General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTime for another shout out to our red state DUers.
I live in the solid blue state of New York, and I STILL run in to Republican morons pretty much constantly.
It must be hell for you people... you are appreciated!
Keep fighting the good fight!
BumRushDaShow
(129,642 posts)Fresh_Start
(11,330 posts)nt
NRaleighLiberal
(60,024 posts)malokvale77
(4,879 posts)Thanks for the encouragement. This is an effed-up state.
get the red out
(13,468 posts)We all aren't stupid, but sometimes I think we are. I had a chat with my female co-workers recently though about the Republicans time traveling back a century on women's rights. I wasn't alone in my feelings on that. Both ladies consider themselves moderate compared to my liberal; and there's no way rMoney isn't taking our big 6 electoral votes, but the war on women certainly isn't a long term strategy, probably not even in the south.
barbtries
(28,811 posts)i convinced a co-worker who was on the fence about who to vote for that as a woman and a feminist she really has no choice but to vote for Obama. she agreed.
barbtries
(28,811 posts)though we may turn out blue once again!
IDemo
(16,926 posts)No, I'm not the only liberal here!
Blue Idaho
(5,057 posts)Its an uphill battle here so I put what I can afford into out of state elections where I might make a difference.
caraher
(6,279 posts)Yeah, Obama carried the Hoosier state last time, but the last time a Dem won at the top of the ticket was long, long before that. What's frustrating is the number of people who are Democrats and don't know it - more so than the teabaggers who are loud and proud with their ignorance!
Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)2008...one of our better moments.
eqfan592
(5,963 posts)...tho I've only been here a couple of years. The difference between the politics in Evansville, Indiana and Milwaukee, Wisconsin are staggering. I live near a Chic Fil A and the ignorant morons were blocking up the street to support them. But I know I'm not the only progressive here.
Melissa G
(10,170 posts)I needed this thread today after several political conversations from Sunday. Some people just don't get how racist it is underneath. They really believe Fox noise. Deleting Fox noise, or at least calling their license into question over their lies, would be a big improvement for this country.
kctim
(3,575 posts)VenusRising
(11,252 posts)It's a constant struggle to stay optimistic in my red district.
I saw someone at my college the other day that was wearing a "Vote for Mitt. He's White!" t-shirt.
It's beyond frustrating to have to deal with this kind of racism and idiocy on a daily basis.
Indpndnt
(2,391 posts)I sure hope that person was wearing that shirt in order to point out the stupidity of believing such a thing. I really do.
Unless you go to Tech or A&M. Then I suspect they meant every word.
VenusRising
(11,252 posts)He was in the tutoring center and he was blaming the teacher for his inability to understand what was going on because the teacher had too much on her plate. He said the teacher has a family and is taking one higher level math class at another university which obviously is too much in his opinion.
It is scary with the amount of people like this I encounter on a daily basis. I really try not to go out in public unless I absolutely have to.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)and was wearing the shirt ironically.
VenusRising
(11,252 posts)I just live in that kind of small-minded backward town. I'm trying to get out of here before I go bald from pulling all my hair out or knocking myself unconscious from banding my head against every wall in sight.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)There are some blue areas here in North Georgia. I live in a totally red county. I do not even vote in local elections because there is not one Democrat on the ballot.
onecent
(6,096 posts)and several of my deceased husband's sons (who I love) are republicans. (not JUST republicans, but evangelists)...I just zip my lip - do alot of praying that Obama wins.
One thing that TRULY mystifies me this year is "where are all the lawn signs". There are NONE in my town. And i did see ONE Obama sign in my neighbor's town. But that is it. I don't know if people here are afraid people will shoot each other over lawn signs, but something doesn't feel right....but I guess I shouldn't complain. Obviously the republicans in this county were more
proud of Bush than they are of Mittens....ha ha
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)I have family members and friends who still live there are hard core RWers. I'm in Columbia which is a whole lot different!
I have a neighbor who had retrieved documents from his mother's effects after her death. He showed me a bill of sale for an ancestor who bought his freedom in Clay county. It really hit home.
