Jobs train 3:10 to Yuma

Sept. 10, 2012

By John Seiler

Yesterday Katy Grimes put up a blog, “Editorial cheerleads for Brown.” One of the comments read:

“I already did move to Arizona (Yuma) to escape CA’s taxes and high costs. Guess what, not only are the taxes and just about every other budget category cheaper, but the government is friendly and efficient at all levels. County and state employees, from clerk up to elected official, treat citizens with respect, take your calls, and actually HELP you get information.

“Labor is cheaper, which I expected, but workers also are more dependable and respectful. (OK, a high local unemployment rate is a factor).

“In San Diego I started a business, worked up to 10 employees, then sold it after a few years at a profit, which was always the objective. I learned early on that the State was determined to be my enemy, and the local government officials were not much better. At every turn they worked to thwart me, confuse me, and raise my costs. In AZ, the minor hiring I have done has been far different.”

It reminded me of those two movies called “3:10 to Yuma.” The one from 2007, starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, was pretty good. It had to be featuring Batman and Gladiator. But the one from 1957, starring Glenn Ford and Van Heflen, actually was better. It had that late-1950s existentialist Western angst, like “Bad Day at Black Rock” and my favorite movie, “The Searchers.”

Anyway, why any business other than a Silicon Valley high-tech firm would stay in California is a mystery. Many more will be taking the 3:10 to Yuma.