Conservatives? (Boston, Holden: low income, sales, 2010)

[Fearringtonflash]

I forget--what state this guy named Misst Romany or some such from? You know, the conservative Morman who is running for the GOP nomination for pres?

[Cinaed]

In all fairness to the: "Are you all socialist?" type remark...

I have been planning on moving to MA for a few months now. I decided to join some social networks to see if I might meet some people in the area I will be moving to soon. I am taking time to rethink if MA is a good move for me as since joining 3 social networks and receiving communication from those living in Massachusetts, about 97% have all listed their political standing as: Socialist, not liberal mind you...Socialist. I am not an extreme Right Wing Conservative (I consider I am a moderate with a few conservative views) but it has saddened me to realize there are SO MANY Socialists living in MA. I just have to say, the idea of going to live among socialists is very UNAPPEALING to me, and yes indeed does sound very UNAmerican... So I taking time to rethink things

Cinaed

[Cinaed]

Sorry everyone my post got cut off. To continue with my thread of opinion what I want to make sure is understood as part of my opinion: While living among Socialist's does sound unamerican to me I am happy to live in a Nation where I have this freedom to CHOOSE where, and around whom I wish to live. I think anyone that does not care for the politics of a geographical region should do as I am currently doing. Thinking long and hard if this is right for me, rather than how WRONG I feel the general population may be.

Cinaed

[ogre]

Well, I do have to wonder in what social circles you have been networking if 97 percent of the members consider themselves socialist. The reality is that politics in MA are kind of a complicated mix. The predominant views in much of the state lean to the left, but there are many exceptions to this. I will say that I noticed that your present location is Alaska. In a number of ways you would be likely to find MA different from AK, although to some degree this would depend on the part of MA where you might settle. Generally, though, I would think that if you feel comfortable with the prevailing views in AK, you might find MA to be kind of a shock. A lot would depend on you and your personal views. Also, of course, the question of whether a move to MA would work well for you would depend on your reasons for wanting to move, and where politics would fit into the total picture of the state's pros and cons. In any case, though MA does have a leftward tilt, 97 percent socialist is far from an accurate picture of the state as a whole. Some segments of the population, perhaps, but the state as a whole, no.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by rb5200

Just wondering but are there any conservatives in the Boston Metro area or is everyone pretty much from Stockholm?

All you have to do is review the facts of who has been elected by voters in the Boston area and in the Commonwealth as a whole.

The Congressional delegation and both US Senators are 100% Democrat, with such notables as Barney Frank, John Olver, Jim McGovern, Ted Kennedy, and John Kerry. These are some of the most left leaning in Congress.

The folks on Beacon Hill also give us insight into the politics of many in MA. We can start with Deval and work our way down to the spenders on Beacon Hill who are overwhelmingly Democrats. Unlike many states that are cutting spending and using tax increases as the last possible option, the folks on Beacon Hill have consistently chosen to raise taxes at the first sign of trouble.

Just look at 2002, when the income tax rollback (that was voted on and passed by the voters) was stopped under the excuse of economic hardship. Taxes and fees were also jacked up, despite a rainy day fund that contained in excess of a billion dollars Once the economy started growing again the income tax remained in place as did the new taxes. Now there are toll increases, huge gas tax increases, and runaway spending continues. The budget in MA is much larger than other states on a per capita basis.

Sorry if it offends people, but I recently left MA after 15 years and I can tell you that many people in MA are very socialist minded. It's not until you leave the northeast that you realize it. People in Boston and NY actually believe that their liberal echo chamber represents mainstream thinking. It doesn't. You can't tell me that people who elect Barney Frank aren't far to the left of mainstream America. It's your view and you have your right to it, but at least admit it.

[dontbugmeplease]

Originally Posted by neil0311

All you have to do is review the facts of who has been elected by voters in the Boston area and in the Commonwealth as a whole.

The Congressional delegation and both US Senators are 100% Democrat, with such notables as Barney Frank, John Olver, Jim McGovern, Ted Kennedy, and John Kerry. These are some of the most left leaning in Congress.

The folks on Beacon Hill also give us insight into the politics of many in MA. We can start with Deval and work our way down to the spenders on Beacon Hill who are overwhelmingly Democrats. Unlike many states that are cutting spending and using tax increases as the last possible option, the folks on Beacon Hill have consistently chosen to raise taxes at the first sign of trouble.

Just look at 2002, when the income tax rollback (that was voted on and passed by the voters) was stopped under the excuse of economic hardship. Taxes and fees were also jacked up, despite a rainy day fund that contained in excess of a billion dollars Once the economy started growing again the income tax remained in place as did the new taxes. Now there are toll increases, huge gas tax increases, and runaway spending continues. The budget in MA is much larger than other states on a per capita basis.

