Why did you...or why do you want to move out of California? (Fontana: sale, homes)

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

A huge difference between CA and where we are now, a difference I cherish, just came to me this weekend. First of all, Happy 4th of July, America, and all of you.

In CA, fireworks sales and available variety are strictly curtailed by law. During the relatively short period of time they're available, sales are made behind wire barriers requiring you to select, unhandled from displays you can see through the wire. It occurred to me that this isn't much different from banks in which you transact your business with tellers who are behind bullet proof glass or other clear substance.

In MO, fireworks are available year-round in specialty stores and the variety is extensive and hearty. Most would be banned in CA. Rather than standing in line to transact business a few at a time through slots in the wire enclosures, non-profit and community vendors set up large, open tents and have tables stacked with an awesome variety of fireworks through which you move freely looking at and selecting precisely what you want. Then you take your purchases to another table and pay for them. The booths begin opening two to three weeks before the holiday.

To me, this is indicative of the freedom we're celebrating today.

THAT'S what indicates freedom to you? FIREWORKS?

Two words...Fire Hazards.

The city next to me allows within their boundaries, with regulations of course. I'd rather see a pro display if thats what I'm looking for. Making loud noises and setting off sparks just seem trashy to me and I'm glad we don't allow that to be honest.

[smilinpretty]

i moved out of California 17 years ago after living there for 32 years. I miss it greatly. The places I lived in California were: la mirada, crestline, Torrance, Palos Verdes. Would I go back? Yes, but can't afford it. I now live in a beautiful area of Arizona, that I look out my windows and see beautiful mountains, front and back. I live in the country so I drive by cows, houses, goats, everyday. Virtually, no traffic to speak of. The people in my development most are from California and they would never move back to CA...but I would if I could and one day I will.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Ceece

THAT'S what indicates freedom to you? FIREWORKS?

Two words...Fire Hazards.

The city next to me allows within their boundaries, with regulations of course. I'd rather see a pro display if thats what I'm looking for. Making loud noises and setting off sparks just seem trashy to me and I'm glad we don't allow that to be honest.

It's a sign that government doesn't have to be nanny and that most people are smart enough to act rationally and sanely.

Of course, in "my" America while growing up we also played outside, drank from hoses, stubbed toes, skinned knees, even broke bones without government interference. We swam unsupervised in swimming holes and streams and occasionallyt broke through thin ice in ponds and lived. Playgrounds were either hard-packed dirt or asphalt, not rubberized or filled with soft beds of mulch. My goodness, we rode bikes without helmets, roller skated without padding, roamed the woods with our dogs and BB-guns, stayed out until dark and amazingly enough, most of us survived.

Society today seems to very often operate from paranoia and fear and rather than having all the laws create safety, crime is worse now than before, and more deadly.

What's "trashy" to you is a celebration and acknowledgement to some of us.

I'll take your two words and raise you two more: Land of the Free!

[CArizona]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

It's a sign that government doesn't have to be nanny and that most people are smart enough to act rationally and sanely.

Of course, in "my" America while growing up we also played outside, drank from hoses, stubbed toes, skinned knees, even broke bones without government interference. We swam unsupervised in swimming holes and streams and occasionallyt broke through thin ice in ponds and lived. Playgrounds were either hard-packed dirt or asphalt, not rubberized or filled with soft beds of mulch. My goodness, we rode bikes without helmets, roller skated without padding, roamed the woods with our dogs and BB-guns, stayed out until dark and amazingly enough, most of us survived.

Society today seems to very often operate from paranoia and fear and rather than having all the laws create safety, crime is worse now than before, and more deadly.

What's "trashy" to you is a celebration and acknowledgement to some of us.

I'll take your two words and raise you two more: Land of the Free!

Hip hip hooray! Great post...Right on!!

[Ceece]

I agree and disagree. I prefer an America where people can't just run around doing whatever pops into their head and making everyone else suffer their idea of "freedom". To each their own I guess.

BTW, I suspect if we had no regulations or laws many self professed "freedom lovers" would be crying out for, well, restrictions and laws. I mean, that's how we got them in the first place and I don't think humanity has become any more capable of self control over the years.

[ExNooYawk]

We left California because it is a very unfriendly state to retirees or people on a fixed income. There was no incentive for us to stay financially, which was a shame because I absolutely love the place. So, we took our money and bought a house in Oregon which LOVES us retirees.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Ceece

I agree and disagree. I prefer an America where people can't just run around doing whatever pops into their head and making everyone else suffer their idea of "freedom". To each their own I guess.

BTW, I suspect if we had no regulations or laws many self professed "freedom lovers" would be crying out for, well, restrictions and laws. I mean, that's how we got them in the first place and I don't think humanity has become any more capable of self control over the years.

Funny! I think some old guys in powdered wigs who signed a common document 234 years ago today might politely disagree with you.

Here's a hint. It's called the Declaration of Independence!

[smh1]

Much as I am not a lover of rules, I think they should be even stricter with fireworks. Just a few years ago, a 10yr old boy playing with matches sparked a fire that torched 38,000 acres, forced evacuation of 15,000 people and destroyed quite a few structures.

I just cannot imagine the mayhem we would have if everyone was allowed to use fireworks all year long. In a humid state fine. Not here. That is not freedom or nanny state. Just common sense-you don't go light a cigarette will filling gasoline in your car do you? You certainly can light a cigarette in a different situation-it doesn't mean you lack freedom in the former-just using your common sense. Rules are for those who lack common sense and/or for those who may come from an area where the same activity poses no danger and so they are ignorant of the risks.

[CArizona]

People who grew up in big cities may not realize how things operate in smaller and more rural towns...In small towns people still have to worry about their reputation because everyone knows each other's business...This keeps a lot of people on their "toes." It's the way SO CA used to be back in the 50's when I was growing up...My parents taught me to behave myself and to respect the rights of others...Neighbors watched out for each other and kept an eye on each others' kids too....We didn't need tons of laws and rules to keep us "in check." Most people tried to follow the "golden rule" in regards to how they treated others....Today big cities are a big "hodge podge" and people don't really feel connected to each other anymore....The "common bonds" are gone and missing and people feel "anonymous."....People who feel "anonymous" don't worry about their reputation or how their behavior might affect others...Take "road rage" as an example....This doesn't happen very often in a small town because people feel connected to their neighbors and no one wants to act like a bully and damage and ruin their reputation in town.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by CArizona

People who grew up in big cities may not realize how things operate in smaller and more rural towns...In small towns people still have to worry about their reputation because everyone knows each other's business...This keeps a lot of people on their "toes." It's the way SO CA used to be back in the 50's when I was growing up...My parents taught me to behave myself and to respect the rights of others...Neighbors watched out for each other and kept an eye on each others' kids too....We didn't need tons of laws and rules to keep us "in check." Most people tried to follow the "golden rule" in regards to how they treated others and lots and lots of common sense....Today big cities are a big "hodge podge" and people don't really feel connected to each other anymore....The "common bonds" are gone and missing and people feel "anonymous."....People who feel "anonymous" don't worry about their reputation or how their behavior might affect others...Take "road rage" as an example....This doesn't happen very often in a small town because people feel connected to their neighbors and no one wants to act like a bully and damage and ruin their reputation in town.

Exactly! It's the way it was in the 50s when I was growing up in SoCal as well. I think it was better!

Of course, that's before people became sheeple and needed to be told what to do and how to act.