What happened to the California Dream?
That’s the provocative question veteran journalist and political analyst Susan Crabtree tackles in her new book, Fool’s Gold: The Radicals, Con Artists, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All. Crabtree joined Dan and Amy to talk about what she sees as a systematic unraveling of the principles and institutions that once made California a symbol of promise, opportunity, and innovation for the rest of the country.
Crabtree’s book is part political exposé, part cautionary tale. Drawing from decades of reporting experience, she paints a picture of a Golden State not just tarnished—but actively undermined by what she describes as a toxic mix of ideological extremism, corruption, and opportunism. From failed public schools to spiraling homelessness and vanishing middle-class neighborhoods, Fool’s Gold traces the decline through the actions—and inactions—of the political, cultural, and media elites who Crabtree argues traded long-term stability for short-term gains.
Crabtree discusses the origins of the book, the key players she profiles, and why she believes the California crisis isn’t staying in California. “What’s happening in California,” she warns, “is no longer contained to the West Coast. These policies, these attitudes, they’re spreading—and fast.”
Crabtree offers a sharp, compelling take on one of America’s most complex political battlegrounds. She doesn’t just critique—she challenges readers to think critically about governance, accountability, and the future of the American Dream itself.
Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash