Damn. That's one helluva long exodus. I ripped my family and business out of there in 2005.
Funny thing is, I wasn't even aware of the conservative exodus out of California until I started getting the idea to relocate myself. One by one, friends of mine had begun selling their homes and packing off to other states, and it puzzled me.
I thought it was ridiculous, until a good buddy planted a for sale sign in his front yard. I asked him why on earth he would leave our home state, and he just looked at me as if to say, "Seriously?" After a few minutes talking about it, he said, "It's all over, bud. Our California is gone."
It was only then that I really pulled the veil off my eyes, and gave the real condition of my home state a good hard look. Once I did that, there was no turning back. We had to go.
Heh, heh, the exodus was somebody else’s. Should have pointed out I live in South Carolina & that 1986 sticker was on a 1970’s station wagon with California tags! I’m certain the car’s owner has not regretted his choice.
Our state does do stupid things like elect Flimsey Grahamnesty, but otherwise it is so full of gun toting rednecks that the local Muslims keep their mouths shut. Liberals are mostly confined to the main U of SC campus. Cars with Obama stickers usually have a Coexist! sticker as well and are driven by bespectacled geeks with goofy teeth.
I’ve passed through California several times but the last time was in 1971 on my way to Vietnam. It’s the northern rural areas I remember best. The mild temps & fantastically blue skies were to die for.
but where do we go now?....our America is gone...
I had a similar revelation in NJ. Left there in 2006. When I visit family there, I can't wait to leave. Glad I left before the crash. Now, everyone wants to.