According to the Los Angeles Times, California sends more pension money to retired and exiled cops and firefighters in Eagle, Idaho than any other place in the U.S.
Most of them are Republicans who were too conservative for California but are practically socialist to the locals. Mayor Jason Pierce says they are all welcome, but their worldview has been corrupted.
"They're great people. Don't get me wrong on any of that. They really are," Pierce says. "But it's these little things that they don't realize that they're doing that are going to change this area into where they came from."
For example, the new residents of what the locals call "Little Orange County" are used to expensive government programs providing all manner of services. They come to Eagle and demand the same things, which they fail to realize will turn their new home into the same dystopian nightmare they just escaped.
"The ones that are the true conservatives go, 'Oh, my gosh! I never even thought about it that way,'" the mayor relays. "They're coming here with their liberal baggage, and they're almost programmed."
Referencing "The Matrix," he calls it their red pill moment.
Others still cling to California's version of conservatism, which has brought a battle to Eagle – and dozens of other Golden State transplant destinations – for the heart of the Republican Party.
"They're very conservative and Republican, but not on social issues as much," Mayor Pierce explains.
But as far as he is concerned, conservativism on social issues is "part of being conservative."
