There is another way. The Democratic Party could reach out to Americans in the MidWest and South, and through policies and action bring growth and change to these areas. In other words, Democrats could construct a bigger tent for their members, one that is more tolerant of ideas that lie outside the current liberal orthodoxies, and I think this can be done without sacrificing core principles. Mrs. Clinton should pivot now, and make these areas and our fellow Americans who live in them her first priority. Otherwise, there is just going to be more of the same in terms of a deadlocked government -- hipsters are not going to start flocking to Iowa just to cast their votes there.
25
I am teaching a class on electoral systems at a large university, and this issue came up the other day. The insistence that gerrymandering has robbed the Democrats of a chance at controlling the House just won't die in the popular imagination. The problem described by Mr. MacGillis is not unique to the United States. Sorting is something that happens in many countries. The impact of sorting, however, is exacerbated by our single-member district plurality system. It seems disingenuous to talk about this problem, but largely leave out any discussion of how it only becomes a political problem as a direct result of our choice of electoral system. Not addressing the guilt of the institution in the outcome leaves it all too easy to suggest relatively vapid solutions, like "Move to Iowa!", instead of real solutions, like considering electoral system reform. If the author, and the nation, thinks systemic voter misenfranchisement is a problem, its time we have a serious discussion about electoral system reform.
38
It's not true that there are as good job opportunities as there are in NYC. And it's not fair to suggest to "young hipsters" that their careers will thrive in the Midwest like they would in NYC. Sorry. It's a nice idea in theory. Until the creative class can *truly* work remote I would suggest you encourage OLD hipsters to Go Midwest.
32
I have Democratic voting relatives in Iowa but they don't put signs on their lawns. Finding work in these areas can be a challenge and, even if you do have an opportunity to work remotely, you still have to live locally. Easier said than done. Nice theory but the implementation piece is both key and, so far, unrealistic.
4
I am a native New Yorker now living in California. I have spent most of my adult life in one of these two liberal, urban areas. But for just one year, not too long ago, I lived in Arizona. Everyone freaked out when I told them I was moving there (I was seeing someone who had gotten a job there and I worked remotely so it didn't affect my employment), because I was assigned female at birth AND am Hispanic. "They're going to deport you! They're going to oppress you!" my liberal friends and relatives cried.
I am grateful to have lived in Arizona because while there are obvious problems with the state politically (Sheriff Joe, etc.), I did meet some liberals, Leftists, and even anarchists-- and not just millennials, either. I encountered a much wider diversity of folks than I had expected. The natural beauty was also to die for.
We shouldn't let the way a state looks on paper define it for us; we should go explore it ourselves, and engage with people who actually live there. All kinds of people live everywhere, and putting a stamp on even one state-- let alone an entire region, such as "The Midwest"-- and saying Everyone Who Lives There is X displays the very ignorance and narrow mindedness that well-educated liberals pretend to hate so much.
(It's worth noting that the primary reason I left is that I don’t have a driver’s license, and public transportation was severely lacking. If states want to attract "hipsters," they have GOT to prioritize public transportation!)
I am grateful to have lived in Arizona because while there are obvious problems with the state politically (Sheriff Joe, etc.), I did meet some liberals, Leftists, and even anarchists-- and not just millennials, either. I encountered a much wider diversity of folks than I had expected. The natural beauty was also to die for.
We shouldn't let the way a state looks on paper define it for us; we should go explore it ourselves, and engage with people who actually live there. All kinds of people live everywhere, and putting a stamp on even one state-- let alone an entire region, such as "The Midwest"-- and saying Everyone Who Lives There is X displays the very ignorance and narrow mindedness that well-educated liberals pretend to hate so much.
(It's worth noting that the primary reason I left is that I don’t have a driver’s license, and public transportation was severely lacking. If states want to attract "hipsters," they have GOT to prioritize public transportation!)
30
No.
It's true that the "Big Sort" of recent decades has certainly cost Democrats a number of seats in the House, but this structural inefficiency--perhaps 10-12 seats at most--pales in comparison to the dozens of gerrymandered seats in Republican-led states. The argument that geographic clustering is a problem equal to or bigger than gerrymandering has been pretty well debunked by political scientists studying this phenomenon. Stop spreading this nonsense. If Dems want a fair playing field, they can pursue it through the courts or launch a major counteroffensive in 2018 to retake state houses.
It's true that the "Big Sort" of recent decades has certainly cost Democrats a number of seats in the House, but this structural inefficiency--perhaps 10-12 seats at most--pales in comparison to the dozens of gerrymandered seats in Republican-led states. The argument that geographic clustering is a problem equal to or bigger than gerrymandering has been pretty well debunked by political scientists studying this phenomenon. Stop spreading this nonsense. If Dems want a fair playing field, they can pursue it through the courts or launch a major counteroffensive in 2018 to retake state houses.
8
If "fly over" or rural states like the Midwest and Southwest really want to attract young migrants, they need to focus on public transportation. (Relatively) young folk such as myself who have spent most of their lives in urban hubs like NYC do not know how to drive.
19
Hey, folks, isn't it time we realized that blanket condescension toward "flyover land" is its own form of bigotry? To judge an entire state based on its color on the electoral map, as many of these commenters do, is an oversimplification that ignores the variety and complexity of the thousands of communities and millions of people in these states. In every state you will find a mixture of thriving communities and struggling ones. The idea of sending a kind of missionary force from the blue coasts into the center of the country is more than a little offensive. A better approach is to work toward economic policies that help those struggling communities to get back on their feet.
37
As a native of Iowa, if it would guarantee a win for Hillary, I'd go back.
For a week.
For a week.
14
The problem is not that "Democrats today are sorting themselves into geographic clusters where many of their votes have been rendered all but superfluous," but rather the electoral system that renders them superfluous. Democrats don't need to move to rural areas; they need to capture state and local elections so they can bring fairness to the way election districts are drawn. More Americans cast votes for Democratic House candidates in 2012 than for Republican candidates, but because of the way districts are rigged, the Republican maintain a majority. That's far from the ideal of America in which every person's vote counts the same.
18
A fine Sunday to trickle down on the Republicans. One might say.
As I see the big interparty difference, there are lots of possible solutions to America's problems. These are discussed almost entirely within the Democratic Universe. The Republicans, all of them, have spent the last 8 years blocking anything on offer, while offering No Thing in return. Their minds no longer work as intended.
It's a pity. it's a shame. It leads to Donald delight, and nothing more.
As I see the big interparty difference, there are lots of possible solutions to America's problems. These are discussed almost entirely within the Democratic Universe. The Republicans, all of them, have spent the last 8 years blocking anything on offer, while offering No Thing in return. Their minds no longer work as intended.
It's a pity. it's a shame. It leads to Donald delight, and nothing more.
10
By means of these residential patterns, Democrats do much to create districts that favor Republicans, reducing the need for shenanigans at redistricting time. The extent to which Democrats segregate themselves is striking. Not only does it reduce the impact of their votes, but it isolates them from minorities and Republicans and anyone else different from them. You can see the effect in these comments, dominated by Democrats. They have no contact with Trump supporters and mainstream Republicans. If they did, they would have a better understanding of why conservatives think as they do, and when attacking them, they would be attacking friends and associates, which would likely create some empathy and less outright hatred. When you've talked politics with a conservative professor and with Trump enthusiasts, you better understand their reasoning. It's not likely to be convincing, but it is likely to reveal the human side of the other side.
7
Here's the deal with Red States and Blue States. They each need to be their own countries. That's right. The United States are no longer united. We have fundamental philosophical differences that cannot be overcome.
