Speaking of blue state dysfunction (see item 1 above), maybe a better reason for protests in Los Angeles would be the absurdly high prices in the Golden State, thanks to years and decades of green extremism.

Gas prices in California average $4.67 per gallon, while the national average is $3.12, according to AAA. It’s effectively a $1.50 cent a gallon tax for living in the once-Golden State.

And prices are expected to shoot higher – much higher. A study published last month by a professor at the University of California says prices could soon be $8 per gallon.

One refinery, Valero, announced in April that it’s leaving California next year. The company’s CEO said, the state’s regulations were “the most stringent and difficult of anywhere else in North America.” Another refinery, Phillips 66 Wilmington, is closing later this year. And let’s not forget that last year, Chevron announced it was moving its headquarters from California to Texas.

“We have a crisis on our hand that may have been self-created by the actions perhaps taken by the state, by regulators,” said David Alvarez, a state assemblyman, last week.  And even the liberal Governor, Gavin Newsom, is now saying he wants refineries to stay open in California.

Did we mention that California is an oil-rich state?