It's easy to be a liberal where I live

[Love Bug]

I live in Minneapolis, which is about as liberal a city as it gets. I have a Dem congressman, two Dem senators, a Dem mayor and Dem and Green council members. It's easy to be a liberal in this city because most of my fellow citizens are also liberal and I feel supported and "heard" when the people I vote for win. That's one of the reasons I feel lucky to live here.

But, I want to express my appreciation to those here at DU who aren't so lucky, who live in the reddest of places yet still are liberals. It has to be frustrating to be in the minority, have your votes count little (if at all), and have Repub congress-critters that constantly drive you crazy. You toil away, continuing to support your local Dem candidates with your hard work and money, knowing their chances of winning are a long-shot if not hopeless. Yet, you toil on because you are unrepentant liberals, an oasis of blue in a desert of red. My hat's off to you.

:applause: :yourock:

[EXneoCON]

1. That's about the nicest thing...

...anyone has ever said about me/us! I used to speak out more in public. I hate to say it, but I now seriously fear for my safety around these parts, i.e. (S)Low Country, SC.

[Love Bug]

13. Thank you and I'm sorry to hear that about SC.

I used to live Down South and in my experience southerners are very friendly. But that was years ago before Rush and Fux News did their damage. In spite of our recent history I still like to think the best of people until proven differently.

[ooglymoogly]

108. Black folks hanging in trees should have told you something.

That is something about the south that, even the bravest and kindest of hearts, can never forgive.

[Ishoutandscream2]

36. +1. I can't speak up here, either. When I do, it's a load of trouble

That was a very thoughtful OP. It's good to know that there are those here at DU who appreciate those of us in "Red Hell."

[Sancho]

80. I'm originally from SC, and still have relatives there...

my liberal mother says that SC is "right of Attila the Hun"! I can hardly stand it when I visit or talk with old friends and they make racists comments or leave Fox on all day.

[Greenheron]

81. ...anyone has ever said about me/us! I used to speak out more in public. I hate to say it, but I now

Wow,

I immediately rushed to respond and found what I was gonna write. Here is one Lowcountry prog who's got your back brutha (or sister).

[EXneoCON]

95. Righton...

Greenheron. I appreciate the back-up. Born and raised in Atlanta; married a wonderful woman from Mt. Pleasant SC, and have lived in the Low Country for the last ten years. I certainly know many sincere, thoughtful people here, but a lot of "folks" have big trucks and know how to use them, if you get my drift....:spank:

[raccoon]

96. I feel your pain. I live in upstate SC, as red as a baboon's arse. nt

[tweeternik]

99. In the heart of Dixie too!

I feel your pain EXneoCon! I live here in the heart of Bubbaland too (Aiken, SC). And I'm surrounded by them at work! Thankfully, I'm in a management role, so organizationally at least, I have some "juice". But, oh my, when the talk turns political, "things' can become quite intense! In the 2008 election I had to put my Obama signs up in a tree .... they kept getting stolen or destroyed!! Obama is given NO credit for anything. They say, "I know what he SAYS ...." but, they're not buying anything! Very interesting to say the least. I don't fear for my safety ... yet, but I can understand your concerns. Hang in there!

[zipplewrath]

2. Even when our president "rejects" our ideas

Makes for a long day when he says stuff like that. They laughed their ass off when he honored Warren. The worst though was when the cube mate kept pointing out that Obama had asserted that his healthcare bill wasn't all that different from GOP ideas of 15 years ago.

It's red as hell down here.

[TlalocW]

3. I enjoy confrontation

So it's no big deal. :)

TlalocW

[a la izquierda]

4. Thanks- I live in Oklahoma

My husband is worried that someone's going to toss a brick through my car window. And my students give me the stink eye for talking about socialism and communism (I teach Latin America history at a large university).
It's pretty lame. I used to get offended when people would blast Oklahoma and the greater South. I no longer give a shit. People here are ignorant fuckers, by and large.

[Juneboarder]

18. I feel for ya! nt

[sinkingfeeling]

30. I sure hope you're at OSU. I visited that campus about 22 times from 2004-2008.

Got to know Stillwater better than my home town.

[a la izquierda]

47. I'm not. I'm at OU

Thank God.
Norman is a piece of liberal paradise in a sea of red misery.

[Burma Jones]

40. Hey, at least you have the Flaming Lips

The Fundie part of my family live in Tulsa, as does my Uncle who finally came out of the closet at age 64.......

