California in Charge

In this op-ed from the Times today, the author suggests that California is (as ever) leading the way toward an increasing regionalization. Rather than relying on a centralized government which is increasingly unable to meet the diverse demands of a growing population (here's a nightmare statistic: the population of the U.S. is projected to reach 1.2 billion in 2100. 1.2 billion Americans. It doesn't bear thinking about, especially considering how many of them are going to be fundamentalist Christians and/or Mormons) regions will find it more efficient--and more responsive to their populace--to work together.

Environmentally, this is a very sound idea. One national environmental policy makes little sense given the diversity of ecosystems in the United States. The West, for example, could together decide on a water usage system that takes into account the aridity of the region. Western water policy at the moment remains stuck in the "rain follows crops" model of settlers from the East 150 years ago. This is no longer sustainable. People in Phoenix and Las Vegas--two of the fastest growing cities in the country--should not have lawns unless they want to embark on some serious water reclamation projects. Even then, both towns are sinking as they deplete groundwater that took millions of years to accrue. New England, on the other hand, is not lacking in water resources, but has its own environmental issues.

Of course, regionalization makes especially good sense for New England and the West, powered by the economic engines of California and New York. Schwarzenegger can pursue policies virtually independent from the federal government, since California has the sixth largest economy in the world, by itself.

The one concern I have about regionalization is about rights rather than benefits. How independent from the centralized government would regions be? For example, could entire regions outlaw abortion? Would the South attempt to resurrect the plantation system? What about minimum wage laws? And so forth.