1. The Worsening Homelessness Crisis: Yeah, there's been over $24 billion on homelessness programs since 2018 in California....with mostly ineffective accomplishments, and oddly.....a total lack of accountability.
2. Yeah....crime rates are mostly up over the past ten years. Crime in California reportedly increased by 13% in 2022 (per FBI data), with detractors pointing to "soft-on-crime" measures like early prisoner releases and decriminalization laws (e.g., jaywalking, loitering for prostitution) as contributing factors.
3. Yeah.....it's a state with growing cost of living, and increasing taxes. California has the nation's highest cost-of-living burden, including record-high gas prices, energy costs, and taxes, which critics say have driven out residents and businesses under Newsom's policies.
4. Yeah, there hypocrisy in COVID-19 rules (the French Laundry Scandal): Newsom faced backlash for attending a maskless indoor dinner at the upscale French Laundry restaurant in 2020 while urging Californians to follow strict pandemic restrictions, seen as a "rules for thee but not for me" moment.
5. That high-speed rail? The project, initially criticized by Newsom in 2019, has received billions more in funding despite massive delays, cost overruns (now estimated at $100+ billion), and little progress, labeled a "money pit."
6. The unemployment benefits fraud? During the pandemic, California's Employment Development Department lost an estimated $20-30 billion to fraud, including payments to prisoners and out-of-state claimants, due to poor oversight.
7. Then there's the failing public education system. California ranks near the bottom nationally in K-12 performance, with prolonged school closures during COVID and vetoes of reforms like mandatory ethnic studies cited as exacerbating issues.
8. There's the wildfire prevention shortfalls. Governor Newsom overstated wildfire fuel treatment acres by 690% (actual: 11,399 vs. claimed 90,000), contributing to ongoing devastating fires amid criticism of inadequate forest management.
9. Then there was the early release of prisoners. Policies allowing earlier parole for thousands of felons, including violent offenders, have been blamed for rising crime and public safety risks.
10. Finally, there is infrastructure and economic mismanagement: Broader failures in areas like water shortages, housing affordability, and a $68 billion budget deficit (as of 2025 audits) have led to accusations of fiscal irresponsibility and poor governance.
All in all....the most unqualified guy to run for President for the Democratic Party in the past sixty-odd years. There's literally nothing to brag about over the past ten years of effort....yet, he is the top candidate for the primary (at this point). In general....anything he advocates....you should do the exact opposite.