RedStateLiberal
(1,374 posts)Alabama is truly red-state hell. I've had homemade Obama/Biden signs stolen or destroyed. Can't put a bumper sticker on my car for fear of getting keyed or worse. And, I've even been disowned by close family members due to partisan politics. I'm going on full lock-down on election day (after I vote).
Good to have some encouragement.
For those in the same boat as me, remember - the truth is on our side!
cr8tvlde
(1,185 posts)The Democrat Dan Boren is retiring. It's a huge slice of the state and a potential net loss being considered leaning Romney. Support D-Rob Wallace
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma's_2nd_congressional_district
Z_I_Peevey
(2,783 posts)Race is rated a toss-up, but I think Mullin is a weak candidate. I'm seeing many Wallace signs about.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)As it is, I'm stuck with Arkansas's 3rd District which hasn't a Democratic Congressman in 46 years, and soon to be 48 because the Democratic opponent this year dropped out of the race
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)TBF
(32,108 posts)I tend to keep to myself here but at least my immediate area is getting better.
thevoiceofreason
(3,440 posts)dorksied
(348 posts)Northern Utah has far more moderates and liberals. But here, its like living in a minefield, knowing that almost any step you take will get you into a fight with some neocon who hates Obama and loves 'Americuh'.
Shrek
(3,984 posts)But thanks anyway.
sinkingfeeling
(51,479 posts)ncgrits
(916 posts)Seriously. We all appreciate it.
I live in the Chapel Hill area and it's easy to forget our brothers and sisters in other parts of the state that ain't so blue, not to mention our friends in Oklahoma and the like. YAY us!
WeRQ4U
(4,212 posts)...and "yes". It's hell. They mouth-breathing douchebags are everywhere.
onestepforward
(3,691 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)eaglesfanintn
(82 posts)I am constantly reminded of the stupidity of a good portion of the populace here when I see the beat-up truck with Rmoney stickers on them. You may not like Obama, but why the heck would you support Mittens?
Fortunately, our congressman is Steve Cohen (D) and he rocks!
AnneD
(15,774 posts)Thank goodness I live in a purple oasis. So often you see Texas bashing going on here. I have thich skin, you have to here, but it galls me beyond belief when I get it here.
Try living in it day in and day out and see what it does for your attitude. I went to the dental groups office. They had it on Fox. Try listening to the Democratic National Convention on Fox. I was muttering under my breath the whole time. I was so greatful when they called me back. I'll take a root canal over that convention coverage any day of the week.
Welcome to a Red State.
kalli007
(683 posts)I live in Ron Paul's home district!!!!!
ms liberty
(8,607 posts)w8liftinglady
(23,278 posts)My sons live in Barton's district/Navarro County,Barton's district Ellis County moving to Barton's District tarrant County(arlington) and Barton's district Ft Worth.
AnneD
(15,774 posts)How they redraw the districts. Makes no rhyme or reason, then they sit there with a straight face and have the nerve to tell us it is not gerrymandering. Puleza!!!!!!
thelordofhell
(4,569 posts)I once had to replace my back windshield because I had a Kerry sticker on it and some RW nimrod threw a rock through it.
And yet, I have this feeling that President Obama will win the state. Romney has alienated all minorities and retired people, and that should cancel out the Mormon vote. That leaves the large amount of young people vs. the old racists.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)Periodically we spot the rare republican.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,047 posts)kentauros
(29,414 posts)We are the United States of America, aren't we?
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,047 posts)Yes, but it does show the hypocritical nature of the predominantly Red state Republican complainers who associate the Blue coasts with welfare cheats and moochers while their constituents are actually receiving more.
The money flow is not the issue, the hypocrisy of complaining about it is.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)It's not like we're 100% republican. Very few of the "red states" are fully red. So, it's still, in my opinion, the wrong attitude to take as a Liberal. We're all in this together, so we take the bad with the good. Otherwise, what's the point of remaining united?
