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So ScranBarre...... If I'm reading you correctly you are looking for a liberal, rural area.... Really hate to burst your bubble but there just aren't too many places in the entire NATION that are like that (maybe some areas of Connecticut or Pennsylvania?)....
That said, I think you could peacefully co-exist in a rural setting in some areas of Virginia. From what I've noticed people seem to kinda live and let live in a lot of places. If you are an activist and like to rub other people's faces in your views THAT is where you'll run into problems...
Not trying to be popular here, just trying to be real...
Maryland votes liberal, but I'd hardly call it that. At least socially. All you have to do is take a look at the comments and the perceived "stigma" of PG County as a prime example.
Oh, and "down south" in Richmond, it definitely leans more to the left. Though I don't think it's filled to the brim with "socially progressive" liberals such as yourself.
Well, I would think that Hampton Roads would be more liberal than Richmond, but it probably is somewhat liberal. Most cities are by default more liberal than surrounding areas. The first hit on a Google search of "most liberal state" puts DC as the 4th most liberal city (after 3nd place Berkely), Baltimore as 14th, but Richmond unranked (in the top 25). The Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed second hit again puts Baltimore as one of the most liberal cities, but not Richmond (or even DC). However, it does state that Bailey's Crossroads is the most liberal community in VA.
That's probably the first suggestion that I've heard that MD isn't liberal. It's actually kind of refreshing that someone doesn't think so since that seems to be the most "negative" thing about MD. However, Maryland may not be the most liberal state but it definitely ranks in the top 5. Maybe rural areas such as Western MD or the Eastern Shore (which are a minority in population and area) are more conservative (although even there are exceptions) but, as a whole the state is definitely liberal when casting votes, policy-wise, and socially. Take a look at this: George Mason Mercatus Center's: "Freedom in the 50 States" (http://www.mercatus.org/uploadedFiles/Mercatus/Publications/Freedom%20in%20the%2050%20States.pdf - broken link)
So ScranBarre...... If I'm reading you correctly you are looking for a liberal, rural area.... Really hate to burst your bubble but there just aren't too many places in the entire NATION that are like that (maybe some areas of Connecticut or Pennsylvania?)....
Funny that you say that, while I don't know about PA, but there are some communities in Connecticut outside of Hartford, along Rte 6 that are pretty liberal, but also rural such as Storrs (Mansfield). I think New Hampshire also has "liberal, but rural" communities.
Funny that you say that, while I don't know about PA, but there are some communities in Connecticut outside of Hartford, along Rte 6 that are pretty liberal, but also rural such as Storrs (Mansfield). I think New Hampshire also has "liberal, but rural" communities.
Yeah, there are a few little pockets here and there, but it isn't a common combination.
Well, I would think that Hampton Roads would be more liberal than Richmond, but it probably is somewhat liberal.
Hampton Roads is very conservative. There are about 75,000 active duty military personnel and many times that retired military, not to mention CBN, Regent University, and numerous religious congregations that number in the thousands.
The first hit on a Google search of "most liberal state" puts DC as the 4th most liberal city (after 3nd place Berkely), Baltimore as 14th, but Richmond unranked (in the top 25). The Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowedsecond hit again puts Baltimore as one of the most liberal cities, but not Richmond (or even DC). However, it does state that Bailey's Crossroads is the most liberal community in VA.
Googling means nothing. Baltimore & Richmond are both "liberal" cities(Baltimore perhaps a bit more), but I wouldn't say either is particularly liberal socially. A considerable number of people who vote follow routine, meaning that they generally vote for a party they've been supporting for the longest. It's like rooting for a sports team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by terp4ever
That's probably the first suggestion that I've heard that MD isn't liberal. It's actually kind of refreshing that someone doesn't think so since that seems to be the most "negative" thing about MD. However, Maryland may not be the most liberal state but it definitely ranks in the top 5. Maybe rural areas such as Western MD or the Eastern Shore (which are a minority in population and area) are more conservative (although even there are exceptions) but, as a whole the state is definitely liberal when casting votes, policy-wise, and socially.
