What "kind" of conservatism best describes SD (and SoCal in general) (Los Angeles: crime, houses)

[The_Fairfaxian]

For the longest time, I always thought all of the west coast was very liberal. However, I've been hearing about how San Diego has a more conservative reputation. Even though I consider myself a democratic-leaning moderate, I don't mind particular conservative views (mainly beliefs about financial, family-structure, and less unnecessary gov't intervention). But what are the main characteristics behind San Diego's (and in that case, SoCal's) conservatism. Is it the family-orientated perspective like in Denver, the benefit for businesses and the wealthy like in the OC, or is it more in the lines of the good ol' boy view of the historical South or the so-called religious-evangelical alliance in the modern South.

[worldlyman]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

For the longest time, I always thought all of the west coast was very liberal. However, I've been hearing about how San Diego has a more conservative reputation. Even though I consider myself a democratic-leaning moderate, I don't mind particular conservative views (mainly beliefs about financial, family-structure, and less unnecessary gov't intervention). But what are the main characteristics behind San Diego's (and in that case, SoCal's) conservatism. Is it the family-orientated perspective like in Denver, the benefit for businesses and the wealthy like in the OC, or is it more in the lines of the good ol' boy view of the historical South or the so-called religious-evangelical alliance in the modern South.

I lived there for almost 4 years. They have had a couple women mayors but of the country club variety, unlike say the really independent-minded Kathy Whitmire of Houston. They have had no minority mayors. Houston has had Lee Brown as a black mayor and almost had a Latino one recently but it's trying. Hell, a former mayor of San Diego, an ******* named Roger Hedgecock, is a vehement right wing radio host in San Diego.

San Diego is liberal in the environmental sense but is pro-war and pro-business.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is staunchly neanderthal right-wing as opposed to the more moderate but right-leaning Houston Chronicle.

Houston is considered pro-business but it seems to churn with left-wing ferment. Houston is only one of five US cities to be a major leftist Pacifica Radio transmitter. San Diego...well, drive north one hour and a half, and one can get Pacifica Radio from Los Angeles.

San Diego does seem colonial at the societal level. The have nots (i.e. service sector people) and the haves (the owners of wealth), it has that division. They mostly do not live near each other. In Houston, at least there is a general criss-crossing of the haves and have nots...it feels less segregated. Societally, on the face of it anyway, Houston seems more modern. I felt quartered living in the South Bay of San Diego. In Houston, I can live in Alief, Sharpstown or Westbury but the whole city feels "mine" regardless of who is in it.

For a city so close to Mexico, there is a subtle repression of Latino culture. Yes, San Ysidro at the border, the culture is more pronounced but certainly not it's not the cosmopolitan feel of Los Angeles, Houston and the Latino fiestas of San Antonio, El Paso and Laredo.

But for the monied whitebread tourists, San Diego is a wonderful paradise with the artifacts like La Jolla, the Gas Lamp, SeaWorld and such.

[Sassberto]

Lots of libertarians in SD, especially in North and East county. Most tend to be socially liberal but ultra-conservative with regards to things like infrastructure and public programs.

[kettlepot]

Worldlyman's description is quite accurate if one is viewing San Diego from a Far Left perspective. If you want a perspective of San Diego as seen from the middle just take what W-man has said and move it a few notches.

For example, the SD-UT's editorial page has opinions that are moderately conservative and business-oriented.

Hedgecock's beliefs are standard-issue conservative coupled with some showmanship and verbosity in order to draw an audience.

San Diego has not had any minority mayors since the mid-1800s but then none of the minority groups present in the city - and there are a LOT of different groups - represent a significant share of the voting public individually.

San Diego is a Navy Town and proud of it. It considers being a Navy Town to be a good thing and supports the US military. Support for the military is actually common outside of San Francisco/Berkeley and meetings of university professors.

San Diego tries to be more accommodative to business interests than say San Francisco or Los Angeles, but that doesn't make it a company-owned town. As Worldlyman said, San Diego is quite protective of its natural beauty.

As for the repression of Latino culture, there is plenty of it around, and given that San Diego is on the American side of the border, the public believes that overall San Diego should conduct itself as an American city without assassinations and the general practice of "mordida."

Just my opinion.

[worldlyman]

San Antonio is an American town, lots of US style houses, infrastructure and plazas...but it doesn't mean it has to repress the Latino fiesta.

And indeed, it is American institutions like the CIA that contribute the hit lists, money and guns to commit "mordida" in places like Mexico, El Salvador, Indonesia, Chile among so many others around the world. Even inside the USA, its covert operatives commit "mordida" such as 911, assassinations of JFK and plane sabotage of Paul Wellstone.

