California will have to hit bottom before people wake up

The Bee editorial June 22 on the out-of-control state government is refreshing coming from a not-so-conservative editorial board.

The causes of the apathy of the electorate are many. I was speaking to an old friend at a funeral not long ago and the subject of what is going on in Sacramento came up. I expressed my concern, but my friend who is retired comfortably said he did not care what they did as long as it did not affect him.

This attitude permeates not just comfortably retired folks but all facets of our society. As long as they are getting theirs, whether it be an entitlement or a fat bank account, they just don’t care. There are also many who have just given up, in frustration, on bringing about change.

I have long been a conscientious voter with concern for the future of our state and nation but I, too, find myself becoming apathetic caused by a feeling of helplessness. I fear that for the majority to wake up and smell the coffee we will have to hit bottom.

This story was originally published June 28, 2017 at 1:26 PM with the headline "California will have to hit bottom before people wake up."