Is Dobbs Ferry very..um.. Republican? (Clinton: to live, move to, bill)

[rubygreta]

Originally Posted by mrspabs

Westchester overall is slightly more democratic than republican, at least when it comes to presidential elections.

Not to turn this into a debate, but I think its very relevant whether your neighbors are mostly conservative or liberal. Take the current debate over sex ed for instance. I would want to live in a town where we can agree on whether kids get comprehensive sex ed or abstinence only sex ed. Or whether they teach evolution etc.. These local issues affect your family directly!

Find me a district in Westchester where there is no sex ed, and where evolution is not tought. Just one.

[ceskykrumlov]

Originally Posted by dma1250

And accepting political diversity is an important skill for kids and grownups to learn too--just as key as accepting differences in race, culture, sexual orientation, etc.

I couldn't agree more. That's why I am seeking a more politically mixed village environment than the one where I grew up.

[havoc315]

Dobbs Ferry is a pretty progressive town.

Until recently, Westchester was politically dominated by Republicans, but that has shifted in the last couple of years ----- BUT --- When talking about Republican participation in local politics, we aren't talking about the national party. There are very few similarities between the local parties and the national parties, they deal in very different issues.

Dobbs Ferry is pretty diverse. The river towns are all known to be somewhat progressive. I think you'll be fine.

[somersmom]

Originally Posted by dma1250

On the one hand, it does matter to me that my neighbors are all democrats and that before elections our community association always invites the local Democratic candidates to our events (so we can meet them) but never the Republican ones. One of our neighbors is a Republican and we are very friendly, but I do feel more comfortable knowing that most of my neighbors share my basic values.

On the other hand, I think some posters are exagerating the potential evils of a more conservative town. The teaching of evolution is determined by the state, not by the town. And I am pretty sure that NY state only funds comprehensive sex-ed programs, not abstinence only ones. And accepting political diversity is an important skill for kids and grownups to learn too--just as key as accepting differences in race, culture, sexual orientation, etc.

you absolutely contradict yourself. on the one hand you say accepting political diversity is an important lesson for kids, but on the other you freely admit that you don't extend the same courtesy to local Republican candidates to meet with your neighbors' group as you do with local Democratic candidates. interesting.

[dma1250]

Originally Posted by somersmom

you absolutely contradict yourself. on the one hand you say accepting political diversity is an important lesson for kids, but on the other you freely admit that you don't extend the same courtesy to local Republican candidates to meet with your neighbors' group as you do with local Democratic candidates. interesting.

No, I said that I liked the fact that my area is Democratic and that the community association does not invite Republicans. If I were on the association board, I would actually want to invite them to be fair--but then I wouldn't attend.

And the "on the one hand/on the other hand" structure was supposed to highlight the fact that I realize there is a contradtiction there. It is natural for us to feel comfortable with people with similar ideas and values--but that is an impulse we should all fight.

[rubygreta]

Originally Posted by dma1250

No, I said that I liked the fact that my area is Democratic and that the community association does not invite Republicans. If I were on the association board, I would actually want to invite them to be fair--but then I wouldn't attend.

And the "on the one hand/on the other hand" structure was supposed to highlight the fact that I realize there is a contradtiction there. It is natural for us to feel comfortable with people with similar ideas and values--but that is an impulse we should all fight.

So if you meet someone who is a Republican, you automatically assume that you do not have similar ideals and values? I can tell you right now that there are lots of Democrats out their who probably do not share your ideals and have crappy values.

And I have never heard of a "community association" that is so closed-minded that it would not invite a politician with a different political view.

[dma1250]

Originally Posted by rubygreta

So if you meet someone who is a Republican, you automatically assume that you do not have similar ideals and values? I can tell you right now that there are lots of Democrats out their who probably do not share your ideals and have crappy values.

And I have never heard of a "community association" that is so closed-minded that it would not invite a politician with a different political view.

Well, not to be rude, but anyone who would consider voting for McCain/Palin does not share my basic ideals and values. True, lots of Democrats don't either.

As for community association, I do actually agree that they should invite both--as I said before. But I suppose the board feels that since the community is all Democrats, why invite Republican candidates?

[rubygreta]

Originally Posted by dma1250

Well, not to be rude, but anyone who would consider voting for McCain/Palin does not share my basic ideals and values. True, lots of Democrats don't either.

As for community association, I do actually agree that they should invite both--as I said before. But I suppose the board feels that since the community is all Democrats, why invite Republican candidates?

Scene: Moms introduce themselves in the playground.

Mom A: Hi, I'm Linda. Looks like our sons are really hitting it off.

Mom B: Hi, I'm Sue. Yes, it's great, don't you think. Maybe you and your son can come over to our house one day. By the way, who are you voting for?

Mom A: McCain

Mom B: Never mind. The invitation is withdrawn. Billy, come over here. I don't want you playing with Tommy anymore.

[dma1250]

Originally Posted by rubygreta

Scene: Moms introduce themselves in the playground.

Mom A: Hi, I'm Linda. Looks like our sons are really hitting it off.

Mom B: Hi, I'm Sue. Yes, it's great, don't you think. Maybe you and your son can come over to our house one day. By the way, who are you voting for?

Mom A: McCain

Mom B: Never mind. The invitation is withdrawn. Billy, come over here. I don't want you playing with Tommy anymore.

That's funny. I would certainly never ask a casual aquaintance who they are voting for and some of my son's best friends' parents are indeed Republican. I like them and enjoy chatting with them--but I'd never become close friends with them. As I said, anyone who is voting for McCain does not share basic values that I hold dear. That doesn't mean I can't chat with them, have lunch with them, or enjoy their company. But it does limit the depth of any potential friendship.

[rubygreta]

Originally Posted by dma1250

As I said, anyone who is voting for McCain does not share basic values that I hold dear.

But McCain voters have all sorts of different values. And some McCain voters don't like McCain at all. They just like Obama even less.

Sorry, but I can't believe that someone who sounds fairly intellignet can make such a parochial statement.