Staff Reports
A recent poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times has shed light on concerning sentiments regarding the state of California. The survey revealed that a significant portion of Americans—nearly half—believe that California is heading into a period of decline. Alarmingly, over half of Republicans surveyed expressed the belief that California no longer aligns with the values of the rest of America. Additionally, 30% of Democrats admitted feeling that the state has become "too liberal," indicating a growing dissatisfaction with its current trajectory.
Despite California's majority Democratic voter registration, there is a glimmer of hope for Republicans and moderate Democrats. Eric Early, a leading Republican contender for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, characterized California as a state in freefall. He pointed to issues such as high gas prices, steep personal income taxes, struggling public schools, and lenient criminal laws, which have contributed to what he described as a "Criminal's Paradise." Early highlighted the significant exodus from the state, with over 800,000 people leaving last year alone.
LA Times poll says half of U.S. says California declining, 30% of Democrats say ‘too liberal’ https://t.co/WTcGsHGwsW via @dcexaminer
— Massimo Falsini (@MassimoFalsini) February 15, 2024
The poll's findings revealed a stark pessimism among Republicans, with 76% believing that California is on a downward spiral. Shockingly, 45% of independents and 33% of Democrats shared this negative outlook. Only one-third of Democrats believed that California's standard of living exceeds that of most states, and a mere 2-in-5 Americans considered the state suitable for raising a family. Nearly half of Republicans went as far as to assert that California is "not really American."
Amidst these sobering statistics, the poll also highlighted California's divergence from national sentiments on key social issues. Californians exhibited significantly higher support for unrestricted abortion access compared to the rest of the nation. An overwhelming 79% of Californians support either some or unrestricted abortion access until birth, in contrast to the 63% of national voters who share this view. The level of support for any and all abortion in California surpassed the national average by a striking 53%, with 46% of Californians backing it compared to the national figure of 30%.
In summary, California appears to be confronting a reckoning as residents increasingly acknowledge the state's decline. With soaring living costs, faltering education systems, and rising crime rates, the once-golden state is losing its shine. However, it's important to recognize that despite these challenges, California remains an outlier on critical social issues, highlighting a profound contrast between the state and the broader nation.
