SC DUers, get out while you still can!!!

[chaska]

Seriously. I never met a SC liberal (born and raised there, myself) who didn't fantasize about leaving. DO IT! Don't waste your votes, or your lives in that third world state.

I've lived in or spent time in many states. I'd be happy to give advice about leaving. I know it can be a hard to do, but once you actually do it, you'll be so glad you did.

Be a part of that grand SC tradition, the time honored "brain drain" (you know, the smart/educated people leave).

Life's too short, people. Abandon it.

[Dzimbowicz]

1. I have given it serious thought

but I feel that I must fight the beast from the inside. Maybe I'm too idealistic, but I am a school teacher and there are far too many students who need a liberal who sets a good example for them to follow. Believe it or not, I actually get through to a significant number.
I was born and raised in Columbia (Lake Katherine area, then as an adult I resided in Shandon), but I currently work in York County.

I have lived in Germany as a graduate student and I spent time in the military, so I think I can understand what you are advocating.

My sister has left the state, but for the wrong reasons; she makes an obscene amount of money in NYC hiding money from the government for the wealthy. Therefore, I must remain and care for my aging parents...

From which part of SC are you from?

[chaska]

2. I'm from Columbia too.

Mostly West Columbia/Cayce and Lexington. My mother is an honorary gypsy - either that or she's on the run from the po-lice, she likes to move a lot at any rate).

You're doing god's work, friend. You're a better man than I. Unfortunately, I'm feeling the same frustration in California that I felt in SC, after this election. And there are a lot of pugs here too, rich ones. The worst kind. I've spent a lot of time in the northeast (ME, NH, VT) but never been to Eastern Canada. I'm feeling the urge to check out Montreal, lately. Hmm, I guess I inherited some of them gypsy genes.

I have a mother, stepfather and two half brothers in SC. They don't need me. I'm not going back in any case. I do love the 'place', but the people? The people can sho nuff get to me sometimes. But there are good people everywhere ... and they suffer mightily in SC.

[Dzimbowicz]

3. Best of luck dude

I've been to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. PEI was by far my favorite, red sand beaches, no congestion and only three constables for the entire province (at least when I was there).

I currently have a student from Quebec who might be able to answer some questions about the province for you if you are interested.

[NinetySix]

15. Eastern Canada?!? Think ATLANTIC Canada!

From Irmo High to Carolina, then on to Charlottetown, PEI, and I've never looked back. I loved South Carolina growing up, but I'm so goddamned glad I don't live there anymore that I could just burst. People here are friendly, easy going, pleasant, and liberal. There's no other place like it.

[74dodgedart]

4. Liberal Sandlapper

I was born in SC and have visited\lived elsewhere but, I've always come back to SC. It's a beautiful state, and you can't beat the weather.

I have to say that I was appalled by the number of uncontested
Republicans that appeared on my local ballot this year....

[Dzimbowicz]

5. In York County

excepting the big three: president, senate and congress, there was only one Dem on the ballot; a person running for coroner.

[Slowhand16]

7. How encouraging...

:hi:

[blindpig]

6. carpetbagger here

Moved here in the early 80's for textile work(ha!), been hanging out since. Fortunately people have made it easy for me to be asocial, got 10A of paradise on some worn out cotton land in s Spartanburg Co and like it just fine. The weather is better than home and there still is a good bit of wildlife. We all make trade-offs, here I make my stand.

[Corgigal]

8. Was born here

moved out when I was 3 and educated in Westchester county New York.
Which is 25 miles from the Bronx and 5 miles from Clinton's home.
Imagine their confusion when I talk "New Yorker" but tell them, no I was actually born here. heehee

I think about this daily. I should have never moved back with children to be raised in this substandard state. I should have thought of that earlier because now I own my little home and the economy is scary right now. I have looked at property in Penn and upstate New York (aka cow-ville). I do have comfort to know if it hits the fan, economy here at home, we at least won't be homeless.

The kids don't want to go now of course. They have made friends but I do plan to move near my "own" within a few years. I do believe we will be the first state to think of way to make abortions illegal.
While I never would want either of my daughters to have one, I don't want the govt involved in their decision. I would find the funds to fly them overseas for the RU-486 if necessary. You know, do what the rich republicans would do if their daughter got knock up by a undesirable.

