2022: A moderate, independent revival

It’s that time: our chance to take a look back at the Year That Was through the lens of Opportunity Now’s most popular stories—our Top Ten most visited, the most linked, the most controversial—heck, even the best-written. In addition to revealing the coveted rankings, we offer some analysis as to how those results reveal changing perceptions within Silicon Valley regarding free market and neighboring concepts, and how they are faring in our current political climate.

It wasn’t an earthquake near Crystal Springs, but it was impossible not to notice: 2022 saw a vigorous return of middle-of-the-road, fiscally responsible, common sense politics to at least San Jose, if not the whole county.  The mayoral race, in particular, was framed around concerns about government dysfunction and the recent leftward drift of city politics.

Our readership responded with enthusiasm to stories that explored false and bad-faith claims of racism from our progressive friends, inaccurate campaign assertions, and bogus defenses of flawed policies—especially the dogmatic defense of disastrous and cruel Housing First policies.

And stories which highlighted voices ignored by local big and Labor-funded media—notably from new school board candidates, free market housing advocates, and fiscal conservatives—resonated with our readers.

San Jose has historically proven to be the most moderate of Bay Area big cities, tacking to the center after more liberal experiments. At Opp Now, we remain honored to be part of this ongoing process, and remain deeply grateful to our donors and—most important—our bright and engaged reader- and writer- base for providing our community with such lively, unexpected, and fun essays, analysis, and opinion.

Because, as always, the stakes are high, fair debate is a treat, and the opportunity is now.

Jeff Cristina and Christopher Escher, co-founders

Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity