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Should we sell California?

By
Industry Observer

In case you haven't noticed, there is a presidential contest taking place with the results to be decided in less than a couple weeks.  We have a pretty good idea what the current guy in the white house will do, assuming that he would have made any changes to his tactics and strategy already.  That leaves the other guy.

Mitt Romney has claimed that his business background is evidence of his ability and his probability of making fundamental changes in the way America is being run.  He has suggested that he would take a more businesslike approach to running the government store.  Sounds like a great idea.

Now, looking into Mr. Romney's resume, he was the kingpin of a private equity company that was tasked with making under-performing businesses profitable.  He did that by analyzing just which components were under-performing, and then making appropriate changes.  Often the under-performing parts were either liquidated or sold.

That brings us to the perhaps President Romney's American turnaround.  My prediction is that he may look at the country and identify the portions that are under-performing.  He will then determine which under-performing segments could yield the most in a sale or spinoff.  I think he will sell California

California produces about $80 billion less in US revenue collections that it receives from the federal government.  It is also possibly the most attractive asset from a marketing perspective.  Put California on the market and watch the bidding war.  Certainly Brazil, Russia, China, and Mexico would bid the price up nicely.  Canada could buy California and more than double its population.  Of course, they would need a big loan from China who would be bidding against them for the purchase. 

Summarizing, the federal government would spend less and possibly get enough proceeds from the sale to pay off the $16T debt with a few bucks left over.  The man is a genius, and I feel confident that he will do what's right for America.

Posted by

 Mike Carlier  Lakeville, MN

 

612-916-3033

 

Peter den Boer
Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA
MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

I think what you are decribing sounds a lot like a short sale! Matbe we should just let it go into foreclosure and buy it back for pennys on the dollar?

Oct 27, 2012 02:24 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

Peter, that would be one benefit of selling California to a country that needed to borrow heavily to pay for it.  I think Canada would be the best outcome.  Of course, selling California would take all that state's foreclosures off the US chart too.  Let's face it, that state is on shaky ground any way you look at it.

Oct 27, 2012 02:30 AM
John J. Woods
Big Dog Press, LLC - Winder, GA
Going where no man has gone before - wouldn't you?

 

   If I can help you out with this, do I get a cut of the commission?

 

Oct 27, 2012 02:35 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

John, I'm not likely to be involved in that transaction in any way.  You may want to contact Romney in the event that he gets elected.  I wonder if Donald Trump would be interested in buying California.  He could change the name to Trumpornia, or perhaps Califrump.

 

Oct 27, 2012 03:46 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I often thought about the feds should not be giving more to some state than others...Especially when that state gives less.

Oct 27, 2012 04:20 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

Bill, sounds like you're on the "Sell California" bandwagon.  Welcome! 

Oct 27, 2012 07:34 AM