I have lived in 3 states in my lifetime and I never knew how out of step one state, SC, could be with the rest of the nation. I actually had to live here to believe this stupidity. Now I'm part of it so while I do my time, I'm going to cause as much grief on the institutions that I can possibly can. I will try to fix some of these issues for other people's children. Might as well try to do some good.

[Southsideirish]

9. Downtown Charleston is beautiful I didn't feel comfortable there.

It seemed very, very wealthy with everyone driving Jaguars. I was probably being paranoid as a Yankee but I felt they had a little private club going on down there and outsiders would never be welcome. Sort of "born to the velvet" types.

[midlandsdawg]

11. That would confirm

My theory. Charleston reminds me alot of vermont and savannah, ga. People who don't adjust to outsiders a whole lot. Savannah has come along way as more and more move there, charleston not so much.

[Catbird]

10. Positive spin

I have lived in places that were more reactionary. In addition, they weren't anywhere near as beautiful, especially in the spring when the flowers explode and we get to live in a garden for a few weeks.

Besides, Inez needs us to keep voting for her.

:) :) :)

[MichaelJH]

12. I'm a stuck in Spartanburg, but not for long

I want to leave tomorrow; only the 2 kids have made their friends and have 4 more years of school. Then, I’m off to the bluest state I can find. Here, 9 out of 10 people you meet are assholes (REP). I want to meet 1 asshole out of every 10 people. This is a blue, blue state. ------- Does this place exist, am I only dreaming of such a place? A place where people actually accept everyone, care for each other, and no I’m right and you’re wrong and you’re going to Hell, a place where people actually use their brains as a strength and not a weakness.

Well if it doesn't exist, we must create it. Where are we moving to everyone? I think Washington DC on the front lawn of G.W.B., camp out and protest daily.

Peace be unto us all
MJH

[SCDem]

13. Welcome to DU!

And keep up the good fight in SC!

[raccoon]

14. I used to really want to move away from SC

But now it doesn't seem to matter as much to me. I think part of it's my age (53). It's important to me now to stay fairly close to some family members.

Another thing, PLACE just doesn't seem so important to me now.
If I could emigrate to some country that has a national health plan, like Canada, I would, but in my case it seems unlikely that I could.

Just like George Bailey in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, or the characters in THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (lol), looks like I'll never get out.

I wish SC were not so conservative, but from what I've heard & read, there are some states perhaps even more so.

[Lecky]

16. NOO! Please Stay

Hi all, from Mount Pleasant here :)

Seriously. I never met a SC liberal (born and raised there, myself) who didn't fantasize about leaving. DO IT! Don't waste your votes, or your lives in that third world state.

That's so funny that you say that, right after I graduated from USC I was DYING to leave SC, so I moved to NYC for 2 years to pursue my career in advertising. It was a wonderful experience but lets just say I'm glad to be back home.

We need MORE, not less liberals in these red states. Even though I'm not crazy over SC politics, I love my life here and the people ARE friendly. I guess living so close to Charleston and the beach helps as well.

Liberals stay in SC and let's organize...we are far too quiet around these parts.

[livetohike]

17. Welcome to DU Lecky

:hi:

I'm coming back soon :-). Hopefully to the Moncks Corner area. We can all meet down at the Windjammer and discuss strategy.

[PegDAC]

19. Hello!

Especially to Lowcountry Libs, from Goose Creek. I've been here for three years (from Ohio by way of Arizona), and I'm STILL wondering what the heck some of these people are thinking!
:wtf:

[newyawker99]

20. Hi PedDAC!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[CherokeeDem]

18. I am considering moving back to SC.

I was born in Aiken and graduated HS in Greenville (Wade Hampton). I left to attend the University of KY and lived in KY for many years; moving to Florida once in 1987, back to KY in 1991 and back to FL, Miami, in 1996. I can tell you, this is a blue county despite the Cuban Republicans, but trust me, the grass is not always greener. The cost of living here is really high and housing is out of range of most people. Since the 2000 election, I don't think even blue states are comfortable for anyone. I am at a point where I long for a bit slower pace, less congestion, and a feeling of belonging. I realize that Charleston can be a bit uppity, just like Virginia but it is still considered a very progessive city.

As for SC politics, since I have Jeb Bush as Gov, Mel Martinez as a Sen, my congressman (please help me!)is Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Illena Ross-Leitinen is the next district over, and Katherine Harris is running for Senate, you couldn't have it any worse. Trust me, Lindsey Graham doesn't look so bad in that company.

