Why not just leave the country for the day?

Who's to say the "New Founding Fathers" don't have snipers at the borders year round in anticipation of this?

Too cool for sküle

You don't get it. These people were too stupid to get out of a shower of rain.

Dumbest characters ever on screen. They made doing the "right thing" the most unappealing thing ever.

Because they are American; so a bit xenophopic and a low proportion have passports.

Hell at least hide out in the thick woods or something.

That was my first thought too, but the writers covered themselves pretty good I thought. Lot of people here saying because most couldn't afford to, or their house would get robbed. But that doesn't make sense for the rich. They would just lock down their *beep* hide their most valuable possessions in a secret room, then take off. Plus their neighbourhoods are generally less populated by 'purgers'.

The real reason is this: The Purge is what's to thank for the country's success. Like all dystopian fiction, the totalitarian government has essentially brainwashed the majority of the population. They make a specific point to show this at the beginning: the blue flowers, showing your support for the purge, thanking those who died in the purge, etc etc.

So it would be seen as being a traitor, disloyal to the NFFA and America's new way of life.

To me that explanation is the most logical way to fill this plot hole.

And as said by other posters, those who aren't brainwashed may not have the cash to leave. Plus, travel would be next to impossible. Think of the 100s of millions not purging that would try to leave. It's logistically impossible. Since the purge is only one day, most employers wouldn't be willing to give a week off work just to leave, and they might even fire you for being traitorous. So you'd have everyone trying to leave/return within 3 days. Wouldn't work.

I would shut my airport down because people would purge the plane.

You can't have organized crime without law and order.

What if the purge was worldwide?

I'm sure many do, but remember the blue flowers. those that are supporting it must stay. it was a political statement to stay.