We all know what it's like to be the new kid. Maybe that's why it's so easy to relate to Daniel LaRusso, the scruffy teen at the heart of 1984's The Karate Kid. Daniel is a New Jersey transplant who moves with his mother to Reseda, Calif., where he's roughed up by the school's bullies. But Reseda is also the setting for his eventual comeback. After mastering karate with Mr. Miyagi, Daniel-san beats his high school foe in a tournament with a well-timed crane kick. That endearing story of underdog victory has made The Karate Kid one of the '80s' most beloved films. California isn't exactly an underdog — it's the nation's third largest state by area. But as the Golden State faces a staggering $25 billion deficit — and the whole country struggles to overcome its economic slump — now seems a fitting time to erect a tribute to the quintessential comeback teen.