Never said that Maryland being a "liberal" state was negative. Just saying that for a solidly "liberal" state, your demographic background, where you live in the state, the particular county you reside in, or even the school you went to certainly takes precedence over more pressing matters. At least from a social sense. Being so close to the nation's capitol, I thought perhaps that things would be different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by terp4ever
Take a look at this: George Mason Mercatus Center's: "Freedom in the 50 States" (http://www.mercatus.org/uploadedFiles/Mercatus/Publications/Freedom%20in%20the%2050%20States.pdf - broken link)
That silly article proves nothing, as freedom is subjective, and it was conducted by some right-winger with an obvious agenda to push(typical conservative = good, liberal = bad nonsense), based off the "study".
Googling means nothing. Baltimore & Richmond are both "liberal" cities(Baltimore perhaps a bit more), but I wouldn't say either is particularly liberal socially. A considerable number of people who vote follow routine, meaning that they generally vote for a party they've been supporting for the longest. It's like rooting for a sports team.
Well that's true, but voting habits can be dynamic, for instance VA voted for a Democrat for the first time in forever this year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KeyserSoze
Never said that Maryland being a "liberal" state was negative. Just saying that for a solidly "liberal" state, your demographic background, where you live in the state, the particular county you reside in, or even the school you went to certainly takes precedence over more pressing matters. At least from a social sense. Being so close to the nation's capitol, I thought perhaps that things would be different.
You didn't, but many people do. If you read the boards at washingtonpost.com you'll understand what I'm talking about. Maryland virtually eliminated the already little used death penalty this year, srtictly controls firearms, has high income tax (include a first-in-nation millionaire tax, and isn't very welcome to large businesses. Of course I tolerate or support these things, but many people view them as negative.
Granted, unlike most liberal states MD's liberal population is confined to a relatively small area--an area that by far contains the vast majority of MD's population, although traditionally conservative parts of the state such as Southern MD, Anne Arundel Co., and the upper ES have become more liberal recently. Every county in MA voted for Obama, while most MD counties voted for McCain. Yet Obama won by a margin (62/37) second to that of only MA and VT, and equal to Illinois. So no, Maryland is definitely not liberal across the board (MA and RI are proabably the only states that are), but as a whole liberals dominate conservatives by far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KeyserSoze
That silly article proves nothing, as freedom is subjective, and it was conducted by some right-winger with an obvious agenda to push(typical conservative = good, liberal = bad nonsense), based off the "study".
That was exactly my impression, the Mercatus Center being a right-wing think tank, but they still got it pretty right by pointing out the liberal and conservative states, even if their "conclusions" about state freedoms are whack.
Well, I would think that Hampton Roads would be more liberal than Richmond, but it probably is somewhat liberal. Most cities are by default more liberal than surrounding areas. The first hit on a Google search of "most liberal state" puts DC as the 4th most liberal city (after 3nd place Berkely), Baltimore as 14th, but Richmond unranked (in the top 25). The Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site
again puts Baltimore as one of the most liberal cities, but not Richmond (or even DC). However, it does state that Bailey's Crossroads is the most liberal community in VA.
Well...I see but I don't see. I myself question the credibility of this list. I don't know if you've ever been to Bailey's Crossroads or not but when I think liberal areas of VA it ain't Bailey's Crossroads. This is mainly because of the large Hispanic and immigrant population in the area. In my experience they're not liberal although a large number of them voted democrat in the last election.
The republican party in my opinion has driven out the Hispanic community from its party who actually tend to share the same ideas as republicans way more than democrats particularly liberal democrats. That's like saying that Prince George's county is liberal because it voted democrat in the last election.
