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.
