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Old 08-03-2007, 04:51 PM
 
Location: C.R. K-T
6,202 posts, read 11,387,005 times
Reputation: 3804

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What do you think?
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Old 08-03-2007, 04:56 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
1,280 posts, read 4,274,410 times
Reputation: 677
Central Austin is liberal while the rest is mainly Libertarian. Right-wing Republicans usually don't last long here except for a few pockets in the suburban areas (Circle C).
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Old 08-03-2007, 05:12 PM
 
389 posts, read 1,626,736 times
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The way this town votes to pass any and every bond proposal, it is hard to label it Libertarian. In other words, we grow government at basically every opportunity.

Granted, some improvement bonds are necessary but this city needed a new $90m library [built on some of the most valuable city-owned land in all of the downtown area] as much as it needs gold-plated street signs. This comes from someone who does frequent the Falk library (i.e. I like public libraries but not fiscally irresponsible ones).
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Old 08-03-2007, 05:39 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
1,235 posts, read 3,758,806 times
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Is Austin really "liberal" or is it Libertarian?

Yes.
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Old 08-03-2007, 08:06 PM
 
8,231 posts, read 17,259,246 times
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After the city council gave the ~$80,000 forgiveable 'loan' to Las Manitas, I don't know how you can even ask if Austin is libertarian.
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Old 08-03-2007, 09:19 PM
 
Location: Texas
320 posts, read 294,951 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KerrTown View Post
What do you think?
Compared to the rest of Texas? Extreme liberal.
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Old 08-04-2007, 09:28 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
1,235 posts, read 3,758,806 times
Reputation: 396
Quote:
Originally Posted by mimimomx3 View Post
After the city council gave the ~$80,000 forgiveable 'loan' to Las Manitas, I don't know how you can even ask if Austin is libertarian.
You're right, but if you listen to the voices of the citizens of Austin you hear more of a mix of liberal and libertarian than you would in, say, Massachusetts, where libertarians are viewed as conspiracy theorist nut-jobs. And don't forget, the only libertarian in Congress (Ron Paul) is from the district just to the south of Austin. Yes, he's a "Republican" for expedience, but if you have watched any of the GOP debates then you know he's farther from the mainstream GOP than any Democrat aside from Dennis Kucinich.

That's why I answered "yes." Austin is liberal with a libertarian streak, and that's why I prefer the grass-roots politics here to those of more liberal places like San Francisco or Burlington, VT. Unfortunately, our city council seems to have sold out to mainstream corporate liberalism, favoring special interest groups, taxing and growing their way out of financial problems (while creating more problems than they solve), and granting special favors to the loudest voices and fattest wallets. At this point it really doesn't seem to matter that the council is supposedly composed of environmentalist liberals. They act the same as any generic growth-promoting city council in any typical American city, they're sell-outs.
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Old 08-04-2007, 11:56 AM
 
Location: Austin, Texas
35 posts, read 135,827 times
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Liberal, and very nice to some.
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Old 08-04-2007, 01:33 PM
 
389 posts, read 1,626,736 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheHarvester View Post
At this point it really doesn't seem to matter that the council is supposedly composed of environmentalist liberals. They act the same as any generic growth-promoting city council in any typical American city, they're sell-outs.
Amen to that.

I feel strongly that some common-sense citizens would be able to successfully run for a council seat with the following ultra-simple platform:

"My opponent voted to essentially give a business over $500,000 in public funds while simultaneously complaining that there may be a budget shortfall that could require an increase to the average citizen's property taxes. If elected, I vow to restore common-sense and fiscal responsibility on behalf of the citizens of Austin."
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Old 08-04-2007, 01:49 PM
 
25,157 posts, read 53,812,823 times
Reputation: 7058
LOL I've been in Austin for over 3 weeks and it isn't either liberal or libertarian. It is more moderate. I came from Denton and there is where you will find annoying libertarian people.

But consider i've only been in Austin for over 3 weeks so it is possible I have not met the libertarian group yet. Around the UT campus and down town is pretty liberal though.

I don't think Austin is as progressive as Dallas though.
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