Mass. exodus

The Boston Globe ^ | January 15, 2006 | Jeff Jacoby

[truth_seeker]

"I'm moving out of the state this coming year because of the taxes and because my REPUBLICAN vote doesn't count. To make such a statement shows your ignorance and arrogance. So former Massachusetts residents don't have the right to move to other "good" states, huh?"

Which states get the refugees from Massachusettes? Where will you move? When?

[taildragger]

"But a hatred of cold winters doesn't explain New Hampshire's net gain of 78,000 transplanted Massachusetts residents between 1990 and 2002 ..."

George,

And then they try to remake it into a Mini-Mass. Spoke with an old friend in N.H. the other day and he wants to go South in the next 4 to 5 years. Yes he is a Conservative Voter.

[minus_273]

there is no opposition party, no GOP to speak of. Normally, the run un opposed or there is no election.

[george76]

As these states lose taxpayers and congressional votes, they will lose power in congress and the Presidency.

Hopefully most of the fleeing Mass taxpayers will be Republicans not DUmmies.

[Jackson57]

Nope, I'm not in a pissy mood. The generalized statements made about Massachusetts residents and how we shouldn't be "allowed" move to other states because we'll infect them tend to piss me off and they're ignorant. Sorry, just my opinion.

[upchuck]

This is a state in which a tax cut can be decisively approved by the voters yet never go into effect. In which grocers can be prosecuted for pricing milk too low. In which archaic blue laws decree when shops may and may not open for business. In which a $2 billion Big Dig ends up costing $14 billion. In which Ted Kennedy keeps getting reelected.

Hmmm... no wonder folks are leaving in droves. Seems to me MA needs to be working 24/7 to turn this around. As people leave, the tax burden for those left just increases, convincing even more to leave. A never ending circle.

I know several people from MA that have moved here to SC. Some of them are quite liberal and even they are glad they moved, even though this area is about as red as it gets.

I guess a lot can be said for lower taxes, lower cost of living, milder climate, etc.

[gondramB]

"Nor allocating enough of his salary to panhandlers?

That's outrageous. When did that happen? Is it widespread? You'd think it might happen in one of those non-christian christian churches but in a judo club???

They guy should just carry Fritos and sandwiches to hand out."

A couple of years ago. The only other place I've seen that kind of mentality is around Berkley.

My friend isn't bad - he was doing what was required to be successful in that atmosphere -something I was not willing to do. These days he runs a billion dollar company so it's not at all clear that I was the smart one.

[oceanview]

they don't count the illegals. I know for NY, I cannot see how the population downstate is doing anything but rising. the roads are more crowded, there is an endless stream of new retail stores being built - all of which are crowded. apartment buildings going up everywhere.

if everyone is leaving NY, why am I seeing this?

[ark_girl]

Heh, I live in Arkansas and have a comfortable house with a nice sized yard in a reasonably nice, young professional/older blue collar neighborhood.

From what I can tell, to move to somewhere like Massachusetts or New York, I might could double my salary, but it would cost 3 or 4 times as much to live there in a tiny apartment. I'd love to have that access to Broadway shows or the Boston Symphony, but at that rate, I can wait for the traveling Broadway productions or take a vacation up there every couple of years.

That is probably a lot of it. You can live pretty well down here for MUCH less money. It's not as sexy, but are the headaches that go with the sexy locations worth it?

[Jackson57]

Which states get the refugees from Massachusettes? Where will you move? When? Refugees? Wow, aren't you full of yourself?

[presidio9]

Three states ranking (along with California) in top four for abortions-per-capita.

[taildragger]

By the way,

I am an escapee of the Peoples Socialist Republic of TedandKerryachusetts.

I was born and bred and lived their most of my life (Western Ma), got out about 13 years ago.

[george76]

There was a NH poster here recently who feels under attack from the DUmmies from Mass (his south) and from Vermont DUmmies (his west).

[minus_273]

as i mentioned earlier they run unopposed. there is no election in the people's republic.

[Tzimisce]

...raise taxes on people who are planning to move - that'll keep the population there. :)

[Stepan12]

Everyone is leaving my Commie Commonwealth. In the condo I'm in the place is half empty. Someone's selling a condo in the complex even as I type.

I'm getting lonely -- WAAAAHHHHHH!

[tflabo]

Western Mass. is pretty scenic...nice rolling hills. Too bad it can't secede from the leftist loonies control on the east coast. Must be awful to have Fat Ted, Lurch and Boy Lolipop as Reps.

[oceanview]

they do that in NY - the real estate transfer tax. sell your home, the government gets a piece of the action.

[oceanview]

then why don't real estate prices collapse?

[tflabo]

Thats the 'Real Organized Crime' at work. Legal too.