California still eighth-largest economy in the world

Naysayers take note: The state's output of $1.9-trillion is almost as large as Texas and New York combined, according to the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy. And if California were its own country, it would only be surpassed by the U.S., Japan, China, Germany, France, Great Britain, and Italy. All the numbers come from the Department of Commerce. From Capitol Alert:

"The California economy, while hard hit by the construction collapse and national recession, remains a world economic powerhouse" Stephen Levy, the center's director, said. "The numbers portray a state growing slightly faster than the nation over the past decade driven by the high productivity tech sector. Now the state and national challenge is to mount another burst of growth driven by innovation and creativity. These are difficult challenges in today's mood of anger and gridlock but we have responded before and must do so again."

This is not a state that's in any threat of collapsing. Anyone who tells you otherwise is clueless.