To the editor: Paul Thornton's article wondering why those who made the bittersweet decision to uproot themselves express anger toward California seems hypocritical. The Times has devoted a lot of space to the issue, often profiling the anti-vaccine and conspiracy theory zealots who left, and then devoting much of its letters section to criticizing them.
Most of us who left did so after years of putting off vacations and car purchases, and cutting family budgets. We saw the state push expensive progressive policies on climate change, homelessness and other programs, but without clear measures of success. And those who oppose raising taxes on ourselves to fund this utopia are called everything from NIMBYs to racists.
I've read The Times for decades, expecting in-depth state, national and global news. Now, with the current mix of columnists who seem to constantly attack me and those who disagree with them, I read the newspaper increasingly scarcely to justify why I left my beloved home state.
Tom Garnett, Scotts Hill, North Carolina
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To the editor: Thanks for addressing the strange situation of people bad-mouthing California on their way to greener pastures.
It is unfortunate that our state has become too expensive or congested for many hoping to build or continue the California lifestyle. But why throw it in the trash when you leave?
It's cognitive dissonance. Turning the conversation toward the reasons you don't like the state rather than the realities of what you'll be missing (and that's a long list) helps ease the pain of moving. It's like the boyfriend who gets dumped and says, “I didn't like her anyway.”
What amuses me are the comments I hear from friends who have moved when they discover, for example, that the costs of garbage collection and other services are not included in their utility bills. Some are surprised by its volunteer fire departments, limited access to medical care and extreme humidity. My favorite is: “Can you believe it rains here in the summer?”
I listen and feel grateful for how lucky I am to be able to live and thrive in a truly wonderful state.
Pamela Higgins, Northridge
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To the editor: I think the “weird California customs” that out-of-state residents would prefer to avoid center on homeless encampments, bullet train fantasies, dilapidated roads despite generally mild weather, high transportation prices, gasoline, high income taxes and high electricity prices, just to name a few.
Gerry Swider, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: Thornton not only decides which letters to print, but also adds his own liberal and unrealistic views.
Why wouldn't people leaving California because of taxes, crime and homelessness criticize their old state? In any case, it logically follows that those who leave would be critical of California.
Samuel Chaidez, Mission Hills
