1.   And from sea to shining sea, the county has become synonymous with electoral incompetence.

2.   And even though Post had hoped the county would become a verdant near-desert wheat basket, no one living can remember wheat being successfully produced here.

3.   As the county becomes poorer, it said, its bonds are a riskier investment.

4.   After at least seven dry years, nearly every county became a national disaster area.

5.   But statements by Gritz and his followers make some people here worried that the county will now become polarized and full of suspicion.

6.   For several years now, Manton has watched his Democratic county become a reliable bastion for the Republican mayor.

7.   If trends continue, Marti said, many more counties may become welfare-free.

8.   Now the county has become a center for research and development companies in the telecommunications, software and pharmaceutical industries, and also financial services.

9.   Riverside and San Bernardino counties have become the new voter-mining operation for politicians who really know California.

10.   The county has also become more conservative.