I enjoy the fact Houston is still American, with its yearly large rodeo (I don't much get into it) but still has street signs in Chinese and Vietnamese. Socially and culturally it seems to mesh with many of its residents though it may not be nice to some people.

Cities around the world like Manila and London import American styles into their fronts...so there's nothing wrong with cosmopolitan sharing. The McCulture thing has got to go though.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by worldlyman

And indeed, it is American institutions like the CIA that contribute the hit lists, money and guns to commit "mordida" in places like Mexico, El Salvador, Indonesia, Chile among so many others around the world. Even inside the USA, its covert operatives commit "mordida" such as 911, assassinations of JFK and plane sabotage of Paul Wellstone.

I stand corrected from my previous comment, (see below)

Worldlyman's description is quite accurate if one is viewing San Diego from a Far Left perspective.

Clearly, I was off-base....

[california_guy110]

Originally Posted by worldlyman

For a city so close to Mexico, there is a subtle repression of Latino culture. Yes, San Ysidro at the border, the culture is more pronounced but certainly not it's not the cosmopolitan feel of Los Angeles, Houston and the Latino fiestas of San Antonio, El Paso and Laredo.

Would you prefer that the filth of Tijuana spilled over into all of San Diego? I have nothing against Mexico and love visiting different parts of the country but Tijuana is a dangerous and filthy crime ridden place, there are plenty of Mexican restaurants around San Diego as well as Old Town San Diego.

[worldlyman]

Originally Posted by california_guy110

Would you prefer that the filth of Tijuana spilled over into all of San Diego? I have nothing against Mexico and love visiting different parts of the country but Tijuana is a dangerous and filthy crime ridden place, there are plenty of Mexican restaurants around San Diego as well as Old Town San Diego.

I never mentioned Tijuana. I never said that Mexican culture in an American city should reflect the city of Tijuana. Cozumel, for instance, from what I've explored on foot, in the neighborhoods, seems actually cleaner than most of San Diego. And I explored away from the beaten paths.

And those restaurants in Old Town are definitely not Mexican fare. The real stuff is quartered away from the whitebread touristy areas. But in San Antonio the real stuff can be anywhere, including its whitebread areas.

[california_guy110]

OK I think I understand what you mean, I've talked with different locals to San Diego and they all have a bad image of Mexico, much more so than I did and I am from northern California (I always thought it was a fun, exciting place, if not dangerous to go) I think the fact that they are always hearing of the bad things happening across the border leads to them not wanting any part of the culture. However, there are a lot of areas of San Diego where there are a lot of Mexican immigrants living and I found these areas to be safe and liked going to their grocery stores as they have interesting food and a good selection of produce, there are some areas but there aren't as many as a place like LA has.

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by worldlyman

I lived there for almost 4 years. They have had a couple women mayors but of the country club variety, unlike say the really independent-minded Kathy Whitmire of Houston. They have had no minority mayors. Houston has had Lee Brown as a black mayor and almost had a Latino one recently but it's trying. Hell, a former mayor of San Diego, an ******* named Roger Hedgecock, is a vehement right wing radio host in San Diego.

San Diego is liberal in the environmental sense but is pro-war and pro-business.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is staunchly neanderthal right-wing as opposed to the more moderate but right-leaning Houston Chronicle.

Houston is considered pro-business but it seems to churn with left-wing ferment. Houston is only one of five US cities to be a major leftist Pacifica Radio transmitter. San Diego...well, drive north one hour and a half, and one can get Pacifica Radio from Los Angeles.

San Diego does seem colonial at the societal level. The have nots (i.e. service sector people) and the haves (the owners of wealth), it has that division. They mostly do not live near each other. In Houston, at least there is a general criss-crossing of the haves and have nots...it feels less segregated. Societally, on the face of it anyway, Houston seems more modern. I felt quartered living in the South Bay of San Diego. In Houston, I can live in Alief, Sharpstown or Westbury but the whole city feels "mine" regardless of who is in it.

For a city so close to Mexico, there is a subtle repression of Latino culture. Yes, San Ysidro at the border, the culture is more pronounced but certainly not it's not the cosmopolitan feel of Los Angeles, Houston and the Latino fiestas of San Antonio, El Paso and Laredo.

But for the monied whitebread tourists, San Diego is a wonderful paradise with the artifacts like La Jolla, the Gas Lamp, SeaWorld and such.

What's with the constant comparison of SD to Houston in your posts? San Diego is not Houston (or LA), nor does it want to be. It's great that Houston is a better fit for you. No offense, but I can tell you that most people here don't think twice about Houston. Apples and oranges.....