[a la izquierda]

48. Meh, I don't like the Flaming Lips.

But Kudos to them.

[Ken Burch]

113. Your uncle is a brave man. I salute his great courage.

n/t.

[Greenheron]

84. Blue Angels

Let me tell you the typical shit you have to deal with here in the Low country. Last week we had the Blue Angels here for a show.I was sitting on my steps with my 7 year old daughter when they flew directly over my house. I commented to my daughter that the Jet noise was so loud. So she tells me that her teacher told her, that that was the sound of freedom. WTF!!!!!!!!

[geardaddy]

5. Correction...

we have one dem senator and one DINO senator. ;)

:hi:

Otherwise I agree.

[Love Bug]

9. Well, I was cutting her some slack. But, yeah.

She still has a "D" next to her name, so she still qualifies. :D

[geardaddy]

11. I know.

I'm just giving you a little shit.

I'm in SD60 one of the bluest districts in the country, but we still have a scattering of 'pubs here.

[Love Bug]

16. And to keep us from getting too full of ourselves, there is Michelle Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty

But she represents the northern suburbs and St. Cloud. What the hell is wrong with those people?

Pawlenty is a lame duck who will soon slip into the obscurity he so richly deserves.

[geardaddy]

19. Some folks from here in Uptown

were thinking of door knocking or lit dropping for Tarryl in St. Cloud and Stillwater.

[wolfgangmo]

100. I live in St. Cloud.

Tarryl is great. Please help.

And yes, there is a reason it's called "white" cloud locally. If you want to read vile ignorant opinions then check out the CL rant and rave section for St. Cloud - un freaking believable.

But there are many of us, a majority, here in St. Cloud who are more progressive and dem than not. The truth about Bachmann is that she is in a heavily gerrymandered district that was designed to be safe for a dog-whistle evangelical rascist like her. The Northern exurbs are chock a block full of the type of church that the IRS should padlock and sell for violation of election laws. And that gives her the narrow margin she needs to win.

If you are going to make a difference then knock on doors in the exurbs. Get thee to Anoka and convert you some dipshit, amen.

[geardaddy]

103. Thanks for the advice.

I know that the exurbs are where the crazies are. Down here in the TC the southern exurbs like Lakeville, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, etc. aren't probably as bad, but that' where the crazies put their mega churches.

[Hansel]

123. Tarryl might have to be anti-abortion in order to make inroads in Anoka.

I live in Coon Rapids (right next to Anoka) surrounded by morons with their "You can't be pro-abortion and Catholic" and other even more offensive anti-abortion bumper stickers right next their "insert Republican death penalty advocate/war monger's name here" sticker.

My brother, who is very active in one of the several Catholic churches here, has been trying to wake these fools up for years but says it's a waste of time. He believes the only way we are going to take away Bachmann's seat is to run an anti-abortion candidate. There is a high Catholic population in this area and not the liberal Catholic type. They only like Bachmann because she is anti-abortion and has fostered a ton of kids. "Isn't she a wonderful Christian woman?" Blah. That she is a raving loony is something they totally miss.

I don't live in Bachmann's district but some in Coon Rapids do. The part of Coon Rapids I live in is densely Democratic and more white collar. The parts she represents is blue collar racist redneck-ville. Her district is gerrymandered like a big snake.


edit to change punctuation

[Cant trust em]

6. I live in San Francisco.

I can't remember the last time I had a face to face discussion with a real conservative. It might have been 3 years ago, but even though this person had a few conservative leanings, I don't think she was a republican.

[Mojeoux]

65. Russian River Ca here

Northern California where the Liberals run wild and free with Big Foot and Nancy Pelosi.

Marijuana money turns a lot of staunch conservatives into not exactly liberals, but a lot more tolerant.

Talking "logging" will start some shit still.

[Mojeoux]

75. I am posting to

myself to see if my avatar works. OK
Nope.

[AsahinaKimi]

86. I also live in San Francisco

There are a few people near Powell and Market street who walk around with signs, trying to "Save" us, but other than that, I don't know any Conservatives here.

[Cant trust em]

111. Those guys are pretty harmless

I'd be willing to bet that they're not pro-corporate, anti-government types.

