Phoenix's image problem???

[Ritchie_az]

Howard,
I'm not getting into (an off topic) arguement over what defines a "right-winger". My commentary is/was aimed at those who think you have to be a liberal to live in a city, and that if you are politically to the right there must be something wrong with you. Those ideas go along with the elitism that seems to run rampant within liberalism.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

On the contrary. Elitism is more rampant with the ultraconservatives.

Right-wingers are the ones pushing tax breaks for millionaires and are so tight about paying a few extra cents in taxes for education or healthcare.

Right-wingers are the ones who are against labor unions and better conditions for the common American worker, but are in bed with greedy CEOs and Wall Street tycoons who accepted government bailout money.

Right-wingers are the ones trying to push out all the illegals who do the grunt jobs that most American citizens won't do. Now there's even a movement to defy the constitution and revoke citizenship rights from children born to these immgrants. Right-wingers like to call them anchor babies.

If that isn't elitism I don't know what is.

So what does either post have to do with PHX image? The uncompromising extremists on both ends have paralyzed the country and are ruining it. I wish the politicos would all just shut the F up and quit twisting these threads to promote their ideas!

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

So what does either post have to do with PHX image? The uncompromising extremists on both ends have paralyzed the country and are ruining it. I wish the politicos would all just shut the F up and quit twisting these threads to promote their ideas!

I agree, we should stay on topic.

I only brought up the issues with elitist ultraconservatives because they have contributed to ruining Arizona's reputation.

Passage of 1070, slashing of education funding, pushing needy people off AHCCCS, concealed carry of firearms for anybody, and the birther bill are just a few examples of how these troglodytes have put the state in a negative limelight.

You're right though, extremists on both ends are crippling us as a nation, but right now it seems to be the right-wingers who are more troubling.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I agree, we should stay on topic.

I only brought up the issues with elitist ultraconservatives because they have contributed to ruining Arizona's reputation.

Passage of 1070, slashing of education funding, pushing needy people off AHCCCS, concealed carry of firearms for anybody, and the birther bill are just a few examples of how these troglodytes have put the state in a negative limelight.

You're right though, extremists on both ends are crippling us as a nation, but right now it seems to be the right-wingers who are more troubling.

I have been traveling around the country in the last several weeks and was surprised to see how much SB 1070 has influenced other areas. TV commercials in several areas tout a candidate's support for "the Arizona law". But overall, my impression is that our image has taken a hit. We seem to be popular in the parts of the country and with people with whom I don't think most Arizonans share "values".

[Ritchie_az]

I wish the politicos would all just shut the F up and quit twisting these threads to promote their ideas!

The funny thing, Ponderosa, is that YOU were the one who started this by saying:

right-wingers are an embarrassment to any city.

annie7 quoted you and said, "amen."

I found that to be absurd--yet typical. I've been told at least five times on here that conservatives don't belong in big cities. Apparently, anything other than socialist ideas get in the way of "progress".
I'm guessing that is what causes you and annie7 so much embarrassment. Apparently, ideas about fiscal responsablility, free-markets, moral values (I know, you agree with relativism), etc, have no place in the big city. Apparently, having diverse viewpoints makes some blush.
I really don't get it, especially from some folks who claim to be so tolerant.

Elitism is more rampant with the ultraconservatives.

Ever heard of the "ruling class"?
The American Spectator : America's Ruling Class -- And the Perils of Revolution

I only brought up the issues with elitist ultraconservatives because they have contributed to ruining Arizona's reputation.

Only by ignorant folks who know little or nothing about the state and get all their information from CNN and/or MSNBC. But who cares what they think?

[Phxguy]

Even with our image problem....
Arizona is 5th most desirable state | Phoenix Business Journal

[twiggy]

Looks like some people who think image doesn't matter need to read a book called: "Who's your city"
Where you live is one of the most influential markers in your life. It is one of the most important decisions you can make toward your happiness. Everything about it influences how you feel daily, including the politics of a state and how it's portrayed.
Our portrayal will draw people who have a like mind to what they see, which will only compound the problem for anyone who doesn't like being represented by Arizonans packing weapons at a presidential visit, or the grocery store or an elementary school for that matter.
You know, if you go to a party with 6 kids and all behave beautifully except one, you will be remembered for that "one" that everyone hated, not for the 5 well behaved children. We need to take care of our embarrassments unless we don't care if that is how we are represented. We are the ones giving the info for CNN to use, and believe me, as of late they have plenty! It's our responsibility to clean up our own messes. The news will never stop reporting them to the nation, we aren't there problem, we are our problem. This is what happens when you give everyone a gun, some people are stupid enough to take it everywhere.
And yes, we are desirable to people who hate illegals, hate snow, hate welfare, hate funding education and love guns. There ya go, as Jan would say, "I can see Mexico from my house" ha ha ha ha ha ha ............................

