CA And LA Suffer Record Population Losses
As Santayana taught us, those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. But as an unknown sage added, every time history repeats itself, the price goes up.
California and Los Angeles suffered record population losses in the recent census. What does history teach us about people leaving?
How did Russian autocrats, from the czars to Stalin, manage to enforce centuries of tyranny on the Russian people? Because the people couldn’t leave. The autocrats, from the czars to Stalin, required exit visas to leave the country. Not just to leave with their money and jewelry, which was a crime. No, to leave at all.
My mother’s family was lucky. A cousin was a member of the minor Russian nobility, and they got exit visas. Others were not so lucky, and had to sneak across the border at night, risking arrest, imprisonment, gunshots, and dog bites.
We have not reached that unlucky condition. Yet. But Los Angeles and California officials – all Democrats, of course – are already talking about taxes and fines to punish people wise enough to leave. New York Democrats are discussing similar unconstitutional notions.
– Do something about rampant homelessness?
– Prevent violent, mentally ill persons from sleeping in doorways and blocking customers?
– Stop releasing violent criminals with just a slap on the wrist, or not even that?
– Control massive corruption, and allow millions of dollars to reach those who need it?
– Appoint fire chiefs not for their LGBTQ+ credentials, but for keeping water in fire hydrants and reservoirs?
– Appoint police chiefs who are not compliant yes-men, but who are, in Sergeant Voigt’s words, the real police?
Oh no. Don’t do any of that. It would alienate progressive pressure groups and leftist donors. Just keep doing more of what isn’t working. And talk about forcing people to remain in failing cities in a failing state.
Then propose Governor Gavin Pennzoil-Hair Newsom for president. How is that working out?