Matt, we've met once, (very briefly), that I recall when I was passing through Kansas pulling a trailer 18 years ago. I thought that you were a nice guy. I'm from the midwest, there isn't a lot to know about it and Minneapolis is the absolute crown jewel of that region, at least wrt education, finance, technology, healthcare and the arts. I was there last week and it's the podunks to me now. Bores the daylights out of me. It's the people. And the place.
I was skiing last year at Mammoth and there was a kid in the parking lot next to me having a phone conversation that could be easily heard while taking off my ski boots. He was arguing with someone over going to Austin for something, (he didn't want to go), and he said, "I live in a city. Why would I want to go to a schittier city?"
That really stuck with me. So succinct. There are plenty of places I want to go, (mostly Asia), but the rest of the U.S. holds zero interest unless it's a National Park or other beautiful destination. I live in the USA, why would I want to go to a duller part of the USA? I've seen it...I'm not missing some hidden charm. I don't need to meet more red state people, I've had my fill right here.
It's a shame that a web forum that used to be populated by some clever and amusing people sharing information and enthusiasm for Porsches has devolved into this. An utterly boring collection of grievances about trivial crap but at least there is a MAGA forum as well!
And yes, I am team California. Now more than ever, when we are under attack from goons in power and fools on the internet.