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,047 posts)We take the good with the bad, but we can also talk about the bad too.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)I just see this very same complaint every single time something is brought up about the "red states" as if we're some separate entity or group. We are part of the whole, and you can't rid yourselves of us (as is often inferred with the whining about us "taking" more revenue than we create.)
I have yet to see this complaint broken down into categories for just what federal moneys are spent where in the "red" states. For example, how much money is spent in Texas by the federal government on the military? Does that factor into the complaint? Or is it only about social and civil programs?
I have yet to see of gov. Parry being able to refuse or control funds coming into the state for NASA, all of the Air Force bases in San Antonio, the nuclear weapons facility in Amarillo, the National Weather Services/NOAA offices and facilities, the Coast Guard/Customs facilities, the Texas Medical Center, and so on.
I really don't care about their hypocrisy. What I care about is that everyone benefits from these expenditures, whether directly, or indirectly through research and more. We're working on getting rid of them, or at least educating the voting public. But, for all the DUers that seem to always have to whine about "us" taking more than we give out, I'd say y'all really haven't thought very deeply about it, or why it causes plenty of eye-rolling from those it's directed at.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,047 posts)kentauros
(29,414 posts)I only hope my points open a few minds (and hearts) of all those others attempting to use this argument against supporting us. The federal budget is a bit more complex than the relatively minor funds that are either accepted or refused by the closed-minded repubs.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)a purple state that will turn blue if we get some help from the feds, namely to arrest the GOP when they try to STEAL the election, again.
mojo2012
(290 posts)I not only live in SUPER RED Utah, I'm not Mormon either. I went to Seven-11 specifically to get an Obama for President cup and fill it with "coffee". I received several looks of disdain and even the cashier was tepid. So I went and got another Obama cup with coffee and prominently set it on the counter while rummaging through my purse for change as slowly as I could.
The local 7-11 franchise owners hate this promotion where they have to report daily how many Obama cups are purchased and how many Romney cups are purchased. (You can get "hot chocolate" instead of coffee for those who buy a Romney cup). They don't want to even put out the Obama cups.
I'm waiting for my Obama yard sign. I'll probably get TP'd though. I appreciate the encouragement though!
Aerows
(39,961 posts)Telling the truth, trying to influence people is like pulling teeth. I try, anyway. If even one of them gets a clue, then they realize that voting straight ticket Republican is against their best interest.
HeeBGBz
(7,361 posts)I'm in Biloxi.
kalli007
(683 posts)Home district. Which elects him every term with like 97 percent of the vote! How I survive without going insane I do not know. I am planning on moving to the Ft Bend area in a few years, maybe not completely blue but def purple!
Gothmog
(145,650 posts)I am your neighbor in Fort Bend County. Up until this last set of maps, Ron Paul's district included a small corner of Fort Bend County
Conventional wisdom is that Fort Bend County may be the first suburban county to turn blue. In 2008, President Obama got 49.5% of the vote and if we had additional 4,000 votes, the county would have been blue. We are working to turn this county blue
I have been hanging out in the area as of late, and tentatively plan on moving there when it's time for a promotion. I can't wait!
Gothmog
(145,650 posts)Come by our party headquarters on Highway 90 near Highway 59. We have a nice Obama shop and are very active. I will be training poll watchers next month for the upcoming election
susanr516
(1,425 posts)That district took a lot of Ron Paul's old area. If so, please support my friend, Rose Meza Harrison, a great progressive Democrat!
kalli007
(683 posts)MzShellG
(1,047 posts)Not proud of everything regarding my state but it's the only home I know. My heart & family is here. Gotta love it. Lol
Rob H.
(5,352 posts)Our county went Blue in 2008, even though McCain won the state.
