California economic growth continues to refute right wing predictions

[Wayward Son]

In keeping with the topic of this thread, the "Failed State" of California appears about to become the fourth largest economy in the world, soon to (or already) surpassing Germany's GDP.

Think of it: every single nation in Europe; Russia; Canada; Brazil; in fact, any country you can name except China, Japan and the United States (which California contributes to its GDP), has a smaller economy.  And any other State you can mention.

Which is not to say that California doesn't have problems.    But our Liberal, Democratic government apparently isn't the economic poison pill some would say it is.

[Grant]

Some of this may be due to the economies of Germany and the UK really shouldn't be compared to California in the first place.  Maybe in someone's uneducated mind, German or the UK are world powerhouses, but they are not.  Alabama has a higher per capita GPD than the UK.  But then Ireland has a higher per capita GPD than California. 

Some of it may also be due to the fact that Germany and the UK are getting slammed even harder than we are due to the energy crisis, war, and Brexit, and inflation. 

California is keeping the motor running pretty warm by running up the debt on the credit card.  Per capita debt in California is slightly more than double what it is in Texas. 

In the end, California is, as mentioned, still doing quite well.  It's blessed with location, climate, and the fact that it's heightened government spending encourages some businesses and residents. If you're in education, healthcare, tech, or the military, why not be in California?  The only thing California lacks is an SEC school. 

The one thing California has going against it is population growth.  As more and more residents leave, the debt burden will continue to fall on to a smaller and smaller portion of the residents of California and will eventually become untenable if the population loss continues.  Meanwhile, Texas continues to gain population. 

For all it's progressiveness, economic or otherwise, California is a place where it is wonderful to live in if you have lots of money or have very little money.  It's losing it's middle and working class while continuing to attract upper class.  In no small part due to hosing costs due to NIMBYs.  California's economy continues to grow because the people moving to California make more money than the people leaving it. 

I don't think the economy of California is going anywhere.  It has too much going for it.  But the future will look different for California than it has in the past, as it transitions into a second bastion of wealth and elites in America.  I mean, it really already is.  But in the past it had growth going for it.  It won't anymore.  The future of California will depend on wealth creation and it's distribution. 

[TheDeamon]

Which is to say nothing of other aspects of California's GDP not actually having much to do with California itself. If California were to become its own nation, much of the GDP would disappear near instantly, almost like a lot things did in Britain after Brexit, only much worse.

[Crunch]

In keeping with the topic of this thread, the "Failed State" of California appears about to become the fourth largest economy in the world, soon to (or already) surpassing Germany's GDP.

Think of it: every single nation in Europe; Russia; Canada; Brazil; in fact, any country you can name except China, Japan and the United States (which California contributes to its GDP), has a smaller economy.  And any other State you can mention.

Which is not to say that California doesn't have problems.    But our Liberal, Democratic government apparently isn't the economic poison pill some would say it is.

If it's so great, why this:

The 2020 census pegged the state’s population at 39.5 million and a recent report from the Census Bureau says California had a net loss of more than a quarter-million residents between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021.

People rarely flee Utopia and generally not in such numbers.

[Wayward Son]

Who said California is a Utopia?  For one thing, we know exactly where it is. 

We got problems here.  Getting enough water is a huge problem.  Finding places to build housing is becoming increasingly difficult.  The cost of living here is bad.  Real estate prices are unbelievable.  We have a huge homeless problem.  Our cities are too crowded.  And crime isn't as rare as it should be.

But you know what is the underlying reason for almost all of those?  Prosperity.

Look at any big, prosperous city.  Compare the cost of living in any of those cities to the surrounding countryside, or other, less-prosperous states.  It is always higher.  And why?  Because with more money floating around, people can charge more for goods, services, and housing.  And with more money floating around, people can pay it.

And you know what hasn't prevented this prosperity from occurring?  Our government.  Our liberal government that helps the poor and taxes the rich.  Our "socialist" government that Conservatives keep telling everyone is going to destroy our country if enacted.  Somehow, all those horrible, economic-destroying laws have yet to destroy our economy.  In fact, it has grown so much that it's surpassed all but a small handful of nations in the world.

