There’s a reason Bill Maher has been a popular and relevant voice in American culture and politics for decades. He’s smart, fearless, funny and always insightful. In these Divided States of America where we unfortunately reside right now, Maher’s political leanings are obvious but he’s respectful enough to have rational conversations and shine a bright spotlight on the elephants in the room.

Friday night on his HBO show “Real Time,” Maher railed on his Democrat-controlled home state of California, shining a spotlight on the “exodus” that is taking place, with people and businesses bolting from Cali. And he did it all while interviewing California Representative Adam Schiff, telling the Democrat that he felt the need to “b—- a little bit” about the exodus.

“California businesses are leaving the state in droves. In just 2018 and 19, which were economic boom years, 765 commercial facilities left, 13,000 between 2009 and 2016.” Maher said.  “Look, I came out here in 1983. I found paradise. I love California. I do. I don’t want to leave, but I feel like I’m living in Italy in the 70s or something. Super high taxes, potholes in the road, fires. I don’t know what I’m getting for my super-high taxes.”

Maher referenced the recent and potentially future departures of big name brands like Ben Shapiro, Joe Rogan and Elon Musk, and asked Shiff “What do you say about that as a California representative?”

“Well, I think we have to make every effort to make this a more business-friendly state,” Schiff responded. “And I don’t think that there’s anything incompatible with being progressive and also wanting to make sure that this is a place that businesses can survive and thrive.”

Most of the ire and blame for Californians leaving in such great numbers has been directed to California Governor Gavin Newsom, generating a number of creative memes.

 

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