And that is that the current almost total collapse of the US has a very visible predecessor. The State of California. Apparently William Bradley at HuffPost agrees.

Many of the lead actors (literally and figuratively) who have caused the degradation of this incredible state have left their muddy footprints all over the federal government and our way of life. For me, as much as I think W will go down as the one and only worst president ever and in fact should be tried as a war criminal, it’s Ronald Reagan and his band of thieves who are ultimately responsible for our current condition. They created the prototype of gushing uberpatriotism on the one hand while the other hand looting everything of value in this country. Not to excuse him in any way, but Bush took what he was given and pushed it beyond the breaking point.

California, like the US, is a near bankrupt, political polarized, unmanageable mess. The Dems have no room to move. The Pugs, with the exception of Arnold, who had no idea what he was really getting into, have become so extreme, I’m surprised they don’t burn crosses outside their offices in Sacto. So if you want to see what America looks like in the future, take a good look at California. Tons of energy, potential and resources, overwhelmed by political hackery of the first order, punitive taxes, quick fix short cuts, corruption, exploding illegal immigrant costs and a frightening shortage of social services and common cause. Welcome to the new Millennium..