Questioning the democratic party's commitment to democracy is a danger to democracy. The New York Times, LA Times and Washington Post all told me so, so it must be true.

Its a big state. It is too big. It is a case story for what is wrong with democracy. Lived here most of my life. Born and raised. SoCal and the Bay Area pretty much rule the state but there are many wonderful communities throughout the state that are more like the rest of the country than those two regions. Politically it has been a lost cause since the 90s.

The state had a chance to fix many issues by splitting it up a few years ago. Most republicans mocked the idea. I swear, there is nothing more pointless than a republican politician in California. Of course the California clown court removed the proposition starting the process of breaking up the state from the ballot. Its one of the most under-reported events in the state's history if you ask me. It was a serious shut up slave moment.

Had that process began I think people living in the less extremely progressive areas of the state could have had a stronger voice in the direction of gov polices. The programming is strong. Even when it is in the best interest of conservatives they seem to just shoot themselves in the foot.

Since Covid a massive number of the productive class and more conservative folks have flocked to other states. I have lived in a few states and frequently visit other states. California isn't as different from other states as you hear in the media. Many states are maybe 5 years behind California. I rarely see anyone acknowledge this. I think of California as a state with a government more aligned with a European country with a large welfare system. Its not China. Its for sure not North Korea.

City vs. Rural is really the story and it is a nation-wide difference. Most of the more free states tend to have fewer and smaller cities. Fewer and smaller government unions. People love to have something that they can compare themselves to that covers up their own problems. California is screwed up. What is more of a story is how many states are following the lead of California instead of learning lessons. There are a few that seem to be taking a different path like Tennessee, Florida, Idaho, and Texas. California is the canary in the coal mine if you will.

All "Democracy" means in American politics is "rule by Democrats", so California is for sure a Democracy.

It’s such a shame. California was always my dream US travel destination.

I followed what was happening during covid with the restrictions, exodus of people to other states, the crazy extreme left politics that appear to have caused the degradation of cities like San Francisco, LA etc.

I reckon we got off lightly in the UK. But also where I live many people could see through the covid theatre to some degree and didn’t go along with it.

So, California is rather becoming the China of US. People need to be smarter whole residing in a democracy. IMO, they must change the government everytime if they really want better functioning of democratic state.

We have a few states in India where people have a tendency to vote for opposite party every time. And what I can practically witness that these states have seen better development.

Do we have problems with the states run by Republicans in this way?

The fact that people vote democrat doesn't make it not not a democracy

It doesn't have to be a close call to be a democracy. That's like not the fucking meaning of the word

Also, there are primaries - which are very much elections, not predetermined as you make it sound.

I know this doesn't have any relation to the objective of your post bug found it interesting so posting...

Balaji Srinivasan, a tech entrepreneur and investor, wrote an article on Substack titled "California Is Not a Democracy". In the article, he argues that California's political system is not democratic, but rather a technocratic oligarchy. He claims that the state's large population, powerful unions, and wealthy tech industry have led to a system where decisions are made by a small group of elites rather than the people. He further claims that this system is detrimental to individual freedom and economic mobility.

Srinivasan's argument centers around the idea that California's system of government, which combines direct democracy (through initiatives and referendums) with representative democracy, has become unresponsive to the needs of the average citizen. He cites examples such as the state's high taxes, strict environmental regulations, and the influence of powerful unions as evidence of this. He also argues that the tech industry's dominance in the state has led to a culture of censorship and political correctness, which stifles free speech and creativity.

Srinivasan's article has been met with both praise and criticism. Some have lauded him for shedding light on the problems with California's political system, while others have criticized him for oversimplifying complex issues and promoting a narrow, libertarian worldview. Regardless of one's opinion on the article, it highlights the ongoing debates about the nature of democracy and the role of technology in shaping political systems.

California Democrats are attempting to prevent a ballot measure that would repeal Proposition 47 from going to voters in November 2024. They have proposed amendments to retail theft bills that would void those bills if the Proposition 47 repeal measure is approved by voters.[5] This is seen as a tactic to discourage support for the repeal initiative backed by prosecutors, retailers, and Republicans.[6]

Proposition 47, passed in 2014, reduced certain non-violent property crimes and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.[3] Critics argue it has led to increases in crime and drug use, while supporters say it has reduced mass incarceration and saved money for rehabilitation programs.[4] The proposed repeal measure would allow prosecutors to charge repeat offenders with felonies and impose prison sentences.[3]

Democrats claim their retail theft bill package can address concerns about Proposition 47 without needing to repeal it, while Republicans insist Proposition 47 itself must be reformed and support putting the repeal on the ballot.[6]

Sources [1] https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/newsom-and-democrat-leaders-attempting-to-take-proposition-47-repeal-off-ballot-5665059?est=bxOIdh4%2Bshrw2v0LJFIWJjO5505XdlBd2zHxA3zx3V0AQGhx1ov5QE4%3D [2] REPEAL PROP 47 PLEASE GOTO end47.com - MoveOn's Petitions https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/repeal-prop-47-1 [3] Proposed ballot measure seeks to repeal Proposition 47 - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/proposed-ballot-measure-seeks-to-reverse-proposition-47/ [4] Campaign to Roll Back Proposition 47 Criminal Justice Reforms ... https://www.kqed.org/news/11982070/campaign-to-roll-back-prop-47-criminal-justice-reforms-could-head-to-voters [5] CA Republicans respond to Democrat retail theft bill changes https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article289096709.html [6] Republican Leaders Jones and Gallagher Emphasize Support for ... https://sr40.senate.ca.gov/content/republican-leaders-jones-and-gallagher-emphasize-support-prop-47-repeal

A shame to the Republicans