Sometimes I feel as if I'm surrounded by people who just aren't paying attention--a couple of women I know joined the "Paul Ryan for Vice-President" group on Facebook, probably without knowing or realizing exactly how Ryan feels about women in general. That just depresses me, tbh.
reflection
(6,286 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)We just took a trip into the nearest town and in the 30 mile trip I didn't see 1 Romney sign. This is a very red part of the state (not far from Lynchburg and Liberty University) and the only signs I saw were 2 for Obama, Kaine, Douglas and 1 for George Allen. ZERO Romney signs. Love it!
SaveAmerica
(5,342 posts)And rallies. Brings the peaceful people together.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)My county, however, is redder than red.
Sedona
(3,769 posts)w8liftinglady
(23,278 posts)Texasgal
(17,048 posts)It's tough living here at times. I am happy to be a native Austinite, still have to deal with state politics though. UGH.
jillan
(39,451 posts)Generic Brad
(14,276 posts)The south is awesome and deserves some DEmocratic love!
Paladin
(28,277 posts)...about the current state of affairs at DU. Thanks for the gesture, but a lot of us Red State Democrats are sick to death of the brain-dead prejudice that comes our way on a daily basis around here, with no threat of jury penalties. Sorry to show up grumpy, but it gets really old after a while, taking abuse from fellow Democrats......
HeeBGBz
(7,361 posts)I've been seeing a lot more Obama bumper stickers and signs than Romney. Hope that's a trend.
justice1
(795 posts)I live in a small town, and I work for tips, so I can't really bring up politics. However, I will occasionally bring up Romney's name, just so I can hear, "OH FUCK."
Romney is hated... I am not exaggerating when I say, I have never talked to one person who likes him...They hate Obama too, but that is typical.
Obama really needs to visit Omaha, he received one electoral vote, after he visited the last time, and I think he can do it again. They need to take advantage of the this once in a lifetime opportunity, to build on the momentum. Bob Kerrey needs support, and they need to start linking ALEC member, Deb Fischer, as much as possible to Romney.
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)LOL!
Red district in Alaska. I love it here, it is a target rich environment for fucking with repugs.
Curtland1015
(4,404 posts)eqfan592
(5,963 posts)We've gone blue before, and we will again someday!
kentauros
(29,414 posts)It's really not that bad, though. You learn to ignore it or try to steer conversations away from politics, because most of them are beyond educating on that. Then you find common ground and discover people that are worth knowing and chatting with.
Interestingly, one of the most vocal people here at work is an RPLS (Registered Public Land Surveyor) from the northeast somewhere (I think Massachusetts) yet he's glad the ACA exists. He's often pointing out to the local repubs that he doesn't think individuals or families should go bankrupt for medical bills
Sorry for the sub-thread above. That topics just irks me.
renie408
(9,854 posts)hamsterjill
(15,224 posts)I appreciate you thinking about us!
I live in San Antonio, Texas, and despite the very eloquent and accurate speech that our proud Democratic mayor (Julian Castro) gave at last week's convention, I deal with Republican idiots on a daily basis. Apart from most of them not having a clue about what is REALLY going on in the political world, but rather simply mimicking what they heard from the pulpit at last Sunday's prayer rally - - - many of them are just downright nasty people. They've spewed the hate for so long that it is literally eating them alive.
Compassion? What the heck is that to them? Empathy? Aw, hell - anyone in a bad situation has most certainly done SOMETHING to deserve it in their minds.
So, sincerely, thank you for the shoutout. It's not just the political fall out of having to live in a Red state, but the ripple effect of having to deal with people who think living in a red state is such a great thing.
And please know that many of us are working hard for change down here!
Patiod
(11,816 posts)Because of gerrymandering, they've taken a 3:2 Dem:Rep ratio and managed to draw the districts so bizarrely that NONE of our representatives are Democrats.
We might be a purple state, but we have a dickhead conservative Republican Governor ("frack, baby, frack" a Club for Growth Senator and a "pro-life" (but otherwise okay) Democratic Senator.
4_TN_TITANS
(2,977 posts)believe it or not the surrounding counties north of me are rural and true blue. The majority of our local candidates are Democrats. I just never get why this state votes R for everything national.
cayanne
(702 posts)Really red here.