Home of restrictive gun laws. Liberal enclaves like Los Angelos and Hollywood. That terrible, four-year drought. Feinstein and Pelosi.
Not great qualities for a state, I have to admit.
I can’t tell you how many times people have blithely suggested that I move. Or that they hold close the fervent wish that our state should break off with the next earthquake and fall into the ocean. Or that they lump every single Californian in with the Obama-loving, gum-chewing, impractical folks that are always the ones representing us on TV.
And, honestly, if it’s okay for you to say that, then it’s okay for me to say that you are a short-sighted, narrow-minded, bigoted, and ignorant person.
There are a lot of reasons why I live in California. And if you read this article with an open mind, maybe you’ll start to see why you should stop insulting an entire state’s worth of people over the actions of a certain percentage. Maybe not, and if you can’t grasp the reasons, then feel free to carry on with your generalizations. (Which, I might add, are the sign of a less-than-critically-thinking mind. When one paints with a broad brush, one is unable to grasp the fine details.)
#1. We have friends and family here.
So, you think that those of us who love America should all just up and move.
Is it really that easy when you’ve made a life for yourself? We have friends and family here. If they aren’t on board with a group relocation, do we just leave them to fight the battle alone? What about those who have elderly parents? What about those with huge extended families?
My family and I have more friends in our beautiful part of the state than we’ve ever had before, and we’ve lived a lot of places, both in the US and Canada. We have found more like-minded people in our particular county than any place we’ve ever lived. And by more, I mean numbering in the thousands. We belong to a group of homesteaders with a real sense of community, where we barter jam for eggs, volunteer time at each other’s farms, share knowledge, and lend a helping hand.
Last year when the forest fires swept our part of the state, members of our community housed entire families, livestock, and pets. They drove into the danger zones to help people evacuate their farm animals. They set up temporary shelters on their own farms. They fed people who were displaced. They provided a sense of fellowship that reminded me of days gone by, when people helped others raise their barns and brought over a casserole when someone was ill.
Why on earth would I leave a group of friends like this? It’s pretty unique to find a place where you fit in, especially if you are a fan of the self-reliant lifestyle. Many people in this state love liberty and independence just as much as you do, in whichever supposedly superior state you call home.
Many of the people I love most in the world live here, and when you wish earthquakes and tsunamis on California, you’re wishing it on me, my child, my loved ones, and my dear friends. If you’re reading this and you’re one of the death-wishers, please know that I think you are an ignorant jerk.
#2. We’ve built a home here.
It isn’t just the people. We have a home. A home in a place where the weather is wonderful and mild 10 months out of the year. We have a long growing season, outrageously beautiful views, and a place we love. We’ve invested time and money into making our home productive and self-reliant.
And what about the folks who have worked the same piece of land for generations?
There are ranchers in our area that are the third generation to run cattle on their swath of acreage. Are you suggesting they just say, “To heck with it” and bail on their land? Wouldn’t the government love that? Do you honestly think this is a good idea?
It would be like the BLM and Bundy Ranch in Nevada all over again, as land rich with resources reverted back to the government.
And don’t be fooled, the resources here are incredible
#3. We are your first line of defense against terrifying legal precedents.
Every time a bad law passes in one state, it sets a precedent that makes it easier to pass that law elsewhere. It’s pretty easy to pick on the laws that have passed, but what about the ones that haven’t, because liberty-minded people fought them tooth and toenail? What about the bad laws we’ve fought to get repealed, like the 10 day waiting period for firearms? Do you think that just magically happened, that the gun fairy did it, or that people worked diligently to overturn it?
The state is loaded with activists, fighting for the right to produce food, fighting against the sale of our resources to corporate big spenders, and battling the expansion of Big Biotech and their GMO crops
For the record, California is not actually the least free state in the union. In various rankings, you’ll find that Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island often score worse. And no one wishes the residents of those states a watery. apocalyptic death. And good grief, have you taken a look at the gun control laws in Washington, DC lately? They make our state look like a haven of freedom in comparison.
#4. The police state isn’t going to stop at the state line.
Also, speaking of precedents, do you think that the overthrow of liberty will stop at the state line? If we move to a state that is “more free,” do you think it will stay that way forever?
Think about Obama’s overuse of executive orders. Those apply nationally, my friends, not just to California. What do we do when bad laws happen in the state where we theoretically opt to move? Do we move again? And when the police state follows us to the third location, do we just give up and leave the country entirely? Where does the running end? The police state is a contagious disease that is not contained to one geographic location. It gains a foothold then races like a wildfire to other areas. You can dig in and fight that fire, or you can run forever.
#5. I prefer to stand my ground.
So no, I’m not going to run. Why the heck should I?
I’m not going to bail on this part of the country. I’ll stand my ground and fight my battle on my home turf. A home turf that includes a beautiful climate, abundant wildlife, and rugged, glorious mountains that take my breath away every time I look out the window. A home that includes loved ones who fight with me. A home with a true community that gives generously of time and experience.