[jules1962]

97. My I live vicariously through you, please?

I live in East Tenn. and it doesn't get more red than this. I do enjoy calling out the conservatives on their bs though. All they seem to know is soundbites that they hear. If you go deeper in any political subject,it throws them off. They suddenly get the deer in the headlights look. It's so much fun. I don't like arguing, but I definitely call them out. Some of them think that they can spout off on their rhetoric and everyone around them will agree with them.I think that they are surprised when they see that they have met a "real live liberal". lol:fistbump:

[SharonAnn]

102. Hey, I'm here too! There are more of us than is know, though we're still outnumbered.

[myrna minx]

7. I too, live in the People's Republic of Minneapolis, where it is truly easy to be liberal.

I also share the sentiment of appreciation to all of our brothers and sisters who are dedicated blue in a sea of red. It has to be so incredibly tough to hang in there, but you do. :loveya: :grouphug:

[socialist_n_TN]

25. HA!!!!! That's what I've been calling Nashville..................

for the last few years. A bastion of (comparative) liberalism in a solid red state. Greetings from the Peoples Republic of Nashville and Davidson County.

[myrna minx]

56. It's nice to know we have a sister city!

:hi:

[socialist_n_TN]

66. Well, in reality it was more of a take off.....................

on the fact that we've voted Democratic in every presidential election since Dukakis. Ergo, according to the Republicans, we must be Socialists. :) As I said in another post though, us and Shelby County (Memphis) are definitely the most liberal counties in Tennessee.

I also like the sound of it. "The Peoples Republic" moniker REALLY pisses conservatives off. And I LIKE that. :)

[MinneapolisMatt]

8. Minneapolis here!

Love it! Great post BTW. I feel the same way, we are very lucky to live here.

[muffin1]

10. I envy you.

We live in a very red area of Virginia. We still have two Democratic senators - although I'm not overly crazy about either one. We did have Tim Kaine for our Governor - although not crazy about him, either. We went for Obama in 2008 - the first time our state voted for a Democratic President in something like forty years. Our area definitely didn't vote for Obama. It's northern Virginia that's helping put dems in office.

Now, our Governor is none other than that POS Bob McDonnell - the "Go ahead an discriminate against gay folks" and "Let's celebrate Confederate History Month without mentioning those pesky slaves" guy. He won by 17 points - a year after we helped put Obama in the White House.

I swear, you can't swing a dead cat in Barhamsville without hitting a Confederate flag, or a McCain/Palin bumper sticker. We still have our Obama sticker, but I'm surprised every time I approach the car and it still hasn't been 'keyed', and all four tires still have air in them!

[Love Bug]

21. We have Michelle Bachmann to remind us the whole state isn't blue

and a couple of years ago some high school kid in one of the 'burbs got in trouble for diaplaying a large confederate flag from his pickup truck. So, it's rare but we have our nut-jobs, too (although I think that kid was just trying to stir up some shit because he could).

Hang in there!

[ismnotwasm]

12. Me too

I live in Seattle, a fairly liberal city, although (or at least it tries to be, with some success. It could do better. Lately there have been some disturbing mean spirited trends) Minneapolis sounds better. Washington state itself is not liberal, with a divide between the western and eastern part of the state

But it's easy to be liberal here, and I don't want to take that for granted.

[Love Bug]

34. We've had our own mean-spirited trends, too

Mainly championed by our Repub governor who never met a cut to benefits for the poor or sick he didn't like. As liberal as we still are, it saddens me to think about how much our quality of life here has sunk over the past 10-15 years.

[gateley]

59. I think it used to be more liberal, but we're still pretty lucky. nt

[wryter2000]

14. Thank you

I'm also quite lucky. I live in Oakland, CA and have the marvelous Barbara Lee representing me.

Too many people here pick on red parts of the country without considering that many of our wonderful DUers live there. Talk about adding insult to injury.

:applause: to those of us who are trying to change the red to blue or at least purple.

[azmouse]

31. And thank you for being a mod!

It can never be an easy job here. :hug:

Being in AZ right now is a challenge. So much hatred all around....

[wryter2000]

52. You're very welcome

I'm happy to help out around the place that saved my sanity. :hi:

[happy_liberal]

15. I'm in SarahPalinville Awk!

You know you liberals living it up in 'easy to be me' land need to spread out and help convert dumfuckistan.


I grew up in the Cali bay area in 'free to be you and me' land....but did my part to spread the intelligence by moving as far north as possible, into a land where people believe that the internet is a series of tubes. I heard recently that a C+ up here is the equivalent to a F everywhere else.(happy to be homeschooling)

But think about it, with the idiocracy rapidly encroaching and only TV and Corporate Charter schools to educate the masses...intelligent liberals better start having more children and spreading out or there is no hope for this country.