Dissolve the union. Let Texas resume its sovereignty. The Left Coast can be an independent country - Potsylvania. Same for the Northeast. Various regions can coalesce around imagined commonalities.
Each new country will be based on common interests, so political log jams will be eliminated. If a country wants to welcome 65 million refugees, it will be free to do so. If a country wants to build a wall, it will be free to do so. If a country wants to wage war with most of the rest of the world, it will be free to do so.
Freedom will be the winner when the United States no longer exists to suppress the majority of its people.
Dissolve the union. Let Texas resume its sovereignty. The Left Coast can be an independent country - Potsylvania. Same for the Northeast. Various regions can coalesce around imagined commonalities.
Each new country will be based on common interests, so political log jams will be eliminated. If a country wants to welcome 65 million refugees, it will be free to do so. If a country wants to build a wall, it will be free to do so. If a country wants to wage war with most of the rest of the world, it will be free to do so.
Freedom will be the winner when the United States no longer exists to suppress the majority of its people.
13
I live in California. My vote for President may not have a lot of impact. However, as the dweller in a small right wing town my vote is important. It counts on the issues that have a daily impact on my life. The town has major issues about water management and sewage this year. In al the hubbub about this years National election we forget how important small town issues are to the folks who live there.
In spite of the redness of this town I live here for a better quality of life. Less traffic, access to farmers markets, access to hiking are what I want, no Starbucks, no Walmart. We have good restaurants Up here in the mountains. I can drive thirty minutes to a small city and get entertainment shopping or whatever. Quality of life is why I am here. Not because of political leanings.
In spite of the redness of this town I live here for a better quality of life. Less traffic, access to farmers markets, access to hiking are what I want, no Starbucks, no Walmart. We have good restaurants Up here in the mountains. I can drive thirty minutes to a small city and get entertainment shopping or whatever. Quality of life is why I am here. Not because of political leanings.
18
I left Michigan 20 years ago for Seattle. At times, it seems appealing to move back. The West Coast has its downsides. The "coastal elites" thing really is a thing. I hear about "flyover states" and a lot of liberals patting themselves on the back for their progressive attitudes (while of course self-segregating from the people who they claim to care so much about). Real estate prices are ridiculous. Tech bros attitudes are tiring.
But Michigan's government keeps trying to block or roll back every bit of gay rights legislation that it can. I don't want to be a second class citizen. So I stay on the West Coast.
But Michigan's government keeps trying to block or roll back every bit of gay rights legislation that it can. I don't want to be a second class citizen. So I stay on the West Coast.
35
You first, Mac.
7
Perhaps people change when exposed to diversity.
5
I am a native New Yorker now living in California. I have spent most of my adult life in one of these two liberal, urban areas. But for just one year, not too long ago, I lived in Arizona. Everyone freaked out when I told them I was moving there (I was seeing someone who had gotten a job there and I worked remotely so it didn't affect my employment), because I was assigned female at birth AND am Hispanic. "They're going to deport you! They're going to oppress you!" my liberal friends and relatives cried.
I am grateful to have lived in Arizona, though, because while there are obvious problems with the state politically (Sheriff Joe, etc.), I did also meet some liberals, Leftists, and even anarchists-- and not just millennials, either. I encountered a much wider diversity of folks than I had expected, and was treated with respect by almost everyone I met. The natural beauty was also to die for.
I'm not telling everyone to move to Arizona; after all, I eventually tired of it and left myself. But we shouldn't let the way a state looks on paper define it for us; we should go explore it ourselves, and engage with people who actually live there. All kinds of people live everywhere, and putting a stamp on even one state-- let alone an entire region, such as "The Midwest"-- and saying Everyone Who Lives There is X, displays the very ignorance and narrow mindedness that well-educated liberals pretend to hate so much.
I am grateful to have lived in Arizona, though, because while there are obvious problems with the state politically (Sheriff Joe, etc.), I did also meet some liberals, Leftists, and even anarchists-- and not just millennials, either. I encountered a much wider diversity of folks than I had expected, and was treated with respect by almost everyone I met. The natural beauty was also to die for.
I'm not telling everyone to move to Arizona; after all, I eventually tired of it and left myself. But we shouldn't let the way a state looks on paper define it for us; we should go explore it ourselves, and engage with people who actually live there. All kinds of people live everywhere, and putting a stamp on even one state-- let alone an entire region, such as "The Midwest"-- and saying Everyone Who Lives There is X, displays the very ignorance and narrow mindedness that well-educated liberals pretend to hate so much.
3
I left Ohio for college and never looked back. I am not a hipster, I am a person of color. I never again intend to live in a place where I feel like a second class citizen.
27
Putting aside the cultural commentary in the article, the math doesn't work. The author acknowledges that Democrats have gained ground in the nation's 68 largest metropolitan areas. Those metropolitan areas, which have populations from 1-24 million, have a total population (as of 2012) of 219 million. That represents 70% of the national population of 313 million.
If the Democrats were "only" gaining ground in those metropolitan areas, an equitable system would show Democratic gains at all levels. But the Senate is inherently uneven, as the article discusses. And Republicans have brilliantly drafted House districts in their favor. They have not necessarily felt the need to draw logical, compact districts, as is demonstrated by the infamous North Carolina district stretching for dozens of miles along Interstate 85.
If the Democrats were "only" gaining ground in those metropolitan areas, an equitable system would show Democratic gains at all levels. But the Senate is inherently uneven, as the article discusses. And Republicans have brilliantly drafted House districts in their favor. They have not necessarily felt the need to draw logical, compact districts, as is demonstrated by the infamous North Carolina district stretching for dozens of miles along Interstate 85.
7
Maybe we need to rethink our system of "representation" so that it reflects the will of majority of the population in each state. Our current system gives significantly more weight per voter to the opinions of the few people living in sparsely populated rural areas than it does to the majority of voters in urban centers. Over and over we see that the will of strong majorities in states like mine (Georgia) are thwarted by the tyranny of the minority outside the cities. Asking intelligent people to move to "the boonies," with less access to culture, decent education, well-paying jobs, etc., obviously isn't the solution. Populous blue islands like Atlanta and Athens in a sea of red means that a large majority of the people are not being represented. Representation based ostensibly on amount of territory instead of numbers of people is failing us all. Asking progressives to move to the Midwest isn't going to change the Midwest any more than moving my progressive self from NYC to Atlanta (mainly for career opportunities) had much of an impact here in "blue" Atlanta until we fix this.
13
I was born in southern California, grew up there and have always lived there. (Although I traveled a lot to Texas/Louisiana as a child because of family and have traveled in the US and internationally as an adult.) My children were also born near L.A. and are both going to college in California. While I appreciate the point of the article, the idea of me (or my kids) moving to a "red" state (or even a red part of California!) feels like throwing myself (or them) on the pyre. Not just that we have the best weather of, well, anywhere, but the idea of living among the (sorry) red state yahoos is not tolerable. That's just the way it is.
7
When we peered through the corn fields at the exit to Iowa City, we were amazed, enthralled, and joyful at our good fortune. No one in our families had lived in Iowa before. Chicago, Minneapolis, St Louis were all 5 hours away by interstate. A writing grad student, I was surrounded by my own kind -- inspiring. We went to readings by authors like Updike, Cheever... And we cast votes that counted, watching the tally go up on a chalkboard in the county courthouse. Jimmy Carter won. If you have a reason to be in Iowa, and can stand its hot & cold seasons, you won't regret it.
