I had a bit of a "Sullivan's Travel's" beginning to my trip. In fact, my last hours on my home turf were spent watching Jerry Brown get himself sworn in as Governor, while we waited for wheel bearings to be replaced on our hideously overweight minivan. Brown talked about the trials experienced by the settlers who came to California via wagon train -- an appropriate image, since we are going in the opposite direction.

So are a lot of other folks, from what I gather.

Brown's a good man, and California was prosperous during his previous time in office. But I don't think that he can solve the state's current problems. No-one can. Gridlock in Sacramento will continue,because the Republicans (many of whom make Sharron Angle look like Eleanor Roosevelt) simply will not compromise.

So I got out of Dodge. But things do not appear to be muich better elsewhere.

During our first night out of the state, we spoke to a motel manager who revealed that he has a Master's degree in physics. Running a motel -- working for a nice gentleman from India -- is the best job he can get.

Libertarianism has destroyed America. Marx never harmed us. Milton Friedman did.