‘The Next Wave’: Voodoo Journalism

I think the sentiment expressed in Joel Kotkin’s essay is wishful thinking at best. At worst, it expresses the peculiar notion that a multibillion-dollar industry such as aerospace can be replaced as easily as a toothbrush.

Four years ago, I came to Los Angeles after being driven from New York’s declining aerospace market. Taxes were (and still are) out of control, the cost of living skyrocketed and a thoroughly corrupt liberal political machine refused to support aerospace.

I thought the westward move was a good idea since I could count half a dozen thriving aerospace companies in Southern California.

Now we get one of the biggest tax hikes in California history, and the cost of housing is out of reach for most residents. Most important, the Southern California congressional delegation, as a single bloc, votes to shut down aerospace.

I vehemently disagree with the idea that we should press for an economic agenda based on “political connections.” I interpret that as meaning that if our congressional delegation would get its collective head out of the sand, aerospace wouldn’t be forced to abandon California for friendlier states.

As long as Southern California continues to shoot itself in the foot like New York did, prospects for long-term economic growth are cloudy at best.

MARK W. COLANGELO, Walnut