9
I did! After 17 years in Washington DC, my wife & I moved to Iowa. Of course Iowa City, the home of the University of Iowa, is not exactly representative of Iowa, it's in the Johnson County, the bluest county in the state. It's a great place to live, for less than the cost of an efficiency in DC, we have a house and yard in a beautiful 150 year old neighborhood within walking distance of downtown, with all the amenities of a major university.
7
Good luck with that. Tea Party governors in the Midwest are driving away progressives of all ages. My just-grown children have left, and I'm following them as soon as I can.
12
Gerrymandering? Both parties do it, but the most outrageous examples, that look like a bunch of cities tied together by strings the width of highways, are designed to guarantee the election of members of favored ethnic groups. By grouping their voters in safe districts, these districts reduce the number of representatives their party elects.
You cannot have it all, Democrats: Choose between safe seats for incumbents, especially those of preferred ethnic groups, or more seats won in competitive districts.
You cannot have it all, Democrats: Choose between safe seats for incumbents, especially those of preferred ethnic groups, or more seats won in competitive districts.
4
On the other hand, wages for educated young people are stagnant, jobs scarce, gigs undependable and rents are skyrocketing. Young entrepreneurs are hit just as hard - paying sky-high rent for store front or loft space while trying to grow a business. Portland was the last affordable city on the west coast. The same story is playing out on the east coast.
Hip young people are moving on. Detroit is coming up, Bend OR is a mini Portland, I'm hearing about St. Louis and Omaha. A lot of the "rust belt" cities have what educated young people need: cheap rents and reasonable property prices. That, with some quality-of-life improvements, is enough to bring the young people back.
Hip young people are moving on. Detroit is coming up, Bend OR is a mini Portland, I'm hearing about St. Louis and Omaha. A lot of the "rust belt" cities have what educated young people need: cheap rents and reasonable property prices. That, with some quality-of-life improvements, is enough to bring the young people back.
8
I lived in Iowa for 3 years for grad school -- DON'T DO IT!!!! Trust me. Stay east!
9
Good news! The US is not the world's only democracy. We might learn something from Germany. Voters there choose 299 local representatives to the Bundestag just as we choose members of the house. But a voter also chooses a party preference (usually the same party as their preferred candidate, but not necessarily). Based on the party preference vote, another 299 or so members are added in a way that makes the party composition of the Bundestag reflect the nationwide party preference. And no one has to move anywhere. Oh, wait. Our constitution is carved in stone and buried in a concrete bunker. Never mind.
11
I studied at The University of Iowa. I so desperately wanted to live in the midwest - Iowa specifically. But there were no jobs for a budding biomedical engineer and thanks to a recession not even in Chicago or Minneapolis. So I ended up working in Germany as a software engineer. Then I ended up bouncing around all over the US and I still wanted to live in Iowa. I found my fellow Iowans to be well-educated, polite and comfortable with my brown skin. But my peers who had grown up in Iowa themselves couldn't understand how someone who had tasted the wider world would still want to live in Iowa!
I have now been living in Silicon Valley for quite a few years but I still miss Iowa - the languid pace of life, the lack of crazy traffic, the fall, the winter, the spring, the summer, the people who would go out of their way to help you...
I have now been living in Silicon Valley for quite a few years but I still miss Iowa - the languid pace of life, the lack of crazy traffic, the fall, the winter, the spring, the summer, the people who would go out of their way to help you...
70
Consider the disconnect in New York between urban and rural needs which then makes Alec MacGillis' appeal for Democrats to populate rural America with urban sensitivities. The important issues for each of these constituents are so that federal, one size fits all, solutions are not suitable. The real need is to reduce Washington and let State and Local governments determine their needs and solutions. Not realistic? Well, asking educated urbanites dependent on intelligent stimuli to move to barren wastelands is even less realistic.
2
I moved to Ohio from the East Coast in my late 40's. I LOVE it here. Nice people. Fantastic cost of living. And I live in the one of the most liberal towns in the country. Cleveland has wonderful restaurants and cultural institutions. Lots of things I miss from my childhood in CT - great sailing on Lake Erie, packs of kids riding bikes, low stress, short commutes. Both my sons stayed after graduation. And my vote matters.
2
This article misses one important factor: the desire to date, have sex, develop a long-term relationship ... Having moved to a very conservative small city in fly-over country some twenty years ago, I can attest to the fact that it is a dating wasteland for professional people of a certain age. Throw in liberal politics, atheism, or anything other than strict heterosexuality, and it gets even harder.
11
Why is the Republican Party so attractive to rural folks? They certainly don't help economy in those areas. They only make the rich richer.
5
An interesting new political homeostasis mechanism is described: “First, geographic mobility in the United States has become very class-dependent. Once upon a time, lower-income people were willing to pull up stakes and move to places with greater opportunity — think of the people who fled the Dust Bowl for California in the 1930s, or those who took the “Hillbilly Highway” out of Appalachia to work in Midwestern factories, or Southern blacks on the Great Migration. In recent decades, though, internal migration has slowed sharply, and the people who are most likely to move for better opportunities are the highly educated.”
To the degree that POVERTY behaves as if it were immobilized is because the blue clusters where it exists, and in the rural scattering of smaller blue counties the WELFARE STATE that IS the Democrat Party removes all motivation to move to where the jobs are.
Why aren’t blacks moving from urban reservation and voter plantations to say, North Dakota’s oil and gas jobs?
But the facts are the facts.
The Democrat party is largely the tax-consumers and the Public Sector unions that “man” (“woman” better since it is largely a female management) the agencies. The other component of the Government Party which is the Dem. Party + the GOPe is the beneficiaries of Global Corporatism. And they aren’t about to leave Starbucks Land.
To the degree that POVERTY behaves as if it were immobilized is because the blue clusters where it exists, and in the rural scattering of smaller blue counties the WELFARE STATE that IS the Democrat Party removes all motivation to move to where the jobs are.
Why aren’t blacks moving from urban reservation and voter plantations to say, North Dakota’s oil and gas jobs?
But the facts are the facts.
The Democrat party is largely the tax-consumers and the Public Sector unions that “man” (“woman” better since it is largely a female management) the agencies. The other component of the Government Party which is the Dem. Party + the GOPe is the beneficiaries of Global Corporatism. And they aren’t about to leave Starbucks Land.
Ideologies are not fixed in stone. A lot of the Republican party's success has come from convincing people that government is their enemy. By eliminating government services, politicizing education, dismantling safety nets for those in need, and slashing regulations that protect people's health and environment, their anti-government policies have made conditions worse for the most vulnerable. Republicans then point to worsening conditions and rail against government's failure to solve people's problems.
Rather than moving to places that are suffering, Democrats must put a laser focus on improving government and assiduously marketing every success. Being the party of good government that solves real problems will do more to win elections than shuffling the electorate, and it has the bonus of making our country a better place to live.
Rather than moving to places that are suffering, Democrats must put a laser focus on improving government and assiduously marketing every success. Being the party of good government that solves real problems will do more to win elections than shuffling the electorate, and it has the bonus of making our country a better place to live.
5
this sounds like a strong argument for more immigration.
We have a visible population of Nigerians and other West Africans here in Chicago. OMG do those folks work. A fairly typical exchange with an Uber driver goes like this "I like to drive, I can study for my RN and still earn some money. Once I get my RN I'm going to start on an MD. This was from a man who proudly told me he was Igbo and even liked the weather most of the time. I guess he isn't hung up on American girl/boy dichotomies.
Has anyone noticed the huge role that Filipinos play in the health care industry. Many nurses, many physical therapists, which seems to have a lot of men in it. They go on to own service companies and fill slots in medical transportation, various technicians and so on. Again, maybe their girl/boy dichotomy is different than ours, maybe they can retain their cultural gender identities that American men can't.
