Big Blue – It’s California

California really is an independent state.  The official flag name is “The Bear Flag” but the text on the flag tells the real story, CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC.  For 26 days during the Mexican American War there was a group that claimed independence for California.  Californians, like Texans, have always considered their state something different.  Perhaps it was the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Mojave Desert that separates us from the rest of the nation that has always given us a different perspective.

So while the most other states voted Republicans into office, Californians continued to support most of the Democrats and liberal/progressive initiatives.  As it stands now every state wide candidate appears to have won their election.  The State Attorney General position appears to be a cliff hanger.  All the others have been conclusively decided.

I have mixed emotions about this situation.  On the one hand I like the idea that we have an extraordinarily progressive (yes, liberal) point of view because we want to be an inclusive society looking to improve everyone’s life.  On the other hand our laws and regulations have driven many businesses out of the state and that has resulted in too many homeless and unemployed people.  If we were an independent country, we would be the Greece of America.  Our next governor, Jerry Brown, will have to make some very difficult decisions.