San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities Michael Shellenberger

I think this book is a valuable documentation of the failed efforts of state governments, primarily California, to cure a disease which they incentivize. If money could end homelessness, then California would have done it already. The evidence is in this book. While the book does a great job at illuminating this great failure of government, I was surprised that the author believes the solution is to create another never-ending government entity. The problem is government, so we need more government? I would like to see the author write another book about all the effective governmental agencies of this type and follow their track records. Many economists have already done this. To paraphrase economist Thomas Sowell, government programs tend to hurt the very groups they purport to be helping. Despite my disagreement, I still would recommend this book, and hope more people become aware of the situation in California as geographically it is my favorite state, but has been ruined by politicians with “great intentions” which have led to the disastrous consequences it now faces.  

For now, if you are addicted to illegal drugs and want a beautiful outdoor space where you can use them unfettered by police, then California is the place for you. That is the nationwide billboard for the state which attracts homeless to hitchhike to their state. It will remain so until the state government stops spending $70 billion dollars annually into this homeless/drug addiction industrial complex. Meanwhile the Californian exodus will continue as law-abiding citizens who are tired of paying high taxes, and their neighborhoods turning into tent cities resembling third world countries, seek out a more desirable living situation in a different state.