Ship of Fools

Here in California we have equal opportunity. The plan in the beginning was that no one should ever be excluded, and it sounded like a good idea. However now that time has marched on a bit many aren't so sure if it was a good idea at all. You see, in California nothing can happen unless EVERYONE can be involved. Doesn't matter if you're tall, short, fat, thin, handicapped, whatever. If not every single person from every single possible angle can't be 100% involved the idea gets the axe. Finally though the powers that be has found something that everyone can be involved in and that something is nothing. You see, by doing nothing no one gets offended. No one can be excluded from doing nothing because it requires absolutely no effort. The problem with nothing is that it tends to become boring and stagnant rather quickly, which if you'll notice is exactly whats going on in this state. There can be no progress because by being progressive we might leave someone out and that simply can't happen. So we do nothing. Nothing individual is ever created because everything has to fit the same mold so that everyone can be involved. And its a shame. Take old town Sacramento. Even though it has been declared a national historical center the ADA is trying to have the wooden walks taken out; "difficult to navigate in a wheelchair you know." Doors are too narrow too, can't get through them. And the bathroom! Can't get in them either, and no handicap bars! Opponents of the ADA state that if you start hacking into the structure of these historical buildings it is not only altering a piece of California's legacy, it could possibly bring the building down. ADA wont budge though. "Change it or shut it down!" is the cry heard up and down the state. So in the end what will be left of old town Sac? Nothing. The ADA is powerful and so are their lawers and a group of historical preservationists who work with donations on a volunteer basis can't possibly compete.

Also, did you know that there is a city underneath Sacramento? Parts of the city were built at sea level (river level really) but the city planners at the time saw a problem arising when the rivers got high. Did they tear town the old city? Nope, built right on top of it, about 8-12 feet on top of it actually. And its still down there too under what is now parts of downtown. Lots of cities have the same situation, Boston, Portland, Seattle. The difference is that in those cities you can tour the old lost city. But not in California! Might trip over an old cobble stone or brick, no wheel chair access, would be hard to get around in a walker too. So what does California do about the people who are interested and want to see the old buried city? Nothing. Nothing at all. It will remain buried and lost and will in time rot away and be gone forever.

We've become a pool of stagnant water in this state. In our attempt to be progressive and include anybody we've become regressive and have excluded everybody. It's a shame too, there's a lot to this state and a lot that could be done. But nothing works better than nothing I suppose.