More immigrants please.
We have a visible population of Nigerians and other West Africans here in Chicago. OMG do those folks work. A fairly typical exchange with an Uber driver goes like this "I like to drive, I can study for my RN and still earn some money. Once I get my RN I'm going to start on an MD. This was from a man who proudly told me he was Igbo and even liked the weather most of the time. I guess he isn't hung up on American girl/boy dichotomies.
Has anyone noticed the huge role that Filipinos play in the health care industry. Many nurses, many physical therapists, which seems to have a lot of men in it. They go on to own service companies and fill slots in medical transportation, various technicians and so on. Again, maybe their girl/boy dichotomy is different than ours, maybe they can retain their cultural gender identities that American men can't.
More immigrants please.
5
Well, as soon as I can figure out how to take the mountains, ocean and dese
rt with me, I would certainly consider moving back to Kansas.
rt with me, I would certainly consider moving back to Kansas.
3
This is a big problem for Democrats and Republicans. It furthers the divisive feelings Republicans and Democrats have for one another. Our geographic separation means we aren't neighbors and perpetually view one another as "not like us." We will get more stuck in our clusters and gridlock in our state and national government will only get worse.
2
As immigrants, my parents had us travel our adopted country. So, growing up in Brooklyn, I still understood that there was more to New York than NYC, more to California than San Francisco & Los Angeles -- and that symphony orchestras and fine arts museums were not coastal phenomena. Since then I have lived in, worked in, and traveled so many more places and there are still a dozen states yet to visit, much less know.
As an immigrant of color, I had no choice but to befriend Americans who weren't like me and didn't understand where I was coming from. For a child, reaching across these gulfs was a cross to bear, but in these times, that experience strengthens my quest to find the America we can all share.
Now living in the red part of Illinois (most of what's outside Cook County), I sometimes engage my neighbors in meta-political discussions of alternatives to their "common sense" views. When I hear them advocate corporal punishment or decry the irrational behavior of children who should know better, I coax the conversation toward child development and understanding a perspective other than one's own.
Today, they might not be convinced, but I persist, believing that change flows like water over rocks, slowly eroding sharp edges. Our job is to channel that flow towards liberty and justice for all.
As an immigrant of color, I had no choice but to befriend Americans who weren't like me and didn't understand where I was coming from. For a child, reaching across these gulfs was a cross to bear, but in these times, that experience strengthens my quest to find the America we can all share.
Now living in the red part of Illinois (most of what's outside Cook County), I sometimes engage my neighbors in meta-political discussions of alternatives to their "common sense" views. When I hear them advocate corporal punishment or decry the irrational behavior of children who should know better, I coax the conversation toward child development and understanding a perspective other than one's own.
Today, they might not be convinced, but I persist, believing that change flows like water over rocks, slowly eroding sharp edges. Our job is to channel that flow towards liberty and justice for all.
9
Democrats moving Midwest ?
But that means doing real work. Not living off government checks.
Ain't happening.
But that means doing real work. Not living off government checks.
Ain't happening.
3
I totally agree with the basic premise of this article. However, the advent of internet, cable news, talk radio and social media has allowed Americans to become more insular and find re-enforcement of their own gut beliefs, regardless of fact - or where they live. I think this is true of both sides, but more acute amongst republicans. I can also ad to that the Republican Party has come to adopt a hardline "litmus test" standard to Party ideology where political rhetoric is an unassailable truth and not open to question.
The folks controlling the Republican machine (read Koch Bros. and Co.) are no dummies and spend quite a lot of money on research, personnel and messaging to create this alt world and are surprisingly (and scarily) successful in manipulating folks attitudes, even if against their best interest. The point is, moving liberals into Red States wont change these folks minds.
The Trumpism of the Republican Party has strained the credulity of the Party's message and politicians. People are tired of being abused and having their concerns neglected, this includes (almost) all Americans, regardless of party. Folks, the truth is out there. The stage is set for a revolution of peoples mind set. We need to embrace this opportunity work on changing attitudes, especially young minds, and create a Government that creates laws and policies that represent the people of this country again.
The folks controlling the Republican machine (read Koch Bros. and Co.) are no dummies and spend quite a lot of money on research, personnel and messaging to create this alt world and are surprisingly (and scarily) successful in manipulating folks attitudes, even if against their best interest. The point is, moving liberals into Red States wont change these folks minds.
The Trumpism of the Republican Party has strained the credulity of the Party's message and politicians. People are tired of being abused and having their concerns neglected, this includes (almost) all Americans, regardless of party. Folks, the truth is out there. The stage is set for a revolution of peoples mind set. We need to embrace this opportunity work on changing attitudes, especially young minds, and create a Government that creates laws and policies that represent the people of this country again.
3
In the abstract, this seems reasonable. But in real life, being a lonely Dem in a red state is purgatorial at best. I'm one of those Midwest hipsters - a young-ish Democrat living in one of the reddest of red states (no longer Chicago, alas). I wouldn't wish living here on my worst enemy, much less my lively friends and their clever, curious children. My partner and I dread trying to raise children in a state where teachers are on food stamps and students aren't given homework for lack of textbooks, our taxes are given away to huge corporations through tax loopholes, and fracking earthquakes destroy our property values. Almost every issue of substance is driven by Bible-thumping ignorance.
14
Stay away from Colorado. I don't mind you hipsters going to other states, but Colorado is full. Vote marijuana legal in your own state, then stay there.
8
There is an obvious flip side to this op-ed: Democrats who leave the safe bubble echo chamber of urban areas often don't stay Democrats, but rather find their worldview challenged over time by the reality of life outside that environment.
As former liberal Democrat who moved from NYC to SF and then to a rural area, I have seen how out of touch with reality many urbanites are. They don't realize that the liberal oases they live in have the worst crime and wealth inequality of any places in the country, despite being ruled for decades by the most liberal politicians. As long as the politicians point the finger at the evil Republicans, they can reliably work up a lather in the voters of their party who then seem to forget the corruption and lack of accountability in their own party.
To Republicans (which I am not, yet), these are clear and obvious facts. And the Democratic voters seem like ignorant dupes for buying into the party line of justice and equality. The reality is that politicians of both parties are skilled at distracting and manipulating their supporters in order to get another 4 years in office with which to reward their friends and keep the system going. They all know how the system works, and it works just fine...for them.
As former liberal Democrat who moved from NYC to SF and then to a rural area, I have seen how out of touch with reality many urbanites are. They don't realize that the liberal oases they live in have the worst crime and wealth inequality of any places in the country, despite being ruled for decades by the most liberal politicians. As long as the politicians point the finger at the evil Republicans, they can reliably work up a lather in the voters of their party who then seem to forget the corruption and lack of accountability in their own party.
To Republicans (which I am not, yet), these are clear and obvious facts. And the Democratic voters seem like ignorant dupes for buying into the party line of justice and equality. The reality is that politicians of both parties are skilled at distracting and manipulating their supporters in order to get another 4 years in office with which to reward their friends and keep the system going. They all know how the system works, and it works just fine...for them.
35
Don't Go!! It's a trap!!!
Iowa. Been there. Grew up and graduated from high school. Left after my sophomore year in college and, after a year-long, all-expenses-paid tropical adventure, returned only for visits, short ones.
Gerrymandering would go much further toward parity of voter orientation with a simple change from geographic districting to alphabetic grouping. That change would also have the advantage of forcing every representative to be aware of all the issues facing his or her state, not just those of concern to the ones wealthy enough to get their representative's (ahem) attention. Further, it would diminish the influence of industry as bribes...sorry, contributions...would suddenly be much more numerous and, consequently, expensive.
