[Miley Tipton]

hi,
I believe, It not only the government policies which decides connecticut democracy or liberal nature of people, its also depend on the people who selected this government how they follow and select there living standards

[nep321]

I strongly disagree. Connecticut has become more conservative (or moderate). For the first time in decades, we have had an extremely close race for governorship and U.S. senate, to the point it was maknig national news. I mean, look how close our races have become:

• Dick vs. Linda -- 55 - 44%
• Attorney General -- 53 - 44%
• Lembo vs. Orchulli -- 53 -- 43%
• Nappier vs. Wright -- 54 - 44%
• Malloy vs. Foley -- 50 - 49%

IMO for such a liberal state, this is rather closely split between Republicans and Democrats. And there were a handful of Republican victories for certain state representative seats. It wasn't 100% Democrat.

A true liberal state -- where it's nearly impossible for a Republican to win -- would be Vermont, Hawaii, DC and Massachusetts. It just so happens that the Democrat edges out as winner in most CT elections, but that's not to say the race wasn't very close. CT is one of the more conservative states in New England, along with ME and NH.

[hartford_renter]

Originally Posted by nep321

I strongly disagree. Connecticut has become more conservative (or moderate). For the first time in decades, we have had an extremely close race for governorship and U.S. senate, to the point it was maknig national news. I mean, look how close our races have become:

• Dick vs. Linda -- 55 - 44%
• Attorney General -- 53 - 44%
• Lembo vs. Orchulli -- 53 -- 43%
• Nappier vs. Wright -- 54 - 44%
• Malloy vs. Foley -- 50 - 49%

IMO for such a liberal state, this is rather closely split between Republicans and Democrats. And there were a handful of Republican victories for certain state representative seats. It wasn't 100% Democrat.

A true liberal state -- where it's nearly impossible for a Republican to win -- would be Vermont, Hawaii, DC and Massachusetts. It just so happens that the Democrat edges out as winner in most CT elections, but that's not to say the race wasn't very close. CT is one of the more conservative states in New England, along with ME and NH.

If you look at the most liberal states you have RI, MA and CA.

I think if you look at the states with the most spending problems you would rank CA, NY, NJ then maybe CT.

The thing about CT is that we are very wealthy, so our taxes pay for a lot. I don't think of us as Liberal because we don't have the huge bureaucracy that those 3 states do.... But we are getting dangerously close.

Mostly I think we are an independent state. Our income tax is about average, the property tax is extremely high.

[Tin Knocker]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

You must be referring to Cali. We haven't had a Democrat running this state since the 1980s. We already had this discussion in another topic as far as both parties being short-sighted and engaging in poor accounting practices and screwing the public.

Thing nobody seems to realize is there are Republican liberals too. We have no real conservative representation in CT period.

[Tin Knocker]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

When people say they want a place to raise a family etc and choose Conn. I don't think it's because we are liberal. I think it's because generally we mind our own business and that gives the impression we are liberal. I've been living in the same place now for 4 years and I still don't know my next door neighbors name. And that's how I like it.

One odd thing I noticed here in Conn. is that while many people do mind their own business, they have scanners in the basement or garage. I can't tell you how many houses I've visited here where people had scanners. I can't imagine how listening to police\fire\EMT broadcasts would be that exciting.

Since when do liberals mind their business? Generally theyre control freaks who distrust everyone who might be different from them and lobby for restrictions, codes & rules to keep us all in line with their notion of right.

I cant imagine not knowing my neighbors, why live in a neighborhood if you dont want any neighbors?

Anyway, theres no doubt about it, we have gotten much more liberal in my lifetime. With that has come skyrocketing taxes, exploding social programs & fiscal irresponsibility. Liberalism is a cancer on America.

[Kreliroth]

Originally Posted by nep321

I strongly disagree. Connecticut has become more conservative (or moderate). For the first time in decades, we have had an extremely close race for governorship and U.S. senate, to the point it was maknig national news. I mean, look how close our races have become:

• Dick vs. Linda -- 55 - 44%
• Attorney General -- 53 - 44%
• Lembo vs. Orchulli -- 53 -- 43%
• Nappier vs. Wright -- 54 - 44%
• Malloy vs. Foley -- 50 - 49%

IMO for such a liberal state, this is rather closely split between Republicans and Democrats. And there were a handful of Republican victories for certain state representative seats. It wasn't 100% Democrat.

A true liberal state -- where it's nearly impossible for a Republican to win -- would be Vermont, Hawaii, DC and Massachusetts. It just so happens that the Democrat edges out as winner in most CT elections, but that's not to say the race wasn't very close. CT is one of the more conservative states in New England, along with ME and NH.

I agree that all those states are more liberal than us, but keep in mind that it was a Republican election year, and it's understandable that the margins would be closer than usual.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by hartford_renter

If you look at the most liberal states you have RI, MA and CA.

I think if you look at the states with the most spending problems you would rank CA, NY, NJ then maybe CT.

The thing about CT is that we are very wealthy, so our taxes pay for a lot. I don't think of us as Liberal because we don't have the huge bureaucracy that those 3 states do.... But we are getting dangerously close.

Mostly I think we are an independent state. Our income tax is about average, the property tax is extremely high.

IMO CT is the worst state for spending problems, solely because it has the highest debt per capita in the nation. Such a tiny state with enormous debt is pathetic. I am 100% for when Rell vetoes bills because we cannot afford it.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Tin Knocker

Since when do liberals mind their business? Generally theyre control freaks who distrust everyone who might be different from them and lobby for restrictions, codes & rules to keep us all in line with their notion of right.

As opposed to the conservative control freaks who are hands off, unless, of course, they are telling you who you can and can't marry, when you should die if you're in a vegetative state and whether or not your actions are "moral."

See I can demonize the other side, too!

Ahem, anyway, regarding the OP's post, I find Connecticut to be exceedingly moderate. Yes, the state tends to vote Democrat, but I think in the liberal conservative continuum we fall right in the middle. I like that.

[Beeker2211]

Originally Posted by Tin Knocker

Thing nobody seems to realize is there are Republican liberals too. We have no real conservative representation in CT period.

This is where I disagree. First off, there are multiple types of conservatives. There's fiscal, economic, and social. So maybe many Republicans in Connecticut don't espouse Social Conservatism/Fiscal Liberalism/Economic Liberalism like the national party has in the past 40 years doesn't mean there isn't conservative representation. Himes, for one, is remarkably conservative fiscally.

To reiterate, I see Connecticut as socially liberal (do what you want without it damaging others) but more economic and fiscally prudent but that tries to have a somewhat decent safety net.

Besides, where do most of the hardened "conservatives" in the national stage come from? Usually, they come from states that balance their books without taxing their richest and getting very generous help from the Federal Government. Even with what could be substantial help, some 47 states are having trouble balancing the books.

Nep,

I'm trying to find where Connecticut is #1 in debt. Is that personal or public debt? Long or short term notes? From what I understand, public debt is a little higher than the national per capita, but average or low in percentage of the GSP, while personal debt to income is among the lowest. If you have new information I'd very much like to see it... most things I've found are dated by a few years

~Paz.

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

One odd thing I noticed here in Conn. is that while many people do mind their own business, they have scanners in the basement or garage. I can't tell you how many houses I've visited here where people had scanners.

If you live in a town with no radio station and a weekly paper the scanner might be a way to be keep up on things happening in your area.