It's not a matter of viewpoint, friend. It's a matter of real cause and effect. California's dismal numbers aren't theoretical, and they're not anyone's opinion.
California is on a slide into the sewer drain of history. It's a state ruled by one party - a party that just happens to be strongly Socialist. Even radically so. There's no conservative counter-balance in the state assembly, or throughout the state government apparatus. At any level. They're running California into the ground, and have been for decades now. The truth of that isn't even up for debate any longer, as any number of thousands of reports will show - if you care to look.
I read what you said to another poster about illegals coming to pick crops, then going home to Mexico for the winter. Good grief.....what century are you living in? Are you not aware that the fastest growing segment of the population in California are illegal immigrants?
Hate to burst your bubble, but they're not going home. They're colonizing yours, and most every other state in America. Most especially the South-West.
I can tell by your descriptions of your life that you're comfortable and happy. You're one of a very small minority in California who are so situated. Most have to deal with illegals moving into their neighborhoods, destroying property values, over-burdening county budgets, spreading violent criminal gangs, overwhelming school systems and hospitals, and forcing lower class Americans and youngsters out of their jobs.
They're literally turning parts of our country into de facto states of Mexico. Obviously, you don't get out of your comfort zone long enough to ever see it firsthand. Try living in Los Angeles for a while, and see if that doesn't shift your opinions about the real conditions in California.
Oh, and for your information, I've traveled a fair bit of the world, and have seen real poverty firsthand. The only reason we don't see that sort of grinding poverty in this country, is because Uncle Sugar steals from the productive class at the point of gun to feed, house, and clothe our poor.
If California fails, it being the 3rd largest economy in the world, then the rest of the country will feel the repercussions. There is no reason for California's "dismal numbers," whatever that means, and the state won't go belly up, unless you KNOW something no one else knows.
I suppose you rely on statistics. The remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." I think you believe in ALL of them.
Change WILL happen but DOOMSDAY? No. You are an alarmist who is afraid and angry...and there is NOTHING you can do about it. You won't change either. In fact you will probably get worse, more paranoid and angrier.
Time for my seven calories of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. MMMMmmmmmm.