay back then. Bonuses were gladly given and just as gladly received. I worked in the fields, in the community cutting grass and also in grocery stores as a stock boy and butcher. Unemployment was not in our vocabulary. Now with minimum wage and unions, the unemployment is sky high. Both have contributed to the decline of jobs for minorities and youths. Read what Thomas Sowell said about the minimum wage, and what the government is doing against us:
    
    Government Intervention Destroys Jobs
    
    .chttp://www.lewrockwell.com/sowell/sowell-arch.html
  - tmck
    
    ever heard of Bell County – wonder how many more democrat counties in California have the same problem????
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Raymond-Davis/100002330117264 Raymond Davis
  
  I’ve been saying the same thing for years now and it just gets worse and worse..When was the last time George Clooney and his multi-millionaire snobs invited a home less person to dine at their million dollar mansion?
- http://www.facebook.com/carlton.miller.5 Carlton Miller
  
  If God was the answer,the question is why is there a problem?
  - http://www.facebook.com/maruja.carr Maruj Car
    
    God gave us humans the free will. To chose our path to poverty and chaos or prosperity and peace. Majority of the people in CA choose to have these socialist leaders, So the elect deserves the elected, I feel bad for the rest of the people who are victims of the CA socialist government who works and chose to work and take care of themselves; they have the brain to realize the problem but over ruled by the majority of takers. I should say get out of the state and sell your homes while there is still time and leave the unions and their union members who cannot think for themselves stuck with their socialist agenda.. As for God, he is a kind and respectful God and He respects your will. You want socialist government and vote for a socialist government then you got it…. So dont blame God for the problem, He did not vote for the elected officials running CA…the people did…,…God answer prayers for guidance to do the right thing, And for those who believe and practice their belief are saved. Socialism is godless society. Remember at the convention? God was not welcomed there…
    - http://www.facebook.com/carlton.miller.5 Carlton Miller
      
      Maruj Car,you are wise but incorrect.People are the problem and people are the answer.
      - tmck
        
        nah – carlton – California got there all by themselves!!!! Maruj – speaking the simple truth — free will!!~
- Farleyagain
  
  Your leaders sound just like the Obamas; they live like millionaires on our money and say “The private sector is doing fine!” Well, other than farmers, the private sector is not tied to the ground and they have been voting with their feet and money for years.
- http://www.facebook.com/leon.jones.167189 Leon Jones
  
  Dixie, hear me when I say “GOD has been looking all along. HE knows and cares about all of us. HE will not lift a divine finger until we, “HIS Church” begin humbling ourselves, praying and seeking HIS face, and turning from our wicked ways. Then and only then did HE say HE would hear from heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land. (Paraphrased from II Chronicle 7:14)
  We can cry and wail and kick rocks, but until we elect people who believe in the Bible and the Constitution we will not move toward the America I know as a child (I am 62).
- Guy
  
  Very well said Dixie… The Conservatives in Calif are way outnumbered by liberals and illegals that vote….Yes, illegals vote in Calif., even tho it is illegals for them to do so!! Every state of the U.S. must have voting ID laws!!
http://www.facebook.com/jlettier.post Jacob Lettier

I hope we dont let the republican party take over the tea party
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stan-Hess/100003653051197 Stan Hess

Never happen!! They have not idea it is socialism!!!
Donna Casas

I don’t know abou that picture being representative of California. Where I live is really nice and clean. That said……we are going down the drain and several cities are bankrupt.
- FirstKevin McArthur
  
  It is really nice where I live here in Calif also Donna, but I can show you places that look much worse than that, and lots of them.
http://www.facebook.com/ronald.reed.771 Ronald Reed

you will never get an honest discussion on this from any one shoving an agenda such as this. They will never understand or believe that what they believe in is wrong. I finally gave up trying to get folks to see the light, They won’t . Instead they through the same worn out diatribe at you that what they are trying to achieve is good for all of us. Unfortunately the jobs they think we should have vary selfishly moved over seas as promoted by both political parties over the last 45 years or more. This is the agenda that sold you and me out, The one world agenda that the fed had planned on with the aid of the council on foreign relations and most of the elected officials. Im done,,
- http://www.facebook.com/bominishus Jimmy James
  
  indeed, Ronald…. I’ll give 25% of my wealth? (not makin much money nowadays) but wouldn’t it be swell if we all did the same…..
- http://www.facebook.com/brianjstill Brian Still
  
