In Oakland, California, a burgeoning homeless crisis has morphed into an unabashed display of failure under progressive leadership. The city streets are now marred by sprawling shantytowns that echo scenes more commonly associated with the most impoverished corners of the globe—not the United States. These makeshift settlements, constructed from wooden pallets, tarps, and whatever discarded materials can be found, are more than just a blight on the urban landscape; they are a stark testament to California’s progressive policies running amok.
Michael Oxford, host of CaliBased, took to X to voice his dismay, likening parts of Oakland to “worse than a third world country” and decrying the state’s indifference to those living in squalor. This sentiment is chillingly visible in the video footage showing rows of these temporary homes, some bizarrely equipped with windows, alongside dilapidated RVs and occupied abandoned buildings. The area is not just visually unappealing but littered with heaps of garbage, adding to the degradation.
It’s an appalling sight in a state that has poured over $24 billion into addressing homelessness over the past five fiscal years, with little to no improvement. On the contrary, the situation has only deteriorated, suggesting a grotesque mishandling of funds and resources under the current administration.
Oakland itself has become a symbol of progressive policy failures, its streets riddled with crime and its residents plagued by frustration. Community anger has reached boiling points at city council meetings, with locals demanding action as crime rates soar. Even basic infrastructure is under siege, with the city forced to replace traffic lights with stop signs at one intersection due to incessant thefts of copper wiring.
The exodus of businesses speaks volumes; the iconic In-N-Out Burger closed its Oakland location permanently earlier this year, citing rampant crime as the final straw. Other eateries in the area have resorted to going cashless in a desperate bid to deter robberies.
This is the real-world consequence of California’s liberal experiment—communities ravaged by negligence and policies that prioritize ideological purity over practical governance. It’s a cautionary tale of what happens when leadership loses sight of the basic responsibilities of safety and sanitation under the guise of progressive ideals. As the evidence mounts, it’s clear: California’s approach to homelessness is not just failing; it’s fueling a crisis that shames a nation.
