There is a new movement to make the 13 conservative counties in southern California into a new State called South California (no LA county). The idea is to solve the fighting about the direction of the state, by simply dividing it.
The 13 counties would be Riverside County, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Tulare,
The person behind the plan is Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone
There was a new interview that was linked from the California Rebellion blog, but the blog seems to be down. Below is the link to the interview from the Alana Burke Show.
In the interview Stone clarifies that the 13 counties were just his starting point, and that if other counties wanted to join, they would be welcomed. All of this would be discussed during a county summit in October.
I don't see any indication that Supervisor Stone and his followers have found a way to keep money out of local politics. Where money and politics converge there is ample opportunity for the dual influence of unions and corruption, so eventually SCal would fall to the same ills that CA has.
Aside from that, the cynical me thinks this movement will fizzle out after awhile, but may shake things up a little bit in Sacramento.
I wonder what the new state's postal abbreviation would be?
The proposed arrangement would mean that Orange County would be subsidizing IE hell holes. No thanks.
I don't know where you get this OC elite attitude, but the IE doesn't need subsidies from OC. Despite the business unfriendliness of the state, the IE is the fastest growing place for businesses in the state.
Besides, the OC is probably already supporting LA county and S.F. like the rest of the state.
I was thinking the first step would have to be enlarging the Port of San Diego to go into competition with the ports of LA/LB.
Is what Jeff Stone is proposing a perfect solution? Absolutely not - but it will get us away from Sacramento. It's the only plan that has me excited over what is on the horizon for us now.
Will it happen? I feel better odds of me winning the lottery...
It's not elitist, it's math. Smaller county, more money. If you don't need us, make your own state out of the dry, boring parts and see how it works out.
More than 220 campaigns to split California into halves, or thirds, have been bandied about since the 1850s, most echoing similar arguments that the state had grown too large and was paralyzed by politicians and bureaucrats who ignored the concerns of the people.
"Secession proposals are just ways of thinking about California, and are also ways for people who feel neglected get the attention that they deserve," said USC historian Kevin Starr, who has written extensively on California. "It's never passed, and it will never pass. It's been up to bat 220 times and struck out every time.' »articles.latimes.com/201 ··· 20110711
One thing will get in the way... Aquaduct. And I don't want to be saddled with LA!
That's what I said to some friends,
The "North" would have control of the duct.
Actually (IIRC), the aqueduct is only operated and maintained by California. The US department of the Interior owns, funds and controls both the water and and all the facilities (including canals, reservoirs and pumping stations unless things have changed since construction began. You really don't think your northern ancestors would have given up that water and even helped pay for its delivery to the south do you?
edit: It looks like I'm wrong and the aqueduct itself may be state owned while some of the pumps and other facilities are fed-owned. Does anyone have the definitive answer?
One thing will get in the way... Aquaduct. And I don't want to be saddled with LA!
You're already saddled with LA.
Without the Peoples Republic of Los Angeles to support I'm not sure how much if any water the State of South California would need from the north. After all we'd have Colorado River water.