[Juneboarder]

22. Can you see Russia from your house?

LOL!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[azmouse]

24. I love your avatar. Is that your dog?

What a sweetie! :loveya:

[Juneboarder]

39. Thank you, and yes...

That is my doggie. Her name is Ginger and I got her from the shelter close to 3 years ago. We think she is a mix (Rhodesian Ridgeback for sure and possibly some Greyhound, Great Dane, Chihuahua or a little of each)...

We call her our doggess of a woggess, lol! :)



:loveya:

[rox63]

44. Those definitely look like Chihuahua ears, but in XXXL size

Poor Chihuahua must have needed a ladder to reach up to any of those other breeds.

[Juneboarder]

45. Ha!

Yea, we do get funny reactions when we tell people she's a Chihuahua mix...

[pinboy3niner]

17. Thanks for thinking of us

I live in a very red area of CA. When I returned from being a Kerry Traveler in Ohio in '04, my car covered in stickers and placards, I was stopped by a woman at the local McDonald's, who said, "So YOU'RE the other Democrat in the Valley." LOL

But don't cry for me, Love Bug. My situation certainly keeps things interesting and challenging and, in a perverse way, inspiring.

Besides, I can always come here when I need love and support.

P.S.--You rock too, Love Bug! :toast:

[Love Bug]

26. Thanks! All of the recent discussion about Arizona prompted this.

I'm thinking about what it is probably like for those liberals living in AZ and how crazy their governor is now making them. Or the liberals in OK where the state legislature just overrode their governor's veto of a ridiculously restrictive anti-choice bill. It can be very demoralizing when these kinds of things happen, especially in your own state. I just wanted to let them know they weren't alone.

[eagertolearn]

128. That reminds me when i was canvassing for Obama I went to

a small town near by that is even more conservative than my town. I was knocking on democrats doors and everyone was mostly nice and kindly said they couldn't vote for someone who wasn't Amercian etc.. Then i knocked on this womans door and she looked me holding my clip board and said "are there other democrats around here...can I see the list". She had found this house (on the internet) moving from a more expensive area of the U.S. and had been living there for two years and was having a hard time meeting people. I told her she could seee the list if she joined us and canvassed. She did and was very happy to meet more dems in my town!

[Papagoose]

20. I'm a Liberal living in rural Georgia

I don't hide it, and I get genuinely scared sometimes. I have children and I worry about their safety sometimes. My daughter is 14, outspoken and liberal, and I worry about her getting into trouble in school as she is taught false history lessons and gets preached to by teachers.

I've about had my fill of living here and miss home (Philadelphia)badly. It's nice when someone acknowledges that not everyone in the South is an ignorant redneck though.

[a la izquierda]

33. Tell her to hang in there until college..

that's when she'll get the real deal ;) If she wants some good reads on Latin America, send me a PM. I'd be happy to blow her mind.

[Love Bug]

35. My ex inlaws live in Cartersville, which is near Rome

They used to live near one of those snake churches!

I know what rural GA can be like. It's not easy to be "different" in such places, but hang in here.

[azmouse]

23. Never give up! Never give in!

Thank you so much for the kind words! :hug:

It isn't easy (to say the least) to be in the Phoenix area right now and hear so much ugliness about my home city and state.
There really are many, many wonderful people here. We just get drowned out by the RW. I don't think it will always be that way but for the near future we have a huge uphill climb. Your words just made the fight against the bigotry here very worthwhile.

[Love Bug]

28. You're welcome! Y'all hang in there!

I know your state is in the spotlight right now but be assured it won't be long before some other Repug outrage crops up elsewhere. Hopefully that new law will be challenged and overturned for the unconstitutional ca-ca that it is.

[socialist_n_TN]

27. THANK YOU....................

I was born in MS, raised in AL and now live in TN, albeit the bluest part of this red state. In the South, being a leftie is a calling, not just a political leaning. (Thanks to Chris Hayes for that).

Edited to add Memphis to the blue area of this red state. As a matter of fact, Steve Cohen, the rep from the Memphis area, blows our guy away as far as being liberal.

[LuckyLib]

29. Twin Cities as well. Thinking lately about moving to No California.

But I'm afraid I'm so spoiled by liberal Democratic politics and neighbors that I'd freak out. Bachmann and Pawlenty remind me that this oasis is not like the rest of the country.

