Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't California one of the more progressive states with a stronger social safety net than say Arkansas or Alabama? So isn't that counter to your argument?
There is no meaningful safety net in California compared to European nation. They have a few more worker protections and a higher minimum wage, but it's not like they have socialized medicine.
It's better than the states that actively work to harm their citizens but that's not saying much.
It's better than the states that actively work to harm their citizens but that's not saying much.