Gerrymandering plays a bigger role than Alec MacGillis would have you believe.
Iowa. Been there. Grew up and graduated from high school. Left after my sophomore year in college and, after a year-long, all-expenses-paid tropical adventure, returned only for visits, short ones.
Gerrymandering would go much further toward parity of voter orientation with a simple change from geographic districting to alphabetic grouping. That change would also have the advantage of forcing every representative to be aware of all the issues facing his or her state, not just those of concern to the ones wealthy enough to get their representative's (ahem) attention. Further, it would diminish the influence of industry as bribes...sorry, contributions...would suddenly be much more numerous and, consequently, expensive.
Gerrymandering plays a bigger role than Alec MacGillis would have you believe.
19
One should not have to have a college degree to have common sense. Many, if not most, of the disadvantaged don't see that the policies espoused by the Republicans will only benefit the the wealthy to very wealthy, not them.
Better educations starting with kindergarten might help people develop common sense.
We also need to understand that government policies are needed to benefit us all as a country not only for "me". Although, I must admit some appear to benefit big business more than individuals.
Better educations starting with kindergarten might help people develop common sense.
We also need to understand that government policies are needed to benefit us all as a country not only for "me". Although, I must admit some appear to benefit big business more than individuals.
4
It's pretty scary when an elitist fantasy like this gets traction in the Times. And the bigotry pouring forth in the comments is equally disconcerting.
5
I hope readers will overlook some of the side issues and writing devices and not lose the central point of this piece: When they have a choice, Americans tend to settle where they're socially comfortable and have economic opportunity. This is nothing new. That's been more or less OK for generations because people tend to get along with their neighbors once they get to know them as actual people, not bumper stickers or election-season yard signs. Now, though, too many people are inclined, as noted in the article and some of the comments, to see neighbors with the other candidates' yard sign or bumper sticker as evil or stupid. This just compounds the lack of comfort. I wonder if we're nearing a tipping point where extreme redness or blueness will rule in most places permanently. One step would be cracking down on the vaunted gerrymandering. Here in my reddish-purple congressional district combining two bouncing-back post-industrial small cities (the Midwest begins in central New York state, by the way) and vast rural stretches, we have an actual contested race for an open incumbent-retiring seat. People have a real choice, and whoever is elected will, at least in theory, have to avoid extremism and listen to all constituents to get another term. They'll have to avoid all-or-nothing positions on traditional wedge issues -- gun control, abortion, trade -- and actually compromise. If the new member of congress can do that, he or she will set a good example.
1
We need a more democratic system; what we have now amounts more nearly to "one acre, one vote". Corrective measures from least to most difficult:
- Redistricting by non-partisan panels would fix the House
- Apportioning Electoral College electors in proportion to the popular vote would fix the Presidency (see "National Popular Vote")
- Electing one Senator per state and fifty Senators at large would fix the Senate.
The first two can be accomplished state-by-state. The third would require amending the Constitution.
- Redistricting by non-partisan panels would fix the House
- Apportioning Electoral College electors in proportion to the popular vote would fix the Presidency (see "National Popular Vote")
- Electing one Senator per state and fifty Senators at large would fix the Senate.
The first two can be accomplished state-by-state. The third would require amending the Constitution.
2
There are only three types of cities, and they all start with a b.
Bellwether cities cast their view across the horizon and oceans and are happy to try out what seems to be working elsewhere. Or they nurture native ideas and apply what works.
Bandwagon cities watch their bellwether peers innovate, then they follow their lead and compete.
Backwater cities watch their bellwether and bandwagon peers move on and say, "That's not for us."
It is no coincidence that bellwether cities in the US are uniformly another b, blue.
Bellwether cities cast their view across the horizon and oceans and are happy to try out what seems to be working elsewhere. Or they nurture native ideas and apply what works.
Bandwagon cities watch their bellwether peers innovate, then they follow their lead and compete.
Backwater cities watch their bellwether and bandwagon peers move on and say, "That's not for us."
It is no coincidence that bellwether cities in the US are uniformly another b, blue.
3
States clinging to states' rights are obstacles to progress. The power retained by state governments (rarely passed from them to their local governments!) makes it difficult for young families to move to some regions of the country. No one who is a member of a LBGTQ community wants to live in a state where employment and other serious discrimination still exists by state law despite the federal ruling that marriage equality is available in all states. And no one who is concerned about gun safety wants to live in an open carry state especially when no gun safety training is required to purchase a weapon. From discrimination in voting to criminal justice concerns, moving from a state which has policies you like to a state which discriminates or imposes the death penalty is a very tough decision. Some powers currently retained by states need to be uniform throughout the USA.
Even in this age of intense political division, there are states which are managing the rural-urban divide, states where elected officials of all political parties manage to be civil. These Midwestern states do have healthy economies and communities as well as activists who tackle the unseen and ugly pockets of poverty and racism among the forgotten citizens of the state.
The big divide in this country is rural v urban rather than red v blue. Those young families with the freedom to relocate to a rural area could positively change their own lives as well as their new communities if minds were open.
Even in this age of intense political division, there are states which are managing the rural-urban divide, states where elected officials of all political parties manage to be civil. These Midwestern states do have healthy economies and communities as well as activists who tackle the unseen and ugly pockets of poverty and racism among the forgotten citizens of the state.
The big divide in this country is rural v urban rather than red v blue. Those young families with the freedom to relocate to a rural area could positively change their own lives as well as their new communities if minds were open.
7
This is interesting. The Times attracts the most articulate readers who write great stuff in response to mostly thoughtful articles. In this case, my view of why people think the way they do is on the fringe. To me, the reason people live where they do is primarily sub-conscious, they aren't even aware of it. We were all born with fear in our DNA from evolution and the more you have, the further right on the political spectrum. At some point, healthy fear begins to resemble symptoms of paranoia with the most common symptom being the sense that everyone is out get you. THAT is why 85% of conservatives live in rural areas and the suburbs, they sub-consciously fear everyone and everything around them. I live in the suburbs, but am not conservative. When I go to the city for culture, I can easily sense the people around me are more calm, open and thoughtful. The point here is that human thought is mostly sub-conscious because of evolution, yet few people recognize what should be obvious.
3
The author overlooked the major divides that have developed in both parties, as a four way split explains some of the trends more effectively than the typical red-blue split. As an example look at the map New York showing the support for Sanders vs. Clinton, which shows the same rural – urban split that is being used to explain the red – blue distribution of voters across the country.
http://www.inquisitr.com/3015304/bernie-sanders-wins-majority-of-new-yor...
In this election Trump is stumbling because he has shot himself in both feet so many times, but a more viable 'non-establishment' candidate would have had a good chance of appealing to some of the Sanders supporters. This possibility exists for future campaigns, something that the Democrats need to consider in light of the author explaining why it is hard for Democrats to develop and maintain a lead in Congress.
Red, Blue and Purple values are being used to explain why people vote the way that they do, but a better explanation is the increasing income and especially wealth inequality that is occurring across the country. People are getting tired of it, it is clear that both parties have enacted and supported the policies that feed it, and neither seems to want to discuss it.
http://www.inquisitr.com/3015304/bernie-sanders-wins-majority-of-new-yor...
In this election Trump is stumbling because he has shot himself in both feet so many times, but a more viable 'non-establishment' candidate would have had a good chance of appealing to some of the Sanders supporters. This possibility exists for future campaigns, something that the Democrats need to consider in light of the author explaining why it is hard for Democrats to develop and maintain a lead in Congress.
