People keep telling Josh Moon to move to California. 

He’s never lived in any state other than Alabama, but every time Moon writes something even mildly progressive as a columnist and investigative reporter at the news site the Alabama Political Reporter, he’s met with a flood of emails suggesting he might be better off in the Golden State.

It began to irritate Moon so much, it pushed him to write an entire column earlier this month dedicated to the problem. 

Article continues below this ad

“Each time I write something that suggests a progressive solution to a problem or criticize the backwards, Alabama-method for addressing issues, I receive the same comments from the same group of dopes. ‘Why don’t you move to California or somewhere where people think like you?!?!?!”” Moon wrote.

For many people, the very word "California" has come to represent more than just the state itself. It symbolizes liberal values, “woke” culture and environmental progressivism. A large swath of California residents would applaud these stereotypes, but there are also plenty of people in the state who wouldn’t want to be linked to these generalizations.

Don't let Google decide who you trust.

“I think it's an easy retort for stupid people,” Moon told SFGATE of the “why don’t you move to California” notion. 

Article continues below this ad

Hollywood Sign between Palm trees from central Los Angeles., Oct. 19, 2018.

But data shows that people actually may be leaving California because of these very cliches. A good portion of those who relocate are more likely to be registered Republicans, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California. The reverse is true, as........

© SFGate