Sorry if it offends people, but I recently left MA after 15 years and I can tell you that many people in MA are very socialist minded. It's not until you leave the northeast that you realize it. People in Boston and NY actually believe that their liberal echo chamber represents mainstream thinking. It doesn't. You can't tell me that people who elect Barney Frank aren't far to the left of mainstream America. It's your view and you have your right to it, but at least admit it.

So how did Romney and Weld get elected?

[holden125]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Sorry if it offends people, but I recently left MA after 15 years and I can tell you that many people in MA are very socialist minded. It's not until you leave the northeast that you realize it. People in Boston and NY actually believe that their liberal echo chamber represents mainstream thinking. It doesn't. You can't tell me that people who elect Barney Frank aren't far to the left of mainstream America. It's your view and you have your right to it, but at least admit it.

Sorry if it offends people, but if you're defining "mainstream America" as Marietta, Ga., I think you missed the election results both in 2006 and 2008. There is a Democrat in the White House who is well-regarded in Greater Boston (the previous occupant stole his place there anyway), there are 59 Democrats in the US Senate, and it's 255-178 in the House. Thanks to the great job the Republican Party did running things, the GOP is due for a few decades in the doghouse and the people who elect Barney Frank are far more in touch with the national mood TODAY (not 2002) than your new, now-isolated region is.

Georgia? Talk about an echo chamber.

[Cinaed]

Okay I will give more information and maybe get some feedback. Yes, I currently live in AK which is a VERY RED state. I have lived other places and so I have exposure to more than just Alaska's ideas of red and blue. That said, I was on the west coast a couple yrs ago and was ABSOLUTELY APPALLED with the liberal tone. I had not been to the Pacific Northwest for a few yrs and the change was very shocking. I am all for our personal freedoms, and I am a firm believer in the freedom of speech. I also believe in good manners. While I was no fan of the last president I saw so much Bush hating and the "Anyone but Bush" to the point of sheer vulgarity and very VERY poor taste. I also saw homeless people rolled in blue tarps "napping" at the local library in Seattle, something you would NEVER see in Alaska. I was also appalled we were so put upon by panhandlers and pick pockets. I found my best defense was to raise my hands to the heavens and shout "God Bless George Bush!" It seemed to be the only effective way to keep undesirable folks from accosting my teenage daughter and trying to intimidate us on the public transit.

I have been doing lots of research for I know Massachusetts is pretty Liberal. I assumed not all Liberal States would have the same tone I observed in Washington and so I have been doing my research. Since so many in this thread are speaking from the experience of currently or previously residing in the area what say you? I am a pretty Moderate individual, I have some moderately liberal views in some areas and moderately conservative ideas about other subjects. What would you suggest is a good area of MA for such a person. I am 47, female, my children are grown so I am traveling and living alone. I have been most seriously considering the Boston North Shore area.

Cinaed

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by ogre

The predominant views in much of the state lean to the left, but there are many exceptions to this.

Please cite some of the exceptions. I can't think of any.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

Please cite some of the exceptions. I can't think of any.

1. Mitt Romney
2 - 1,104,284. All the Massachusetts voters who voted for John McCain

That's about 36% of the total votes casts, a crushing defeat for McCain in the state, for sure, but its only about 2 Obama votes for every McCain vote, not some ridiculous 30-1 margin that people seem to be thinking.

The thing about Massachusetts, or any place that has a decided majority towards one side of a political issue or spectrum, is that minority, however sizable tends to keep its mouth more shut then they otherwise would.

It's something of a self-sustaining cycle, if someone with minority views speaks up they tend to be overwhelmed in any discussion and while some people like disagreeing with what seems like everyone, most people don't and quickly learn to avoid the topic. Without exposure to both sides of a debate, people can forget that intelligent people can have a different opinion on certain issues, and start believing disagreement stems from some personal or intellectual defect. Often they make this known to others, which of course keeps most who would dissent even more quiet, and the cycle continues. That is certainly what I have noticed in Massachusetts, but its not a liberal thing, as I've noticed it the other way in more conservative places and in situations that have almost nothing to do with politics (like baseball). I think it's just human nature to think that you're right and those who disagree are wrong; having a vast silent minority only enhances that.

So if you're really afraid of a liberal tone, you might want to avoid the state, but it's not nearly as bad as you make it out to be or probably as it seems from what I've written above. If you want to make a big deal about it, people will certainly be available to get in your face, but if you leave politics alone most people will leave you alone about it.