Save California

There's been a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth recently in the popular press about the destruction of New Orleans, and what a substantial loss that is to our nation. Honestly, I'm more concerned about the ongoing degradation of a much bigger national treasure: The State of California. California is not merely a trendsetter for America and the world: it has affected, usually for the better, how we Americans view ourselves, has given the country an identity. Our music, our clothing fashions, our automobile trends, our housing styles, our daily lingo are propagated and evolved from life in California. McDonald's was "founded" by Ray Kroc, but the principles of the chain (and those of its imitators and competitors) were given their start in California. And, of course, where do you think most McDonald's TV advertising (the way in which we and the world have truly come to know the Golden Arches and the Big Mac) is produced? On it's own, California's economy is larger than that of all but four nations. California is everywhere in our lives, but the place is in trouble. I fear that it is gradually being turned into an overtaxed, over-regulated third-world country. Assuming for a moment that this really is the case, California's misfortunes may be a microcosm for the nation in this regard. Hopefully, my fears will turn out to be premature.