California may collapse in some way in the future, maybe even the near future.  (Water is a definite problem, especially with global warming.  And if you can't build more housing in the hills outside the cities, where can you put more housing?  And one huge earthquake could make things very difficult around here.)  But it's not because of any liberal economic policies.

The best Conservatives can do is change the subject, like you did.  Your jealousy is quite unbecoming. 

[Tom]

People rarely flee Utopia...

I don't think migration is driven by anything like utopian standards, or else people wouldn't be moving into the hellholes that are Texas or Arizona. I mean, no one has ever gone to Dallas and thought, "Yeah, this place is great."

[rightleft22]

Conservatives by nature I bought into Reagan Economics and watched as it didn't work. Since then I have watched conservatives support economic policies that work against their own good.  At heart I wonder if its a fear that the table isn't big enough for everyone one and or someone might get something they don't deserve or work for. Rather spend money keeping people homeless or in prison's then try to spend the money smart....

I still consider myself conservative. I just don't find the current political conservative economic thinking conservative. I find it reckless.     (Example recent failure of the last UK prim minster blindly implementing economic "plan" without a plan)

[Tom]

At heart I wonder if its a fear that the table isn't big enough for everyone one and or someone might get something they don't deserve...

It's the latter. Poll after poll shows that one of the primary motivations behind modern conservatism is a desire to ensure that the "undeserving" do not receive support.

[rightleft22]

At heart I wonder if its a fear that the table isn't big enough for everyone one and or someone might get something they don't deserve...

It's the latter. Poll after poll shows that one of the primary motivations behind modern conservatism is a desire to ensure that the "undeserving" do not receive support.

I have family members that have made such comments even during those times whey they found themselves in need of assistance themselves. At the same time they will argue that companies like Amazon, who one could argue profitability depends on infrastructure paid for by tax dollars, 'deserve' their tax loopholes. It boggles my mind but they see no inconsistencies in tier reasoning. I think they imagine that maybe one day they will be the ones at the top of the food chain. They won't

[Grant]

People rarely flee Utopia...

I mean, no one has ever gone to Dallas and thought, "Yeah, this place is great."

You’ve obviously not spent enough time in New Orleans/Houston/Birmingham/Hattiesburg/Shreveport.  Dallas is a paradise compared to any of those. Honestly, though, I think I’d pick Dallas over most places in the US. The only things it really has going against it is the heat in the summer and the flooding.  Plus no access to the sea in 6 hours.

[Tom]

Speaking as a Great Lakes partisan and thorough Yankee, I agree that almost all Southern cities suck.

[msquared]

The great fall colors and wonderful smell of leaves in the fall and the existence of seasons is one of the reasons I love living in Ohio. My brother lived in Florida for a few years after college and he hated it. He said there were 4 seasons: Hot, Really Hot, Really F****ing Hot and Hot.

[Grant]

Speaking as a Great Lakes partisan and thorough Yankee, I agree that almost all Southern cities suck.

The Great Lakes States have less than half the number of Superbowl Championships than Southern States.  They also have a total of ZERO SEC Championships. 

Who sucks now? 

[Grant]

He said there were 4 seasons: Hot, Really Hot, Really F****ing Hot and Hot.

Just like the women in Florida. 

[Tom]

For that joke to be accurate, you'd somehow have to have seasons called "Prematurely Old and Weatherbeaten" and "Crazy Hot."

[TheDrake]

People rarely flee Utopia...

I mean, no one has ever gone to Dallas and thought, "Yeah, this place is great."

You’ve obviously not spent enough time in New Orleans/Houston/Birmingham/Hattiesburg/Shreveport.  Dallas is a paradise compared to any of those. Honestly, though, I think I’d pick Dallas over most places in the US. The only things it really has going against it is the heat in the summer and the flooding.  Plus no access to the sea in 6 hours.

Ooh, where are you going on vacation?
Dallas
Everyone: ...