(Daily Signal)—Once the embodiment of the American dream, California has become a cautionary tale of failed policies and ideological excess, writes Steve Hilton, author of the new book, “Califailure: Reversing the Ruin of America’s Worst-Run State.”
In an interview with The Daily Signal, Hilton, a Fox News contributor who moved to California in 2012 and has since raised a family and built a business there, explained why he felt compelled to document the state’s dramatic downfall.
“California means to America what America means to the world,” Hilton said, highlighting what originally drew him to the Golden State. “But that’s not how it is today. We’re not known for the positive things that inspire people around the world. We’re famous for the apocalyptic scenes of wildfires, dystopian urban chaos and crime, and thousands of homeless people wandering around like zombies.”
The statistics paint a grim picture. California, Hilton noted, ranks “bottom of the list if it’s a list you want to be the top of, and top if it’s a list that you want to be the bottom of.” The state has the highest poverty rate in America, the highest taxes, and the highest costs for housing, electricity, gas, and water. It also has the lowest home ownership rate, the worst business climate, and among the highest unemployment.
Hilton attributes this decline to what he calls “pathologies” of progressive governance exemplified by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“We know that’s the agenda we have in California, the AOC-Bernie agenda. That’s what we’re living under, and the results are a total disaster,” Hilton warned.
He blamed “narcissism” among politicians who care more about being seen as leading on progressive issues than about practical outcomes. He also cited “compassionism,” which he distinguishes from actual compassion, exemplified by policies like “Housing First” that make it “illegal to put conditions on any kind of homeless service” such as treatment requirements.
The consequences extend beyond policy failures. California lost congressional representation for the first time in its history after the last census. That could be true for the next one as well with an estimated three more electoral votes lost in the next count.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are leaving all the time,” Hilton explained, pointing to housing costs as the primary driver. “The median house price is a million dollars. The rents are the highest in the country. It’s all just completely unaffordable.”
Despite his bleak assessment, Hilton sees signs of change. He pointed to 10 counties that flipped from blue to red in recent elections and the successful ballot initiative to reverse Proposition 47, which he described as effectively legalizing theft under $950.
Hilton described Gov. Gavin Newsom as a “politician of calculation, not conviction” who says whatever is politically expedient. Newsom recently launched a podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” where he’s interviewed conservatives Charlie Kirk, Stephen K. Bannon, and Michael Savage.
“If Gavin Newsom wants to reposition himself as rejecting the far left, it’s a move in the right direction,” Hilton said. “But it means nothing if he doesn’t actually change the policies operating in California.”
Through his policy organization Golden Together, Hilton is working to reverse California’s decline and create what he calls “Califuture” rather than “Califailure.”
“America as a country is better off if California is doing better,” Hilton concluded, offering a forward-looking vision for the state that was once the envy of the nation but now serves as a warning of what happens when ideology trumps common sense.
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