Jeff, we are all entitled to our opinions, but I for one am glad you are not a Californian. We have an immense amount of pride in our state, as all of us should, and yes, ridiculous things happen here, AS THEY DO EVERYWHERE -- ie: What's up with all the dealth penalties in Texas. OPINION, Jeff. Certain things are important to you, other things are important to me.
I highly doubt that the sole or even main reason for the swell in population here is the welfare system. California has a GNP that can rival many countries. It is one of, if not the, wealthiest state in the nation. Scores of newly minted college grads move here every year to follow their Hollywood dreams, we have a large active military population, and let's not forget the perfect weather.
All I asked in your original post was that you show some respect for a state that has contributed more than most to the daily lives of Americans. Perhaps you are not a film buff, fine, but the majority of the other 240,000 million Americans DO watch television and see films. And this distraction from daily life and from the atrocities that happen in the world is a necessary part of life for many people, and a valuable commodity indeed. History has shown that economic recessions, depressions, wars--none of that has sated America's appetite for Hollywood films, they continue to see them in droves regardless of the state of the economy and the world. Ask yourself why? Because a distraction from life is an important part of being able to cope with life for many people and being able to step into a dark theatre and be transported to another time and place for 2 hours is entertainment, pure and simple. We could all use more levity in our lives.
I've lived other places. I've traveled quite a bit. And I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Please respect that as I respect your right not to live here.
Thank you,
Amy
[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited April 10, 2001).]
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