Northern California Vs. Southern (thought, Democrats, Republicans, Liberalism)

[blutwurstmann]

Why is Nocal more left wing, whereas Socal is known for being more right wing?

[Hawkeye48]

I think it's more or less political pockets that have developed. The SF bay area is very liberal while big chunks of the Central Valley are conservative. California's population has doubled in the last 25 years primarily due to immigration. So all across California we have seen huge demographic shifts. Political affiliations frequently accompany those shifts.

[ontheroad]

Are you anticipating a controversy?

Or did you post this here by mistake?

[fpbear]

Northern CA is left wing because of San Francisco. The gay population, plus the anti Vietnam war protestors that turned UC Berkeley into a home base for the hippie movement, forever molded Northern CA into a liberal fortress.

The Southern CA right wing tilt stems from Orange County. OC has long had an entrepreneurial business friendly spirirt. It started with the early settlers that made a business of orange farms and oil drilling.

Northern CA on the other hand attracted gold miners in the early days, who wanted quick and easy riches. It kind of reflects in the liberal movement philosophy of today emphasizing welfare and government programs (easy money).

[skytrekker]

Easy money? I would think that IS what the vast majority of corporations, their overpaid CEO's and greedy shareholders are getting, at the expense of the worker drones and the rest of us. Frankly I am tired of 'Socialism' for the rich.

As far as California where I lived many years; The San Francisco Bay area has always had a strong 'progressive' slant. But there has always been an entrepreneurial spirit of innovators and pioneers in Silicon valley as well. Its large gay population, and the liberal iconic campus at the Univ. of CA at Berkeley has been a hotbed of revolt for decades. Demographics also plays a role in the bay area; with many of the original settlers coming from the Northeastern seaboard and Europe, where liberalism thrives- the newcomers brought this progressive thought with them. The Bay area has lost none of its progressive vigor. Marin and Sonoma county have also become very Democratic.

The central Valley has largely been a conservative GOP stronghold - and again demographics play a role. Many of the settlers have come from the lower great plains- which traditionally have a 'bible belt' conservative background.

Orange county has many former 'Okies' as well, and for years has been a conservative bastion. However in recent years Latino immigrants have tilted the county less republican.

L.A County remains largely a Democratic stronghold, perhaps less slightly so the the bay area. The central coast is a tossup, leaning more to the Democrats of late.

San Diego tilts to the right, with its strong military presence.

Comparing California with Connecticut- where I live now. Connecticut is as liberal; but here both city, suburb and even small towns are Democrat, with the most rural areas especially in the western part of the state slightly leaning republican. And even the republicans here are moderate to liberal on social issues. Ultra far right republicans found in some areas of California are pretty rare here.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by fpbear

Northern CA on the other hand attracted gold miners in the early days, who wanted quick and easy riches. It kind of reflects in the liberal movement philosophy of today emphasizing welfare and government programs (easy money).

Going off and working your butt off in the wilderness where a very small percentage actually made much $ is easy money? The people who really made money were the suppliers like Levi Strauss. And this reflects on the very hard earned money like tax cuts for the wealthier segments of society?