I also agree with another poster, we cannot abandon these areas without a fight. The pendulum will swing back to us and we should be ready. If there are no Dems running for office in some areas, then you need to go after the State Democratic Party and start recruiting people to run. Even if they can't win now, we have to start somewhere.

Sorry for the long post, I am at a crossroads trying to figure out what to do. If any of you live in Charleston, let me know what you think about living there.

Thanks....

Debbie
Miami

[bonofor prez]

21. Never give up!

It is sometimes very tough to live in SC. I'd be the first one to admit it, but I am not about to give up the fight. Right now I am working on my own little corner of the State,but rest assured there are progressives and liberals ready to start making changes. It has to start in your community. You have to build a reputation before anyone can attach a label to you through your service and dedication to your city, town, county. I think we could use some of these forums to start making some real change.

The reason why SC remains a comic political opera to non-SCians is because we have never developed a political system capable of facing our vast problems because of race issues, etc. Change will be slow, but I promise you will see some light at the end of the tunnel soon.

[Indie Filmmaker]

22. Where is your courage?

This is where the fight is.

[Left_Winger]

23. Exactly

This is where the fight is and fight we must.

Right on!

Welcome to DU.

:hi:

[livetohike]

24. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

We will be moving back to SC next year :-).

[newyawker99]

34. Hi Indie Filmmaker!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[obxhead]

25. Is it that bad?

I'm moving there at the end of the month for 4 years of school. I've had a feeling it may be even worse than this sh!t hole we call Virginia.

[SCDem]

26. Depends on where you are moving to

Which school will you be at? I think SC is a great place for a democratic populist platform. It is just an effort to reach those disenfranchised. Of course the righty republicans are always going to be in SC just like they are every other state. More effort should and is being spent on reaching those that have a history of not voting.

[obxhead]

27. Moving to Fort Mill area

Just a few miles south of the NC/SC border, south of charlotte NC. Charlotte "seems" to have a bit of a progressive element from what I can see yet I am a little nervous. I've really had it with politically correct northern VA though so I think any change will have to be positive.

[SCDem]

28. Well it sounds like we'll have a new York County Democrat

I will tell you even though our county is Red we have one of the smartest and most capable congressman representing us in the House - Congressman John Spratt. And our District, the SC 5th, is blue. Fort Mill and Tega Cay are redder than Rock Hill. But still their are York County Dems all over the place and we stay in contact throughout the month.

The York County Dems are a very very very active group and always welcome new people. We have an evening forum every 3rd Thursday starting at 7pm at a local restaurant and an afternoon forum every last Tuesday afternoon of the month for those that are able to make it at another local restaurant.

If you want to know more about the area just PM me. Not sure when you'll be getting in the area but there is also a Summerfest August 27th (little street fair in the town of York) where the congressman and the party and other local candidates will be.

[renie408]

29. I live in Fort Mill!

And we love the area. Based on my informal car-rider-line poll of bumper stickers, I am VERY much in the minority. But it isn't like we are going to leave.

[Left_Winger]

30. You are not alone, there are others like you in Ft. Mill

I work in Ft. Mill and am aware of the republicanism which is so prevalent there. I don't mind working there, but must reside elsewhere.

[Bradley Minoski]

31. Let's just face it...

Most of South Carolina will always a red state as long as you got the religious extremeist in your state that believe that God and Jesus Christ will solve every single problem we have and if that's the case you will always have guys like Sanford, Graham and Demint running the show. what we all need to do is get the word out about the great mistakes the GOP has made ever since Bush took office and tell them off the postives of the democratic party.

All i got to say is this: Where's Earnest Hollings when you need him?

[lapauvre]

32. Too old to get out

Want out of here so bad I can't tell you, but probably only way out is to let nature take its course.

The religious right is so in charge, and the people I know or either to religiously indoctrinated or too well instilled with hatred for Democrats for the Civil Rights act, or just too damned dumb and irresponsible to see the state of the State.

[dehaiti]

33. That Bad?

Depends, I grew up in the Spartanburg Greenville area, home of the Christian Taliban and I'm still amazed when I go back and visit. Hasn't changed politically at all, maybe gotten worse. Turn on the TV on a Sunday and you may see local TV preachers with George Bush film clips during the service. I saw this 3 weeks ago in Spartanburg. It all goes back to LBJ and civil rights, the Dems have never been forgiven. If Jesus Christ came to the SC upcountry as a Democrat they would crucify him again. All this while the standard of living has gone down the tubes under Republican leadership in SC and the nation.