<I know that if there's the "Big One" in California taxpayers will bail 'em out, even though everyone knows it's just a matter of time. (Paying for Californians would really be an irritant. As if there aren't enough of 'em.)

For the record, I agree with you, having helped bail out idiots who keep building on flood plains and on beaches in hurricane zones. I chose to live in an earthquake zone, and aside from voluntary contributions, I should theoretically have no claim on taxpayers in the rest of the nation.

But since I now live under a system where using the threat of imprisonment, confiscation of property, and worse to force your fellow citizens to pay for something you want is not only accepted, but has been actually transformed into a virtue, I don't see this changing any time soon.

Heck, even the private earthquake insurance here (which costs me an arm and a leg) has been more or less taken over by the government. And the socialist beat goes on...