[Dappleganger]

32. Thank you from FL

Don't forget to support those of us who are pushing progressive ISSUES which FL democratic politicians have a tendency to push aside (DLC).

[Ishoutandscream2]

37. Very thoughtful. Thank you.

I visited Minneapolis in 1998, and was very impressed with your city. And the people were very, very nice.

Thanks again.

[Burma Jones]

38. Well Put.......

I'm in the same boat here in Montgomery County MD.........

[shireen]

94. Maryland is strange ...

I'm in the Baltimore metro area. The Baltimore-DC corridor seems to be overwhelmingly Democratic. But north Baltimore county, and the counties to the east and west lean Republican. I think Maryland goes Democratic most of the time because the highest concentration of the population is in the corridor. But in recent years, that margin has become increasingly smaller. Now I'm worried that our former governor, Republican Bob Ehrlich, is gaining momentum and could unseat Martin O'Malley. I don't follow state politics much but I don't trust any Republican. Period. Democrats may have their problems, but Republicans are far worse. Unfortunately, they're really good at duping people.

BTW, Ehrlich and his wife have a radio show on a popular AM talk radio station. And it's continued after he declared he was running -- isn't that kinda, uh, unethical for a candidate to have so much 'free' air-time?

[jpljr77]

117. Maryland is basically a redneck state, with a couple of cities

And I'm saying that as someone who lives in Montgomery County and grew up in rural south Georgia.

Maryland went hard for Obama in 2008 (62%), but the only counties that went for him were DC-Baltimore corridor-related (well, one Eastern Shore county went barely Obama -- Kent, 4,953 for Obama to 4,905 for McCain). Hell, even the county Annapolis is in went for McCain. Everything else is solidly red. And some of those red counties are RED...as red as I've ever seen (and I've seen red).

Of course, most of the people that live in Maryland live in Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard and Baltimore counties. So nationally, it's going to skew blue, hard. Especially in 2008. But statewide, Republicans make gains in mid terms.

[Burma Jones]

125. Then we had better get out the vote

Midterms are about people pissed off enough to vote, hence the party flipping

[bluethruandthru]

118. I'm worried about Erlich as well...

and I live in Montgomery County.

I think Erlich can legally keep his radio show until he actually files the papers for his candidacy. If he was at all ethical, he would have given up his show once he publicly and repeatedly declared himself a candidate.

[Burma Jones]

124. Well, we might just get Bobby Haircut back again if our turnout is lousy

But he will probably have a Veto Proof Democratic legislature to contend with regardless of turnout.

[onestepforward]

41. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

It is very much appreciated by many DUers!
:hi:

[RaleighNCDUer]

42. It's also easy to be liberal where I live.

You just can't talk about, that's all.

[barbtries]

58. well know you're not alone

north raleigh here.

[upi402]

43. agree 100%... +1^ n/t

[glitch]

46. K & R for the sweetness. :) nt

[PoliSSHat]

49. Im in CT.....

This place is like all blue blood, country clubs types, rolling around in their limos! Gasp!

[RagAss]

55. But you do elect many Dems.

[PoliSSHat]

60. Wait....What?

Everyone here is Repub. Who? I want to make sure there are others here like me.

[RagAss]

126. Must have changed since I left in the early 90's.

[treestar]

50. Amen!

Too much dissing of their states goes on at DU.

[mwooldri]

51. I don't hide it, I can't hide it and it just is.

I'm British. I have this southern English accent I just can't get rid of.

Politically, I align with Ghandi, and was a card carrying paid up member of the Liberal Democrats at one point.

Those on the right can just say "Silly Englishman"... and put it down to that. Do I care? Nope...

Fortunately I live in a sea of purple. A mix of red and blue. There is one Republican I would vote for because simply I owe him a personal debt of gratitude (he helped me get united with my wife here in NC) but apart from that individual, anyone who runs as a Republican has in my eyes got a lot to do to win me over. Right now, the Republicans are definitely the party of No and they don't appear to offer any solutions, only roadblocks.

I wish there was a "hung Senate" and a few more political parties to go around, but nope, there are just the two represented: Democratic Party and Republican Party. Yes, other political parties exist, but the USA has the "first past the post" electoral system and the states have a lot of roadblocks for any independent candidates to gain any traction let alone any other party, Libertarians included.

[bvar22]

53. Thanks, Love Bug!

Transplanted from Minneapolis to Dark Red Rural Arkansas in 2006.

