Opinion: California as the new Texas: great if it’s about economics, bad if it’s about opposing the White House

To the editor: Instead of our governor and Legislature trying to find ways to fight the incoming Trump administration, California should stand back and take a look at what is missing here. (“Texas was Obama’s chief antagonist. In Trump’s America, California is eager for the part,” Nov. 17)

The reason Florida, Texas and other red states are growing is they have embraced an economic model that fosters job growth, lower taxes, fewer regulations and a government that is business friendly. A side-by-side analysis of job and wage growth, tax burden, employment, fiscal health and public pension reform will show why California is lagging and what makes other states success stories.

Instead, we have a state where a temporary tax was made permanent, a public pension plan is out of control, and where the governor and Legislature have no intention of cutting taxes or reducing regulations. If this is what they think is years of progress, we could do with a little less of it.

Don Black, Rancho Palos Verdes

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To the editor: The thesis that California’s progressive political class could successfully mount legal challenges to stymie Trump administration political and legislative initiatives to any degree resembling that of Texas’ efforts of the last few years is laughable.

The Democratic “progressives” lost the presidency, the Senate and the House — oh, and also the next Supreme Court appointment (and maybe another one or two).

That’s very unlike the last six years under President Obama. Many of his initiatives can be reversed with the same pen and Rolodex he used to imperiously initiate them in the first place.

Kip Dellinger, Santa Monica

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