Columnist James Flanigan Details Why SoCal Should be Economic Model for the Future

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published April 1, 2009 at 6:07 AM PDT

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

Although the state's economy is struggling right now, long-time journalist James Flanigan argues that Southern California should be an economic model for the United States and the rest of the world.

Maureen Cavanaugh: It's been a while since Southern California got some respect. All the rest of the nation hears about us is brushfires, water shortages and Governor Schwarzenegger. And, when California does get some props for brains or innovation, it's usually the folks up north in Silicon Valley or San Francisco that get all the credit. That's why it's especially satisfying to welcome economic writer James Flanigan to These Days this morning. Mr. Flanigan has written a book that holds up Southern California as an example to the rest of the nation, and it's mostly a very fine example, of a new "global" region.

James Flanigan will be discussing Smile Southern California: You're the Center of the Universe this Saturday, April 4th, at 7pm at D.G. Wills Bookstore in La Jolla .

Become a KPBS sponsor

Guest

James Flanigan, author of the new book Smile Southern California: You're the Center of the Universe . Mr. Flanigan is a long-time journalist and columnist whose work has appeared in Forbes , the Los Angeles Times , and the New York Times .