I don't understand how a once great state like California has gotten itself so messed up. They seem to want to control every aspect of ones life. I know if I had a business there I would be looking at more friendly places to relocate to. Let's hear from some natives on how any of these laws are affecting you. Also, how much are you being taxed for these supposed quality of life laws.

California dreamin' turns into a nightmare
Posted: January 14, 2008
1:00 a.m. Eastern


By Barbara Simpson

© 2008
There's no welcome mat to California for Americans who value freedom, self-reliance and independence. State government tries to control your life on every level.
The most recent grab is [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. in every home with new heating and cooling systems, and no new homes may be built without them. The device would allow the state to override electric and gas usage and even allow it access to home appliances.
To cover for government failure to provide sufficient energy for residents, the state wants to cut off supply as it sees fit.
It started with the idea to have central control of electric and gas meters, allowing utilities to "read" usage via computer. It moved from that to controlling supply and usage.
Here's another: [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. supposedly bad for the landfill because of mercury in the tubes.
Now, a new law phases out incandescent bulbs and requires use of the miniature, mercury-filled fluorescent bulbs.
But, there's no disposal system. There were no contamination warnings. They don't work in certain fixtures or timers, and there are skin health concerns. Enforcement is a joke, and Californians play the fool.
The disposal problem was duplicated when California forbid putting used batteries in the trash. There was no adequate collection or recycling system.
The state ordered stricter vehicle emission standards than the feds, which could require cars be built specifically for sale in California. You might not be able to move into the state with your old car.
Seasonal gasolines are already required, which ensures drivers pay close to or the highest price per gallon in the country.
The new emission standards aim to lower carbon-dioxide emissions, but they raise the cost of producing cement, increasing construction costs for houses, factories, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and more.
Large machinery and vehicles used in shipping, cargo and agriculture must be retrofitted or junked because of the new standards. Businesses close or consumer prices rise. Bakeries, dry cleaners, restaurants and other businesses must retool venting systems and face the same economic squeeze.
There are laws against smoking in restaurants, public venues, outside of building entrances, in parks, on beaches, in condos, rentals, in your house, patio or yard, in your vehicle or around children.
Restaurants are told the kind of fats they can use in cooking. Schools are restricted on the foods and snacks available for students.
Wood-burning fireplaces are phasing out, and it's often illegal to use existing units.
There are increased requirements for home construction, affecting location and size, how "green" they must be, requirements for solar units, heating and air conditioning units, mandates to build-in smoke alarms in private homes, specifications for roofing, windows, building materials and more.
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Schools? Everything from clinics providing counseling for students up to, and including, birth control and abortion referrals without parental notification to a complete revision of books, class content and extracurricular activities to accommodate gay rights. Now there's no such thing as "girls and boys, moms and dads." Students can decide what sex they want to be – and act and dress accordingly at whim, and it's all OK. California law says so.
Of course, adults and children are "protected" by mandated helmets for bikes, skateboards and cycles, seat belt, and weight, height and age limits on children's car seats.
The cost of illegal aliens on Californians? It was just announced that illegals and their families in Los Angeles County alone, collected more than $37 million in welfare and food stamps in November '07; up $3 million in September.
County Supervisor Mike Antonovich calls it "an alarming increase" with "devastating impact" on taxpayers.
He says illegal aliens cost Los Angeles County more than $1 billion a year: That's $444 million for welfare, $400 million for health care and $220 million for public safety. That's not counting millions in education costs.
That's just one county and includes so-called "sanctuary cities." Protection for illegals is rampant statewide; the real cost is vague because it's politically incorrect to inquire.
But Californians feel the financial and social assaults, and it's reflected in their choices. Last year, 260,000 more Californians left the state than moved in.
Many of those moves were business relocations because of onerous taxes and bureaucracy. The state's economic outlook isn't positive.
The proof? A $14.5 billion state budget deficit. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposes cuts, closing state parks, reducing beach staffing, mandating prisoner early releases, reducing prison staff, lowering education budgets, reducing health and human services and more.
He doesn't want new taxes; the Democrat-controlled legislature does.
They ignore the obvious reason for the deficit – reckless spending and out-of-control borrowing.
Despite all that, they want to institute health care for every Californian. How to pay for it? Don't ask.
Average Californians often don't notice the pervasive "nanny-government mentality."
While no one was looking, liberal politicians set into motion myriad laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, suggestions – whatever – that not-so-slowly are turning Californians into what they hope will be mindless, taxpaying robots.
This ongoing erosion of rights is incredibly dangerous because it restricts individual freedom. It's symptomatic of a political mindset that government knows best. It's "Big Brother" running rampant!
Regardless of where you live, you're not safe because, historically, major changes in law and lifestyles that begin in California spread nationally.
California's Democrat-controlled legislature rules with an iron fist, despite a Republican governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to make change – there's that politically loaded and essentially meaningless word – but all that has "changed" is the definition of "Republican" governor. With staff and advisers who are Democrats and hard-core environmentalists, what's happening is no surprise.
The not-so-subtle message is be careful whom you elect. Slick campaign rhetoric covers a multitude of legislative sins, and there's too much at stake to be reckless with your vote.

