Mansions for me, but homelessness for thee: Newsom spent $9.1M on new digs in Bay Area | Opinion
How can Gov. Gavin Newsom, leader of the fifth-largest economy in the world, be so mind-numbingly obtuse to the lives led by average Californians? In light of Newsom’s purchase of a $9.1 million home in Marin County, one of the wealthiest counties in America, any Californians struggling to put Thanksgiving dinner on the table this year are rightfully left with a bad taste in their mouths.
As The Bee reported on Monday, “Newsom’s office declined to discuss the move, or whether Newsom personally bought the property, but a spokesperson did tell The Bee that “to ensure continuity in their children’s education, the family continues to split their time between Sacramento and Marin counties.”
Many Californians struggle to buy groceries and gas. Many are behind on utility bills and carrying crushing debt.
But instead of doing more to improve their lot or even just commiserating, Newsom up-sticks to one of the country’s most expensive places to live — Marin County — where the median price for a home in September was $1.76 million. (According to the San Francisco Standard, the Newsoms’ real estate purchase marks the fifth-most expensive home bought in the area in the last 25 years, including the home they sold there in 2021.)
Politicians are supposed to set an example with their behavior.
And what kind of example does this purchase set for Californians? Certainly not one of fiscal responsibility or empathy to the common folk so far beneath his castle on the hill, sequestered as he is among fellow millionaires and billionaires.
How can anyone in this state, much less this country, look to a man who is so excessively opulent in his lifestyle? How can Newsom rant about Big Oil when he is now a super commuter? How can he urge frugality in the state budget when he is spending millions on a home with a swimming pool, spa, garden sculptures and 5,600 sq. ft.?
Polling data after the election showed us that voters view Dems like Newsom as elitist and out of touch, and this move by Newsom certainly qualifies.
Our governor likes to use the phrase “meeting the moment,” but he truly flew by this moment and kept on going.
Hypocritical and holier-than-thou
Like any parent, the Newsom are free to do for their kids whatever they wish. But Gov. Newsom is not just any dad. He closed public schools during the pandemic while private school kids like his kept going, and enforced mask mandates while partying maskless at Michelin-starred restaurants.
With this choice, he’s showing Californians that our public schools aren’t good enough for his own family, but they’re adequate enough for yours. Sacramento isn’t good enough for him or his family, but it’s just fine for the plebian class.
For all his carping about climate change, Newsom has no problem now with being a super-commuter, living nearly 90 miles away from the Capitol. His office says he’ll split his time between the two homes. (There is historical precedent there at least, if no excuse: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger often commuted to Sacramento by private plane from Los Angeles while in office.)
Every single part of this decision smacks of inordinate wealth and privilege, to a degree that most Californians will never experience, nor could ever dream of.
Not only does Gov. Newsom live in grandeur and opulence, he refuses to tell the people of California where his personal wealth comes from. The governor has backtracked on his promise to release his tax returns every year he was in office; according to CalMatters, the last time Californians saw anything about his income was for 2020.
Newsom’s purchase of a $9.1 million home is a slap in the face to every resident of this state who has to decide whether to pay their PG&E bill this month or buy a Christmas present for their children.
I’d tell him he ought to be ashamed, but it’s clear Newsom can’t (or won’t) listen to the voices of the peasant class.
This story was originally published November 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
