Every time I turn on the news and hear how
"un-governable" Afghanistan is, I can’t help but think of the similarities
between that far-flung country and our own beloved, dysfunctional state of
California. The similarities are striking, from their most basic level to
their more complex political geography.
Think about it.
In Afghanistan, poppy is the #1 export.
In California, poppy is the State flower.
According to the History Channel, Osama Bin Laden had
a wealthy powerful father but believed he should sleep on a mattress on the
floor every night.
According to the Capitol press corps, Jerry Brown had
a wealthy powerful father but believed he should sleep on a mattress on the
floor every night.
Afghanistan has terrain so daunting even the Soviet
Union bowed out in the 1980s without knowing how to solve the daunting
problems.
California has political terrain so daunting even our
national leaders have bowed out (read: no Federal bailouts) without knowing how
to solve our daunting problems.
In the Middle East, pockets of Taliban and other
insurgents began a Spring offensive known as "Arab Spring."
Here, the CTA, SEIU and other Unions in the
Governor’s pocket began their Spring offensive known as "May Revise."
Afghanistan boasts a mountainous region where people
love to escape (read: Tora Bora).
California also boasts a mountainous region where
people love to escape (read: Tahoe).
Sure, Politicians travel to Afghanistan – but mostly
for photo ops and listening tours and to catch a quick meal with the troops.
It’s too dangerous to stay for more than a day or two.
Politicians also travel to California – but likewise,
mostly for photo ops and to catch a quick meal with donors. It’s too dangerous
for them (especially Republican Presidential candidates) to stay for more than
a day or two.
Both places are such wild, unruly places, that no one
quite knows exactly how to deal with us. Both nation-states could benefit from
some sorely-needed discipline.
As the U.S.
considers this week a new deadline in Afghanistan, the California statehouse
seeks to meet a deadline as well. This Wednesday is the day of reckoning in the
State Capitol as the Governor and Legislative leaders look to solve the State
Budget crisis once and for all. The question is, will Republican legislators
commit political suicide, throw themselves on the grenade of higher taxes and
end their political careers? And what collateral damage, if any, will be
done to the taxpayers in California? One thing is certain: armed with Twitter,
other social media and a Press Corps who seems to be on top of their Budget
game more than ever this year, rest assured We the Taxpayers are "embedded" in
the process more than ever. And that, in itself, is a small victory that gives
me hope for a new California.