You can expect that "California Living" in YOUR State sometime soon, particularly if Environmentalism becomes the de facto Secular Religion of the United States.

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Big Duker,
Lot of Californians are moving to MT , which is a state of stupidity., no sales tax for starters.
Kind of wished Bill Richardson from NM would run for Gov of MT, this next election.
Main reason is BR really helped the Horse Industry in NM, Racing, specially.

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"LilTruck"

I know a bunch have moved to New Mex and Colorado. They have ruined Santa Fe. Also Telluride ,Co. Used to go skiing there. It was kind of like Red River,NM. Kind of a saloon town,lots of fun. Last time I was there it was hideous. Laws about dog parking and people passing out literature to raise money for contraceptive laden feed for deer and elk. Thought this would help get rid of hunting. They were friendly, but really whacked out thinkers. Used to buy turquoise jewelry at decent prices from the Indians. Now it is higher than at stores is Dallas. Nuts.

Big Duker, I can answer it in 2 words, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT. Government is the answer to everything. We will tell you what to do for your own good. We will protect the spotted owl over human life. You can't cut down a tree, even if it's about to fall on your house. We will take your firearms and allow the criminal to go free. It's been that way in Kalifornia as long as I can remember. Everytime I go there to visit some friends and stay a few days, it's like culture shock. They lived in San Fransisco, but moved away because of the stuff their kids were bringing home from school and the way the local coneheads were passing laws to govern every aspect of your life. The only ones that had any advantage were those who were GAY, because it's like you were considered a disadvantaged minority. They moved to North California, but the State Government was getting more and more intrusive, even in rural areas, at least those that were left. They moved to Oklahoma and said they are never going back. They love it there. You know that big earthquake they talk about where most of California will fall off into the sea? Well.........

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With all due respect to those members of this forum who live in California, it would not bother me if that goofy State did any of the following.

1. Fell into the Pacific, never to be seen again.
2. Seceded from the Union, since they obviously have a problem that whole "Pursuit of Happiness" guarantee.
3. Annexed themselves to Mexico, after all, the majority soon will be Hispanic anyway.

all the states whatch what California gets away with and if they get away with it then the other states feel safe in adopting whatever it is that crazy state does.
the example that effects the trucking industry righ now is the idling laws 15 days into the new laws and already there are a lot of states planning on going California on idling 15 days folks and already bills in other states are being introduced to make sure your health and safety will be secondary to the control the states want to show the have over you, when is this industry as a whole gonna wake up and do something to stop this madness!
BOYOTT California!!!

Ya, like THAT is gonna happen....

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obviously it won't with that attitude however it can be changed one attitude at a time.
And I would be willing to bet that there are a lot more drivers doing it that you think, as more states adopt california rules on this the more the drivers will be willing to do something about it after all this can be open ended and grow unlike a truckstrike so why don't work with the group wanting to do something to bring about a change for the good instead of working against them

Refuse to go to California, you think the company you drive for isn't going to fire you and hire someone "willing to do a job" Americans wont? It only takes a modicum of common sense to figure that out

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