The Reality of Kamala's California
In the midst of election season, California's one-party state status means campaign ads for Kamala Harris are scarce. However, the story is different for ballot initiatives. Proposition 33, a contentious ballot initiative that would allow cities and counties in California to impose rent control, is a hot topic. The advocates for rent control are painting a picture of greed and oppression against defenseless victims, with the government stepping in as the savior.
The Emotional Appeal of Prop. 33 Ads
Ads supporting Prop. 33 are emotional masterpieces. They showcase a diverse group of struggling tenants, each repeating the phrase "The rent's too high." Another ad follows a similar pattern, with tenants asking, "Where will I live?" against a backdrop of "Average Rent, $2,800." In both instances, viewers are encouraged to vote for rent control.
However, the blatant dishonesty of these ads goes unnoticed by most Californians. They have been conditioned to believe that high home prices and rents are a result of landlords' greed, when in reality, a housing shortage caused by numerous laws passed by the Democratic majority in the state legislature is to blame. These laws have made obtaining permits to build homes almost impossible, leading to a median home price in California of $904,000.
The Impact of a Kamala Harris Administration
A vote for Kamala Harris and the machine she represents could potentially lead to this situation being replicated nationwide. If there was a competitive housing market in California, similar to those in many red states, housing would be affordable for middle-income individuals to rent or buy. However, government greed and overreach at both the state and city levels have created a housing shortage.
A similar situation exists with gasoline prices in California, where over a third of the price per gallon is used to cover taxes, primarily for state programs. Despite this, instead of easing its regulatory war on refineries and in-state producers, the governor is holding hearings on alleged "price gouging" by refineries. This is despite the fact that California's gasoline price fluctuations align precisely with fluctuations in the price of crude oil.
Government Regulations and the Economy
Government regulations have stifled investment and innovation in every critical sector of California's economy, including energy, water, food, transportation, and housing. This has made the state unaffordable for low and middle-income households, leading to an expansion of aid programs and subsidies in response.
If Kamala Harris is elected president, this could happen nationwide. She is a prime example of someone who has emerged from the state's Democratic political machine. This machine has created an alliance of unionized state bureaucrats with businesses seeking government subsidies. While other special interests also benefit, the core relationship is a partnership between a self-serving government and crony businesses that can withstand punitive regulations and thrive on subsidies.
The Impact of Rent Control
The only truthful claim made by proponents of the rent control initiative in their campaign ads is that rent in California is too high. However, rent control will likely exacerbate the problem. Currently, most developers are unwilling to do business in California due to the lengthy and costly permit approval process. If Prop. 33 passes, developers of multi-family housing will face the additional challenge of rental income not being allowed to keep pace with market rates. This will not only deter buyers but also discourage ongoing investments in property maintenance and upgrades. As a result, rent control could worsen California's housing shortage.
The Government's Response to the Housing Shortage
The way California has dealt with its housing shortage provides a clear example of how government intervention can exacerbate a problem it initially created. The state has spent over $30 billion of taxpayer money on "permanent supportive housing" for the homeless, only to see the population of unsheltered homeless reach a record 186,000 this year. The money has been funneled into the hands of developers, bureaucrats, and service NGOs, with construction costs averaging over $500,000 per unit and ongoing costs for management and services for the tenants.
The state's "affordable housing" projects have consumed even larger amounts of state and local tax revenue. Just in 2023, spending for affordable housing is estimated to exceed $18 billion. This spending comes in the form of subsidies and tax incentives granted to developers who cannot build affordable homes or apartments profitably. Tenants then receive additional taxpayer funds to afford their monthly rent.
The Future Under a Harris Administration
Kamala Harris's proposed solution to unaffordable homes and rents involves more subsidies for developers to build "affordable housing" and more subsidies for tenants to pay rent. Deregulating the industry could quickly end America's housing shortage, cost taxpayers nothing, and restore the American dream of homeownership. However, this would not benefit the bureaucrats or the cronies controlling the one-party machine.
California's cities, while not as bad as some conservative critics claim, are undeniably in a state of disarray. The city of Oakland is a prime example of local government dysfunction, evidenced by the loss of both of their professional sports teams and rampant crime. The city is also pioneering payments for "universal basic income" and "universal basic mobility."
In general, California's major cities are controlled by social justice activists who lack a basic understanding of governance. They attract significant political contributions from public employee unions representing the workers they are supposed to oversee. As long as they approve every wage and benefit demand these unions make, they are free to pass as many absurd ordinances as they wish.
The State of Daily Life in California
Life in Kamala's California involves state directives intruding into trivial details of daily life. For example, if you refuse to put your kitchen scraps in your "organics" bin instead of the trash bin, you are labeled a climate denier and fined. Similarly, if you object to the recent ban on plastic bags, you face criticism, despite their utility and the fact that almost everything in the civilized world is made out of plastic.
California's current attorney general, Rob Bonta, recently sued Exxon for "deceiving the public on the recyclability of plastic products." This is likely a publicity stunt that could result in a profitable settlement for his agency. However, it is another example of a one-party state government that continually harasses its productive citizens and companies. California's Democratic politicians are determined to micromanage every aspect of the economic life of the state's businesses and households.
The Bottom Line
This national election is not just about social issues. While these are vitally important, they should not overshadow what else is at stake: our economic freedom. A Harris administration could impose California's soft tyranny on the entire nation, while her cronies profit. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think this could be the reality under a Harris administration? Share this article with your friends and let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6 pm.
