I'm not very impressed with either Jerry Brown or Meg Whitman in the Governor's race.
I'm also critical of State, County and Municipal Employee Union's influence in Sacramento.
Generally most of CA's politicians, either Democrats or Republicans, are pretty bad.
Parts of this once beautiful (and still is in a number areas...for now) State look like it's entering the Third World.

San Diago is broke and a lot of the cities are in bad shape  along with the State. Started in the late 70's. I don't think Arnold wasn't much help, Brown is just another political stuffed shirt who's famialy has made a business out of politic, Whitman I don't know much about but that's where I would go.

therefore they are the state worse hit by that bubble bursting.

However, I've lived in California, mostly the LA area since way back in the 50's, and have lived in several other states, and I can remember some real weirdness in all of them, both economically and politically. I've seen parts of Michigan and Tennessee that that look as bad as the Tijuana dumps. Lived on a ranch in Idaho that had a one lane dirt road connecting it to the highway 14 miles away. You seldom ran into anyone coming from the other way, but when you did, someone had a lot of backing up to do until one could find a little turn off. There was no electricity, phones or running water. Just a well and an out house. Motorized farming implements couldn't be used, only one's pulled by a house or two. Funny that was my favorite place growing up as a kid. Now, I call California home and have no real desire to live anywhere else, despite the crazy politics.

Yes--parts of Africa, Middle East, Mexico and S. America.

Then you have to agree that the US is a long way from being a 3rd world country huh?

The size of California's economy put it in line with nations. Both democrats and republicans realize that spending and revenu must come into alignment. Regardless of whether Whitman win or Brown win, either will work to bring the legislature around to fiscal sanity. California leads the nation in trends, science and technology and will continue to do so. I have always felt that some of the weakest people during the last decade and a half migrated to warm climates. The weak will leave California and leave the innovative and resilient behind. California will deal with it's debt, lead the nation in green energy production, technology. It will also catch the northeast in advanced medical technology. I don't live in California, but as a business person I see it's power and potential every day.

Ridiculous tax rates, broke state and local governments. Ridiculous housing...

Short of the porn being produced in the valley, that sate has no redeeming values...