The richest, most taxy-spendy state  in the Union turns out to be the poorest. Surprise, surprise.

Why is liberal California the poverty capital of America?

California, with 12% of the American population, is home today to about one in three of the nation’s welfare recipients.

I moved to California in 2000, and out of California in 2004. When I moved in, I had to live an hour and a half away from work (each way), because I couldn’t afford anything closer. When I left, the housing prices had skyrocketed to a stupid degree… there was no way I could have afforded my own 1,200 square-foot dinky domicile. The weird thing was… when I moved into that neighborhood, I was one of many homeowners who lived there; when I left, I was the *last* homeowner who actually lived there. Instead, every house had been bought by landlords who rented out the houses to low income people. Shortly before I left I spoke with the new neighbor, who was paying about 1/4 what I was per month to rent a clone of my house, which the new property owner had paid much more for than I had for mine. The reason why this insane system could possibly make sense for the landowner was because the state shelled out vast sums to people who rent out “low income” housing, making up the difference paid by the renters and allowing the owners to make a profit. Where did that money come from? Local property tax payers.

Insane.

The war on booze led to… lots of booze. The war on drugs led to rampant drug use. The war on poverty? Led to poverty. California is leading the charge to the victory of poverty. It’s racing towards turning into a real Haiti-hole.