Red, Blue and Purple values are being used to explain why people vote the way that they do, but a better explanation is the increasing income and especially wealth inequality that is occurring across the country. People are getting tired of it, it is clear that both parties have enacted and supported the policies that feed it, and neither seems to want to discuss it.
1
Look at what is asked of millennials: pull yourself up by your bootstraps and move to where the opportunity is (big cities), so that you can get a good job. No wait, stay in Podunk, Wyoming so that you can turn a state purple or blue!
The older generation seems to be suffering from a collective state of schizophrenia. Why don't established, older, liberal Americans move instead, and try to repeat their successes in the heartland, while younger Americans try to achieve their financial and career dreams in the cities? Oh right, that would be too inconvenient, and you've "done your part."
The older generation seems to be suffering from a collective state of schizophrenia. Why don't established, older, liberal Americans move instead, and try to repeat their successes in the heartland, while younger Americans try to achieve their financial and career dreams in the cities? Oh right, that would be too inconvenient, and you've "done your part."
9
Presumably the title and tagline are tongue-in-cheek.
The problem is what, exactly, does Iowa have to offer anyone who wasn't born there? Let's assume an intellectually curious, open-minded college grad could find a job with competitive pay and put economics aside for the moment. Does Iowa, or Dayton, offer an amiable climate, mountains, lakes, beaches, great vistas, or any other natural wonders, cultural attractions, neighbors with whom you can have a stimulating conversation, etc.?
Yes, there has been a big sort - those with the drive to find something better have left places like Iowa, those without it have stayed. There won't be an unsort anytime soon.
The problem is what, exactly, does Iowa have to offer anyone who wasn't born there? Let's assume an intellectually curious, open-minded college grad could find a job with competitive pay and put economics aside for the moment. Does Iowa, or Dayton, offer an amiable climate, mountains, lakes, beaches, great vistas, or any other natural wonders, cultural attractions, neighbors with whom you can have a stimulating conversation, etc.?
Yes, there has been a big sort - those with the drive to find something better have left places like Iowa, those without it have stayed. There won't be an unsort anytime soon.
3
IOWA?
I don't think so.
I for one need hills.
Mountains are good, too, although one can hardly call the Green Mountains, mountains.
And as much as I resent having to drive 15 miles one-way to do anything, driving 100 miles to grocery shop does not fit the bill either.
I don't think so.
I for one need hills.
Mountains are good, too, although one can hardly call the Green Mountains, mountains.
And as much as I resent having to drive 15 miles one-way to do anything, driving 100 miles to grocery shop does not fit the bill either.
3
One solution might be to have government use tax incentives and subsidies to spread centers of production around the map for nascent industries like green energy. There's tons of idle factory space around the country that could be re-purposed for building components for existing technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines, as well as promising future technologies involving carbon capture, bio-tech and more. Besides re-building roads and bridges, infrastructure funding could include finally creating regional high-speed rail systems that would connect smaller population centers to larger ones, making long-distance commuting faster, cheaper and greener. Re-introducing funding for the arts across broad geographic areas would encourage the influx of the creative class into wider reaches of the country. In other words, there's a lot that Democratic control of the White House and Congress could do to help the party's chances on the state and local level. The GOP understands this completely, which is why they've repeatedly stymied funding for any of the above. They know that at this point, they'd barely win dogcatcher without the electorate being the sorted the way it is. Indeed, they're resorting to apartheid policies at the polling booth to ensure their hold on power where they have it. The future means diversity, and as long as substantial numbers of voters in key states use "values" as an excuse to foreclose on it, the country isn't going nowhere.
2
I grew up in a rural farming community of 1600 in IL, and left in the early 70s to join the Navy. Usually return once or twice a year to visit family and friends. My perspective is a lot of younger people would repopulate the midwest if there were better mass transportation options outside of the major metropolitan areas. It's been reported most millennials do not aspire to own cars or drive as much as previous generations, so restoring and creating light surface rail between communities would serve as both job creator and a means to transport customers to businesses and job opportunities in the area.
4
These arguments might make sense for non-representative Senate seats, but can someone explain why "clustering" matters when House districts are (roughly) apportioned by population? Yet it is the Senate that may well flip.
Also, concerning gerrymandering---this is a very nonlinear way for a minority part to maintain majority control. Small decreases in minority voting will result in large electoral losses.
Also, concerning gerrymandering---this is a very nonlinear way for a minority part to maintain majority control. Small decreases in minority voting will result in large electoral losses.
2
This effect has a profound influence on public policy. I've worked with quite a few special interest groups to use this equation to achieve legislative goals.
In 20-30 small states grass roots operatives can cultivate a personal relationship with their senator and get a face time in Washington or at home.
By focusing on small population states, lobbying organizations with a good ground game obtain significant leverage in the senate. Just looking at grass roots influence potential, working the 30 smallest states is the quickest route to 60 votes.
###
In 20-30 small states grass roots operatives can cultivate a personal relationship with their senator and get a face time in Washington or at home.
By focusing on small population states, lobbying organizations with a good ground game obtain significant leverage in the senate. Just looking at grass roots influence potential, working the 30 smallest states is the quickest route to 60 votes.
###
2
As a San Joaquin, CA valley native who grew up in Salt Lake City, left for 20 years to live in San Francisco and then New York, and then returned to Utah thinking in my maturity I could handle a conservative landscape - that I clearly did not fully understand in my youth - because it would not define my individual life, all I can say is Boy, was I wrong!!
So I will plead, in alignment with the findings outlined in this article, for Democrats to please move here. Please!
Yours truly,
Cherie
So I will plead, in alignment with the findings outlined in this article, for Democrats to please move here. Please!
Yours truly,
Cherie
2
Voting against the Republicans can be seen as a good act, but voting for the Democrats can hardly be thought of as a good act. The two parties, each of them working for the rich and powerful, make it hard to have enthusiasm for voting when these are the choices. No wonder so many find it not worth the minimal effort to go to vote at all. We have reasons only to vote against them. We have nothing much to vote for. Perhaps Mr. Trump's greatest crime has been making Ms. Clinton look good in comparison. But if one thinks about these two parties, it really is a choice between the evils when to word lesser is hard to apply. Outright horrid on the one hand vs. false promises of being progressive while working for Wall Street and the war machine on the other hand. Ho hum. Twiddle Dum. One might mount an argument that it's worth a visit to the local polling place, but it surely isn't worth a move to another state.
2
Yeah, I DO want Democrats to win, and progressivism to dominate, but if that means I have to live in Iowa, uh...NO. I'll just have to flirt with those folks, from a distance. Maybe, "tiny house" millennials will be willing to do that. Go get 'em! We're rooting for you!
3
Apprently Americans consider giving Wyoming the same number of Senate seats as California 'representative democracy'. The rest of us just scratch our heads.
5
The problem isn't politics, it's loudness and militancy - on the right or the left. i for one am thankful I live in that part of upstate NY where the snowy winters tend to keep out all people seeking perfect lifestyles or opinions. Our Democrats are DINOS (Democrats in Name Only) and our Republicans are RINOS (Republicans in Name Only) and we have racist jerks and churches galore but if you call a protest of whatever sort, people will show up. Also, we have Native Americans who are noticed at other times besides when there is a big protest going on. Our restaurants are boring and mostly bad. Nobody cares about us at national election time and there are less and less of us every year and it just keeps snowing. Your problem is that you are all looking for paradise.
I subscribe to a weekly journal mailed from America's heartland, "The Progressive Populist." It is based in Storm Lake, Iowa. Yeah, it comes out of flyover country but speaks more to "educated minds" than any electronic blip on the internet, including this fine digital edition of The New York Times.
