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I notice a trend in America that Liberal cities are the most desired(get the most attention) and usually where people that are in a interracial relationship, GLBT, or progressive themselves flock to. When people describe a conservative area, it always come off as a boring, narrow minded with people that are suspicious of outsiders. So what do you think of liberal and conservative cities? Which city do you prefer to live in?
It seem like America is trying to become more liberal and it seem like Liberal cities are more popular than conservatives.
Last edited by Chicagoland60426; 07-16-2009 at 01:28 AM..
At the moment, I see more evidence that the people who are considering moving are trying to escape high tax areas, going to those areas where there are more job opportunities, and also going to where the weather is more moderate. Whether a city is consider liberal or conservative is very important to some people, but I think for the majority of people looking to move it's something of a secondary consideration.
The Internet may potentially skew some things. Internet forums tend to disproportionately attract people in subcultures, the unemployable, and people under 30. Their politics tends to tilt either liberal or libertarian.
Plus young unmarried people are traditionally more drawn to "the city" than other kinds of people. Young unmarrieds tend to be in a phase of life where they're exploring their options and values. So this often means being more "liberal", in a way, and open. Chesterton I believe stated that "the point of an open mind, like an open mouth, is to shut it on something solid." However at that point in his life even Chesterton hadn't really "shut it" on anything solid and I think many conservatives tolerate a bit of "running around" in the early years of adulthood.
Or put more crudely. Young unmarried people tend to want sex, diversity, drugs, and Rock&Roll. Conservative towns don't really fit as the best place for that. And although I didn't go through quite that stuff myself, I did want to be exposed and challenged more. And as a conservative-type person a conservative city wouldn't have been ideal for that.
Although by the logic I went with a conservative-city might be a good place for a young liberal who wants to have their ideals questioned and challenged. If you're a gay Green Party member maybe Provo, Utah would have an ironic/rebellious thrill. Well at least in theory. (Provo might be flooded with homosexual Green Party activists and I just haven't heard it)
I think the best cities are the ones that have a good mix between the two, politically. It seems as though liberal cities are too this, and conservative ones are too that. A place where taxes aren't so high, cost of living is reasonable, and where it's socially progressive, but not taking it too far would be my ideal city.
I notice a trend in America that Liberal cities are the most desired...{snip}..So what do you think of liberal and conservative cities? Which city do you prefer to live in? ...{snip}
Hmmmm-mm... just some passing thoughts on you questions....
I think, really just a guess, that you are seeing two related facts and are trying to set up a cause-effect relationship that does not exist. I think both facts are driven by other causes. But I may be wrong.
A lot of people want to live is similar good climate cities, some people want access to highly desirable outdoor (or ocean beaches, fishing, whatever), while some like the pulse of a large Metro City with lots of diversions, and so on and so forth.
What you may be calling a Liberal city, may only be a community that for reasons of climate, outdoor activities, Urban lifestyle, or whatever that has attracted business and entrepreneurs to start (or continue) employment that attracts some educated people. And the decision where to locate new or upgraded employment includes the Public Transportation, Clean Streets, off-work-hours diversions, and so on that will appeal to the Owners, Managers and potential employees. Point is, like tend to flock to like.
Old time factory work for the last 20 or 30 years has been moved away, outside the USA. The employment that drove the rust-belt industries in the1920's, 30's, 40's and 50's was based on a factory model that died in the 1980's. Quality jobs for blue collar workers have disappeared, leaving the workers scrambling for secure employment in the so called rust belt.
When you call a city liberal or conservative maybe the question is why a city is so liberal or so conservative? As I know it, Chicago is known as an Industrial, Warehouse, food distribution, blue collar-town with strong ties to the retail business; a tradition from the Rail-Road industry of the early 1900's, IMHO. Boulder, CO has a different history and should attract a largely different employment profile (people) than say New Orleans.
A slightly differently way to phrase your question is: Does the highly active community involvement (Taxes) in things like Light Rail and Mass Transit, extensive public libraries, parks, neighborhood centers, after-hours diversions, and community arts really impact employment in a positive way? Because if it does, as liberals claim, spending tax money will attract employment (and add to the tax rolls.)
But if the spending of the Tax money has little, no, or negative employment impact (companies move elsewhere to avoid high taxes) then the Liberals are wrong. As I see it, as a society we cannot know the answer until many more years down the road.
Maybe my point I am trying to make is not clear. Try this: If we let all the Liberals praise the living in <add your own city of choice> and then other liberals will flock to join them there. Then the rest of the country can continue to live out their lives without the high taxes and busybody politics.
It is all a huge plot.... You just cannot see the big picture.
I think the question needs to be Socially Liberal and Fiscal Conservative Cities.
For the most part Cities being large ones, are socially liberal or more Libertarian from that viewpoint, rather fiscal or not is another perspective.
Charlotte NC is Socially Liberal but Fiscally Conservative as their Mayor, though Republican and City Council are more of a Libertarian bend. Atlanta is a good example of Socially Moderate/Liberal and Fiscally Liberal.
Overall, kind of an open ended broad based question
I think the question needs to be Socially Liberal and Fiscal Conservative Cities.
For the most part Cities being large ones, are socially liberal or more Libertarian from that viewpoint, rather fiscal or not is another perspective.
Charlotte NC is Socially Liberal but Fiscally Conservative as their Mayor, though Republican and City Council are more of a Libertarian bend. Atlanta is a good example of Socially Moderate/Liberal and Fiscally Liberal.
Overall, kind of an open ended broad based question
Yeah that what I was trying to say. When I mean liberal or conservative, I'm not talking about Political parties such as Democrat and Republican. Seem like the most popular US cities are Liberal such as San Francisco, NYC, LA, Seattle etc.. I know those cities get a lot of praise on discussion sites like this.
Going by voting pattern and state/national representation the following may count.
Mesa, Arizona
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina
Abilene, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Provo-Orem, Utah
Granted none of those might fit what's deemed "cities" to many here and all of them have liberals. (Then again even conservative small towns in Kansas have some liberals.)
Going by what people deem "cities" here Jacksonville, Florida and San Diego, California might be the closest things to "conservative" cities. Although San Diego I think is more socially-liberal/fiscally-conservative.
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