California – Where Progressive Policies Destroyed Once Thriving Communities

I moved to San Jose, California, in 2005. I was fresh out of college – filled with 100% idealism and very little life experience. I can honestly say, in hindsight, that “ignorance is bliss.” I’d much rather be young and dumb then older and informed. I remember voting for Al Gore and Barack Obama – I had the luxury and privilege to vote based on emotional messaging tactics (Hope, Yes We Can, We Aren’t Going Back), as opposed to what policies and leader will truly look out for my family and most vulnerable in the broader community. I have changed so much – and part of that growing process is the realization these broader messages of “hope” aren’t based in reality. They are a tool to get young, privileged and easily manipulated people to vote against their community’s best interest.

I am certain of this after living in California for nearly 20-years (especially the last 10-years) – and after doubling down on Democrats, as I voted for Hilary, then Biden. I truly believed they had my family’s best interest in mind. But, in all honesty – they lied to me and you – some people have realized this, and others are still fooled by emotional messaging intended to create hatred toward a candidate like Donald Trump.

What do I mean? Well, California has become the progressive policy lab for criminal justice reform (i.e., no bail, lowering consequences, releasing prisoners – even violent felons), housing and drug policy. It also taxes its residents more than any other state – and is in the top 5 for residential energy and housing cost. It has, by a huge margin, the largest homeless unsheltered crisis in the country, and these aren’t just poor people down on their luck. The 190,000 “homeless”, many mentally ill and addicted or illegal immigrants roam the street by the thousands in major cities, like San Jose. We have seen massive escalations in overdoses, along with open air drug use. I can’t take my kids for a walk without seeing someone having a mental health crisis, or doing something obscene like exposing themselves. I call downtown San Jose, an area I once loved, “an open air drug use site and insane asylum.” Parks that I used to take my kids to have RVS and illegal camps all over them – many of the people living in these areas are dangerous to themselves and others.

The worst part of it all?

Families like ours pay extreme prices to live here – and all of the taxes and contributions from citizens go to waste. Problems just grow. To send our two youngest to preschool + rent = $90,000/year. This doesn’t factor in food, energy, cable, gas, insurance, etc., all items that cost more here than anywhere else.

California has gutted its middle class – leaving only people with a whole lot of resources, or none at all, leading to massive deficits without any new real sources of revenue. At some point – the state of California will need a federal bail-out – but I predict it gets far worse here before that happens.

People ask me: “well, Leif, then why do you stay?” First, from 2005 to circa 2015, downtown San Jose was awesome! It felt like a suburb in a big city. I used to take my oldest daughter everywhere downtown – we had a movie theater, university, constant events, clean parks – and there simply wasn’t the thousands of mentally ill/addicts overtaking all of our public spaces. Now, and as I mentioned before, three out of the four parks my daughter and I used to frequent are now giant unsanctioned illegal camps that are a public health and safety risk. These camps have disease outbreaks like Shigella, overdoses and violent crimes.

I can’t believe how the leaders of California have failed their citizens. And, ultimately, we are here because our oldest daughter, Lila, is with us 50% of the time, as her Mom/Stepdad (cool people) are from this area. I tried to move – we even had an offer on a home accepted in Pennsylvania in a beautiful community – but during contingency I terminated the agreement because I couldn’t leave my Lila here. She became my whole life when she was born, and I need to be close to protect her. With that said, the other two are suffering because of my decisions – and they deserve a community with leaders who will provide good schools, affordable homes and clean parks. I’m a simple guy – I don’t need much, but everything is being taken from us in downtowns in California. From Sacramento to San Diego – our communities are being destroyed while we pay a premium.

Earlier, I mentioned my voting track record. Why? Because during my time in California – I have seen progressive policy after policy be implemented (initially with my support/vote) – many, including Prop 47, with Kamala Harris’s support and input. Prop 47 essentially decriminalized drugs, leading to surges in overdoses on our streets to where it’s normal to see someone be brought back to life with Narcan. And, it compelled addicts from far and wide to come take advantage of counter-productive drug policy – they camp everywhere and the things kids have to see going to school are considered insane/illegal in 49 other states. I refuse to normalize the human suffering I see day in and day out. It has impacted my psyche in such a negative way. Prop 47 also lowered consequences for criminals, leading to California becoming the #1 retail theft state in the nation. Hoards of people storming Walgreens, Targets, Jewelry Stores, etc., just taking whatever they want. Even if they are arrested, they get released immediately and recommit. Retail theft is a thriving business for criminals in California, and has compelled many small, medium and large businesses to close.

The progressive policies don’t work. Full stop. Housing First, Harm Reduction, no-bail, Prop 47, etc., they all are flaming trainwrecks that need to be stopped immediately. What California really needs is federal intervention to shelter and support the 190,000 people that state leaders say “just need an apartment.” It’s off the rails.

I may be stuck in a state for now with the highest real poverty rate, highest taxes, highest rates of homelessness, near highest energy/housing costs, bottom 15% public schools, ever soaring insurance rates, near highest gas prices – where it’s $90,000 a year just to live and have your kids in preschool.

I may – but you don’t have to be.

Please do not vote for Kamala Harris for President. Of course, you will decide for yourself – but I am just warning everyone at this point.

I personally will vote for Trump because I realize I was conditioned to hate him intentionally by the Democrat elites who are terrified to lose power – as they locked my kids out of school, forced them to mask and covid test at school – and treated them like such shit. I will never forgive this state – don’t vote to expand what is happening here to your communities.

Note: photo taken in 2024 one block from San Jose City Hall – many addict/mentally ill occupy business storefronts/entry ways. As part of the “Harm Reduction” program – the County spends millions per year targeting illegal/homeless camps giving addicts needles (they don’t exchange, so needles scattered around City), pipes and training them on how to use drugs. Harm Reduction is what I call “assisted suicide.” This program directly correlates with massive overdose increases and open air drug use/markets.