In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Victor Hugo told the tale of Esmerelda, a gypsy dancer falsely accused of attempted murder, set to be hanged by an unjust state. Quasimodo, the titular hunchback, swings down from the cathedral of Notre Dame and saves her, carrying her off while crying “Sanctuary!” In fact, throughout European history, churches provided places of safe haven for accused criminals; the claim of “sanctuary” is made to this day by people seeking refuge from the law.
It is strange, however, to see the language of sanctuary adopted to protect precisely the sort of activity abhorred by anyone of religious bent: abortion. The secular sacrament of abortion has become so sacred, however, that the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, recently announced his intent to make his state the first abortion sanctuary in the nation. “We’ll be a sanctuary,” Newsom announced. “We are looking at ways to support that inevitability and looking at ways to expand our protections.”
The state of California, according to Newsom’s Democratic legislative allies, could provide travel expenses including gas, lodging, transportation and child care for those seeking to kill their unborn children. Already, some 15% of America’s abortions occur in California, according to the Guttmacher Institute. That number would skyrocket if the state began subsidizing abortions across the land.
None of this is particularly surprising. It is telling, however, that as California sinks into the mire, it embraces ever more radical social policy. This is a state that currently houses — no pun intended — some 162,000 homeless people, a number that increased approximately 24% from 2018 to 2020. About a quarter of all homeless people in the United States currently reside in California.
Meanwhile, crime in California has become endemic, with smash-and-grabs roiling major cities and even wealthy residents murdered in their homes. This week, the head of the Los Angeles police union, Jamie McBride, warned people to stay out of the city, explaining, “We can’t guarantee your safety. It is really, really out of control.” Even former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa laments, “Rome is burning.”
And California’s economy trails the nation’s, too. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is tied for the worst unemployment rate in the nation, at 7.3%. And while California is currently experiencing a seven-day rolling average of just 67 COVID-19 deaths — compared with 550 at the height of the pandemic — Newsom recently reimposed another monthlong statewide indoor mask mandate.
So why does California keep embracing ever-more-radical policy? Because the radicalism is itself the moral justification for policy failure. Sure, Democrats can argue, crime and homelessness are out of control, the economy is stagnating, and businesses are leaving. But that’s morally excusable, because California seeks a higher purpose: the purpose of Leftist utopianism. Thus, Newsom has little to say about California’s stagnation, but much to say about how California will push new laws targeting gun ownership.
For years, Democrats have claimed that California leads the nation. We can only hope they’re wrong.
Ben Shapiro, 37, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers “How To Destroy America In Three Easy Steps,” “The Right Side Of History,” and “Bullies.” To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
There is only one sanctuary these days, Called the FBI sanctuary available only to members of political crime families like Hillary’s and Joe’s, run by government hunchback Quasimodo’s like Mueller, Jim Comey and their crews of back benders in political coverups where sanctuary can always be found for the most corrupt of the highest of ranking politicians, disguised as Christian do-gooders , housed in the government theological sanctuary Church of secular socialism where crime and criminals never get punished. Newsom’s California is the most visible Democrat house of mirrors disguised as a social sanctuary for the problem people of the world, and Newsom himself is the head Stag in the herd of the California broken Bambi’s and Thumpers, that is turning the entire country into a reflection of his same type of StagNation.
AND who do they anticipate will PAY ALL THOSE subsidies!?
We have met the enemy and he is us..
“For years, Democrats have claimed that California leads the nation. We can only hope they’re wrong.”
If so, it would be the blind leading the blind. It is politically and morally bankrupt. Its voters evidently cling to preposterous political promises that never materialize into reality—dedicating themselves to some Liberal fantasy that touts goodness for all. It is a quicksand that is pulling the entire state under.
More like the Morally corrupt, leading the morally inept.
“This week, the head of the Los Angeles police union, Jamie McBride, warned people to stay out of the city, explaining, “We can’t guarantee your safety. It is really, really out of control.” ”
Democrat party supporters operate strictly on emotion, with very little rational thought and who simply do not understand reality or basic economics. Democrats are willing to destroy themselves and everyone around them before they will agree to compromise their failed policies and destructive lies and beliefs. The Democrat Party’s intensions are: Rule and Ruin”.
The reign of the Socialist Democrat Party State is in effect.
The “Socialist Democrat Party State” political officers, Gestapo, Woke and Cancel Culture are just getting started.
You will obey, be loyal and support the policies of the “Socialist Democrat Party State” or you will be classified as “Enemies of the State”.
AND IF the cops FLAT OUT admit “WE can no longer do anything to protect you”, WHY KEEP PAYING TAXES that pay for the cops!
Originally, California was close to an earthly paradise. I know. I was born there 75 years ago. It is a tragedy how how too many stupid humans have ruined it.