[_Charles_]

On the contrary. Elitism is more rampant with the ultraconservatives.

Right-wingers are the ones pushing tax breaks for millionaires and are so tight about paying a few extra cents in taxes for education or healthcare.

Myopic and false.

Right-wingers are the ones who are against labor unions and better conditions for the common American worker, but are in bed with greedy CEOs and Wall Street tycoons who accepted government bailout money.

Economic illiteracy and antiquated sterotypes notwithstanding -Guilded age era "tycoons" no longer exist. Labor unions today are for the most part corrupt and self serving. There is no requirement to be pro labor union and further it is ill advised.

Right-wingers are the ones trying to push out all the illegals who do the grunt jobs that most American citizens won't do. Now there's even a movement to defy the constitution and revoke citizenship rights from children born to these immgrants. Right-wingers like to call them anchor babies.

Illegal immigration is bad for the country period. And the source of numerous social problems. What part of term illegal is not understandable?

If that isn't elitism I don't know what is.

You are correct you have no clue about what you speak. NONE

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

The funny thing, Ponderosa, is that YOU were the one who started this by saying:

annie7 quoted you and said, "amen."

I found that to be absurd--yet typical. I've been told at least five times on here that conservatives don't belong in big cities. Apparently, anything other than socialist ideas get in the way of "progress".
I'm guessing that is what causes you and annie7 so much embarrassment. Apparently, ideas about fiscal responsablility, free-markets, moral values (I know, you agree with relativism), etc, have no place in the big city. Apparently, having diverse viewpoints makes some blush.
I really don't get it, especially from some folks who claim to be so tolerant.



Ever heard of the "ruling class"?
The American Spectator : America's Ruling Class -- And the Perils of Revolution



Only by ignorant folks who know little or nothing about the state and get all their information from CNN and/or MSNBC. But who cares what they think?

You are perverting the point I was making and that is that progressive (liberal) cities always have a superior image to conservative ones. As I stated when I made the remark, one does not have to agree that a liberal populace makes for a better city. But I think it is undeniable that the image of liberal cities is better than the image of more conservative ones. A progressive reputation is obviously not the only criteria for a good image but it is a requisite one. AZ and PHX are not going to rank as liberal in many people's minds, maybe not even moderate, especially with all the news of the past couple years. Because of that, our reputation is certain to be less than that of more liberal but actually less attractive cities.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Does Arizona have an image problem?

Interesting article in today's Republic about Phoenix being criticized by the national media because of some people who brandished their firearms duirng Obama's recent visit. Leave it to the liberals and politicos to condemn a few armed citizens, even though what they did was perfectly legal. Come on! It's not as if they were hiding in a building across the street planning an assassination! The vast majority of people who openly carry are law abiding citizens ... not a bunch of murdering psychopaths!

So, this leads to the quesiton at hand: does Phoenix have an image problem? Here's my answer: YES! Phoenix has always had an image problem with the rest of the nation (and the world for that matter) ... but not because of our lenient gun laws. There are other factors that contribute to a poor image, such as:

* The many transplants with few skills, little ambition, and thin wallets who seek this area mostly for the weather/climate, and expecting dirt cheap housing.
* The fact that Phoenix can't seem to market itself as a large city/metro area with plenty of opportunity. This is evident in many amenities being named after ARIZONA (or "the Valley") instead of Phoenix ... e.g. Arizona Republic, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, etc. Whenever the Super Bowl is played here, nobody ever says that it's being played in Phoenix ... they always say "it's in Arizona".
* The lack of large corporate HQs with competitive jobs/salaries. Some of this can be attributed to the above two points about the types of transplants, and the serious lack of a big city marketing ploy. Also, even though we have a non union/right to work environment which would usually work in our favor toward attracting reputable firms, the general climate itself is not very business friendly.
* NIMBYs and their "my way or the highway" attitude about progress & upward development. Whenever something is proposed to add height and prestige to our skyline, along come the preservationists and anti everything crowd to protest. NIMBYs are a lot to blame for why the freeway system didn't get started until 20 to 30 years after the rest of the nation ... when construction costs were much higher and required more tax money out of our pockets to build a seriously overdue transportation system!

Lastly, I believe Phoenix has an image problem because of how the national media spotlights us (as I mentioned previously with the guns). I'll be the first to admit that CNN, MSNBC, and the major non cable networks are politically left leaning, and they seem to love to depict us as a vast desert wasteland trapped in the Wild West days. However, could this be because we allow them to portray us this way???

Let's face it: until we start attracting a better calliber of people to move here and base their businesses here, and until we tell the NIMBYs & the other losers to take a hike, Phoenix will always have an issue with reputation/image! Just something to think about.

This thread is closed for an undetermined period for moderation.

The original thread title is: Phoenix's image problem??? , and the original post which is above seems to have strayed a bit...