The late, great state of California used to be the envy of the entire world. One of the most laid back, diverse and accepting places on Earth, it has outstanding weather, hundreds of miles of beaches and every other conceivable recreation opportunity. It is home to countless economic engines, such as Hollywood, the film and music industries and technology-rich Silicon Valley. It also produces some of the finest wines available in the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma counties. With all of that going for it, you'd think a state like California, with its economic powerhouses, vast resources and some of the highest tax rates in the nation, would at least be financially solvent, if not prosperous. But nothing could be further than the truth.
