California is a fiscal basket case. This is not caused by external forces but rather a willing acceptance by California voters of the progressive social, economic, and ecological agenda over the past decade.

The state is bankrupt in the amount of about $612 billion (more than Greece), passing generous social entitlements beyond anything that might be defined as a safety net.

Cities have filed for bankruptcy--Stockton, San Bernardino, and Mammoth Lakes. The California public pension system is underfunded by $330 billion due to its political largess supporting public union demands.

Gov. Jerry Brown has recommended significant tax-rate increases to close the gap. California encourages illegal immigration through excessive tolerance and benefits and by allowing sanctuary cities, thereby encouraging support of criminals.

Gas prices in excess of $5 per gallon are a result of stringent gas formulation requirements. They cannot mitigate recent refinery issues by buying from outside of the state because no one else produces "California" formulated gas.

It is more important to progressives to push their social, economic, and ecological agenda than to consider the impact on its population. People and businesses are leaving the state in droves despite its physical attractiveness.

California is the poster child of what America could be if President Obama with his progressive agenda is re-elected. They have ruined a state--don't let them ruin a country.

Robert K. Smith

Spotsylvania