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In less than one week, the California homeless population grew by over 68,000 men, women, and children. They are destitute without clean water, food, clothes, a place they call home, and little hope. I know because we took in some of our family that escaped the LA fires!

California, once celebrated for its innovation, wealth, beauty, and conservative government, is now a stark example of a Third World in decline. The devastating wildfires have turned communities like Pacific Palisades into ashes, underscoring this grim reality. The catastrophic loss of life and property reveals a harsh truth: California's one-party government has failed its people, leaving them on their own to fend for themselves while FEMA is nowhere to be found!

The destruction is staggering. Entire neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades have crumbled to rubble. The village center, once vibrant, now resembles a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Yet, amidst the devastation, Rick Caruso’s privately built and fireproof Palisades Village mall stands untouched. The difference? Citizen power used resources the fat-cat government ignored!

                                            Before                                                               After

While public firefighters and resources struggled to contain the infernos, private firefighting services, water tankers, and fire-resistant materials saved Caruso’s development. Fortunate homeowners who took the initiative to hire citizen fire teams and, as a result, saw their properties spared, while the rest were left to burn.

The disparity highlights a sobering lesson: Citizen power works; public systems do not.

California boasts the world’s fifth-largest economy, but its public services fail to reflect that wealth. Decades of one-party Democratic rule have systematically denigrated the state's infrastructure, governance, and emergency response. The wildfires are only the latest manifestation of this pungent decay. From pothole-ridden streets to crumbling public schools, California increasingly mirrors conditions in failed states.

Just a few months ago the streets were so unkempt that Super Star and Former California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger personal purchased blacktop and filled pot-holes in his neighborhood!

During the fires, residents relied on neighbors, private security, and makeshift solutions. The lack of preparedness by public agencies was glaring. Despite their efforts, overburdened firefighters and police could not protect entire communities. Leaders, meanwhile, deflected blame and avoided accountability at town hall meetings, running from reporters and, when cornered, standing silent without even uttering a word of encouragement for the victims! This type of ‘self-important’ attitude further alienates residents.

The parallels to Third World nations are undeniable. In places like South Africa, the resourceful survive by relying on private generators, security, and water supplies. California appears to be following suit. The government’s abdication of responsibility has forced residents to seek private alternatives for safety, education, and even basic services.

This reliance on privatization might seem like a solution, but it is a symptom of deeper societal failure. A functioning state ensures rightful access to resources and services, safeguarding all citizens regardless of income. California’s inability to do so is a damning indictment of its failed governance.

The fires have left scars that will linger for years. Children like some of my family could face the loss of their communities, homes, and childhood memories. Businesses suffer destruction, and families find themselves displaced. Yet officials refuse to acknowledge their failures, leaving little hope for meaningful change.

The future of California, if it is to have one, may lie in private enterprise, innovation, and citizen power! California is now sliding into total dysfunction, a cautionary tale of how even the mightiest states can fail when their arrogant leaders manage in a reckless and feckless manner.

Final Word: With a landscape of ruin, 'California Dreaming' has transformed into a Frankenstein nightmare, revealing that California's government no longer serves its people. The fires have exposed the rot, and the cost is too high to ignore.

The Golden State has melted with nothing but dross remaining!