California Dreaming
California Dreamin’, a song, popular in the sixties, contained the following opening lyrics:
All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (On a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.) California dreaming (California dreaming)
On such a winter's day
The song inspired a generation of young Americans to make the pilgrimage to the Golden State, settle in, find jobs, and raise families. A California lifestyle was coveted throughout the world. Beaches, mountains, deserts Hollywood, Cable Cars, Disneyland, and a climate that eliminated the need for snow tires. When any one mentioned that they lived in California, an envious look was the result. Not so much anymore.
The results of the recall election are in, and the remaining residents have endorsed a Governor who is leading a state that is festering in a sea of homelessness, with record gasoline and home prices, the highest state taxes in the Nation, and a third-rate school system. Folks are leaving the state in droves and there is no reason that the trend won’t abate. The population drain has already cost the state a congressional seat for the first time in history. Paul Simon wrote this chorus in 1975 for a snappy tune, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, which aptly applies to the Californians who love their state but can’t take it any longer.
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free.
No doubt a lot of folks will be humming that tune as they hit the road to verifiable greener pastures.
The cold hard facts are plain. Gavin Newsom is not going to do anything to solve the serious issues facing California that Larry Elder and others enumerated in the now concluded recall election campaign. His effective campaign, long on fear mongering about COVID, anti-vaccine radicals and “Trumpism” fueled by 75 million dollars of advertising, worked. Fear crushed common sense as the clueless “No voters” evidently have never bought a gallon of gas, paid confiscatory state taxes, live in payment free homes, have their children in private schools, and have never had to step over feces in the street or seen rows of homeless tents. Not one second of debate on these serious issues was ever heard. That’s the only logical explanation for voting to retain the most inept, elitist Governor in the Nation.
So now what, remaining Californians? Some are making a new plan, not coy about it. Some are figuring out where to drop off the key. The activists who started the recall movement will begin working on a campaign to boot Governor Hair Gel in 2022. They love their home state and are committed to removing the tarnish on the Golden State. Letting California further sink into a third world poop hole is not a viable option for them. If nothing else, the state of this state should serve as a wakeup call to all, that progressive democratic leadership is a recipe for disaster.
It’s not too late to save California. No need for a song titled, Texas Dreamin’ yet…so hold the RIP.