Posted on 11/01/2004 5:45:25 AM PST by SolutionsOnly
Some left-leaning Californians say they would rather leave the United States -- and go to Canada or elsewhere -- than stay with George W. Bush as president.
''I certainly don't love the climate of Vancouver, but I love the sanity,'' said Steve Crawford, 54, a singer and actor working as a volunteer at the Democratic Party offices in Santa Monica.
He and his wife, Karen, have been investigating selling their home in Pacific Palisades, an upmarket area close to the coast, and moving to Canada.
''For someone like me, if this happens, I can't in good conscience allow myself to support another Bush government, even benignly. And a lot of other people are saying the same.
''I have a good friend who is adamant he will leave if Bush is re-elected. He's picked two countries and will definitely go to one should this happen.''
In the heavily Democratic state, famous for its Hollywood- and San Francisco-inspired latte liberal politics, such talk has become increasingly common at Starbucks and at dinner parties.
At first, the threat was little more than a joke. Now, on the eve of one of the most polarized elections in recent history, some say they really do intend to leave should ''the worst'' occur.
There seems little doubt Californians will deliver the state's valuable 55 electoral votes to the Democratic candidate. In a poll on Friday, Mr. Kerry had a seven-point lead statewide, with a 24-point lead in Los Angeles county and a 35-point lead in the San Francisco Bay area.
But fear at what may happen in the key swing states of Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania has led to an escalation in coffee-shop chatter about emigration to Canada, Britain and elsewhere.
''Do you think Great Britain would give us political asylum?'' a woman in Starbucks asked. ''It's just ... I don't think I can stay if Bush wins again.''
Mr. Crawford said it would be a difficult decision to move his nine-year-old son from his elementary school. ''But if I feel he's going to be living in an environment that's not safe for him, then I will do it. First and foremost I'm a dad.''
Gretchen Witte, 35, from Alhambra, east of Los Angeles, who runs her own Internet business, is making plans to move to London, where she previously lived for eight years, should Mr. Bush win.
''As a woman, the current climate is becoming intolerable. Bush has just appointed a man to the FDA reproductive health panel who believes that women with medical trouble should pray to Jesus for relief. If this is what America is becoming, I cannot live here. The only reason I can sleep at night is the thought that I can leave the country if he wins.''
Robert Boleyn, a 35-year-old independent consultant from Los Angeles, says he hears people ''all the time' 'saying they will emigrate if Mr. Bush wins.
''But I think it's often more a measure of frustration with the last four years than a real intention to leave,'' he added.
Voluntary exile as a political statement is nothing new. Democrat-supporting celebrities have a habit of making (usually empty) threats to leave should the election not go their way. Robert Redford, a vocal critic of Mr. Bush's policies, was reported this month to have vowed to move to Ireland, where he owns homes near Dublin, if Mr. Bush is re-elected. Before the 2000 poll, Alec Baldwin's then wife, Kim Basinger, told Germany's Focus magazine the actor ''might leave the country if Bush is elected ... and then I'd probably have to go, too.'' Mr. Baldwin did not leave.
The only public figure to carry out his promise was Pierre Salinger, the White House press secretary during the Kennedy administration, who died last month. Before the 2000 election, he said: ''If Bush wins, I'm going to leave the country and spend the rest of my life in France.'' He did.
"..who runs her own Internet business..
Selling her cats pissed on stuff on e-bay.
"...35-year-old independent consultant..."
Unemployed.
Can you say LOSERS?
And, don't forget to give up your citizenship so we don't have to deal with you again!!!
Seems we heard this rhetoric about 4 years ago! And just how many actually kept their word?
Of course, all those people will be much safer in London.
Again?
Why do they keep repeating this crap? Did I miss something 4 years ago?
Did a single "celeb" or even legend-in-his-own-mind, who didn't already live outside the U.S., leave? Any? Not even one?
Is a big mouth simply an irresistible news item? Slow news day? What?
I, for one, would gladly volunteer to help them pack. Any other volunteers?
''As a woman, the current climate is becoming intolerable. Bush has just appointed a man to the FDA reproductive health panel who believes that women with medical trouble should pray to Jesus for relief. If this is what America is becoming, I cannot live here.
Wow. A breathtaking display of tolerance there...So when it comes to government positions, Christians need not apply.
Buh bye!
Second, and second-most, you have weak loins! I heard a preacher say once that 'if you have no cause that you would die for (country), then you have nothing to live for'.
Just face it, they know BUSH will win and are preparing for the riots and debates and re-counts. And the mass EXODUS.
This will be an eventful day. Take it on the chin. And they will get the most coverage the day BUSH wins . They will be the focal point of the Alphabet news. They stole the election again boohoohoo!!
More likely he'll get it scheduled two years after starting his permanent dirt nap.
And don't let the door hit your butt on the way out!
P.J. O’Rourke is his assessment of a liberal:
“At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child — miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic, and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.”
Here's an idea!
How's about if we declare that the UN must become truly a world organization. As such, their HQ must move every five (10?) years to a new location.
Now, as they've been (safely) in the US for over five (10) years, they must move within a year to their next "home".
I vote we move them to Bagdad, or Ridyah, or Tel Aviv.
Can do?
Everyone pray for Bush's re-election so we can rid the country of these nut cases.
"Has anyone ever entertained the notion of moving to/living in Australia?"
Here's my two cents: I'm Active Duty US Army for 17 years. If President Bush is re-elected, I will stay in past 20 years and try to make Sergeant Major, honorably serve my country as long as I can (and willingly go back to Iraq to defeat our sworn enemies in our current World War III), and , Good Lord willing, still retire a relatively young man at around 48-50.
If kerry is elected, I will drop my retirement papers in two years, retire in three, and go to work as a contractor making more money than I do as an enlisted man.
I WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY SERVE IN A MILITARY WITH AN ADMITTED TRAITOR AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF - NOR WILL I SERVE AN ELECTORATE STUPID ENOUGH TO ELECT HIM!
If hillary clinton is ever elected president or even vice president - I WILL leave this country for Australia.
I could stomach living in a foreign left-leaning country because that would be a choice I make -- but I will NOT live in an America being led down the road to socialism by $h!thead scum like hitlery!
OK, I feel better now. :-)
bye bye, see ya later, hurry up and leave, why wait til the election is over, LEAVE NOW you won't be missed see ya!
Funny how these losers make these statements and then do nothing about it,,,I remember Alec Baldwin and Streisand whining before the last election if Bush got elected they would move and what??? they're still here, I've also noticed Martin Sheen has been exceptionally quiet this time around, along with Sarandon and Robbins, they were protesting the war in Iraq but have not made any further statements regarding kerry's candidacy, or perhaps I've missed their comments??? Either way, so long, bye bye!
I believe another term for the "BURNING-BUSH" will come to pass. America needs this man. Unholywood should start buying AA flight tickets and catch the red- eye after the elections.
I'm an educated and hard working Brit.... I want away from Europe and i'd be delighted to have Bush as my President.
Perhaps we could arrange a trade :)
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