California preparing for economic downturn?

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There is a possibility of an economic downturn and critics say this is not hypothetical nor prophetic  It is happening right now.

1.  California residents are exiting the state because of high prices of homes commodities, gasoline and in general high cost of living.    They are joining their companies now exiting the state;  estimated number about 800,000.

2.   High tech companies those in Fortune 500 have exited the company.   Reason:     high cost of regulation, fines, high cost of fuel, and not so friendly  to business any more regulatory environmnet

3.  Exit, transfer of high value individuals (billionaire) due to the yearly tax on wealth (subsequently repealed.  The billionaires put up a fund to wage war vs the measure using political and legal means   The Gov eventually folded up and ordered the repeal)

4.  Regulatory over reach affecting:

      1.  Fuel supplies

              1.  Huge fines to refineries.  Two refineries accounting for 16% of CA fuel supplies closed                           down due to huge fines that were imposed;

              2.  The shortfall is being replenished by imports from Asia:   Korea, Singapare and India

                    resulting in higher prices due to freight cost, which takes a month from the port of

                    origin.

              3.  Fuel prices have skyrocketed as result surpassing the projected $8.43 per gallon.

              4.  This has affected fuel prices in Arizona and Nevada which buys fuel from California

                   refineries

An economic wasteland being produced in California by progressive laws under a progressive governor

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Economic challenges are facing a state that has an economy second only  to the United States.

Businesses are transferrring elsewhere and crisis after crisis are expected.  TESLA and others are moving to Texas.   Silicon Valley techno firms are leaving Silicon Valley -  why probably because of policies from Sacramento

Some indicators:

1.  Closure of two refineries producing roughly 200,000 barrels of fuel fueled by ambition to shift to EV, non polluting technology  --->> will result in higher fuel costs even sidelining airline operations, affecting the fuel of military.  Since all things are systemic, the ripple effect even NY and other fuel supplies in nearby states and all of US.

They were forced out due to stiff fines due to non compliance with emission standards.

It was reported that the state subsidized the battery research and EV manufacturers  with $18 billion. while just supporing rise to 1% (from 2%) of EV user  The refineries were just asking relief for millions of penalty.

2.  70,000 truckers planning to stop operations -->> will affect logistics and prices of goods

Independent truckers family owned are to be treated as employers and owners are to be taxed as owners being treated as employees and employee taxes are to be imposed.    Assembly No 5

     a.  Freedom from employer control

     b.  There is no negotiation.   If you take freight, you are an employee

If you resist, leave the state.  

3.  Closure of about 400 gasoline stations.  They were to be upgrading the tanks and red tape prevented

them from upgrading.    Local fuel supplies are compromised

      

4  Closure of hundreds of retail due to shift on law on shoplifting  -->> affect access to daily necessities in rural communities.  Theft shoplifitng of less than $950 is misdemeanor.   Retailers experience up to 5% shrinkage of inventory have no choice except to close shop

4.   Closure of farms due to change on policy on irrigation and fertilizer  -->> will result in loss of income of farmers and food security across USA

LA fires are result of Gods wrath for Glasser at Golden Globe mocking God?

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The religious, the God fearing netizens are alleging that Gods wrath caused the razing to the ground of many areas in parts of  Los Angeles.  It was Gods wrath after God was mocked in Golden Globe awards.  There were even scenes elsewhere in LA, that say "Keep out God from LA"

But on the ground we know that mismanagement, poor leadership, bad politics caused this tragedy and apocalypse:

1.   The govt of LA of CA were not prepared;   little number of scoop planes hydrants not working, dry reservoir (The Sta Ynez)  They did not call National Guard and the military on standby.

2.  Poor response of firefighters   Only 5 engines were dispatched to Palisade early on   There was lack of personnel, fire engines (with many in disrepair) arising from reduction of budget.  The City Mayor was said to have caused the reduction of FD budget by $17 million.  The governor was said to have reduced the budget by $100 million.   People decry supporting Ukraine with billlions of dollar in military aid, and Israel in war in Gaza.

