Is there such a thing as a "Conservative City"? (illegal, healthcare)
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I know that many of the bigger cities take a liberal slant (I think basically every city of 400,000 or more votes heavily democratic).
I know that Orange County has been cited as a conservative mecca, but it is really a collection of suburbs, isn't it? Most conservative areas seem to be in the suburbs.
That got me thinking... In cities you are essentially "forced" to interact with other people (on crowded sidewalks, on public transportation, etc) while in the suburbs you can stay in your SUV cocoon of individuality.
I think the political philosophies carry over as well. Liberals tend to be centered on the needs of a group while conservatives focus more on how it benefits them.
Therefore, I don't think it is possible for there to be a large conservative city in the US.
I can't think of many conservative cities. There are certainly cities with a higher percentage of conservatives than other cities. Salt Lake City or Tulsa/Oklahoma City might come to mind. But even then I think you'll find the city leadership is usually liberal (Tulsa has a Democrat for a mayor, Salt Lake City has an ex-Mormon Democrat mayor as well). Conservative policies don't work well with most cities.
OTOH, far left policies don't necessarily work either, inasmuch as they are not required. You do need people to fork over taxes for infrastructure, something people don't always want to do in conservative areas. It also helps cities and large towns to have wealthier people and businesses living and working there, because it improves the tax base and often wealthy people contribute to a city's well-being through philanthropy and having an excess of free-time and resources. Wealthy people are often socially liberal and like to have culture around them, so a city needs a certain amount of that to reach a high level of developement. Good businesses often are also socially liberal and want a diverse workforce to be successful, so they tend to favor liberal social policies vs. parochial ones.
lots of conservative banter is similar to john wayne mentality.. while great and idealistic.. its not realistic... so its easy to defend it.. but the only way to make it come about is to be blind to the means.. and justify it by the end results you obtain... again.. that is just not realistic... its good in thought and on paper sure...
"Conservative city" is almost oxymoronic. The cities mentioned so far are, shall I say, some of the least sophisticated and worldly cities in America. Orange County isn't a city so it doesn't count. Diversity in OK, UT, and other states hasn't occurred as in coastal cities. So people will naturally tend to be wary of change and more protective of the status quo.
Maybe it's not just diversity, but size that tips a city from conservative to moderate/progressive. Phoenix has always been Republican, but if you scratch the surface today you'll find a large counterculture and plenty of things you'd find in New York or San Francisco. Was this due to its 150 person per day growth rate or the diversity of the newcomers?
most american cities are conservative, even new york city has a right wing mayor. but maybe you need to hop in a time machine and go to 1850 like marty mcfly.
150 new comers a day makes cities more liberal? get a clue. firstly, america sets up their immigration system so that mostly conservative right wing immigrants can get in the country. besides, if you were a left wing socialist, why would you immigrate to america? to a socialist, america is the right wing devil. even in places like britain that are supposedly an allie of america, they see america as being this police state, where people have no healthcare or rights; everyone is thrown in prison; war mongering; trigger happy; greedy capitalist; materialistic; jesus freak country. id hate to see what a real socialist thinks of america.
Last edited by FleurBurgoyne; 10-28-2007 at 07:36 AM..
I know that many of the bigger cities take a liberal slant (I think basically every city of 400,000 or more votes heavily democratic).
I know that Orange County has been cited as a conservative mecca, but it is really a collection of suburbs, isn't it? Most conservative areas seem to be in the suburbs.
That got me thinking... In cities you are essentially "forced" to interact with other people (on crowded sidewalks, on public transportation, etc) while in the suburbs you can stay in your SUV cocoon of individuality.
I think the political philosophies carry over as well. Liberals tend to be centered on the needs of a group while conservatives focus more on how it benefits them.
Therefore, I don't think it is possible for there to be a large conservative city in the US.
For one, I think your premise is wrong. Fiscal conservatism supports the benefit of everyone, only in a different manner than liberalism, in that what benefits the free market ultimately benefits everyone, allowing for more jobs, more innovation, and a better economy.
Secondly, cities are typically made up of minorities, which generally vote heavily democratic. So, no, I don't think there is a conservative city, and probably never will be. Those Republican mayors typically are elected b promising government handouts.
For one, I think your premise is wrong. Fiscal conservatism supports the benefit of everyone, only in a different manner than liberalism, in that what benefits the free market ultimately benefits everyone, allowing for more jobs, more innovation, and a better economy.
Secondly, cities are typically made up of minorities, which generally vote heavily democratic. So, no, I don't think there is a conservative city, and probably never will be. Those Republican mayors typically are elected b promising government handouts.
government handouts, aka tax cuts for the rich, and lets not forget about hand out contracts. gotta love black water. go privatisation!
Last edited by FleurBurgoyne; 10-28-2007 at 10:00 AM..
Reason: erik prince spoke to me via esp
150 new comers a day makes cities more liberal? get a clue. firstly, america sets up their immigration system so that mostly conservative right wing immigrants can get in the country. besides, if you were a left wing socialist, why would you immigrate to america? to a socialist, america is the right wing devil. even in places like britain that are supposedly an allie of america, they see america as being this police state, where people have no healthcare or rights; everyone is thrown in prison; war mongering; trigger happy; greedy capitalist; materialistic; jesus freak country. id hate to see what a real socialist thinks of america.
I'd have to disagree with this. We have five to ten thousand illegal immigrants crossing our southern border almost every single day. Now I'd agree that they come here because of the economic opportunity, they're also coming here because of the very liberal social benefits. They aren't conservative right wingers. In fact it's these very same immigrants and their children that are going to make the conservative wing of the republican party almost obsolete over the next twenty years.
While having no healthcare coverage is a factor that affects almost 50 million Americans it doesn't affect poorer immigrants. They get free healthcare at our ER's plus their children get free healthcare through our welfare programs. And I'd agree that there is much about America that a 'real socialist' would disagree with we have a court system set up that is extremely friendly to liberal organizations like the ACLU.
San Diego has a Republican mayor, but I'm not sure if it's really a "conservative" city. It doesn't really feel like one, in many ways.
What I meant by my contention of "Liberal City" was not if the mayor was Republican or not because their policies tend to shift to fit the area (does anyone think that California is now "conservative" because they have a Republican governor?).
The standard that I was using (and should have been more clear about) was how they vote in Presidential elections. Most big cites, even ones in conservative states like Salt Lake City and Atlanta tend to vote heavily democratic.
Also, I think G.W. is certainly a conservative, and he has proven that "Fiscal Conservative" is not necessarily a Right-Wing ideal. Clinton balanced the budget and started paying off the debt while Bush had us back in the red within a year (and with Republican control in both parties too). I don't think many would have considered Clinton a conservative.
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