It IS different here....in some ways more difficult, in some ways more exciting.
There IS a small network of dedicated Populist Liberals up in these beautiful Arkansas hills (some say Mountains), and an active Democratic Party here. The numbers are much smaller than Minneapolis, so it is more intimate. I feel that MY Liberal vote weighs much more here than if it was simply one of Millions in an already Blue area.

We were delighted to find that one out of three people in these Woods voted for Obama (the black guy (33%)!
That is much more than we expected.

We have good neighborly relationships with our conservative neighbors.
We are active members of the Rural Volunteer Fire Dept, and have earned the respect of our peers simply by showing up and doing our part in the line. My wife is also the First Responder for this area. People tend to cut you some respect when you are the ones showing up to help when they are in trouble.

We avoid proselytizing for the Democratic Party and avoid the "wedge" issues.
When talk turns to politics, I "hit" the Economic Issues:
"I am a Democrat because I've WORKED for a Living all my life.
When the Democrats are running things, I do better!"
This approach works well.

I believe I was effective at giving more long term Republicans permission to vote for Obama here than I would have been in Minneapolis.

Unfortunately, unlike Obama, I DID campaign on a "Public Option". Almost everyone here has a family member on Medicare. I simply asked them if THEY would like to buy Medicare too, and WHY shouldn't we be allowed to do so?
When put in THIS frame, nobody ever disagreed with me.
I've had to do some backtracking, and blaming The Republicans is a no-go.

Anyway, Thank You for this thread.
We DO miss the Bright Blue City in The North.
We even miss the stark beauty of the Minnesota Winter,
Sat HI to everybody for me.

Bob
Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas

[Art_from_Ark]

74. Ah, the Ouachitas

have held a special place with me since I read about them in 6th grade Arkansas studies class, and learned that there was a diamond mine down there somewhere. And there certainly are mountains, as one finds out when one tries to ride a bicycle from the Arkansas River Valley up to Ola, LOL. But that's one part of the state that is still much a mystery to me. :hi:

[rbixby]

54. Minneapolis libs unite!

Drinking Liberally at the 331 club Love Bug? Thursdays at 7:00 I believe.

[barbtries]

57. that surprised me

thinking about the RNC. but then bush was still president. or is it st paul?

i live in NC. we just turned blue in 2008 but locally eh. i find it easy to be a liberal because i come by it naturally i've just always been this way. but around here i don't always find it comfortable.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

101. The RNC was in St. Paul, which is also a blue city

but I suspect that the Republicanites held their convention there in an effort to promote Governor Pawlenty's (R-smarmy greedhead) efforts to become the VP candidate.

[barbtries]

114. i wasn't referring to the fact

that the convention was held there. i was referring to the police state tactics employed on leftist protesters during the convention. even amy goodman was arrested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqsqQ7VLMM0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vQTH2HmpM&feature=related
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Beijing_on_the_Mississippi_The_RNC_police_state.html
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2008/08/31/raids

[K8-EEE]

61. +1 from Los Angeles

I really really admire our DU brothers & sisters in the Red States! Keep fighting the good fight folks...

[jillan]

62. This Arizona DUer says Thank YOU!!!!

:hug:

[MilesColtrane]

63. WTF?

Where's the broadbrush state hate?

Are you sure you're on the right site?

[donheld]

64. Indeed, there are many many places where being liberal

would be very hard to admit to for ones own safety.

[Odin2005]

67. Fargo as far as I can tell is pretty much Purple.

[BlooInBloo]

68. Agreed. When they actually stick up for those with no or little voice.

[eagertolearn]

69. Thank-You. Well appreciated and we will keep up out the education

one republican at a time!

[Lindsey]

71. Great post! I live in a very liberal part of CA and I appreciate

every minute of it. I totally respect the liberals who live in Red States.

[Carnage251]

70. Deep South

Alabama

[iandhr]

72. Same here.

I live in New York City on the upper west side. I go to college in Burlington, VT

We in the College Democrats pass as moderates. But I consider myself a liberal.


But to the people who are in blood red places I admire your guts.

[GreenTea]

73. Santa Cruz up to Arcata (Humboldt County) Which includes the SF bay area-The most liberal 300 miles

anywhere in the world....

As this coast line goes, so does California.

Hard to find if any, a single republican representative anywhere along this whole 300 miles of coast line, which includes Santa Cruz, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Marin County, Sonoma county, Mendocino County & Humboldt County-Eureka & Arcata!!