Do you honestly feel that ceding territory is the best way to win a fight? Because that’s just not how we roll here in my part of the world.
Stand with us instead of against us.
The principle of divide-and-conquer is working, and if you are one of those folks sending mental death rays to the residents of our state, well, you have been successfully manipulated. “They” have won. You might as well go keep up with the Kardashians because you really aren’t as aware and awake as you think you are.
When you buy into the media-driven image of the West Coast and hope an earthquake destroys us all, you’re letting “them” win. You just rejected an entire state through ignorant, uninformed, personal bias and you completely disregarded your allies in that place.
Instead of just complaining and wishing bad things upon us, perhaps you should be a little more thankful for the hundreds of thousands of like-minded, awake people who are sturdy and self-reliant. and who rebel in the name of personal liberty. Maybe you should support us instead of wishing your fellow countrymen dead.
There are many people here, and in every state, who quietly stand our ground, refusing to accept tyranny. Perhaps you could save your disparaging opinions for those who really deserve it, like the politicians who are running the country into the ground and getting super-rich by selling out to corporate interests.
It’s time for us to become one country again. It’s time to stop blithely painting 320 million Americans with the same brush. It’s time to look for some common ground so that we can unite and stand strong against the real adversaries of personal liberty.
I’ll admit, I am guilty of saying that Cali should fall into the ocean and I’m sorry.
I know not every Californian is a commie.
But it pisses me off that you allow such idiotic, socialist gun laws to pass without even a bit of resistance. Laws such as the “bullet button” and the “10 round magazine”. Also, most of your gun owners are soft-core commie snitches. If they were to see someone with a 30rd or larger magazine, they’ll snitch you out in a heart beat. They believe its their patriotic duty, as a “law abiding” citizen, to rat you out.
I wish you people would start weeding out the socialists. Your state is over-run with them…
Agreed.
The Germans who stayed in Poland when the Russians came through in 1945 found out, the hard way, it was a very, very bad idea. There isn’t a week that goes by I’m not overjoyed that I left California. Good luck with your martyrdom.
Please. It’s not martyrdom at all! There are a lot of awesome things about where I live.
I think maybe you missed my point, but I’m very glad you’ve found a place you enjoy calling home. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Daisy
Considering I’m originally from New York, Long Island in fact, I hear you Daisy…in fact I visited northern California going up to Crater Lake and like the Mount Shasta area. Also visited San Diego, not bad, nice looking city. But I got a bad feeling with the huge drought (and I live in West Texas so know what drought is) that soon California will be close to uninhabitable. I just wish more folks in your state gave a crap about fighting Monsatan, Nestle, and other resource and water-destroying corporations, as much as you do. God bless you in your efforts.
LOL… Crater Lake is in Oregon, DL.
I have it on my license plate. 🙂
What always seems to be forgotten is that 90% of this state’s population is FROM some other state (excluding legal and illegal immigrants), who were enamored with trash like BayWatch and that Beverly Hills zip code stupidity shows, so when they arrived, THEY WERE IN HEAVEN, and sought not to change a thing, but let ‘paradise’ keep happening around them.
Which is why California is lost, and will never be ‘found’, again. Trust me; It WAS an amazing place.
I’ve been fortunate to find two California-like places – from 50 years ago, where I have been slowing setting up, faaaaar away from ‘the freest country on earth’ – but where virtually everything is illegal, ticket-able, and fine-able.
If it was even possible for California to “fall into the ocean”, I would not stop it.
Nothing personal to the people. I love Northern Cal. The sierras are cool too. I would however love to see it happen just because it would be an amazing spectacle to see. California is HUGE. That much “stuff” just up and dropping into the ocean would make a HUGE wave.
Sorry your neighbors suck. Sorry your laws suck. Sorry it is 1 huge shit hole instead of 3 states with different things(and people) to love. Sorry nobody there kills every communist d!ck wad who pops up.
Maybe once we’re all dead, you can find enough tax payers in your state to keep your EBT up and running.
What is EBT?
is that a socialist program?
I was raised in Roseville CA. My father was a railroad engineer and spent
50 years with Southern Pacific. I used to walk through town with my model 12
Winchester shotgun to hunt behind the High School…Everybody had guns
and fishing tackle…When I went in the army in 1966 the town had 12,000
people in it. It is creeping up on ten times that population and is inhabited
by yuppies from the bay area today…Californians have been made a minority
in the state. Veterans that I used to hang with all headed to northern counties
because it was hard to find neighbors that were born and raised here. In the eighties people from all over the country flooded the state looking for
work…All those people who added a huge burden on our population that
stayed are voting here as well, and haven’t improved the criminal mess
of goons down at the Capital…Seems to me that criminals ARE in charge
in every state…Because so many voters are not native to California, some of you that know better should come here and show us what good you can do to save us from ourselves when we are a minority in our own state, which has been flooded for years by those who liked our pay scale, but
felt no kinship to us…
Reporting in from the Monterey Bay.
California is a target rich environment.It is being outside the wire with no smoke to pop, 24/7. Lots of stuck in stoopid going on.
