Yeah, the eight largest economy in the world and world leader in technology is worse than a bunch of backwoods conservatives whose welfare is supported by said state.

You think Politico is a right wing website?  Seriously?  Is CNN a rightwing news network in your mind?

Basically none of Politco's articles at all talk of ideology.... outside of the opinon page.

And their two opinon writers are Michael Kinsley and Joe Scarborough.

Who Steven Colbert put it "I love Joe Scarborough's show because he keeps me guessing, I never know if he's going to be a republican or a democrat on a daily basis..."

Are you saying conservative states have more welfare users? That contradicts about everything that I have ever heard about welfare and government spending. If anything conservatives despise welfare and want to cut spending which accounts to the whole "evil republicans" who don't care about you and want you to die... etc... I'd bet heavy conservative states rank at the bottom compared to heavy liberal states in welfare usage. That is at least what I have been led to believe.

Not Welfare, users.  He's talking about the amount of federal funding given vs how much is paid int axes.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html

Old numbers, so if may have shifted some when you consider californias ridiculious budget crisis and stimulus money

http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/default.aspx

I think everyone should just compromise and agree that the south and California are just awful.

California would be portugal if it wasn't lucky enough to have two industries who's main strength is proximity.

IE the only way they'll lose them is if a large chunk of people decide to move all at once.

Of course, there is a difference between being a large economy and a healthy one.... as Spain might soon prove.

I disagree. It is a sin against the Hydra overlord.

Not at all... Once you go country there is no going back. :P 

If it hurt, I apologize. My intention was to tease, not to hurt 

Hehe, California pretty much is your most important state. It has Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Without those America is pretty much useless.

You started it! Evil!!!

yeah, California is quite an awesome state. I personally have no gripes against it. As many around here say. "San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the country, too bad it's ruined by Californians"

If all the Californians left, the state would be a much nicer place :P 

Wouldn't that include the film makers, movie stars, and tech geeks?