I live in a blue state. What's it like for a Democrat living in a deep red state?

[RSherman]

32. Northern NY Reds, Radicalized, Brain Washed Haters

I live in Northern NYS. That horrible wench Stefanik is my "rep" although she only represents Trumpers. Her area is so gerrymandered, she can stay in office for life. Fulton County, to all the way up north, very red. There was a time when businesses would stay out of politics. No more. Trump flags everywhere. Digital signs making their feelings known. My neighbors are flying "F*ck Biden" flags and "F*ck Your Feelings" from their homes and trucks. These are the riled up, radicalized rural white guys.

Unfortunately, my educated friends are the same. There are 2 women I worked with. They are teachers. They have no problem with DeSantis and others referring to educators as groomers and pedophiles? Hotlines students/parents can call to turn them in if they talk about something that can be construed about sex, gender, race, etc. One woman's daughter is also a teacher. Her other daughter is a doctor. Repubs are encouraging their base to distrust health care professionals and educators. In Texas there is a hotline to turn in your local doctor if suspected of performing an abortion. These same women are against forced vaccination, but apparently ok with forced pregnancy and child birth. As I said, we were all teachers and one woman's daughter is a new teacher. Aren't they scared of school shootings? Nope, just keep handing out those guns. From our conversations, I think their support for Republicans comes from a place of rage against "people on welfare" and immigrants who Democrats "give immediate benefits and turn them loose." I cannot see how people in need have hurt these women financially. One put her daughter through med school and the other daughter through college for teaching. She and her husband are now giving one daughter $20,000 to go toward buying land for a home. The parents have a beautiful home, always 2 new cars, ATVs; they live on the lake, have a boat, etc.

I just participated in a benefit motorcycle ride for the Fulton County Sheriff's Dept. K9. I saw the Sheriff before the ride started. He gave me a hug, told my friend we had known each other for 35 years, asked if I was retired yet, etc. He used to be a nice guy. He was a guest speaker in my classes and participated in SADD assemblies. Since Trump, he has become super politicized. When Cuomo passed the gun law "Safe Act", the Sheriff publicly refused to adhere to it. Because it was proposed by Dem Cuomo. Wouldn't a sheriff want fewer guns on the street for the safety of his officers? Recently, he called out a fellow Republican, the county administrator, over a land purchase and said he was going to pursue a criminal investigation! And, he is supposedly friends with the administrator and his family--this guy is the husband of my Republican teacher friend I wrote about above. So, now we see Repubs cannibalizing each other. Anyway, right before the m.c. ride started, the Sheriff got on the PA, wished us a safe ride, thanked us for our participation (we raised $26K). Then he had to make this stupid ass, completely unnecessary political remark: he had a beautiful German shepherd with him. He said "this is my K9 rescue. She was born a female, but the government says that in a few months, she can decide what she wants to be.". I did not know whether to puke or punch him. Totally disgusted. Probably will not do the ride next year. Why couldn't he just let us have a good time? Why did he feel it necessary to interject his politics????