Challenges Rural California’s Face

Rural Californians face a multitude of challenges and disdain from various quarters. Here’s a breakdown of some of the issues we grapple with:

1. High Gas Prices: Rural residents bear the brunt of exorbitant gas prices due to lengthy commutes. Despite our reliance on Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, the push towards Electric Vehicles (EVs) continues unabated, despite lacking infrastructure to support them.
2. PG&E Troubles: PG&E’s neglect of rural areas becomes evident during storms and wildfires, with rural residents enduring more power outages and higher electricity bills, coupled with the necessity of investing in generators to weather through outages.
3. Insurance Woes: Insurance companies penalize rural residents for factors beyond their control, such as arson-related forest fires, leading to cancellations or enrollment in high-cost insurance plans. Additionally, longer driving distances result in higher auto insurance rates, despite urban drivers being responsible for more accidents.
4. Stringent Regulations: Rural dwellers face stringent property clearance regulations, unlike their urban counterparts, necessitating costly upkeep to mitigate fire risks.
5. Political Divide: Rural residents, predominantly conservative, clash with California’s liberal policies, feeling marginalized due to their divergent political beliefs and disproportionate representation.
6. Propane Costs: The escalating cost of propane, vital for heating, is attributed to government-driven agendas favoring all-electric homes, disregarding the practical implications for rural residents.
7. High Food Costs: Despite contributing to food production, rural areas face inflated food prices due to transportation costs, exacerbated by trucks bypassing rural locales for urban distribution centers.
8. Gun Control Issues: Obtaining permits for concealed carry firearms proves arduous in rural areas where law enforcement response times are significantly longer, necessitating self-protection measures.
9. Homelessness: Rural areas, less accommodating to the homeless due to harsh weather conditions, are stigmatized for their lower homeless populations.
10. Values and Beliefs: Rural Californians’ traditional values and patriotism often clash with urban ideals, leading to societal disapproval.
11. Conservative Lifestyle: Rural residents adhere to traditional gender norms and lifestyle choices, facing criticism for their conformity.
12. Self-Sufficiency: Rural dwellers pride themselves on self-sufficiency, with the ability to sustain themselves independently of governmental aid.
13. Resistance to Lockdowns: Rural communities exhibit resistance to stringent lockdown measures, opting for personal responsibility in navigating crises like COVID-19.
14. Military Service: Rural areas contribute disproportionately to the Armed Forces, embodying patriotism and dedication to national defense.
15. Zero Tolerance for Crime: Rural communities prioritize safety and self-defense, fostering a culture of vigilance against criminal activities.

These challenges underscore the resilience and unique struggles faced by rural Californians, often overlooked or misunderstood by urban-centric policies and attitudes. Its a wonder why we are selling and leaving the state. If it wasn’t for high interest rates and inflation most of us would have left by now.