3.  Liberal, laws that favor the environment did not allow:   controlled burn of dried vegetation and leaves, because it will kill certain animals.   The water from Canada were diverted to Pacific Ocean because newt is endangered specie. The governor did not pay attention to Trump suggestion in raking the forest floor.

Politics in CA will change, and probably the policies especially in treating citizens welfare vs the wildlife.

Citizens life and property must be protected.

The rich and famous at Palisade and Hollywood will no longer be for sometime and suffer poverty just like the rest of us.        

Pacific Palisades fire victims vow to rebuild

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Residents of Pacific Palisade whose town was flattened by the recent widfire have vowed to rebuild.  They are mostly millionaires and celebreties.   Its one of the ritizest place in Los Angeles.

Many of them would have lot of resources.  But some of them:  dont have insurance, or were cancelled by insurers might find difficulties. 

Many insurance companies have pulled out of California due to perceived threats of fire (due to Sta Winds and uncleared forest floors, lack of fire breaks.  The insurers saw ahead of govt managers)

And now there are news of arsonists, thieves taking advantage of homes left unprotected.

What is going to happen next?    

Cause of apocalyptic LA fires was climate change?

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Some of the top officials of California blamed climate change for the devastating series of fires that flattened many residential areas in Los Angeles.   Climate change?  Why blame this rather than being responsible?

We know that there isi climate change but why were not changes made to mitigate the climate chnage?

The Sta Ana winds for example.   Undoubtedly many residents marvelled at how fast the fires exploded, spread and raged.  Many called the phenomenon firenado.. But surely measures, improvements in infrastructures could have been undertaken to lessen the damage by the Sta Ana winds.  These events happen all the time in LA, and am sure we are all intelligent and resourceful enough to mitigage,  Some of these:

1.  Beefing up of the Fire Department.     Instead of doing this the City shaved of $17 million  from the budgets.   Scores of fire fighting apparatus were not running.   The City donated firefighting equipment to Ukrained.

2.   Installation of firebreaks and cleaning the forests.  DT mentioned this to the governor during his first term to have forest floors cleaned of dry leaves and branches.  These served as tinder for the fire

3.  Having more water in reservoir and making sure this water reachd the fire hydrants.    The news have it that 4 dams were removed to give way to ecological concerns for the natives.    Was much done to have the fire hy drants works as they should in emergencies like this.   Or having more plane scoops fighting the flames.

In countries where they encounter regularly disasters, their govts prepare for this.  As in Philippines after Typhoon Yolanda killed many residents, the govt prepared and disaster coordinating councils to be prepared for calamities.   Philippines which is flood prone had billions allocated for flood control (Although now citizens are looking for them)

What caused the fire ?-   Probably arsonists and homeless people (to whom bulkk of billions of govt were oing into rather than protecting the citizens)  Or sparks from high power lines.  Thus there were proposals to have underground power lines.  But either these measures were vetoed or lingered in desks of council.   (Arsons as probable cause is most likely as the 5 fires were far away from each other)

What caused these to spread fast ?-   The tinder fuel on the floors of the forest.   Trump asked leaders of California to clean forest floors of dry leaves and branches as they do in Europe.   Or putting up fire breaks.   It is most likely that they were no done as budgets for them were removed

What caused the fire to raze wide areas uncontrollably/   Lack of water.     A large Sta Inez reservoir was left unfilled with water  Or perhaps a pumping station was needed to drive up water to hydrants of Pacific Palisade.   More fire trucks more fighting personnel.  But there were other issues and these need for resources were not adequately addressed

Pacific Palisades, LA razed by wildfires - citizens vent ire on State, City Officials

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Nearly a 100,000 acres and more than 10,000 structures 5 dead  have been burned down due to recent rash of wildfires thanks to the nearly 100 mph Sta Ana winds, dry vegetation, low or 0 water pressure, low humidity, including climate change. 0 Containment

Pacific Palisade is home to most of Hollywood celebreties which include Anthony Hopkins, James Wood, Billy Crystal Mel Gibson, Celebrities who lost their homes  Even Kamala Harris house was not spared.

