[MassVt]

..of VT are mostly concentrated in Chittenden County, with perhaps some votes in the Montpelier/Barre area, along with perhaps Rutland. Much of rural VT is fairly conservative, but not of the extreme right-wing variety. Vters seem to prefer more moderate Republicans for their governor (Snelling, Douglas, etc), and for their representatives in WashDC (Jeffords, Stafford, Aiken, etc).

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by MassVt

along with perhaps Rutland.

Whoa! Not in my experience. Rutland seems pretty conservative to me in terms of its voting and professed community values. But I think it's also fairly diverse in its citizenry's viewpoints for such a small area.

[Tarastomsgirl]

I cannot speak for the whole state as I'm in NH, but I'm very close to the Vermont border and particularly Brattleboro and will say from Keene to Brattleboro (as thats the only places I've been) are extreamly Libertarian... I gotta be honest it gets to the point where it pisses me off and its very preachy. Everywhere I turn I gotta read about saving the whales, and keep the gov't out,and whatever else. It feel like its shoved down your throat sometimes.. Thats just how I feel about it. I'm tired of seeing them constantly video taping the cops, and making trouble and protesting every single thing about society.. T
hey love to protest on the streets, but they don't want to pay the taxes to keep the streets nice. They have "cop watch" here in Keene where they literally go around filming the cops arresting and ticketing people to make sure there is no injustice for the injust. Their thinking is let the criminals go, its the system opressing them pretty much.. I am speaking of only a select few that I have witnessed so this is not for all... These people I constantly see running around I like to call the "extreamists". They have become more about going against the government and purposely getting arrested, than working with the government for change. Its the childish way of doing things..

[MRVphotog]

Unless you have taken a survey I don't think anyone in here can give an accurate generalization as to the political leanings of their area. The idea that there are not progressive/liberal folks in rural areas of the state is ludicrious IMHO.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

Unless you have taken a survey I don't think anyone in here can give an accurate generalization as to the political leanings of their area. The idea that there are not progressive/liberal folks in rural areas of the state is ludicrious IMHO.

100% correct! They have infested all regions. On a lighter note, had another nice ride today to Northfield through your region. Took the Moretown mountan route to Northfield in the AM and came back via Roxbury Mt route into Warren and then on toward App Gap on Vt 17 in the Pm. The back roads are getting much better as far as mud and tooth filling jarring ruts.

[Sporin]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

I really like to ski and enjoy the feel of Vermont, but whenever I go up there it seems like a lot of extreme liberals live up there.

Like I see a lot of "1-29-09" and anti bush bumper stickers and whatnot. Plus I know that you got the Gay marriage and all sorts of stuff like that.

Is this indicitive of Vermont as a whole?

VTers cover a huge spectrum of political and socioeconomic backgrounds, not sure you can pigeonhole us all.

There will always be extreme right and extreme left anywhere you go, they are loud and vocal but rarely represent the vast majority around them who fall somewhere in between.

Being right on the Hanover NH border this is considered a VERY "liberal" area (because of Dartmouth) but honestly I don't see how it effects my life one bit what others are doing.

As for all the anti Bush stickers, that's not just a VT thing... his approval rating is the lowest in history. Gay marriage (or Civil Unions) are legal in MANY states now so you can't pigeonhole VT on that either.

[Colomonter]

This question can be answered by looking at one fact! Bernie Sanders, who is argueably the most liberal politician in Congress is a self described Socialist. Bernie won his Senate seat over a very successful businessman (Rich Tarrant) whose only sin was being a wealthy, moderate, Republican.

Generally speaking, candidates of Bernie's political persuasion don't receive 10% of the vote or more likely they don't even make it onto the ballot in most states.

In Vermont Bernie received approximately two thirds of the vote compared to Tarrant's one third.

Anyone that tells you that Vermont is no more liberal than other places is not looking at the facts or has an agenda of some kind.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

I really like to ski and enjoy the feel of Vermont, but whenever I go up there it seems like a lot of extreme liberals live up there.

What exactly does VT feel like? Is it a soft and fuzzy type of thing? Cool, icy and slick? Muddy and sticky?

I am not a liberal, but welcome the fact that we live in a nation where people can feel free to express their views, and counterpoint views that might seem oppressive, divisive, or just plain wrong to them. I believe that is the case anywhere. It's just that for some reason, people elsewhere tend to have pigeon holed VT as a place full of granola eating, earth shoe wearing, reefer smoking hippies and find it much easier to pin the stereotype on the state.

Like I see a lot of "1-29-09" and anti bush bumper stickers and whatnot. Plus I know that you got the Gay marraige and all sorts of stuff like that.

I see plenty of the same on LI and live in an area which readily accepts our friends who are gay and lesbian. What does this mean to your theory?

Is this indicitive of Vermont as a whole?

Of course not, just as your myopic stereotyping isn't indicative of NJ as a whole.

[mustmove]

reefer smoking hippies and find it much easier to pin the stereotype on the state.
75% of Vter's admit to smoking pot. The VT supreme court essentially ruled that the state can't search for pot from low flying helicopters because it makes certain homeowners/farmers paranoid. Manufacturing companies have about 70% of potential new hires fail pre employment drug testing(and those are folks who think they can pass...) Fact is VT is hardcore lefty-socialist nutjob paradise. Personally I don't care I'm leaving for better economic conditions and if VT is to stay a lefty haven fine by me. But let's not misrepresent the state to outsiders. All it does is trick high utility people into moving here for a couple of years. Yes the state gets transfer payments out of that but it is unfair to the high utility people. And since VT is such a paradise there should be no need to sucker in productive people. All the business we ever need we already have, don't believe me try opening one.

[OhBeeHave]

Please provide me with a link to the data you've provided about 75% admit to smoking pot. Is it active smoking, tried smoking, smoking on a regular basis? Did the stats cite any other drugs?

This is the sort of thing that really piques my interest.

Thanks