What is the political temperature in NH? (transfer, living)

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by pslOldTimer

NH has always been "interesting" to say the very least.

My primary observation is that New Hampshirites, regardless of their political leanings, take politics seriously! Perhaps more so that any other area outside of the DC beltway Because of this, I see very little of the "blind faith" followers of any particular proclivity that I see in other areas.

People may hold strong opinions in NH, but for the most part, they have thought about them and have a personal rationale for holding them, not because of what someone else says.

I saw it the other night when I had a "discussion" with a couple of hippies who insisted that Reagan armed Iraq. Nice try, kids. Now go back to DemocraticUnderground and hit the bong some more.

These kids hadn't thought out their opinions--they merely recited the talking points spoon-fed to them. Sad, really.

[Dragondog]

New Hampshire is surely the most 'conservative' state in New England- but the word conservative is different then what you would find in the south or states like Utah of Wyoming.

The state in recent years has shifted from deep red, to pale red to now light blue- the state has become more liberal on social issues as is all of New England- while being conservative on fiscal issues- which is like most of New England as well.

The most liberal state in New England is probably Massachusetts, followed secondly by Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut (all tied for 2) Maine is just slightly less liberal then those states, but more liberal then NH. Also the war in Iraq, is not popular at all in New England- including New Hampshire.

The reasons for New Hampshire changing into the 'blue area'?
Firstly immigration from neighboring MA- and perhaps the current swing to the 'radical right' of the current GOP- which has become 'crazy' on social issues, but has spent us into debt-something thrifty New Englanders do not like.

New Hampshire and the rest of New Englanders are not 'religous fanatics' and believe the government should stay out of peoples personal lives- so there is an element of 'liberterian' thought in the state.

New England by in large is the most 'progressive' part of the nation, and New Hampshire has made that same shift as well- but it is not as liberal as the rest of the region.

[tkx7]

New Hampshire is conservative in the sense that it likes to have less government, thus free economy, fewer laws and more individual freedom. There is a difference between religious conservatism and normal conservatism- NH is the ladder. New Hampshire is actually liberatarian in many ways.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by Earthangel1776

I think people here overall tend to be more conservative than people in Mass. and definitely more so than in Vermont. I'd say NH may be the most conservative of the New England states. But many of the people moving up here from Mass. bring their political viewpoints with them. There is a pretty equal mix here, including a lot of independents and libertarians. Many of the people here tend to be rugged Yankees who have made their way to success by working hard, and for whom the liberal platform doesn't jive. But I know a lot of liberals too. Pretty much, anything goes here!

When I see NH, been there on business many, many times I see Old New England. Beautiful and Free.
NH has always been a conservative state, the Red in the mesh of Blue until the last few years. I highlight the comment from Earthangel. When you see the exit polls and voting results one will see Southern NH changing the overall color of the state. We are slowly seeing the same thing in Georgia with the massive influx of New Yorkers and the hordes invading from the left coast.

Here is my delimma. You speak to these folks and ask; Why did you move to GA (even NH)????
Answer: We ran from the taxation, jobs were leaving, income taxation going through the roof, property taxes killing us, our state is in shambles!!!!
Then comes election time, now for example, and you speak to the same folks and all you hear is "We need more Democrats, GA is to conservative (NH can be used here too), there are not enough Social Programs!!!"

Is it me or are these folks lost in the wilderness? You run out of your present state due to current conditions, go to places like GA, NH, etc., then turn around and try to mimic the dreaded places from which you ran????

[Dragondog]

Georgia

I think it might be stretch to compare NH conservatives with those in Georgia. - there is here a pretty rigid separation of church and state belief -something that many Georgians fail to understand-in that specific concept of the Consitution.

In addition there is far less fanantical religous dogma in NH and New England in general.

Also, despite NH 's 'conservatism' the state is very tolerant of gays and Lesbians, and has pretty liberal state laws regarding diecrimination- something that Georgia is years away from having.

Freedom is just not for those who are wealthy, white, straight, or who go to church every Sunday-it is for all. Georgia, while being a fine state, has not reached that point yet, New Hampshire has.