The Reality of Kamala's California
In the midst of election season, California's one-party state status means campaign ads for Kamala Harris are scarce. However, the story is different for ballot initiatives. Proposition 33, a contentious ballot initiative that would allow cities and counties in California to impose rent control, is a hot topic. The advocates for rent control are painting a picture of greed and oppression against defenseless victims, with the government stepping in as the savior.
The Emotional Appeal of Prop. 33 Ads
Ads supporting Prop. 33 are emotional masterpieces. They showcase a diverse group of struggling tenants, each repeating the phrase "The rent's too high." Another ad follows a similar pattern, with tenants asking, "Where will I live?" against a backdrop of "Average Rent, $2,800." In both instances, viewers are encouraged to vote for rent control.
However, the blatant dishonesty of these ads goes unnoticed by most Californians. They have been conditioned to believe that high home prices and rents are a result of landlords' greed, when in reality, a housing shortage caused by numerous laws passed by the Democratic majority in the state legislature is to blame. These laws have made obtaining permits to build homes almost impossible, leading to a median home price in California of $904,000.
The Impact of a Kamala Harris Administration
A vote for Kamala Harris and the machine she represents could potentially lead to this situation being replicated nationwide. If there was a competitive housing market in California, similar to those in many red states, housing would be affordable for middle-income individuals to rent or buy. However, government greed and overreach at both the state and city levels have created a housing shortage.
A similar situation exists with gasoline prices in California, where over a third of the price per gallon is used to cover taxes, primarily for state programs. Despite this, instead of easing its regulatory war on refineries and in-state producers, the governor is holding hearings on alleged "price gouging" by refineries. This is despite the fact that California's gasoline price fluctuations align precisely with fluctuations in the price of crude oil.
Government Regulations and the Economy
Government regulations have stifled investment and innovation in every critical sector of California's economy, including energy, water, food, transportation, and housing. This has made the state unaffordable for low and middle-income households, leading to an expansion of aid programs and subsidies in response.
If Kamala Harris is elected president, this could happen nationwide. She is a prime example of someone who has emerged from the state's Democratic political machine. This machine has created an alliance of unionized state bureaucrats with businesses seeking government subsidies. While other special interests also benefit, the core relationship is a partnership between a self-serving government and crony businesses that can withstand punitive regulations and thrive on subsidies.
The Impact of Rent Control
The only truthful claim made by proponents of the rent control initiative in their campaign ads is that rent in California is too high. However, rent control will likely exacerbate the problem. Currently, most developers are unwilling to do business in California due to the lengthy and costly permit approval process. If Prop. 33 passes, developers of multi-family housing will face the additional challenge of rental income not being allowed to keep pace with market rates. This will not only deter buyers but also discourage ongoing investments in property maintenance and upgrades. As a result, rent control could worsen California's housing shortage.
The Government's Response to the Housing Shortage
The way California has dealt with its housing shortage provides a clear example of how government intervention can exacerbate a problem it initially created. The state has spent over $30 billion of taxpayer money on "permanent supportive housing" for the homeless, only to see the population of unsheltered homeless reach a record 186,000 this year. The money has been funneled into the hands of developers, bureaucrats, and service NGOs, with construction costs averaging over $500,000 per unit and ongoing costs for management and services for the tenants.
The state's "affordable housing" projects have consumed even larger amounts of state and local tax revenue. Just in 2023, spending for affordable housing is estimated to exceed $18 billion. This spending comes in the form of subsidies and tax incentives granted to developers who cannot build affordable homes or apartments profitably. Tenants then receive additional taxpayer funds to afford their monthly rent.
The Future Under a Harris Administration
Kamala Harris's proposed solution to unaffordable homes and rents involves more subsidies for developers to build "affordable housing" and more subsidies for tenants to pay rent. Deregulating the industry could quickly end America's housing shortage, cost taxpayers nothing, and restore the American dream of homeownership. However, this would not benefit the bureaucrats or the cronies controlling the one-party machine.
California's cities, while not as bad as some conservative critics claim, are undeniably in a state of disarray. The city of Oakland is a prime example of local government dysfunction, evidenced by the loss of both of their professional sports teams and rampant crime. The city is also pioneering payments for "universal basic income" and "universal basic mobility."
In general, California's major cities are controlled by social justice activists who lack a basic understanding of governance. They attract significant political contributions from public employee unions representing the workers they are supposed to oversee. As long as they approve every wage and benefit demand these unions make, they are free to pass as many absurd ordinances as they wish.
The State of Daily Life in California
Life in Kamala's California involves state directives intruding into trivial details of daily life. For example, if you refuse to put your kitchen scraps in your "organics" bin instead of the trash bin, you are labeled a climate denier and fined. Similarly, if you object to the recent ban on plastic bags, you face criticism, despite their utility and the fact that almost everything in the civilized world is made out of plastic.
California's current attorney general, Rob Bonta, recently sued Exxon for "deceiving the public on the recyclability of plastic products." This is likely a publicity stunt that could result in a profitable settlement for his agency. However, it is another example of a one-party state government that continually harasses its productive citizens and companies. California's Democratic politicians are determined to micromanage every aspect of the economic life of the state's businesses and households.
The Bottom Line
This national election is not just about social issues. While these are vitally important, they should not overshadow what else is at stake: our economic freedom. A Harris administration could impose California's soft tyranny on the entire nation, while her cronies profit. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think this could be the reality under a Harris administration? Share this article with your friends and let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6 pm.
