The View From Across State Lines

Re “Gov. Davis Is Recalled; Schwarzenegger Wins,” Oct. 8: I have a friend in medical school, and this morning I warned her not to plan to practice in California because available evidence suggests that if Californians become seriously ill or sustain a major injury, they’ll go running off to find a movie star to make it all better instead of putting themselves in the hands of someone who actually knows what he or she is doing.

I mean, dang ... we Texans don’t usually look down our noses at other states’ political shenanigans, but thank God for California. Today we look like ancient Greece compared to y’all.

Doyle Srader

Nacogdoches, Texas

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The obvious question is: Are you people nuts? The answer is just as apparent, and no surprise, given California’s long-standing reputation for flakiness. The good news? You make my home state of Oregon (motto: “The Mississippi of the West”) look a little less dysfunctional. The bad? California is, very sadly, the trendsetter for the rest of the nation. Whither, then, America? President Pauly Shore? Shudder.

Bill Smee

Eugene, Ore.

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With my seventh New York winter around the corner, I know that one day soon I will step outside into the wind and slush and ask myself why I ever left my home in California. I would like to thank Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger and California’s voters for reminding me of the answer.

J.J. Gass

New York City

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After watching Tuesday night’s election results, I have only this to say: California should do all thoughtful Americans a favor and secede from the United States.

Karen Weil

Hereford, Ariz.