Why California Has So Many Problems

California is like one giant country club...you're either in the club...or you work to cater to those in the club

The countless tiny local governments are also partly why California’s public transportation is so bad. Facebook tried to get the Bay Area to reactivate an unused rail line near their offices. They gave up when they found out that 27 different government entities would have to be involved.

I'm a native multi-generational Californian who moved to Nevada, but -- believe it or not -- I'm moving back. Despite all its issues. That being said, this video is the BEST explanation on why California has so many problems, particularly when it comes to homelessness. I say this because the producer focuses on the history of California and most importantly, the specific policies that inhibit from solving any major problems, like housing and cost-of-living. Notably, I don't see any polarized left/right political agenda in the making of this video. Based solely on watching this video, I don't even know if the producer is left or right. If California wants to rise again -- and I think it can -- we need to move beyond ideology and focus on facts and data . And implementing practical, workable solutions based on facts and data irrespective of ideology. There are solutions! Other countries and cities around the world have identified, developed and implemented solutions that move beyond ideology and focus on utility and workability. Thanks for putting together this video!

Fun fact. That little star on the California flag, is actually Texas! Believe it or not, California and Texas used to be homies, we helped each other so much they gave Texas a little spot on their flag. Its sad there seems to be such a rivalry between us for lack of a better word now. We still love you Cali! We may not show it as much as we used to, and we may disagree pretty often, but we very much still love you! <3 -A random texan

Thank you for mentioning the NIMBY's. They are one of the biggest problems faced by my state today. This "i got mine" attitude is killing California's ability to provide affordable housing to the point where californian-born americans are being priced out.

People: "Somebody has to get the homeless off the streets!" Government: "Okay, we'll build a shelter." People: "Nooooo not like that! We'll sue you!" Infuriating.

I anticipate a housing market downturn due to the numerous individuals who purchased homes above the asking price, even with favorable interest rates. Despite the low rates, many are now at risk because they lack equity. If housing prices continue to decline, they may face difficulties selling or even risk foreclosure if they can no longer afford the property. This scenario is likely to impact a substantial number of people, particularly with the anticipated surge in layoffs and the rapid increase in the cost of living.

I go to San Jose state university, in San Jose in Silicon Valley. I’ve grown up here my whole life. At school I learned from a professor whose on the board of supervisors for Santa Clara county that while tech averages $200,000+ a year, outside of that, we have an average of $30,000 a year. Also San Jose may have a million residents, but it swells to 3 million during the day because people come from 2-3 hours away to work in San Jose

clifornians: "houses are so expensive!!! why doesnt the state do anything??" california: "we'll build a condo building then" californians: "NO YOU DONT!"

Fun fact: prior to the completion of the transcontinental railroad, it was actually faster to get to San Francisco from Guangzhou than from NYC.

this video made me emotional. I'm a Californian who moved to the East Coast for school and have never been able to articulate what felt so completely different about the two places despite being a part of the same country. this has explained so much for me. i feel such a mix of pride and confusion and disappointment and love after watching this video. thank you for this! you put it all better than any news site I have been able to find. and thank you for the references and links. I honestly feel enlightened and conflicted.

The moment i realized Cali was a lot more glamour than truth was when i dated a girl from Cali, and how she told me how programmers earning six figures month were commuting via airplane from Texas, New Mexico and Oregon. As a European, that is just uttely inconceivable for me. It's like travelling from Berlin to London for a normal job, each day.

Having worked in Homeless Services in California, it's really hard seeing people I know in stock footage of 'homeless people in California'

My grandfather built a house in Atherton for his family in the 60s. It sold for 12x the cost of building and buying the original lot in 2015. We discovered recently that Steph Curry purchased the home through an alias and sold it soon after that multi level housing project was axed for 35% more than he purchased it for. Atherton CA is absolutely unreal.

"California is America's America" ooohh boy I can hear Texans screeching at that statement lol

Great video! As a Californian who moved away about 6 years ago, I am always looking to return. Unfortunately, as the years go by, moving back feels increasingly impossible...such a shame. I love California! Maybe I should just move on...

I've always seen the old money in California. I grew up in different parts around socal, traveled and lived up north a few times end EVERYWHERE there's old and big money that refuses to allow change. I know California is viewed as incredibly liberal from the outside, and to some degree the state is. But more so it's a constant battle between old and new money, I've seen desalination plants shut down because it would hurt property value, I've seen cities make it illegal to feed the homeless. ive seen business plots go empty for years because the old heads didn't want more bars in their town. I've spoken to a hobby store owner who was warned about letting his customers get too "rowdy" playing magic lmao. We have to fight over everything and it doesn't stop for community or even family.

"change the character of the community", one of those nice euphemisms that boils down to "keep those poors away from me".

I grew up on the East Coast, moved out here for college and work. Now I know why it felt different, when you explained that both SF and LA are made up of multiple "cities" within. You don't get the same suburban feeling like you do on the East Coast with trees and green.

"Mexifornia" by Victor Davis Hanson is a great book.