Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the folks who brought us and continue to defend Proposition 13, writes of our less-than golden state degenerating into a corrupt, crony-socialist web of privileges and prejudices.
Hot, sexy and 'green' companies and industries like Hollywood, Tesla (electric cars) and SpaceX (privately-funded space travel) are targeted for special subsidies and tax breaks while ordinary businesses like hardware stores and auto shops are left picking up the tab. The moral hazards engendered by this system have claimed, among other 'victims', three state senators under indictment for extracurricular earnings.
Not all unfavored businesses are willing or able to just take it. Toyota is the latest high-profile exodus case, but California has been bleeding entrepreneurs, productive citizens and businesses large and small for years now, leading the nation in decline. From being the sixth most productive economy in the world as measured against other nation states a generation ago, California has dwindled to ninth and may be expect to continue to slip.
Still, perhaps there could be a silver lining. If rank-and-file Democrats like the idea of tax breaks for any reason, how hard should it be to sell the idea of universal tax breaks, a level playing field for all without privilege or prejudice?
Or am I just California dreaming?
Read the complete article at California Political Review.