[ClutchCargo1957]

76. I Lived both extremes

I am now living back in my hometown of Illinois.So Obama land is cool. This after I spent from 1993 to 2007 living in the reddest of states-Arizona. I had two of the biggest BOOBS for Senator in Jon Kyl and McCain. My wife and I are thinking of moving back to Arizona because we miss it so much. But going back to Republican haven I am not thrilled about. My brother in law lives there and we argued yesterday that if I hate the red state so much that I should just stay where I am. I said first of all that I will live anywhere I damn well please and that I will move back if for no other reason than to "balance" out the playing field a little more.

[wryter2000]

104. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Kltpzyxm]

77. I'm jealous

Sounds like an enlightened place.

[Syrinx]

78. thank you from Alabama!

I can't imagine why we keep sending people like Jeff Sessions to the Senate. I tend to pester people about it continually, I guess. But he, and people like him, are such an embarrassment. People here, I like to think, tend to be better than him, yet we still send his sorry ass to Washington. I won't stop making the case. It makes my day to read a post by someone that understands what it means to be a liberal in Redsville. So much more productive, in my opinion, than some other posts on the same general theme. :hi:

[PinkFloyd]

79. I envy everyone who lives in a blue or even purple state.

My senators are Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning. Ben Chandler is my rep but he often votes like a Republican. I wish I didn't have any representation in the US congress. I'd be happier if Mitch, Jim and Geoff just stayed home instead. I bet all of you feel the same too.

The two likely people that will replace Bunning will be Trey Grayson (endorsed by Dick Cheney) or Rand Paul (endorsed by Sarah Palin). Rand isn't even a libertarian like his father either. He's Beck-style conservative. Polls for either Dem doesn't look good either.

[Lesleymo]

82. I live in Texas. Enough said.

Moved down from Michigan a few years ago. People are super nice down here as long as you don't bring up politics.

[tanyev]

92. Hey, Lesley, you're just a little ways up the road from me.

A belated welcome :hi: to DU.

[boston bean]

83. Isn't Minnesota where Bachmann spawned???

Things can change in a heartbeat. look at MA.

[Love Bug]

87. Yeah. Go fig!

We had Jesse Ventura, too, although he's mainly a libertarian. Minnesota is not all blue, so we do get Repug representation from time to time, sorta like a bad penny that keeps turning up.

[Ohio Metal]

90. Like Michele Bachmann?

You also have PZ Myers to balance out the batshit crazy that is Bachmann.

[Island Blue]

85. Thanks Love Bug!

I live in North Carolina which has recently turned a nice purple shade. My area however is still fairly red lots of teabaggers here). Ironically, many of our Republicans are transplants from up north. Wealthy, grumpy retirees who have their retirement, Social Security, Medicare, etc. and don't give a shit what happens to anyone else. Then of course there are the local, coastal redneck Republicans. Makes for an interesting mix of craziness.

I'm from South Carolina originally (much of my family is still there) and some of the friendliest people on the planet live there. Anyone who tell you otherwise has never been there, or has been there but has never bothered to get to know people. (I'm sure there are some assholes too, btw. There are assholes everywhere.)

My only wish is that all the blue states weren't located in cold places. That's a deal breaker for me.

[Dawgs]

88. Thanks. I live in Georgia.

And work with all white men over 40. One woman, but she's ignorant as well.

[andtoto2]

89. Thank You

I have never needed those kind words so much. I live in Arizona.

[Ohio Metal]

91. Thank you! I'm in Cincinnati...

Which is pretty Republican. Strange. You'd figure with the amount of blue coller workers we have here, it would be as liberal as Cleveland. That's not the case.

[tilsammans]

93. True-blue here, in a very red area of New Jersey

It ain't easy. Although it seems as if dislike of our Neocon Rethug governor, Chris Christie, is starting to cut across party lines. There is hope.

:patriot:

But just once in my life, I'd love to live in a truly liberal area.

[avebury]

98. Thanks for your support

I swear that living in Oklahoma is like living in a third world country run by the Christian Taliban. Although the Ultra Right Wingers and Teahidists claim to be mad about big government intrusion on their lives they sure like to use it to the max to push their own agenda.

The state legislature just over ruled Governor Henry's veto on the two abortion bills.

Governor Henry also vetoed a bill that would have allowed state manufactured guns and ammo to be exempt from Federal regulations and not require background checks on purchasers. I am waiting to see what the Legislature does on that one. They want a sales tax holiday for guns and ammo.