[nhyrnut]

hot and spicy with lots of liberals tring to take over the state but we are fighting back tring to force them back to taxachusetts man they suck

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by CelticLion

Georgia

I think it might be stretch to compare NH conservatives with those in Georgia. - there is here a pretty rigid separation of church and state belief -something that many Georgians fail to understand-in that specific concept of the Consitution.

In addition there is far less fanantical religous dogma in NH and New England in general.

Also, despite NH 's 'conservatism' the state is very tolerant of gays and Lesbians, and has pretty liberal state laws regarding diecrimination- something that Georgia is years away from having.

Freedom is just not for those who are wealthy, white, straight, or who go to church every Sunday-it is for all. Georgia, while being a fine state, has not reached that point yet, New Hampshire has.

Would disagree,
Georgia, though Baptist there, Baptist here, everywhere a Baptist, Baptist is and has become very open in regard to Religion and seperation of. Though Lutheran by birth, I have not set foot in a organized church in well over a decade and I am not treated as Satan. Yes, Georgia gets teased about religion as much as saying the state motto is "We put the fun in fundamentalism" but you will find many of your hardcore Right Wing nut jobs are located in Texas, Florida, Virginia, Oklahoma, and even of all places, Southern California where much of the high $$$$ zealots live their lives and run their TV stations.

As far as Gay's? Let me put it to you this way. The Atlanta area, the city, and NW of the city has some of the largest Gay populations in the country. Heck, there are four Gay couples in our neighborhood alone. Atlanta and North Central Georgia is now considered a "International City"

Yes, we are still conservative in a government approach. Don't want the NY socialism and the California taxes. Heck, we don't even want the Federal Government. But with the heavy influx coming in as I said in a previous post it makes one wonder if we will be Blue soon too.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by CelticLion

Georgia

I think it might be stretch to compare NH conservatives with those in Georgia. - there is here a pretty rigid separation of church and state belief -something that many Georgians fail to understand-in that specific concept of the Consitution.

In addition there is far less fanantical religous dogma in NH and New England in general.

Also, despite NH 's 'conservatism' the state is very tolerant of gays and Lesbians, and has pretty liberal state laws regarding diecrimination- something that Georgia is years away from having.

Freedom is just not for those who are wealthy, white, straight, or who go to church every Sunday-it is for all. Georgia, while being a fine state, has not reached that point yet, New Hampshire has.

Celt, Granted NE is more tolerant while in NH on my many business travels I found that being a WASP was rather uncommon. Seemed about half of my meetings from Gorham to Manchester from Concord to Nashua ended up in a Knights of Columbus hall

[OCCASparky]

Originally Posted by Georgia

When I see NH, been there on business many, many times I see Old New England. Beautiful and Free.
NH has always been a conservative state, the Red in the mesh of Blue until the last few years. I highlight the comment from Earthangel. When you see the exit polls and voting results one will see Southern NH changing the overall color of the state. We are slowly seeing the same thing in Georgia with the massive influx of New Yorkers and the hordes invading from the left coast.

Here is my delimma. You speak to these folks and ask; Why did you move to GA (even NH)????
Answer: We ran from the taxation, jobs were leaving, income taxation going through the roof, property taxes killing us, our state is in shambles!!!!
Then comes election time, now for example, and you speak to the same folks and all you hear is "We need more Democrats, GA is to conservative (NH can be used here too), there are not enough Social Programs!!!"

Is it me or are these folks lost in the wilderness? You run out of your present state due to current conditions, go to places like GA, NH, etc., then turn around and try to mimic the dreaded places from which you ran????

Hammer. Nail. Head.

[Dragondog]

Georgia

despite your protests, Georgia remains pretty much a state tied to religion-yes Atlanta is a small Island in a state that is very conservative.

Drive through rural Georgia with plates from New England or the northeast-good luck dude- the deep south sorry to say remains culturally behind the NE and west coast- and despite Atlanta's 'tolerance' the rest of the state is not tolerant of gays or others. The states LAWS are very regressive. And I am 'half wasp'.....so I understand the torment and confusion LOL....