Summary

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that federal aid for California’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which have killed at least 24 and displaced nearly 200,000 people, should come with conditions, citing alleged failures by state and local leaders.

Johnson also hinted at tying aid to debt ceiling negotiations.

Other Republican leaders, including Senators John Barrasso and Ron Johnson, expressed similar views, blaming liberal policies for exacerbating the fires.

Critics denounce these positions as cruel, given the scale of destruction, with over 12,000 buildings lost and massive evacuation orders in effect.

    • Wogi@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      You know if I lived in California right now I’d be wondering real hard why even be a part of the union? California contributes more than it receives, has vastly different politics than the rest of the country, has a powerhouse economy.

        • Furbag@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          Water might be an issue as well. We rely a lot on the Sierras but I think we also buy a lot of what we use from Colorado and have it piped here.

      • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        As a Californian I can tell you that a lot of us from all sides of the spectrum out here have revived succession talks

        Usually those guys outside the capitol are considered loons, but lately the talk has basically been along these lines. That and “world’s 5th biggest economy on our own”

      • Jyek@sh.itjust.works
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        2 days ago

        I grew up in California. I can tell you it’s a very big place with lots of different types of folks. Most of the state geographically is conservative. Even a few of the largest cities in the state vote Red. LA is just that densely populated.

        • vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works
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          1 day ago

          Sure but we also have an old underlying bit of nationalsim. Most conservatives ive met whos families have been here since before WW2 would happily secede if the opportunity presented itself. Its the younger families who have a problem with it in my opinion.