Then their are the nut jobs who want to create a volunteer state militian to "protect us from the Federal Government." This from the state that experienced the bombing of the Federal Building 15 years ago.

Religion is injected into everything here, even in the workplace. The only difference between the right wing extremists and the Taliban is that the right wing extremists wear cowboy hats and boots and not turbans.

Then there is Sally Kern which is our version of Michelle Bachman. She is running against a transgender candidate this year which should be interesting.

Now Oklahoma wants to try to one up Arizona on the immigration issue.

It goes on and on and on.

I am stuck here until I retire which is at least 14 more years. Then I will be out of here ASAP.

[Love Bug]

109. I don't know what to say, avebury. Who knew electing a black man would bring out such wingnuttery?

Frankly, I'm tired of elected officials using their religion as a basis for every goddamn decision they make. Almost all of these same officials probably don't darken the door of their church except on Easter and Christmas yet when it comes to governing, all of a sudden they get all devout. Maybe that's the problem -- they are substituting their elected duties for devotion, because they feel guilty for being such shitty Christians.

[4_TN_TITANS]

105. That would be me!

Funny how the local elections here are almost exclusively Dems (or Repubs pretending to be Dems), but on the national level TN falls for Repubs every time.

[Love Bug]

106. I blame that sort of thing on the people who say, "I don't vote for parties, I vote for individuals"

not realizing the effect that can have, especially in Congress where party majority determines so much.

[Kajsa]

107. Thank you, Love Bug!

It's not easy living in Orange County, CA.
when you are a "tree-huggin librul".

Writing to Congress critter Rohrabacher is the greatest
exercise in futility, but I still do it.
He needs to know that not all of his constituents support
his reactionary, climate change-doesn't-exist views.

I remember calling Barbara Boxer's office one day in support
of a bill. When the worker I spoke with asked where I resided,
I told him, OC,CA. He replied, " I didn't know there WERE any
Democrats in OC!" :D

We are gaining in numbers down here.
The OC Democrats have over 500,000 registered voters now.
:)

Thank you for your support.

:pals:

[Love Bug]

110. You're welcome!

I always think of CA as being quite blue, but you remind me that even the bluest state has pockets of red.

[Carter Hayes]

112. I live in rural reich-wing redneck southeastern PA

sadly, but not afraid to be a liberal. Will support all my best liberal Dem candidates every year. I think once all our old angry wingnuts pass away(not trying to wish harm on them), the demographics will change and we will become more progressive. Just had a teabagger rally here just this past week, and there was an anti-Semitic speaker bashing Jews. At least they showed their true colors.

[azmouse]

115. I'm originally from your area of PA.

I don't remember it being so RW but it sure is red-neck in the country. I miss the area sometimes... especially when my adopted home state of AZ acts like they are still in the 19th century.


Welcome to DU. :hi:

[Carter Hayes]

120. Thanks

nice to have a refuge from haters, at least online anyway

[anachro1]

116. San Francisco here

Nyah, Nyah, Nyah!

Don't get much more liberal than that.

[AzoraBlue]

119. Sometimes I've wished I could fit in

As the only white liberal in the Philly suburbs (or so it seems), thank you. I'm luckier than most in that the liberals in Philly and Pittsburgh keep Pennsylvania somewhat blue nationally, but you'd never know that in this 100% red area.

I confess that I've sometimes wished I could close my eyes and ears to the injustice around me and join all my family, friends, and neighbors in the Republican Party. I'm tired of being singled out for mocking and yelling, and tired of them treating me as a cardboard cutout of the Democratic leaders in government for them to curse and spit at as they please.

But my conscience would never let me change my attitude or my vote. I'll keep fighting for all of you.

[Jennicut]

121. Heck yes! I live in Connecticut. Thank you to all you red state liberals!

New England is very easy to be a liberal. We do have our Liebermans and Scott Browns but mostly Dem legislatures and moderate Governors of both parties.

[azmouse]

122. kick

[racaulk]

127. Thank you!

As a Georgia resident, it warms my heart to read this OP. Too often we see "live in a red state, you deserve what you get" and "just move to a blue state" sentiments expressed here on DU. It's nice to actually see some understanding that while we're outnumbered in a lot of ways politically, that we're not sitting on our hands but are working to get Dems elected at all levels of our government. The compassion you expressed in your OP is like a breath of fresh air, and I think you for it.

:pals: