North v. South cancer, why do West Coasters care?

[CitizenRob]

I was born and raised here on the West Coast. So for me the North/South divide is just a weird thing that persists like a cancer that I can't stop. Most of us here on the West Coast don't really identify with either side. I guess over time the West Coast has developed more along the lines of Northern thinking, with the exception of the elitism, and obsession with status. Here it doesn't matter if you went to a private or state school, we just hope that you went to any school. It also doesn't matter so much what your last name is, unless of course you count the Gettys.

We started from scratch here and built a culture that is unique to this region just like the people in the South West (NM, AZ, West Texas), and the Midwest. It is really unfortunate that we have a two party system. It really does not represent the complexity of America's regions, let alone the diversity of it's populations. Having grown up on the West Coast I feel little understanding when it comes to the industrialism, and elitism of the North East. Why we get lumped into the same Democratic party with the industrialists is beyond me.

By itself California is the fifth largest economy in the world. Economically we are the most valuable state in the Union, we have the largest population of any state, the largest electoral college, the most representatives in congress, we are ground zero for technology development for the entire world, Hollywood exports American culture around the world. Despite all of that we are ignored during the election cycle because our vote will undoubtedly be Democratic. That neglect doesn't just last during the election cycle though, it lasts through every session of congress as perceived swing states get special pork barrel spending granted by each party trying to lure swing voters to their side.

So what good is being in a Union when it apparently only exists for the good of the North, the South, and the few swing states in between? What value does California derive from being a member state of the United States? I know what value the United States derives from having us as member state. Would our political value increase if the West Coast created it's own political party, seperate from the cancerous fighting of the Northern Democrats vs. Southern Republicans? ...Continue Reading

[Cobalt Violet]

1. So is it true that you are what you drive out there?

I've always heard that. That sounds pretty damn elitist to me.

[DBoon]

5. Yes but...

It is as much a matter of style as it is money.

There is a definite type of person that drives a mini cooper, another than drives a perfectly restored VW bug. It's not all about expensive luxury cars - a lot of it is your displaying own quirky individual taste.

[CitizenRob]

7. It depends on the city really.

In Los Angeles, yes, you are what you drive. But like the other person who responded said, it's more about style than cost.

On the other hand, I live in the bay area where it's more about not having to drive at all. To admit you have a car is to commit a faux-pas!

[Neshanic]

14. Very true. SD is the most appalling practitioners of this.

[CitizenRob]

15. San diego...

is a Republican city isn't it?

[PATRICK]

2. The old west

in the pre-Civil War Us had much the same odd position and it's people often were the rock bed common sense and muscle of the collision between the establishment and zealots of the north and the different culture and zealotry of the South. In between arrogance, the West bled for both. Lincoln himself was a westerner with some populist racist views, a tall man on the seesaw.

Instead of being superior, the West is as much a victim of unhealed wounds, of the unresolved flight from the tyrannies of Europe, the unresolved battles and compromises all along the way. The country has never been its own stated ideal and divisions never quite heal under those tensions.

Denial of course, merely to assuage pride and anxiety or material benefit, thrives like ragweed.

[Unstuck In Time]

3. "... Northern thinking, with the exception of the elitism..."

The "elitism" talk is a myth, invented by the Red Staters.

Although, as a resident of Massachusetts -- the locus of all evil, to hear them tell it -- I'm just about ready to buy into the whole meme.

If contempt is what they're going to heap on me, I'm just about at the point where I'm willing to fling it right back.

[CitizenRob]

11. Elitism

I think the elitism is just a throw back to the british class system. It works fine for the brits. Those of us over here on the West Coast though do notice it. A trip to Boston often yields such oh-so-original sayings as "California is the state of fruits and nuts, har-dee-har-har." Yes, we like our fruits here, and in most cases we also like our nuts. To treat me as though I'm lower class because I went to a state school in California instead of some overly expensive private school is completely alien to us here. Here in California the state schools (UCLA, Berkeley) are the best schools.

I digress. I don't think there's anything wrong with North East elitism, it's just not part of my culture.

[Unstuck In Time]

13. I think we may be talking past each other a bit.

I'm sure Bostonians are just as guilty as anyone else of the "Oh, you Californians are kooky" blather. But that's everywhere. Every city and region in the country is prone to repeating hackneyed clichés about every other city and region. Heck, even towns that sit side-by-side have their rivalries and jokes about each other. The northeast has no special claim to that. It's what people do, boring and pointless as it is.

But again you refer to northeast elitism as a fact, and I just don't agree. It's possible to be treated like an "outsider" anywhere in this country, anywhere on the planet. I don't doubt that you ran into boorish people in Boston -- I just don't think it's a function of geography. It's a matter of human nature, and it shows up everywhere.

[toymachines]

4. i agree, where does the west fit in?

i am a southern californian teenager who doesnt quite understand where i fit in with all of this north south quabbling. i am the west, obviously closer in political views to the north, but somehow i dont connect with them on many things. i am often fed up that we are such a large and important part of the country, yet we seem to be backed into a corner and forgotten aobut. i would like to know what good the rest of the country does us, and why we dont have a stronger voice. maybe i am just missing something

[Unstuck In Time]

8. I don't think California has been backed intoa corner at all

Over the years, one trend after another has originated in California and swept steadily east, transforming American culture over and over again.

[CitizenRob]

10. That is true.

California has been the birth place of many changes that have swept across the country. But now we are the most powerful state in the Union and have the least amount of representation to show for it. Why should we continue to let Northern dems "Senate speak" their way to losing elections?

[Unstuck In Time]

12. Well, run a California candidate, by all means...

Be happy to judge him or her based on ideas. I don't think any one region is especially prone to "senate speak," so the "northern dems" reference seems a bit irrelevant to me.

[ourbluenation]

6. Our North and South is Eastern vs Western Cali

I'm a native californian and I lived on the coasts and in the interior. I think you are mistaken in your characterization of Calif. The interior is so "red state" its scary - and it's growing. So when you talk about being ignored, you cleary are refering to the coastal areas (where a greater concentration of the people are). The interior of california, by and large, is pleased as punch with this administration.

I grew up in So Cal in the Long Beach/Seal Beach area. Pure blue. But my best friend growing up has gradually become "red" over the years, the more interior she moves. She never went to college and I KNOW she feels people look down on her for it, which they don't - she is just incredibly insecure anyways - always was...she identifies with the "reds" who have not recieved higher education, are generally white, working class, etc...she is now even into the whole nascar thing, and makes more and more subtly racist comments. We have NOTHING in common any more.

I also have a sister who did not grow up with me who is from Marin County. She recently went to her 20 year high school reunion and was dumbfounded by how many of her friends have become church going republicans - FROM MARIN!!!!

I personally think California is moving away from blue and towards the red zone - it may take a while but the momentum is with the redness.

JTT

[CitizenRob]

9. Marinites...

I too think California is moving away from blue, but I don't think it's moving torwards red either. In all honesty, I think it's philosophy is green, even if we're still voting blue. I'm fed up with the Democrats. The more I hear our pundits talking about "values" and the more it sounds like they are going to move FURTHER right the more I question the leadership of this party.

I've been of voting age for 10 years, and a loyal Democrat since long before. I'm fed up though. We've lost every election for the past 10 years because our leaders forgot how to have ideas, and how to lead. They've laid down and let themselves be walked all over as our majority disapeared, and our status as a minority party also shrinks. We won ONE presidential election in 10 years. That's it folks.

How long do we stick around?

[newyawker99]

16. Hi ourbluenation!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: