[njguy]

I don't know if this qualifies as a CT type stereotype: When I call most places for info either being a church, transit info, etc.., it seems that the person on the other end of the phone is quite cold like I was holding a gun to their head and or asking for all of their money meanwhile I'm very friendly with them.

Big difference when I call in NY or NJ.

[new_haven_fan]

Originally Posted by flavorPacket

Show me the bill Cheney signed to get us into this mess in Iraq. You can't, because he never did: he's the Vice President! Congress votes for wars, not Dick Cheney. Congress approves deficit spending, not Dick Cheney.

OK flavorpacket if you are going to argue that the legislative branch (especially one that was essentially a Republican rubber stamp for the Bush/Cheney White House in its first 6 years) is more responsible for guiding the foreign policy of our nation than the executive branch I won't try to change your views. "You can lead a horse to water..." sure does come to my mind so I guess we'll agree to disagree.

This of course touches on another stereotypical attribute of New Englanders in general and Connecticut people in particular-

A strong sense of personal responsibility.

This is one reason I believe, that as a whole New England over the past 40 years or so has swung from being solidly Republican to more and more embracing the Democrats. A complete lack of taking responsibility for ones actions and/or policies and perpetually blaming others (ie congress ) for ones mistakes does not resonate positively with a New England/Connecticut culture of self reliance and taking responsibility for ones self.

Also as the Republicans have made social conservatism the hallmark of their election strategies over the past few decades at the expense of fiscal conservatism and in my estimation rather "dumbed down" their message, they've run afoul of another stereotypical aspect of New England/Connecticut.

- A highly educated populace with pretty good BS radar.

Hypocrisy, whether moral or fiscal is not a characteristic any body admires, and Connecticut people can spot it a mile away.

So there are a couple of Connecticut traits

-Taking personal responsibilty, morally/ethically and fiscally
-Highly educated and able to see through the "spin"

that in my opinion shed a little light on the political shift in the region. A shift that corresponds to the shift in the Republican Party from an ideology more in tune with those traits towards one that is less compatible.

I have to agree with volleyballer too, "passionate about politics" indeed.
Thanks for the ongoing discussion

[JViello]

Originally Posted by new_haven_fan

This of course touches on another stereotypical attribute of New Englanders in general and Connecticut people in particular-

A strong sense of personal responsibility.

This is one reason I believe, that as a whole New England over the past 40 years or so has swung from being solidly Republican to more and more embracing the Democrats.

Through the eyes of this social scientist:

How one can say they are for personal responsibility while supporting HUGE goverment increases in social spending (I mean the state set up a public paper shredder day at the capital to help those not able to spend $14 on one for crying out loud), universal health care for everyone, intitlement programs out the wazoo etc etc is simply absurd.

I think the public was ready for a conservative change based on the "message" given of what it stands for when they voted in all the Republicans - BUT the polititians who got elected let the public down by not living up to that message. Damn shame too as they had a blank check so to speak.

The major change in the New England political affliation came with the pre industrial immigration generation dying off and the union labor party mindset taking majority. What the union labor party morphed into today is NOTHING what it was in the JFK era.

Oh and the secularization of the New England population as well as it used to be a very evengelical "bible belt". Made the South look like Vegas in some regard.

[new_haven_fan]

A post completely on topic with no politics whatsoever!
As there are many regions of Connecticut here some regional stereotypes.

Fairfield County- Wealthy, Sophisticated. Also train commuters to NYC.

Litchfield County- Down to earth locals and transplanted (for the weekend in some cases) New Yorkers with horse farms.

New Haven- Liberal academics, foreign grad students, creative arts professionals.

Southeast CT- Old Salt maritime types, fishermen, coast guard cadets.

Hartford- 9-5 insurance industry workers.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by new_haven_fan

Hartford- 9-5 insurance industry workers.

A stereotype taken straight from the Boston Globe! LOL

If you think that's all Hartford is, you are sorely mistaken.

One example: The huge Aerospace presense such as: Pratt and Whitney, Otis, Carrier, Hamilton Sunstrand, Kaman, etc.

[new_haven_fan]

Originally Posted by JViello

Through the eyes of this social scientist:

How one can say they are for personal responsibility while supporting HUGE goverment increases in social spending (I mean the state set up a public paper shredder day at the capital to help those not able to spend $14 on one for crying out loud), universal health care for everyone, intitlement programs out the wazoo etc etc is simply absurd.

Oh and the secularization of the New England population as well as it used to be a very evengelical "bible belt". Made the South look like Vegas in some regard.