Educate yourself and check it out: www.populist.com
Educate yourself and check it out: www.populist.com
Wow, talk about naivete. So young, liberal people with no practical skills are being told to move to the rural Midwest, might was well add rural Mountain States as well. No cultural clash here. Plenty of laughter though. I give them a week.
2
This article assumes that one-party rule, if Democrat, would benefit the nation and Iowa. I am not sold on this - I see the Democrats and Republicans as both being corrupt on different issues, neither representing me. This article also reads as an ode to identity politics. How do you make a state more blue? Move liberals there! There is no need to waste your breath trying to convince a deplorable center-right Iowan, eh?
2
South Dakota could benefit from more Democrats also.
2
Don't worry. Mexican and Central American immigrants will right the balance in red states. "Between 2000 and 2014, the five states with the largest percent growth of the immigrant population were Tennessee and Kentucky (102 percent each), Wyoming (101 percent), North Dakota (99 percent), and South Carolina (97 percent)."
2
As Joni Mitchell said: I've looked at life from both sides now. I grew up in Iowa and now live in Marin County, CA, probably the most liberal place in America. I return to Iowa frequently. There are many wonderful people in Iowa and coastal types might be surprised to learn that there are many who are educated and thoughtful and full of good old common sense. I miss much about my native state, yet there does remain a more-generalized presumption that one should be conservative, Republican, heterosexual, and so on. That said—ignorance abounds in Marin County. I can't tell you how many liberals I've met who are anti-science, full of bias, and lack common sense and critical thinking skills. Anti-vaccine advocates, people who think electromagnetic rays are causing their chronic fatigue, people who believe horses and crystals talk to them in ways only they can interpret, etc. etc.
6
I lived in Dallas for 7 years back in the early 2000s, having moved there from Chicago for a job. I used to describe myself as an ONLY (Outspoken Non-christian Liberal Yankee), due to the monolithic almost unyielding culture that existed there. Do you know how hard it is to be one of the few liberal voices in that sea of conservatism? Worse, they often had the view (thanks to the jerk Ronald Reagan) that being liberal didn't mean I had a different perspective on life and how to solve life's problems; it meant I was evil, un-american, lacking intelligence - at best an idiot to be culled - at worst a traitor to be exterminated. I couldn't talk about ideas, my thoughts, my views, my tolerance ... anything that smacked of being different, because there was always someone with violent tendencies who thought I should be put down like some rabid dog. (and would say as much)
Since I moved out here to the East Coast, I've felt like I can have a life again. Conservatives aren't evil; they have different ideas than liberals, and only through discourse can the best solutions be found, but unlike liberals, who dismiss and discard those among us who might have tendencies towards violence, far too many conservatives embrace them and their hate ... and call it freedom. There is a quote by John Milton I'm familiar with "License they mean when they cry, Liberty! For who loves that must first be wise and good." We hear far too conflation of liberty and license lately.
Since I moved out here to the East Coast, I've felt like I can have a life again. Conservatives aren't evil; they have different ideas than liberals, and only through discourse can the best solutions be found, but unlike liberals, who dismiss and discard those among us who might have tendencies towards violence, far too many conservatives embrace them and their hate ... and call it freedom. There is a quote by John Milton I'm familiar with "License they mean when they cry, Liberty! For who loves that must first be wise and good." We hear far too conflation of liberty and license lately.
7
My daughter and her now husband moved to Columbus 3 years ago. She was from Ohio, went to college in LA then moved to NY. He from Boston moved to New York for college and never left. After he being there 17 years and her 10, tired of paying 3,400.00 a month for rent in Brooklyn, the constant drum of people and noise, they choose to relocate. Both have good paying jobs, a beautiful home with a mortgage payment that's less than a third of what they paid in Brooklyn, in a great school district and now money in savings. They travel frequently, are involved in the growing art scene and participate regularly in charitable causes. They love being able to hike and bike through many of Ohio's beautiful national parks. While they miss some aspects of NY and Brooklyn, they enjoy discovering new eateries, craft breweries and are surprised at the number of people they knew from NY or LA moving to Columbus.
As a parent who is happy to have them close by, it has been fun to watch their love for each other grow as they engage in new experiences together. I feel proud that the lessons I taught my daughter are finally fermenting as she matures: Work hard, don't complain, be involved, learn to adapt, appreciate what you have, don't live beyond your means, love those around you and grow where you are planted. This may not be the last move these hipsters make but when I'm gone I know they'll be ok wherever they land. Red, or blue, isn't it time to just get on with the job of enjoying life?
As a parent who is happy to have them close by, it has been fun to watch their love for each other grow as they engage in new experiences together. I feel proud that the lessons I taught my daughter are finally fermenting as she matures: Work hard, don't complain, be involved, learn to adapt, appreciate what you have, don't live beyond your means, love those around you and grow where you are planted. This may not be the last move these hipsters make but when I'm gone I know they'll be ok wherever they land. Red, or blue, isn't it time to just get on with the job of enjoying life?
4
We've known all of this for a while. I look at the map and see the solid red states going for Trump. I wonder how stupid you would have to be to vote for him and find myself muttering that I'll never live there. The consequence of that thinking is, as you say, that Republicans will control the state legislature and perhaps much of the rest of the political landscape here in Wisconsin except for Dane and Milwaukee Counties. In smaller communities in Wisconsin you can find a better house for half the price of our home here in Madison and rural Wisconsin landscapes are unbelievably beautiful. But there's a downside to those communities. An enterprising couple, Deb and Dan Carey, run a great brewery in a beautiful village not far from here. She's the President and her husband is the brewmaster. The beer is wonderful and they've reinvested in their business and in the community as they've grown. But when President Obama appointed her to be on a small business development committee, she was immediately villified as a "leftist" and began to receive hate mail. So, you can have your craft beer in a small community, but you can't meet with President Obama. There are other things we see from here. Our son is a musician in New York City and is doing interesting things with Indian musicians in Brooklyn. Our daughter works for Amnesty International in Washington, D.C. You can't do those things in small, red communities. I don't see how the trends you discuss will change any time soon.
5
Open letter to Democrats in red states: I fully understand the frustration of losing election after election, to "representatives" who do not represent you. But this year is different. The disarray in the Republican Party, because of the head of the ticket, means that your vote might actually count. Get out and vote!
2
I moved from California to Indiana to attend graduate school and have been here for nearly five years now. I have found that my "california values" don't translate nearly as well as I thought they would. Indiana has its own ways of living, and frankly, I'm just a temporary interloper. As a guest, I believe its my job to try to understand other cultures (I was raised a liberal and spent most of my life in liberal enclaves) instead of colonizing and dominating them. But what do I know? I'm just guy living in Indiana. I'm sure people on the coasts know what's best for everyone else.
(Note to coastal readers: Midwesterners are self-depreciating and often practice a dry sense of humor. They often don't boast or brag about their beliefs and accomplishments. Even if they are proud of being from the midwest, and are so glad that they don't possess the arrogance of coastal elites, they won't say so.)
(Note to coastal readers: Midwesterners are self-depreciating and often practice a dry sense of humor. They often don't boast or brag about their beliefs and accomplishments. Even if they are proud of being from the midwest, and are so glad that they don't possess the arrogance of coastal elites, they won't say so.)
2
From Cedar Rapids to Dubuque to Iowa City to Des Moines to Davenport I have found some mighty fine Iowans who are a real credit to their state. But then there is Steve King, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley.
5
"because it's more comfortable to be around people who are like you"
So when Trump supporters express this concept they are "deplorable,, xenophobic, racists", but when a a liberal says it it's understandable?