Speaking as a black man I can say that black folks are just as socially conservative as white republicans but they vote democrat mainly because like I said the republican party has driven out the minorities. Yes yes Michael Steel is the head of the RNC but he's crazy. LOL I share some but not all of the ideals of the republicans but they're soooo socially conservative. I wish this country could get off the extremist bandwagon and meet in the middle.
Anywho. So no I'm going to say that Bailey's Crossroads is not liberal. whoever on that website said that is going solely off democratic votes and forgetting that non-citizens no matter how long they've lived in this country can't vote.
Well...I see but I don't see. I myself question the credibility of this list. I don't know if you've ever been to Bailey's Crossroads or not but when I think liberal areas of VA it ain't Bailey's Crossroads. This is mainly because of the large Hispanic and immigrant population in the area. In my experience they're not liberal although a large number of them voted democrat in the last election.
The republican party in my opinion has driven out the Hispanic community from its party who actually tend to share the same ideas as republicans way more than democrats particularly liberal democrats. That's like saying that Prince George's county is liberal because it voted democrat in the last election.
Speaking as a black man I can say that black folks are just as socially conservative as white republicans but they vote democrat mainly because like I said the republican party has driven out the minorities. Yes yes Michael Steel is the head of the RNC but he's crazy. LOL I share some but not all of the ideals of the republicans but they're soooo socially conservative. I wish this country could get off the extremist bandwagon and meet in the middle.
Anywho. So no I'm going to say that Bailey's Crossroads is not liberal. whoever on that website said that is going solely off democratic votes and forgetting that non-citizens no matter how long they've lived in this country can't vote.
I know nothing about Bailey's Crossroads, I just put it up because it's on the list. You're probably absolutely right. I do however disagree with this statement:
"Speaking as a black man I can say that black folks are just as socially conservative as white republicans..."
Not to stereotype or anything but minorities overall are liberal. I'm not saying that voting for Democrat means you are a solid liberal or voting Repulican means you are a solid conservative, but that's not too far from the truth. Blacks are more conservative on some issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and intelligent design but heavily liberal on issues such as the death penalty, and big government. Also, Hispanics overall tend to be liberal, the exception being Cubans. Prince George's County is also pretty liberal, albeit not as extreme left as Montgomery County (which probably sets the standard for border-socialism in this country).
I entirely agree with the latter part of your sentence:
"...but they vote democrat mainly because like I said the republican party has driven out the minorities."
Steele, Jindal, Schwarzenegger, and Palin are all tokens that don't reflect the Republican base in the least bit.
I know nothing about Bailey's Crossroads, I just put it up because it's on the list. You're probably absolutely right. I do however disagree with this statement:
"Speaking as a black man I can say that black folks are just as socially conservative as white republicans..."
Not to stereotype or anything but minorities overall are liberal. I'm not saying that voting for Democrat means you are a solid liberal or voting Repulican means you are a solid conservative, but that's not too far from the truth. Blacks are more conservative on some issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and intelligent design but heavily liberal on issues such as the death penalty, and big government. Also, Hispanics overall tend to be liberal, the exception being Cubans. Prince George's County is also pretty liberal, albeit not as extreme left as Montgomery County (which probably sets the standard for border-socialism in this country).
I entirely agree with the latter part of your sentence:
"...but they vote democrat mainly because like I said the republican party has driven out the minorities."
Steele, Jindal, Schwarzenegger, and Palin are all tokens that don't reflect the Republican base in the least bit.
Hmmm...we may have to agree to disagree on the minorities being liberal thing. Now I will say that most black folks I know aren't fiscally conservative but socially yeah I'm going to stand by my original statement.
I've met some nice republicans who aren't elitist and who like gay folks. I just wish I met more of them. Like I said I can see where they're coming from on some points but they just take it too far and except for a couple issues I'm nowhere near being socially conservative.
Also I wasn't trying to knock you or anything. Like I said don't really think of Bailey's Crossroads as being liberal. I mean Bailey's Crossroads is just a zip code and a couple shopping centers so it's not a surprise you haven't heard of it.
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