We’ve heard it said, “As goes California, so goes the nation.” But what used to be the “golden state” is experiencing a mass exodus reminding us “all that glitters isn’t gold.”
What is happening in California threatens our entire nation. Here’s a closer look:
Most know of the bipartisan frustration from Californians over the failed policies and overreaching control of Gov. Newsom. A petition to recall the governor has been successful to bring it to the ballot and a special election slated for this coming November. More than 1.6 million Californians signed the recall petition, pushing it well over the 1.495 million verified signatures needed.
Yet it remains to be seen if Californians will vote Newsom out and vote in a governor actually concerned with turning around the huge issues of homelessness, drugs, violence and economic decline in the failing state—especially if the voting machines are rigged.
As we look at California, we must look at the Los Angeles area. Many don’t realize that the population of Los Angeles County is greater than many states in the nation. According to a 2019 survey, Los Angeles County ranked No. 10 in population among the 50 U.S. states with over 10 million people.
Last week I talked with Derrick Gates, a Republican congressional candidate running against liberal incumbent Ted Lieu for District 33, which covers western Los Angeles.
Derrick explained what the media has underreported:
“Over the last couple of years, Los Angeles is No. 1 in the nation for an uptick of violent crime up 22% from last year, with a 95% increase in homicides; 72% increase in rape; 12% increase in aggravated assault; 40% increase in grand theft auto; and 22% increase in arson.”
Gates shared additional disturbing information regarding the populous county that shines a light as to why people are leaving in droves. “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been defunded by $288 million by the board of supervisors which has resulted in the elimination of 1,387 sheriff’s department positions,” he explained.
Does that make anyone feel safer?
Sheriffs are elected by the people and hold the highest constitutional authority in the county. So why are the board of supervisors and mayor able to reduce funding for this office, affecting the sheriff’s ability to do their job? Yet that is exactly what is happening.
The LAPD has also been defunded to the tune of $150 million thanks to District Attorney George Gascon. Gascon ran on a promise to reduce crime; however, his policies have effectively enabled it.
Within three months of taking office, the people of California started a recall petition to remove him. So far he is still in office.
Homelessness is another huge issue in the populous county. Officials have tried to downplay this growing issue. While the county census estimates 70,000 homeless in the county, nonprofits working on Skid Row estimate the actual number to be over 170,000.
“The projection is that the homeless crisis will increase by 84% over the next four years,” Gates explained. “Life expectancy on Skid Row is 49 years old. The Los Angeles governmental answer to this issue was to purchase millions of dollars in RV trailers. After spending the money, they left them abandoned in parking lots and have never used them. Now they want to build homeless units at $700 thousand per unit. And did I mention they have taken donated parking lots and let the homeless set up their tents, but then collect $2,700 a month per tent from taxpayers?” Gates finished. “That is why I am running for office. This has to change.”
“The state and city will tell you the homeless crisis is 20% mental illness and 80% circumstantial. I disagree. As someone that has worked with the homeless for twenty years, I’m confident that it is more like 95% mental illness/addiction and 5% circumstance,” Gates concluded.
Obviously, we need to address the true issue of mental health rather than continuing to throw away money for housing that isn’t even used.
But Los Angeles isn’t the only city with a homeless issue growing by the day. San Francisco’s homeless population literally borders House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s mansion. She’s been in office for over 30 years. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., has also been in office for over 30 years, and Ted Lieu, D-Calif., for six years.
Under their failed leadership nothing has changed regarding homelessness. It has increased. They just keep getting richer and spending money on projects that are obviously not working.
California has been bailed out time and again with federal dollars which pad the pockets of the leaders and never seem to make it to the people. Los Angeles alone pays salaries to city workers assigned to the homeless issue of over $700 million a year. What is wrong with this picture?
The bottom line is if the old adage is true, “As goes California, so goes the nation,” then the state is a threat to the entire nation as they refuse to get their growing problems under control. {eoa}
Karen Hardin is a literary agent and writer. She is the author of Infected: How to Stop the Global Spread of Rage, Deception and Insanity. Her work has been published in USA Today, Western Journal, World Net Daily, Intercessors for America, Charisma, CBN.com and more. She and Kim Potter, founder of A New Thing Ministries, cofounded the city-by-city.org prayer movement to take back our cities and nation.
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