The problem is the way things are being "guided" by the legislature. Prosperity and free trade can't be legislated . A fee market economy works. And on a parallel subject.... We , as a society need to re-evaluate this obsession with the concept of "Fairness". If you work and take responsibility for your own well being , you WILL succeed. If you rely on others for your support and survival; well you won't make it. The free lunch approach to life is a hoax and is unsustainable . There few things that government can do well that the private sector can't do better and more efficiently. If California were meant to have a high speed rail line don't you think we would already have one? Of all the needs this state has, HSR isn't even in the top ten.