Steve Hilton & Spencer Pratt: Fixing California, Cheaper Gas, Ballot Fraud & CA Republicans
All-In Podcast
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Video Summary
California is facing a "now or never" election, with Republican candidate Steve Hilton warning that the state is on the brink of an irreversible decline. Hilton, a British immigrant, argues that 16 years of one-party Democratic rule have led to the highest poverty and cost of living in the nation, driving millions to leave. He criticizes the "machine" of corrupt donors, unions, and trial lawyers that he claims controls Sacramento, leading to excessive regulations and a hostile business climate.
Hilton proposes a radical overhaul, including cutting regulations by more than half, reducing government headcount, canceling high-speed rail, and cutting state income tax to make the first $150,000 tax-free. He also aims to lower gas prices by eliminating emissions taxes and capping vehicle registration fees. Hilton believes change is possible by appealing to independent voters and lifelong Democrats disillusioned with the current state of affairs, emphasizing that a failure to act in November could lead to a "stampede for the exits" by businesses.
Short Highlights
- California's Decline: 16 years of Democratic rule have resulted in the highest poverty, unemployment, and cost of living in the U.S., prompting millions to leave.
- The "Machine" of Corruption: A powerful, corruptly funded machine of donors, unions, and trial lawyers controls Sacramento, leading to excessive regulations and a poor business climate.
- Hilton's Reform Plan: Proposes cutting regulations, reducing government size, canceling high-speed rail, and making the first $150,000 of income tax-free.
- Economic Solutions: Aims to lower gas prices and cap vehicle registration fees, arguing that current policies are gouging residents.
- Shifting Electorate: Believes lifelong Democrats and independents are disillusioned and open to change, citing anecdotal evidence of support.
- Business Exodus: Warns that failure to enact change in November will cause a "stampede for the exits" by businesses.
- "People vs. The Machine": Frames the election as a battle between ordinary Californians and the entrenched political establishment.
Key Details
California's Unique Candidate [00:00:00]
- Steve Hilton, a Republican and a Brit, is running for governor of California.
- He criticizes the Democrats' policies, particularly high taxes, and highlights the need for change.
"It's a joke. I mean, what are these Democrats doing?"
The Importance of California [00:00:00]
- California is described as the biggest, richest, and most important state, representing the "essence of what we love about America."
- The state has a history of innovation, ambition, and leading global industries like entertainment, tech, and agriculture.
"California means to America what America means to the world."
The State of the State: A Grim Picture [00:00:00]
- Despite advantages like natural beauty and a strong startup ecosystem, California faces severe problems.
- After 16 years of one-party rule, the state has the highest poverty and unemployment rates, and the highest cost of living and housing costs.
"But look at the facts. We've had 16 years of one party in control."
The "Rule Police" Democrats [00:00:00]
- Hilton contrasts the current Democratic party with its past "peace and love" image, arguing it has become overly bureaucratic and controlling.
- One-party rule, he contends, leads to an insular elite focused on ideology rather than responsibility.
"How did a group of people who basically were just like peace and love and leave us alone become the rule police?"
Sacramento's Corrupt System [00:00:00]
- The political system in Sacramento is described as corrupt, dominated by donors, unions, and trial lawyers.
- This dominance results in a high litigation risk for businesses, with a 90% chance of ending up in litigation for those starting a business in California.
"And by the way, in Sacramento, we have one of the most corrupt systems anywhere in the country..."
The Burden of Legislation [00:00:00]
- Democrats have controlled all branches of state government for 16 years, leading to a constant pile-up of legislation.
- Last year, 1,118 bills were passed, creating immense regulatory bloat.
"Last year, the Sacramento legislature passed 1,118 bills."
Cutting Red Tape [00:00:00]
- Hilton announces a plan to cut the number of regulations in California from over 420,000 to under 200,000 within his first term.
- This aims to make California competitive with other states and reduce regulatory burden.
"We're going to cut the number of regulations in California from where we are today, which is over 420,000, by the end of my first term to under 200,000..."
The "People vs. The Machine" [00:00:00]
- Hilton acknowledges the powerful and corruptly funded "machine" controlling the state but believes a majority of Californians want change.
- His campaign strategy is framed as "the people versus the machine."
"In fact, one of the ways that we're telling the story of this campaign is the people versus the machine. That's what this is."
Closing the Gap [00:00:00]
- Polls show a narrowing gap between Hilton and his opponent, indicating growing support for change.
- He dismisses the idea that Californians must accept the current state of affairs or leave.
"From a 30 point gap on primary night to 25 points, 18 points, 14 points, the latest poll, an eight point gap."
The "Un-American" Attitude [00:00:00]
- Hilton criticizes the notion that change is impossible, calling it an "un-American attitude."
- He emphasizes the need to fight for change and believes it is achievable.
"As a new American citizen, that's a very un-American attitude that it can't be done, that we can't make change happen."
Why Vote Democrat? [00:00:00]
- Many rational people feel out of place as Republicans in California and are made to feel guilty, leading them to vote Democrat by default.
- This compounding "insanity" suggests the state may need to hit rock bottom.