From a prepping stand point, earthquake action planning is a successful entry conversation to help people understand the importance of being self sufficient.
From a preparedness stand point, the downward spiral[flush] of the economy is really starting to show its cracks, due to the high cost of living.
Having a little extra put away is no longer a hard sell.
There are lots of preppers here on the central coast. Lots of veterans too. OPSEC…OPSEC…OPSEC.
Californian government is very open with their brand of communism, making it easier to spot the enemy .
The front lines are not for everybody, I’ll take my chances. I like being an Outlaw. The three keys to being a success are the same as anywhere else:
Range
Windage
Elevation
Be safe…..stay the course….BA.
@Daisy: California is a better place with you in it…..I got your six….BA.
BA, my friend! Long time, no speak! Say hi sometime when you’re in my area. 😉
I live in Ojai, CA, Daisy. The State Gov’t sucks and there’s a lot of mindless idiots here, but there’s also a lot of good people. I’m with BA…..I like bein’ an Outlaw !
I’m here too, BA. Ojai, CA. My hometown.
Sorry, Daisy, but I lived in CA most of my life (TOO much of it, in fact). I have nothing but contempt for it. Having lived there, I am entitled to my assessment.
Now, I’m sure where you live, you likely have a defensible property. Not so, in the wall-to-wall city where I resided. Virtually ZERO chance of survivability, which is exactly why I left just over 2 months ago, and moved up here to Oregon.
Instead of looking out over a sea of concrete, I see trees & mountains from my front door now. I have the S. Santiam River within a 5 min. walk. The town I live in (Sweet Home) is less than 8,000 in pop., most have guns, and will be aiming at the right targets once the SHTF. I LOVE this place!
I am NEVER going back to CA.
I just moved to Oregon right before you…My son has a recording studio here…I would not live in the inner city…You have to cross bridges to get out…We got a house on the southwestern edge of
town. You can get out of here if need be…This part of Oregon has
the most water, and REAL food. Josephine County is great, but the
ranchers are losing their water rights, and will end up much like California…State of Jefferson…Great concept…GOT WATER? Glad you’re happy with your move…I tried AZ. once. A living hell.
Sounds like Corvallis (bridges in & out). I was there for a few weeks before moving here.
I know who you are. We had a run-in a while back, and I told you to never speak to me again. I’ll rescind that, if you’ll refrain from getting stupid on me again. I’m really not that hard to get along with.
At least you made it out of Commiefornia. Good move.
Whoa! I am SO sorry, Alf. I mistakenly misread Arf, the one I had a problem with. He also lived (or still does, apparently) in CA. I thought he had added to it to obfuscate things. Profuse apologies for the confusion on my part. You are most welcome here. This is THE best truther site around, and that’s not only my opinion, either.
Again, sorry.
No problem…It was a much different place growing up in the fifties…Lots of memories. My family’s buried in a cemetery in Roseville…Most of them never saw the sprawl and mess it has turned into. I’m glad they never had to see this.
My family (what’s left of it) still lives there. Not that it much matters where they live, they are still totally engulfed in the matrix, so they’re as good as dead when the SHTF anyway.
A reality I’ve had to come to face with in the last few years, unfortunately.
It doesnt matter…the drought is overwhelming…Not going to send links, but the sierras are bone dry….They should be 10-12 feet high normally, and this is the 4th year with no end in sight. Rivers are already going dry. Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in California will be a pond before August, and it wont start raining for four months after…Groundwater is basically gone…wildfires are already starting, and should not have started until July. The hottest weather breaking records every day. And forecasts say it will stay and get worse. .
Anyone living in California right now is friggin out of their minds. You can build your house, but you wont have water…You can stand your ground, but you wont have water, etc…
Ah heck, here are some links….
drought intensifies:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/sdo_summary.html
drought monitor:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/RegionalDroughtMonitor.aspx?west
Ground water gone:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-california-drought-groundwater-satellite-20141002-story.html
United nations and main stream media says they will start migrating californians….
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-california-drought-groundwater-satellite-20141002-story.html
no snow:
http://www.cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ
I have more, such as farmers selling the last of their groundwater to the state, because the state is paying them more for the water than they could make growing their food…
I could go on, but you get the point….Southern California is nothing more than Mexico.
I grew up in Carpinteria, CA, worked in Ojai california and am now going to college in Northern Arizona, sure i got snow, freedom and whatever gun I want. But i miss it, to be honest the climate is better, the hunting is better, I miss the ocean and spearfishing, and surfing my summers away. I used to hate the state, and left, until I realized it was the politicians ruining my home, not the state itself. It made me rethink, I worked on farms and horticulture in Ojai, hunted the hills behind it and really saw the best parts of the state. And like someone else mentioned, I prefer to be an Outlaw, the people I worked with on the farm were like that, we dont agree with the government so we took are chances and stood our ground. As a fellow californian, born and raised and family roots going back generations, Im proud as heck to have been raised there and may move back to help lend my voice and help to those likeminded people. But if not it will be Oregon for me, close enough to home