I can recall the days of the late 1960s and early ’70s when the military draft sent notices to young men telling them that they had been “selected” to serve our country in the military.

I was one of those called up in the fall of 1970 and joined the Air Force in 1971. Frankly, a four year term with the “flyboys” sounded better than two years with the ground forces—which would have most likely been in Vietnam.

One option I never considered was crossing over the US border into Canada. Many young men chose that option—either out of fear or true convictions about our involvement in far east Asia. These were known as “conscientious objectors.” Canada was just one option.

Others found ways to get “draft deferments.” Education was one route—entering college. Paternity hardship status was another. A medical or physical disability of some sort could also keep you out of the military, along with any form of “critical occupation.”

Today we have a new brand of folk choosing to relocate out of America. There are some who would rather live almost anywhere besides MAGA Land. Others had more reasonable reasons.

People Magazine recently updated their article on “19 Hollywood Stars Who Have Left the US—Citing Trump, the Need for ‘Serenity’ and More.” Frankly, I expected more negatives on the President than what appeared.

There was Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres who recently decided to cross shores after the 2024 election. Famous director James Cameron opted for New Zealand, a place he “fell in love with in 1994.” But it wasn’t the scenery that brought him back. Instead, he says,

“I’m not there for scenery, I’m there for the sanity.”

Actress Robin Wright, who was born in Texas, explained that her last three American productions were filmed in England. “Better tax policies.” Even better than Canada. She’s now moved there. Why? Wright admitted,

“I’m troubled, like many of us are, about this state of our country. It’s not the reason, I just—I’m so tranquil over there.”

Okay. Your call.

Aside from O’Donnell and Degeneres, Courtney Love seemed to have the most bitterness toward the Trump presidency. She’s lived in London since 2019. But Courtney also didn’t link her move specifically to Trump.

If you’re determined that this land is not your land, then check out the December 2025 column in the New Yorker: “How to Leave the USA.” The storyline tells about an organization called G.T.#$ Tours. (Actual acronym is distasteful.) It serves as a relocation service that “helps aggrieved US citizens start new lives abroad.”

You’ll learn about disgruntled Americans who believe they can find a better life in a foreign land. I’ve traveled quite a bit and I wish them well— but I know better. We didn’t become the place people still risk their lives and their fortunes to come to because it’s so bad here.

There are some decisions about relocating that make some sense. Specifically, I’m talking about relocating out of Illiinois! This is something I often hear people talk about, but rarely act on. If you are one who HAS acted on it, please comment on this blog!

Having said that, in 2025, states with high outbound migration included California, New York, and Illinois. Those three states experienced the largest absolute population losses. And why? Two of the main reasons were, once again, housing costs and taxes.

And where do these transfers relocate? Often, the Southeast. Top draws include North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. Apparently, people can tolerate bugs more than I can.

In our home, we complain about the terrible taxes in Illinois frequently. So why don’t we move? Medical care is one big reason. Three of my doctors are just blocks away. So are grocery stores, restaurants, our church, and friends we’ve come to appreciate.

I don’t know anyone who is threatening to leave the United States, however, despite our various challenges. If I did hear those voices, my reply would be,

“Just…go!”

Truth be told, as the Bible says, all of us in the faith community are “aliens.” The battles we face are well beyond taxes and housing costs. As the apostle Peter wrote,

“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.”

No matter where you might try to escape, sin’s temptation will follow. There’s no escape.