"There seems to be in California, at least as I've lived it, a lot of very rational people who feel sort of out of place."
The Pain of Living in California [00:00:00]
- Hilton has traveled to all 58 counties and sees the daily struggle of people trying to live in the state.
- The median house price is nearly a million dollars, while the median salary is $65,000, indicating a "completely broken" system.
"I mean, look, you try and own a home here. We used to have the highest rate of home ownership in the country, in California, and the most affordable housing."
"You Have to Win" [00:00:00]
- People express an intense desire for change, with many telling Hilton, "You have to win."
- He believes this year presents a real opportunity to achieve that change.
"The number one, it's almost word for word. This is what everyone says to me. I've heard it even here backstage. You have to win."
Lifelong Democrats for Hilton [00:00:00]
- Anecdotal evidence suggests lifelong Democrats are now supporting Hilton, indicating a shift in voter sentiment.
- This shift is seen as a sign that the state has reached a breaking point.
"I'm a lifelong Democrat, but I'm voting for you this year."
Business Leaders' Ultimatum [00:00:00]
- Business leaders are warning that if change isn't made in November, they will leave California.
- Hilton fears a "stampede for the exits" if the state doesn't show balance and change.
"And I'm just serious about this. If we, if we think that it's bad now, I think that the exodus of business that we've seen from California in the last couple of years..."
The Path to Victory: Practical Policies [00:00:00]
- Hilton's strategy focuses on appealing to undecided voters, particularly non-college-educated working people, by addressing the cost of living.
- Key proposals include reducing government bloat, canceling high-speed rail, cutting state income tax, and implementing a sensible energy policy.
"Overwhelmingly, non-college educated, regular working people in California who are at breaking point financially."
Lowering Gas Prices and Registration Fees [00:00:00]
- Hilton aims to reduce gas prices to around $3 per gallon by eliminating emissions taxes and hidden fees.
- He also plans to cap vehicle registration fees at $73 per year by abolishing the DMV.
"Instead of $6 gas, we can get towards $3 gas in California like you have in other states right now."
Criticizing Javier Becerra [00:00:00]
- Hilton quotes sources calling opponent Javier Becerra an "idiot" and a "bitch ass," suggesting he is unqualified.
- He argues Becerra would be a puppet for special interests, making the state even worse than under Gavin Newsom.
"Becerra is a quote, idiot. Okay, so the reason not to vote for him- That's the polite term."
The "Resource Curse" of Silicon Valley [00:00:00]
- Peter Thiel's observation that Silicon Valley's wealth generation might be a "resource curse" for California is discussed.
- The high tax revenue from tech might disincentivize good governance, contributing to the one-party state.
"Silicon Valley was like a resource curse for the state of California because it generates so much wealth and taxes that they don't need a good government here."
The "Criminal Mafia Cartel" [00:00:00]
- Spencer Pratt describes the political system as a "corrupt criminal mafia cartel" rather than just a "machine."
- He alleges that tax money is being used to exacerbate problems like homelessness.
"I like to call it a corrupt criminal mafia cartel. You know, machine is when you're a candidate, you have to call it a machine. These are criminals."
The "People vs. The Machine" Revisited [00:00:00]
- Pratt emphasizes that the "machine" is legal and that the system is designed to prevent outsiders from winning.
- He suggests that to win, one might have to employ similar tactics, like ballot harvesting.
"The system is designed so what we think is cheating is not cheating. Because, ready for this? Mail-in ballots."
Voter Rolls and Ballot Harvesting [00:00:00]
- Concerns are raised about outdated voter rolls, with ballots being sent to empty lots or deceased individuals.
- The process of ballot harvesting is described as legal but potentially open to abuse, making it difficult to audit elections.
"Right now, the voter rolls, if you moved out of California, if you're dead, these are all the ballots-"
Incompetence and Negligence [00:00:00]
- Spencer Pratt recounts how his home was burned down due to the alleged incompetence and negligence of officials like Mayor Bass and LADWP.
- He criticizes the state's failure to maintain infrastructure and manage fire risks, prioritizing plants over people.
"My town burned down because Mayor Bass and the LADWP didn't repair the reservoir cover that was $200,000."
The "Upside Down" State [00:00:00]
- Hilton argues that California has become a state where doing the right thing is punished, and doing the wrong thing is rewarded.
- Examples include legal street vending harming legitimate businesses and non-profits distributing drug paraphernalia.
"That we've become a state where if you do the right thing, you're punished. And if you do the wrong thing, you're rewarded."
The DSA and "Commies" [00:00:00]
- Spencer Pratt criticizes the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), calling them "commies" and "anarchists."
- He highlights their platform, including abolishing the police, as a threat.
"Abolish the police. Yes. I mean, the list goes on and on. And this is what they stand behind."
A Call for Common Sense [00:00:00]
- Hilton believes California has immense opportunity if common sense prevails, regulations are reduced, and taxes are lowered.
- He aims to restore the state's "heyday" and make it magnificent again.
"The talent is here. The energy is here. We can once again be the place where people are coming to build amazing businesses and companies and houses..."
