After moving to California to attend law school over a decade ago, we finally moved. Let me just say that California left a very bad taste in my mouth; and a small glimpse of this country's future. A country no longer concerned with right or wrong, or the rule of law. A country that no longer puts the family before the all mighty dollar. [Or maybe this stuff was never really that important, but just a story taught to us as kids. ]
Needless to say, I consider California a very "political" State; and a very (intentionally) racially divided State. California embodies the spirit of Bush, Clinton, and all the other "career politicians" that view public life as a "job" (to be protected or used as a tool to obtain wealth and fame) versus a calling to do selfless good.
California is a State that encourages cheating, and really doing whatever it takes to look out for number one, assuming you don't get caught of course. It is a State that seems to be okay with sacrificing our common courtesies in the name of fame or the greenback.
An example of what I consider to be this erosion of common courtesy is California's permissive, if not deliberately divisive stance on illegal immigration irrespective of its devastating impact on California's average, if not poor residents.
Quite frankly it was exhausting watching Republican leaders ignore the consequences illegal immigration (and the huge amount of drugs crossing the border) in order to provide businesses with a source of cheap labor. Likewise, it was exhausting watching Democrats ignore this issue in order to build a larger voting base. Again, both parties seem very self serving when it comes to this issue. Certainly not what I would consider the selfless acts of noble public figures. [Again, maybe this has always been the way this country operated. But couldn't we strive for more?]
Here is an example. When a poor American illegally takes some food to feed his family (and gets caught) we do not cut this person a break and say, "Go ahead take the food and forget the law this one time." Moreover, if this person is a black American, suffering from the economic hangover of racism, we certainly do not show this person any compassion. In fact, based on current statistics (and one too many Rodney King videos) it could be argued that we go the extra mile as a society to punish this persons. All in the pursuit of "justice," or the law; even if this person is suffering.
So why do we continue to use different rules, standards for those that illegally enter this country? I can only imagine that it is to put more money in certain wealthy pockets and votes in other career politician pockets. Even if it means that the poorest of our citizens will continue to be ignored (can anyone say Katrina?). Even if it means that the poorest of our citizens will have to pay the costs of hastily bringing 12 million uneducated immigrants in this country.
[If we truly are concerned with the well being of the illegal immigrant, then why don't we show the same concern for our poor inner city kids that are also struggling to find a viable future? I imagine that we truly don't care about poor Americans, and certainly not poor black Americans. I imagine the reason that we look the other way is that our politicians are bought and sold by the businesses that benefit from illegal immigration. But that is just the cynic in me.]
I will need to find more time, words to expand on this, and our decision to move, but let me just say that California (and really LA) had become so crowded that it was unbearable to commute to work, or even go shopping! It had become so crowded that its residents now depersonalize each other just to get through the day; and to justify the unending rudeness displayed towards one another.
But then what can one expect with over 4 million illegal immigrants moving into to California in just the last 10 years alone. Personally, it felt like the entire 4 million lived in Southern California so maybe the total is much more than 4 million. [Should I say it again, Los Angeles is so so crowded!!!]
I would surmise that this environment of looking the other way by our career politicians has also "helped" California become one of the most expensive States to live. Way too expensive for what has become a depersonalized sardine way of life.
Do I have to mention the crime and drugs coming from Mexico? How about the diminishing health care and educational standards. And the outrageous sales and income taxes required to finance the waive after waive of poor immigrants.
I guess California was not what I expected or a place that I could continue to support. It seems to be a very narcissistic place. Or maybe this is just the culture of any big city? After all, "cheating," or whatever you want to call it, seems to be acceptable in our nation's sports and businesses to a certain extent.
Baseball players are seemingly encouraged to use steroids just as long as they don't get caught. After all we do need our heroes even if they are fake.
Business executives are encouraged to take chances in order to be the captains of industry (even at the expense of shareholders and employees). Moreover, local businesses are encourage to ignore our local poor by illegally using undocumented employees.
This (new) culture embarrasses me. It makes me question the motives of the Republic party. It is what made me change my affiliation to Independent. It also makes me wonder how righteous a country we really are.
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