Infiltrators from California

by Thomas Reiner, ©2023 

(Apr. 6, 2023) — There are two mass migrations simultaneously occurring in the once great state of California.  One is an influx of illegal aliens from all over the world seeking to be given the diminishing treasure of California without earning it.  The other is a river of middle class professionals escaping the state due to the increasing tyranny of overtaxation, oppressive regulations and unjust laws. 

Those who are leaving do so for a myriad of reasons but primarily for the slow but accelerating destruction caused by the usurpation by the Democrat Party.  California once hailed Ronald Reagan as Governor but they now have a squishy politician named Gavin Newsom who bends to Socialist winds.  The Republican Party is all but dead there mostly due to the rise of ultra Liberalism which has morphed into Wokeism, CRT, DEI, SEL, Reparations, class jealousy and especially Jungle primaries. 

Conservatives who are escaping California call themselves refugees carrying the knowledge, insights, and warnings of what can and did go wrong in their former home state.  They wish to prevent the destruction from occurring in their newfound home.  One would think CalRefugees would be welcome with open arms in their new Conservative settlements such as Yavapai County in Arizona.  One would think longtime Republican residents would be eager to listen to these warnings to prevent California despotism from taking root in Arizona. 

You would be wrong.

In the Yavapai case, the Republican Party is entrenched with long-time Establishmentarians who become apoplectic when new Conservative ideas are introduced which threaten the status quo.  For example, Ranked Choice Voting, which is a kissing cousin of Jungle primaries, is a travesty which will solidify existing power while Democrats slowly take over the state.

My wife and I moved to Prescott in 2019 to discover a beautiful, friendly, and accepting city.  We have been warmly accepted by our religious affiliation, neighbors both Republican and Democrat and ordinary longtime Prescott residents.  The only people who hurl epithets at us are RINO Republicans who are slowly losing their power base.  Maybe their fear stems from the giant seed pods we brought here in the trunk of our car from California.

Arizona is slowly turning blue due to the intransigence of the Republican Party accepting new people and new Conservative ideals.  Debate is verboten.  Acceptance of valid election results is a no-no if the “proper” Republicans don’t win.  Lies and epithets are hurled in one direction.

Finally, “California-ism” is a disorder.  Ex-Californians who have Arizona seniority tend to look down and deride the newer CalRefugees as “Infiltrators” who should just remain silent.  Strange.

Thomas Reiner (Proud, newly-minted Arizonan).