Leaving California and Other Dreams
December 22nd 2006 14:39
From Theresa:
Leaving California
State of Golden Dreams, Hollywood stardom, style, hope, wealth........
The people are leaving.
I was born here, living here for all but a few months of my life.
I understand why people are leaving.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle (Tyche Hendricks, Staff Writer) California’s growth slipped for a sixth year. Newcomers (arriving babies & immigrants) keep the population rising, but others are exhausted from trying to keep up with the cost of renting or trying to buy a home. According to the California Association of Realtors:
“In California, 24 percent of first-time buyers could afford a home in the third quarter, compared with 28 percent a year ago, "
Newly arriving immigrants are starting their American dream in other states.
There are job centers throughout the state, but trying to afford living close to one is for the golden few. That is, the few with enough gold.
Most commute over deteriorating roads which bill the driver both in high personal state income taxes, and high vehicle repairs. Nerves fray from the tension of negotiating freeways saturated with drivers who’ve apparently escaped from Grand Theft Auto; willing to kill themselves, and you, to arrive at their destination five minutes earlier.
Don’t ask about the cost of health insurance. O.k., go ahead. Figure an average $12,000.00 per year employee cost.
So, while they miss friends and family, people who have lived here for years are moving to other states, hoping to find a place where they can actually live their lives, and have time to love their families.
And Yet, The Free World Is Better......
People flee North Korea each year. They run from yet another dictator teaching his people that he is God and Americans are the Devil.
I wonder what their underground is like. There was an Underground Railroad in the US Civil War. Their was an Underground throughout Europe during World War II. What about today?
Apparently, some brave, talented and inspired scientists are devising programs that permit folks in totalitarian countries to access the free internet, which is otherwise forbidden to citizens.
One stop on the underground is Anonymizer
And a new download of a program to circumvent censorship is currently available at Psiphon.org
The authorities can’t have the populace getting information other than what the government permits....
However, Japan Is Not Waiting For Underground Freedom Seekers To Prevail......
Japan’s new Prime Minister, who took office in September 2006, wants to amend Japan’s Constitution, unchanged since 1947.
Presumably in response, at least in part, to North Korea’s defiant, if ineffective, firing of missiles earlier this year, Prime Minister Abe wants the ability to have the Japanese military function abroad.
Current law prevents Japan from overseas warfare.
As Always, Follow The Money
The Associated Press reports that US wholesale prices rose by the largest increase in more than thirty years in the month of November, 2006.
Analysts disagree on the importance of the number. Some blame the rise in price of gasoline and new vehicle costs for skewing the percentages. Others say that even if you exclude energy and food prices, core inflation jumped 1.3 percent. The largest leap in 26 years.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates the same at their final meeting of the year, earlier this month, with some analysts predicting the Fed might start cutting rates around mid-year 2007, although that action may not occur due to concerns about a recession fear led by the worsening housing slowdown.
Meanwhile, the stock market is booming for some lucky investors, and there are more moves toward global consolidation of stock markets.
It’s an uncertain world.............
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