|
|
|
| Current Issue |
|
|
| Resources |
|
|
|
Introduction: California: Paradise Lost?
| Article
# : |
11305 |
|
|
Section : |
SPECIAL SECTION
|
| Issue
Date : |
9 / 1993 |
809 Words |
| Author
: |
Editor
|
California remains a megastate of extraordinary prosperity, diversity, beauty, and influence on the rest of America. Its annual economy of some $558 billion accounts for one-tenth of our gross domestic product. Its population of 32 million is nearly double that of New York. Its 54 electoral votes represent one-fifth of the total needed to elect our president. California continues to set national trends in fashions, films, and foods.
But there is mounting trouble in paradise. Danger signs include: a stubbornly stagnant economy; higher unemployment than the rest of the nation; a tidal wave of immigrants, legal and illegal, that some say could turn the Golden State into a Third World nation; rising complaints about the rising violence and sex in Hollywood films and television. Last year, for the first time in its history, California was a net exporter of well-educated, middle-class families.
Can California solve its myriad economic, environmental, and immigration problems? And if it cannot, what does that portend for the rest of America? Has California become too large and unwieldy to govern? In June, the state Assembly voted to allow voters to express their opinion on creating separate states of North, Central, and Southern California.
Is California still America's tomorrow, and if not, what is?
Until 1990, California led the nation out of every recession. But for the last three years, California's continuing economic slump has impeded a national recovery. According to Robert B. McKenzie, staff director of the California Senate Republican Caucus, the major problems are too high taxes, excessive regulations, and a generally unfriendly business climate.
Whether these and other economic problems will be solved depends upon the degree of cooperation between a Democratic state legislature and Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, who argues that the only way to rebuild California is "job . . . by job . . . by job."
At this very moment of severe economic distress, California is being overwhelmed by massive numbers of immigrants, legal and illegal, who put even more pressure on the state's economic, social, and environmental systems.
NO GREAT WALL
While not recommending the
...
Read Full Article
Look for this article in Ask.com
|
|
