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Bert, I just looked over your random street views. Virtually every one can be replicated in some town in RI. You even included an ugly shopping strip that reminded me of Bald Hill Rd!
I think your opinion is skewed by the fact of where you lived in RI- believe it was NP or Johnston and I believe you were heavily Catholic influenced??? Yikes- that would impact one's outlook!
It is true that housing in RI is often old and the whole state is not always as clean as it could be- litter wise, etc
but parts are still old New England industrial and that is what you get. Other parts of the state are ocean view paradise,
and some very bucolic. Just depends on what where you are and what neighborhood you live in. (Kind of like everywhere else in this country you know).
Holly, unlike most other posters on the Rhode Island forum, I am true Rhode Island native. Not only was I born and raised in the state, all of my parents, grandparents and even some of my great- and great-great-grandparents were, too. Therefore, my lived experiences in the state hold considerable weight and should not be dismissed, regardless of what Rhode Island towns I previously lived in or how many years I have lived out of state.
And where do you think most Rhode Island natives live? Hint: It's not East Greenwich, Jamestown or the East Side of Providence. Most Rhode Island natives live in working-class cities and towns that have seen better days, such as Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket and Warwick among others. If I am not mistaken, one-sixth of Rhode Island's population lives in the city of Providence, and 60% of Rhode Islanders live in Providence County. That's not to mention that Rhode Island is the most urbanized and second-most densely populated state in the entire country.
So, as I mentioned further upthread and will reinforce again, most Rhode Islanders live in post-apocalyptic urban and suburban dead zones. And the people you see walking around in some of these cities and towns, even those that do not have particularly high crime rates, appear as if they have been left in the dust. In Rhode Island, I observe a lot of white people who look like they've had hard lives walking the streets in most areas of the state.
Also, all of Rhode Island is heavily influenced by Catholicism. As recently as 2000, approximately 65% of the state identified as Roman Catholic. Now, that figure has decreased over the years, but still, the vast majority of Rhode Islanders are Roman Catholic or were raised as such, not just residents of Johnston or North Providence. What about all the Irish people in Barrington and Narragansett or the Portuguese people in Bristol and Warren? Do you think they're Assemblies of God? What a joke.
Last edited by Bert_from_back_East; 12-19-2020 at 08:31 AM..
Holly, unlike most other posters on the Rhode Island forum, I am true Rhode Island native. Not only was I born and raised in the state, all of my parents, grandparents and even some of my great- and great-great-grandparents were, too. Therefore, my lived experiences in the state hold considerable weight and should not be dismissed, regardless of what Rhode Island towns I previously lived in or how many years I have lived out of state.
And where do you think most Rhode Island natives live? Hint: It's not East Greenwich, Jamestown or the East Side of Providence. Most Rhode Island natives live in working-class cities and towns that have seen better days, such as Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket and Warwick among others. If I am not mistaken, one-sixth of Rhode Island's population lives in the city of Providence, and 60% of Rhode Islanders live in Providence County. That's not to mention that Rhode Island is the most urbanized and second-most densely populated state in the entire country.
So, as I mentioned further upthread and will reinforce again, most Rhode Islanders live in post-apocalyptic urban and suburban dead zones. And the people you see walking around in some of these cities and towns, even those that do not have particularly high crime rates, appear as if they have been left in the dust. In Rhode Island, I observe a lot of white people who look like they've had hard lives walking the streets in most areas of the state.
Also, all of Rhode Island is heavily influenced by Catholicism. As recently as 2000, approximately 65% of the state identified as Roman Catholic. Now, that figure has decreased over the years, but still, the vast majority of Rhode Islanders are Roman Catholic or were raised as such, not just residents of Johnston or North Providence. What about all the Irish people in Barrington and Narragansett or the Portuguese people in Bristol and Warren? Do you think they're Assemblies of God? What a joke.
Like I said, it depends on the town. There aren't even a ton of Catholic churches left around. You seem to want to paint the entire state with one brush because that was your own experience when you say "all of Rhode Island is heavily influenced by Catholicism".
So I just don't see the mighty Catholic influence you keep talking about. So many Catholics now are lapsed and the percentage of atheists in the US is ever rising. My own area is about 30+% (?)Jewish. The Catholic influence may be here in certain towns, but I just don't think it's to the extent you make it out to be.
Downtown Providence during covid is quiet , but during normal times we have a wonderful city. Providence is pretty hip with great dining, great places to walk and the arts are wonderful. Wayland Sq., East Side, Fox Point, North End, Elmhurst are all walkable or 10 minutes driving from downtown.
The moment you lost even the slightest whiff of credibility, forever and always.
Seriously, what are you smoking?
And you lost yours with your description of "innocent" Rhode Islanders enjoying an "infrastructure renaissance" amidst the "perfect climate". Not to mention your iron clad "guarantee" of a "Big T" re-election. Rhode Island is one of the slowest growing states in the nation, both economically and demographically, proving simply that most Americans don't share your rosy view. Not a great place to run out of gas.
Yes of course. Nothing jump starts a failing economy quite like "daycares and cleaning companies". And URI labor expert Edward Mazze cautions that many of the the new businesses are likely "nothing more than a front to keep someone busy". He adds further that he's been busy fielding calls from those interested in starting a business, "mostly from their homes". Y'see the kind of business that you need, the kind that any state needs, to fuel REAL economic growth won't be coming to Rhode Island any time soon. The tiny state has a big problem. It's ranked dead last for business climate out of 50 states. Factors cited such as sky high taxes, crumbling infrastructue, a stagnant economy and an underskilled workforce are absolute kryptonite to any business looking for a home. The difference between you and the CEOs that you so desperately need is that their gas tanks are full. Why would they stop in Rhode Island? And I almost forgot, Merry Christmas!
Last edited by PureBoston; 12-24-2020 at 05:20 PM..
Last edited by RhodyRepub; 12-25-2020 at 09:22 AM..
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