Democrat failure – writ large: “…according to the Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure…” California has the highest poverty rate in the country. 

PJ Media’s Michael Walsh summarizes the op-ed reporting the data with a withering condemnation of the “misguided policies” the writer cites as the problems:

“They’re not “misguided” — in fact, they’re doing exactly what the progressives designed them to do. Higher housing prices means more money in the pockets of Angelenos and San Franciscans when they go to sell, high energy prices have a disproportionate impact on the poor, generous welfare “benefits” mean an endless supply of new Democrats and permanent employment for the public-employee unions who actually run the state.

It’s a perfect racket, and one that will continue unless and until the California Republicans get their act together and begin vigorously contesting what has become a one-party state designed to enrich those at the top, beggar the middle class, and keep those on the bottom in permanent penury.” (bold/underline emphasis added)