Is Austin turning "red?" (Houston, Dallas: house, legal, moving to)

[SDBreaux]

After reading many posts here, I'd like to know if many of you feel like Austin is returning to a Republican-majority city.

What was the real reason Texas amended the constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage (nevermind the fact it was already illegal)? Could these attempts be linked to federal attempts to draw conservatives, once more, out of their shells to vote in mass numbers?

Getting to the actual point: Are Texas lawmakers, including Rick Perry, fearful the Democratic left is taking hold of Texas? Is that why Perry went above and beyond to make official the redistricting plan so there is a Republican majority (last I heard, the current district map gives Republicans eight additional seats)?

I rarely run into a die-hard conservative these days. Unless I'm in a rural town, for the most part I run across social moderates. Shouldn't the larger areas - like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin - technically have MORE influence in elections? And since these areas tend to lean left as of late, shouldn't most of Texas be leaning blue, instead of this 30 to 70 split?

[satanoid]

Originally Posted by SDBreaux

What was the real reason Texas amended the constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage (nevermind the fact it was already illegal)? Could these attempts be linked to federal attempts to draw conservatives, once more, out of their shells to vote in mass numbers?

Simple. Fear and bigotry.
Never mind the grievous violation of the constitution (or human rights) this is an issue of ignorance, hate and regressive ideologies.

So, your bible says homosexuality is an 'abomination'? Well guess what, it says the exact same thing about eating shellfish.

If people who 'wanted to preserve the sanctity of marriage' actually knew a loving, normal, boring gay couple - they could never look them in the eyes and say 'sorry, we disapprove of your lifestyle, so we're going to violate your rights to appease our invisible friend in the sky.'

Don't like gay marriage? Then don't marry someone of the same sex, and leave everyone else the hell alone.

Austin will always be blue. America, in general has become increasingly liberal over the years, as has Austin. This nationwide (and with a few exceptions, global) trend will always continue.

Progress will always win out over regress... given time, patience and good people willing to make it happen.

[equus007]

Austin is one of the most purple cities in the nation.
We profess our blueness but enact red policies.
It just gets confusing in that we are the capitol city of a very red state.

The Rickster is in fact an intelligent, logically thinking individual however he is also ambitious. He tends to think more about his own future than that of the State.

Marriage is a religious institution and should not be recognised or mandated by the State. Whether or not gays can or should get married should be up to whatever religion they happen to belong to.

On a side note: Why has there been no "gay church" developed? The legal requirements to be classified as a religion in the U.S. are pretty weak(see "Church" of Scientology). It would give gays a much stronger legal standing in issues like this.

[SDBreaux]

Originally Posted by equus007

On a side note: Why has there been no "gay church" developed? The legal requirements to be classified as a religion in the U.S. are pretty weak(see "Church" of Scientology). It would give gays a much stronger legal standing in issues like this.

There are several denominations, but are not exclusive. Metropolitan Community Church is the most recognized as a GLBT church. Other GLBT churches just stick to their formal denominations.

For the record, there are 27 GLBT/welcoming churches in Austin.

Welcoming Gay Friendly Churches in Texas TX (www.gaychurch.org)

[austinese]

Getting to the actual point: Are Texas lawmakers, including Rick Perry, fearful the Democratic left is taking hold of Texas? Is that why Perry went above and beyond to make official the redistricting plan so there is a Republican majority (last I heard, the current district map gives Republicans eight additional seats)?

I think that Bush and Rove felt that the fact that Texas had as many Dems as Repubs in the House was inconsistent with the conservative nature of the state. If they gerrymandered successfully, they would create a cushion that would protect the Repub. majority in the House when the public started to rebel against the hard-right policies of Bush's administration. As the '06 election results indicate, their scheme wasn't entirely successful but they did reduce the size of the Dem majority.

I heard on TV that a recent poll shows Hillary tied with a Repub opponent in Texas. I don't remember if it's a generic Repub or a specific candidate. But anyway it's a surprising result for this state.

[Trainwreck20]

Okay, keep this on Austin, or it is heading straight to 'Texas' at the least, and 'P&OC' possibly .

[jread]

Austin is "conservatively liberal". It will NEVER be a red city... not a chance. At the same time, the bleeding-heart socialist image is given by the vocal minority. The average Austinite, from everything I've experienced, is a left-leaning Libertarian in every way.

[Tarrytown]

I hope so. I have to type extra words so I can post this.

[Jazzedforhim]

It makes you think however with so many moving to the area.

[SDBreaux]

Originally Posted by Jazzedforhim

It makes you think however with so many moving to the area.

Yes, but look at WHO is moving to Austin, certainly not rural Texans. I've noticed migration from the bay area, the NE and other "liberal" areas. That might actually impact the politics in Texas within 30 years. These people will bring with them not only their beliefs, but teach it to their children.

Thank God something good is happening in Texas. :P