  Agenda 21 kill it before it kills us!!
- http://www.facebook.com/brie.lehew Brie Lehew
  
  The reason why jobs have been moved overseas is because of unions.
  - http://twitter.com/Hope4taylor Hope4Taylor
    
    Yep and the unions support our president so no chance that the unions are disciplined for Union Bosses’ behavior. . .taking too much of the money. . .It’s a vicious circle.
    THANKS for agreeing that it is why jobs are going overseas. I see no solution for that, do you?
  - http://www.facebook.com/ronaldr.worthington Ronald R Worthington
    
    also because USA has the highest corp. tax rate in the world!
http://www.facebook.com/taznx01 Paul Hobson

This country wont learn from California the majority are ether blind to the facts or refuse to see them because they conflict with what they want for themselves they proved that in the last election!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Melissa-Katsmom-Votano/1526442165 Melissa Katsmom Votano

Maybe Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ellen and George Clooney can bail them out. Oprah is worth 3 times that much….but she won’t give up her wealth either.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1079923049 Dixie Miller
  
  Yeh where are these show people who donated millions to Obama and the demo’s? They could do a lot to help financially or even physically but we only see the light on them when they are doing something for themself or for another country. Do something here people if you want glory, do something in your own country.
  - disqus_aLvMR8Lqjt
    
    Dont you remember, 4 days after Sandy hit, a bunch of celebs ( singers) got together and sang for the victims! Sang for them !!!! And at what cost to produce !!! More money than brains. Then hopped back in their limos, back to their private jets, and off to eat caviar in cushy warmth. Its unamerican, but so typical.
    - ritha
      
      What was wrong with them getting out and helping do some cleanup or cooking some meals for the ones that were out of their homes? Our Baptist people for all over took buses in and provided labor and food for those needy.
      - disqus_aLvMR8Lqjt
        
        I praise and applaud your Baptist people, but the hollywood bigwigs didn’t do any of that, all they did was put on a production to “let them know they cared”,…not exactly what those people needed compared to the meals, and clean up that you speak of
        
        In a message dated 11/20/2012 1:06:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, notifications@disqus.net writes:
        
        (http://disqus.com/)
        
        ritha wrote, in response to disqus_aLvMR8Lqjt:
        What was wrong with them getting out and helping do some cleanup or cooking some meals for the ones that were out of their homes? Our Baptist people for all over took buses in and provided labor and food for those needy.
        _Link to comment_ (http://redirect.disqus.com/url?url=http://tpnn.com/lesson-from-ca-socialism-doesnt-work/#comment-715082083:V4POPxHnHCGkAZg36A3gvsfxL Hc&imp=ed4294ec-56cf-4018-ac1b-65b5eadc9b53&zone=notifications.clicks&forum= teapartynewsnetwork&thread=934756136)
  - http://www.facebook.com/maruja.carr Maruj Car
    
    Soros money is not for peace, it is donated to create chaos and unrest.
- http://www.facebook.com/brianjstill Brian Still
  
  They want your money to bail them out where were all the bleeding heart libs when people went for weeks without power water and the basic services we all take for granted? Shame on NJ for voting for the libs ever again!!
  - http://www.facebook.com/charlotte.powell.7568 Charlotte Powell
    
    Plus the NY folk who came home to a ticket fining them for not keeping up their yards, or a red one designating the home for demolition! Whole blocks have been red stickered!!
  - http://www.facebook.com/maruja.carr Maruj Car
    
    Not me and I am from NJ… I am moving to Texas..
- http://www.facebook.com/walter.mattson.39 Walter Mattson
  
  I find that Oprah with all her wealth chose to help the poor children in Africa yet didn’t spend loads of cash to help her own race in the poor parts of the US. Does she know something that we don’t? Does she know that money sent to the poor in the US is like throwing money down the drain? Take a look at the success of federal poverty programs that the federal government has and still does run for decades. What do these poor areas have to show for it? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet the democrats still claim that more should be done. First show the tax payer that you can achieve something with the funds that are given. Funds must not be just handouts. They must be constructive in terms of helping the poor get out of poverty and not just to collect votes.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Melissa-Katsmom-Votano/1526442165 Melissa Katsmom Votano
    
    Walter I agree 100%. When I hear people talk about all the good the “programs” do I tell them to read about Pruitt and Igoe.

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