LA Times editor implores ex-Californians to stop insulting the state on their way out | Fox News
By: Alexander Hall (Fox News)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Los Angeles Times' letters editor Paul Thornton implored Californians leaving the state to stop criticizing it on the way out.
"To the people leaving California: May the road rise to meet you as you seek better lives in new places. Now, can you please extend some goodwill to those of us who remain?" Thornton asked in a Saturday piece headlined, "Commentary: If you want to leave, fine. But don't insult California on the way out."
He went on to describe how staggering numbers of Californians are fleeing to other states.
"More than 800,000 Californians moved away in 2022, and many thousands more left last year. Often, the departees, cash in hand from the sale of their $1-million bungalows, feel the need to express disdain for their home state, and even some anger too," he wrote.
Americans have been leaving the state of California in droves.((Photo via Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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Thornton went on to describe a relative of his who told him about having relocated to a small town in another state far away, but being warned against bringing "those weird California ways" to his new neighborhood.
"And which ways would those be?" Thornton asked rhetorically. "Perhaps it's our embrace of LGBTQ+ Californians. Or it's our liberal politics, with the state Republican Party shrunk to irrelevance after its vicious attempt in 1994 to marginalize immigrants with Proposition 187."
Proposition 187, which passed by almost 60% but blocked by the courts from ever going into effect, proposed denying state social services to illegal immigrants. Since then, California has expanded access to government benefits and services to illegal immigrants.
The Golden State started the new year by granting illegal immigrants free healthcare, despite the state's looming $68 billion deficit. This new healthcare policy will cover sex change surgeries for California residents without regard for their citizenship status.
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"Perhaps I'm sensitive because California — and especially Los Angeles — used to be the place people would come," Thornton wrote. "And plenty still move here, especially immigrants. I come from an immigrant family blessed by the working-class riches our state once offered."
He touted California again as a place where putting "progressive ideals" in political practice remains a key goal.
"California is big, powerful and therefore tempting to disparage. We have 39 million people, Hollywood and Shohei Ohtani. This state is a haven for reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, but income disparity and the housing crunch are critical problems we have to fix for progressive ideals to match the reality on the ground," he said.
"If you must leave California for Texas, Arizona, New England or anywhere else, don't be a person who trash-talks the home of 39 million people," he pleaded.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California lost a net of 75,423 people in 2023.
Alexander Hall is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Alexander.hall@fox.com.
Absolutely nothing about Trump or fascists.
Article is LOCKED by author/seeder
Yes, genius, it is about your politics. The politics of being a sanctuary for illegal aliens, of giving illegal aliens benefits designed for citizens of the US, of running sky-high deficits and continuing to expand benefits for illegal aliens while Americans are living on your streets. The politics of high taxation and pursuit of pie-in-the-sky dreams like electric trains running through the state, of paying for sex-change operations and a whole bunch of other silly things.
If people telling the truth about why they are leaving your state bothers you, look at what your policies have created and take steps to correct those policies.
Listening to a pathetic leftist liberal jerk like Thornton is probably a good reason not to read the L.A. Times.
Like many newspapers, the LA Times is undergoing financial troubles. Even some high and mighty Cali pols are "concerned" that they will lose this media outlet.
"Stop telling the truth about California, you are hurting migration to the state!"
"You are ruining our tax base by moving your high salary out of state, you are hurting our economy by moving your businesses out of state"
"by the way, we may need to tax you a whole lot more to cover medical insurance for illegal aliens, hope you don't mind, but if you do tough shit"
wah, wah, wah.
Newsome might have to build a wall around California soon to keep people in. Socialist "paradises" have had done it before.
Until then, California has floated the idea of an "exit tax".
What a bunch of freaking morons.
Recently read Cali has an issue with those that get guaranteed state retirements just up and moving once they get to retirement ages and qualify, losing a pretty big chunk of change.
I'd like to see red states close their borders to migrants and registered democrats.
Well, as pleasant as that would probably be, let's not stoop to Democratic levels here.
As one of our members famously said "when they go low....so do I" Lol
Sounds like "Please don't tell people how shitty it is in California, let them move here and find out for themselves".