Citizens lashed out at the leadership of California State and City of Angeles Mayor.   The latter was notably absent while the fire raged to attend the inauguration of President of Ghana.

Why they are dismayed at the management and leadership of the State and the City

1.  Donald Trump called out the governor for failing to follow his instruction to remove the forest growth near the area, and to divert water towards the watershed of California.  But the governor wanted to have the ice melt flow down to the ocean to save fish;

2.  The budger of LA FD was reduced by $20 million;   

3.  There was no pressure at hydrants;

4.  Home insurers have deserted the state due to cap on premium.   

Will this catastrophe be repeated.?   If it happened in the most developed country in USA, can this happen to the Philippines, less developed country?

This is a growing problem in the world - not only was this observed in the Philippines; its not fun to have goals to emigrate?!

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What is happening to the dream big by going abroad?   The YT is not replete with videos of homelessness in California, Florida, Washington, UK

There are homeless people, unsheltered.  In the Philippines, we are luckier, there are shelters over the heads of people.  The unsheltered abroad lives in tents:

This was exacerbated by the influx of refugees, asylum seekers

Homelessness in Washington

Homelessness in Florida 2024

Homeless in UK

Homelessness in USA

150 million people worldwide are homeless

Poverty in the Philippines

On mass shooting in San Bernardino USA, and gun control law

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Rizal Philippines
December 4, 2015

From CNBC

Yesterday, there were news of a mass shooting (slaughter) done by a team (Syed Farooq and fiancee) in San Bernardino California. They killed 14 people and injured several others in a Christmas party of a social center. The couple had a foreign sounding name, it is the 352nd incident involving mass shooting in the US.  The couple rented an SUV had 3 home made bombs and other several explosive devices assembled in their homes.  The couple who looked as if they were on a military mission were eventually killed by the police in a shoot out.

The couple they said were radicalized via the social media.

So you have loose gun control laws, the social media being used extensively by radical groups (sms, internet, FB, tweeter) .  Despite the huge budget for CIA, FBI, and Homeland Security, the radicals are able to penetrate right into the heart of US. That the ISIS should be able to terrorize Americans right in their capital  city is not an empty threat.

What would US do?  What would US Security Forces do?   Well, it is time that they take drastic measures like tapping FB, Tweeter, or having Tweeter and FB weed out users who are confirmed radical groups or front for radical groups.  You cant blame some countries for having strict censorship for some sites.  Also tightening travel and immigration laws for citizens coming from suspected countries harboring terrorists.

We are all right.  Events like this create backlash on the Islam citizens and their brethren. That some states are not accepting Syrian refugees is understandable.  And this event further strengthens their resolve to lessen security threat by not accepting citizens from Islam countries, or people with Islam sounding names.  It is bigotry, but who is to be blamed?

Trouble in America - Drought and Bankruprcy of City of San Bernardino

Social and political criticisms

                      
Twin problems:

There are two big problems that US is facing now.  I learned form TV newsfeed last night:

l.  The bankruptcy of the City of San Bernardino in California.  It joins the ranks of cities that folded up due to rising costs and low revenues due to recession.

                      
                           City Council declares the petition for bankruptcy


2.  The declaration of natural state of emergency in 32 of 51 states in the US due to extreme drought.  This will affect the food and the energy outlook in the USA.  Corn is used in livestock and the shortage will affect livestock production, supply and demand, the price to the consumer.  Corn is turned to alcohol, which is mixed with gasolline.   Is this linked in to climate change and global warming?

How will the ordinary American cope up if most of them are jobless?

What are the solutions?

Will PHL migrant workers stick it out in the US or will just come home?