Which state is the culture war the most intense? (rates, crime, life)

[Tom Lennox 70]

Which state is the culture war most intense?? As in where both sides are very entrenched and powerful? This can be between any cultures/factions/mindsets.

[Tom Lennox 70]

I chose Virginia. It is a fault line in many ways but mostly demonstrated by the massive lack of identification between Northern Virginia and the rest of the state. North vs. South. On one side you have small town and Southern values, a pro-business environment, fiscal and social conservatism, Southern history, and evangelical Christianity. On the other you have the transplants from up north who are mostly yuppie liberals, less religious, more liberal fiscially despite them being rich (which baffles me to no end). The latter also promotes a culture of entitlement among illegal immigrants and Section 8 types. The differences travelling from NOVA to the rest of the state, especially central and southern Virginia is VERY stark.

I've seen exclusive malls in Arlington and Tysons Corner, neighborhoods with an Obama sign in every house, yuppies with $4 Starbuck coffees, people ranting the "lack of public transportation", people clamoring for more Metro funding. Rich liberal families whose kids never worked before college or even in college who are showered with fancy goods as well as serious academic demands. People who think their kid has ADHD because he got a C in English and won't make it to the ivy Leagues oh no!

I've also been to local community events where half the people drove in muddy souped up pickup trucks wearing Confederate flag shirts (include some who are married to black and Hispanics.) The rush hour in Lynchburg after church lets out on Sundays. Church barbecues. Country diners with pitchers of sweet tea, classy folks in Richmond who hold open doors open and say yes sir and ma'am. Its hard to believe its all in one country let alone one state. VA is a Southern state but changing rapidly because of the part near DC. In the first Virginia, women have abortions because an unexpected pregnancy might hinder their career or school plans. In the other Virginia, single mothers work at Waffle House and Walmart or those little country diners because they might have made a mistake but in the end chose life.

The thing is it seems the front lines of the culture wars are moving furtgher and further south. Maryland used to be the front lines, but this state is overrun now with transplants and liberals. Now the influence is spreading further south espeically North Carolina and Georgia. California used to be a GOP state. Much of Orange County and inland California was conservative, but the influx of illegal immigrants has tipped the balance and now liberals always win and California is the most dependable Democrat state after New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

[Tom Lennox 70]

Virginia also recently declared a Confederate history month, but Obama won there because of NOVA.

[polo89]

They all are, but I guess, I don't know? MAYBE, MAYBE Florida.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

California used to be a GOP state. Much of Orange County and inland California was conservative, but the influx of illegal immigrants has tipped the balance and now liberals always win and California is the most dependable Democrat state after New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Illegal immigrants can't vote. For that matter, legal immigrants that are not citizens can't vote. You can't "blame" any perceived shift in politics on non citizen immigrants.

[west336]

MINNESOTA!! Too many Wisconsonites move here and root for the Packers and talk trash about the Vikes....a feel a civil war about to erupt!

[EndersDrift]

Whoever is voting for Florida is clueless. With the exception of white people that are upset they're becoming outnumbered there is no race war here. Look at crime figures about hate crimes:

2008 (2009 hasn't been published yet) only the cities on the poll in the order they appear on the poll
Maryland: 100
Virginia: 263
North Carolina: 124
Texas: 246
Florida: 153
California: 1,381
Source: Table 13 - Hate Crime Statistics 2008 (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2008/data/table_13.html - broken link)

/Thread

[Thomas R.]

I picked North Carolina, but kind of randomly and to be different.

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by Tom Lennox 70

. California used to be a GOP state. Much of Orange County and inland California was conservative, but the influx of illegal immigrants has tipped the balance and now liberals always win and California is the most dependable Democrat state after New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Republicans lost California because of racism, plain and simple. After proposition 187 fifteen years ago, Latinos fled the Republican party en-masse. But it is not simply the number of Hispanics [recent immigrants or multi-generational] that assure that Democrats win in California. There is a strong coalition of voters that includes huge numbers of minorities [Asians\ Blacks\ Latinos] who don't trust Republicans for good reason or gay people who have been persecuted by Republicans. Combine these groups with very liberal-minded Anglos in urban settings and, BINGO, Republicans lose, big time. Democrats are the only "big tent" as the GOP continues to purge whatever moderates they once had as well as any respect they once had.

The culture war has been won already in California & why such things as legalizing marijuana is even possible. The "Bible-belt" mentality is mocked & ostracized for incredible hypocrisy and just plain ignorance. Not a happy combination for anyone with half a brain.

I chose Texas as the prime example of where the culture war is going strong. State school boards insisting on "creationism" in science text books and a governor suggesting that Texas succeed from the U.S. are indicators of how powerful the religious right & fringe Confederate groups are. But the writing is on the wall and it is most apparent in the large cities of Texas that are Democratic and growing. Also a strong Libertarian mindset is beginning to peal off former Republicans away from a party they don't recognize or outright reject. That is the future of Texas and they only need to look west to California to see what is coming.

[Akhenaton06]

Maybe Arizona right now.