And so we get to what seems to so often be at the heart of the debate, but in my eyes is so obviously answered. True personal responsibility does NOT preclude helping ones fellow human beings. Cain may have denied being his brother's keeper but as we all know that was a cautionary tale. Cain's words symbolize the unwillingness to take responsibility for the welfare (sorry loaded word I know) of our fellow man. The Bible's message is clearly that people are their brother's keepers and do have a social responsibility.

Even amongst evangelicals this will be debated, but it always seems to me to come down to one simple thing.

What outrages one more-

Thought that the poor might get a "free ride."

VS

The thought that the powerful will help themselves at the expense of the rest of us.

Conservatives are outraged by the former and Liberals by the latter. Liberals do not subscribe the conservative belief that personal responsibility and social responsibility are mutually exclusive. It seems to me that Connecticut people agree that one can be responsible AND compassionate. I'm a Connecticut small business owner with a family, and leading an ethical and spiritually active life is quite important to me. I try to balance personal and societal responsibility and feel I am richer for the effort.

I would also contend that the cost of any poor (or handicapped, war maimed, elderly, infirmed, etc.) that might be getting a "free ride" is chump change compared to the cost of the powerful helping themselves at the rest of our expense.

[new_haven_fan]

Originally Posted by JViello

A stereotype taken straight from the Boston Globe! LOL

If you think that's all Hartford is, you are sorely mistaken.

One example: The huge Aerospace presense such as: Pratt and Whitney, Otis, Carrier, Hamilton Sunstrand, Kaman, etc.

LOL indeed! My mistake, I thought we were looking for stereotypes.

Oh well, thanks for cluing me into the fact that not every single resident of Hartford works 9-5 in the insurance industry.

[BigHouse9]

Originally Posted by new_haven_fan

LOL indeed! My mistake, I thought we were looking for stereotypes.

Oh well, thanks for cluing me into the fact that not every single resident of Hartford works 9-5 in the insurance industry.

Yes, they work 7:30 - 3:30 (flex time)

[JViello]

Originally Posted by new_haven_fan

And so we get to what seems to so often be at the heart of the debate, but in my eyes is so obviously answered. True personal responsibility does NOT preclude helping ones fellow human beings. Cain may have denied being his brother's keeper but as we all know that was a cautionary tale. Cain's words symbolize the unwillingness to take responsibility for the welfare (sorry loaded word I know) of our fellow man. The Bible's message is clearly that people are their brother's keepers and do have a social responsibility.

Even amongst evangelicals this will be debated, but it always seems to me to come down to one simple thing.

What outrages one more-

Thought that the poor might get a "free ride."

VS

The thought that the powerful will help themselves at the expense of the rest of us.

Conservatives are outraged by the former and Liberals by the latter. Liberals do not subscribe the conservative belief that personal responsibility and social responsibility are mutually exclusive. It seems to me that Connecticut people agree that one can be responsible AND compassionate. I'm a Connecticut small business owner with a family, and leading an ethical and spiritually active life is quite important to me. I try to balance personal and societal responsibility and feel I am richer for the effort.

I would also contend that the cost of any poor (or handicapped, war maimed, elderly, infirmed, etc.) that might be getting a "free ride" is chump change compared to the cost of the powerful helping themselves at the rest of our expense.

Well that was all said very nice, but I hate to tell you "the poor" is not what I was talking about.

Entitlement goes WAY beyond "welfare" in this state. Way beyond.

Social services takes up the majority of our state budget. That is a fact and it's not jsut "welfare" that falls under those services. I'd go so far as to say "welfare" is a small portion. You might be surprised if you take a look at the state budget (It's public) and see where all of our tax money - one of the highest tax burdened states in the nation, goes.

I too am a small business owner in this state. (How's that business entity tax - the only state in the nation to have one feeling these days. ) The middle class is getting KILLED in CT as it's the working middle class that takes the biggest hit and feels it the worse without the "social" benefits available to them. We can't absorb any more taxation...that demographic is leaving this state in large numbers.

Oh and you should watch that compassionate conservatism speak - your starting to sound like Bush. I'm just sayin...

[pmeek2309]

I have found that the stereotype of people in Connecticut is pretty accurate upon visiting. People are preppy (your version of casual is preppy out here in WA) and brusque. I did not meet anyone who smiled at me or said hello in passing, or who offered assistance when I was unable to hold the door due to full arms. I don't think it is rude, I think being withdrawn is a Connecticut way of life. I think it's interesting but not bad.

Oh yeah...and we passed a TON of country clubs between Ansonia and LGA, and were surprised to see such ridiculously high non-town resident rates at local beaches and facilities. I am very shocked that a town can limit access to outsiders....people in WA would call that elitism. But who am I to judge? I just cannot wait to live there!