The bigotry of urban liberals toward rural Americans knows no bounds.
So when Trump supporters express this concept they are "deplorable,, xenophobic, racists", but when a a liberal says it it's understandable?
The bigotry of urban liberals toward rural Americans knows no bounds.
16
As usual, the Times's nearly complete refusal to acknowledge class and economic incentives hampers any attenpt to analyze or persuade.
Why would financially precarious young people move to red states like Kansas or Kentucky, where Republican leaders have torn the social safety to pieces? Brooklyn, LA, and Seattle can be pricey places to live, but at least it's easy to get some decent SNAP and Medicaid if you can't find work.
If anything, moving is the obligation of older, more economically secure voters. Once you turn red states blue and make them healthier, stabler places to live, those with less will follow.
Why would financially precarious young people move to red states like Kansas or Kentucky, where Republican leaders have torn the social safety to pieces? Brooklyn, LA, and Seattle can be pricey places to live, but at least it's easy to get some decent SNAP and Medicaid if you can't find work.
If anything, moving is the obligation of older, more economically secure voters. Once you turn red states blue and make them healthier, stabler places to live, those with less will follow.
42
Mr. MacGillis I do live in the Midwest, in Ohio and Ohio Democrats are more geographically dispersed than he may think. Besides the obvious Democratic city of Cleveland here are Democrats in Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus (my residence) and other cities throughout Ohio. But Republicans did such a skillful job of perverting the redistricting process that Democrats only won 4 House districts. Redistricting matters.
53
I'm from a small town in the Midwest and everyone worth their salt left as soon as they could. Why is a surprise that those who enjoy people of all sorts and know how to live alongside others in a society congregate together, leaving fearful Joe Sixpack hiding in the cornfield, alone with his rifle?
7
A New Yorker by heart and career, I moved to South Dakota in 2009. I learned a few things, political leanings aside.
1. Though I too often heard astounding disrespect for our president while standing in line most anywhere and I saw plenty of signs of the neo-confederacy that made my skin crawl, my new friends were and are wonderful. Bottom line: our fellow Americans are our fellow travelers on this ship of state and we best hang together.
2. South Dakota has a population of under 1 million people. And those less than 1 million people elect THREE members of congress.
There are 12 cities in America with populations greater than 840,000 people. Those city folk do not elect THREE members of Congress per city.
Rail all you want about the people and the gerrymandering. We also have a structural problem. If you believe that each American is entitled to the same opportunity for representation in Washington, come back to this reality every time. Lightly populated states have outsized political power. Period.
To those who think our founder fathers' ideas are as close to Biblical, think again. The founders thought hard and pondered long to create the great experiment, but some of their ideas have not aged well.
BTW: When I first arrived, I also joked that if we liberals wanted to turn South Dakota, all we had to do was move in about 600,000 liberals (about the population of Albuquerque, or a NYC neighborhood). That would do it. It seemed funny at the time.
1. Though I too often heard astounding disrespect for our president while standing in line most anywhere and I saw plenty of signs of the neo-confederacy that made my skin crawl, my new friends were and are wonderful. Bottom line: our fellow Americans are our fellow travelers on this ship of state and we best hang together.
2. South Dakota has a population of under 1 million people. And those less than 1 million people elect THREE members of congress.
There are 12 cities in America with populations greater than 840,000 people. Those city folk do not elect THREE members of Congress per city.
Rail all you want about the people and the gerrymandering. We also have a structural problem. If you believe that each American is entitled to the same opportunity for representation in Washington, come back to this reality every time. Lightly populated states have outsized political power. Period.
To those who think our founder fathers' ideas are as close to Biblical, think again. The founders thought hard and pondered long to create the great experiment, but some of their ideas have not aged well.
BTW: When I first arrived, I also joked that if we liberals wanted to turn South Dakota, all we had to do was move in about 600,000 liberals (about the population of Albuquerque, or a NYC neighborhood). That would do it. It seemed funny at the time.
6
Fact: there's a reason why housing is much more expensive on the liberal coasts than in conservative middle of America - more people want to live in the liberal coast than in the conservative middle America.
I know I can swap my two bedroom 1,200 sq.ft. condo in San Francisco for a mansion in a multi-acre property in middle America. But I have to live there.
Thanks, but no thanks.
I know I can swap my two bedroom 1,200 sq.ft. condo in San Francisco for a mansion in a multi-acre property in middle America. But I have to live there.
Thanks, but no thanks.
7
Many rural areas of the country are losing what little population they have. Dying industries and young adults who leave and don't have anything to come back to are big reasons why these areas have skewed older and more conservative and aren't likely to change. Young people are not as likely to try and scratch out a living if they can make it in suburban areas.
3
A lot of these problems would be solved if congressional districts were drawn based purely on population so that each district contains roughly the same number of people. Then, those living in the blue cities would count as much as those living in red rural areas. It's ridiculous that your vote counts for more because you live in the country because no one else does. You basically get your own personal rep in congress while millions in the city all get to share a single rep.
The first step we need to take is to get rid of partisan politics when it comes to redistricting. That is a clear and obvious abuse of power, yet we allow it every few years. A non-partisan, or at least equal bipartisan, committee should be in charge of mapping districts. States should be allowed to draw these districts, but the federal government should oversee the process and ensure that districts aren't drawn for the benefit of one party. Why do we allow one party or the other to draw districts that favor them every few years? It's anti-democratic.
The first step we need to take is to get rid of partisan politics when it comes to redistricting. That is a clear and obvious abuse of power, yet we allow it every few years. A non-partisan, or at least equal bipartisan, committee should be in charge of mapping districts. States should be allowed to draw these districts, but the federal government should oversee the process and ensure that districts aren't drawn for the benefit of one party. Why do we allow one party or the other to draw districts that favor them every few years? It's anti-democratic.
5
I lived in a small Republican town for several years. Never again. Terrible schools, conformist thinking, nothing to do on the weekend but go to the multiplex, where nothing was shown except blockbusters. The biggest institution in town: the evangelical megachurch.
The demand for conformity was intense. We tried: attended elementary school festivals, 4th of July fireworks, Christmas parades - but people there didn't talk to "strangers" (and you were a "stranger" if you hadn't gone to the local high school with everyone else).
Once we'd been there for a few years and people got used to seeing us around, I'd get into conversations with the soccer moms sometimes. But if I talked about what was on my mind - yay Obama, universal health care, humanist philosophy, contemporary art, alternative music, indie film! - the conversation would freeze.
There were a couple of outlier Democrats, we eventually found each other. What did we have in common? We all came there from somewhere else. We huddled together in a hostile environment.
Have lived all over the world in big cities and never had trouble making friends before. But those people were stone cold. They were terrified of outsiders and not interested in broadening their horizons. Also, there was only one good restaurant in town!
Liberals who enjoy intellectual stimulation and being part of a community have no reason to move to these places, unless they want to engage in a social experiment with what it's like to be an outcast.
The demand for conformity was intense. We tried: attended elementary school festivals, 4th of July fireworks, Christmas parades - but people there didn't talk to "strangers" (and you were a "stranger" if you hadn't gone to the local high school with everyone else).
Once we'd been there for a few years and people got used to seeing us around, I'd get into conversations with the soccer moms sometimes. But if I talked about what was on my mind - yay Obama, universal health care, humanist philosophy, contemporary art, alternative music, indie film! - the conversation would freeze.
There were a couple of outlier Democrats, we eventually found each other. What did we have in common? We all came there from somewhere else. We huddled together in a hostile environment.
Have lived all over the world in big cities and never had trouble making friends before. But those people were stone cold. They were terrified of outsiders and not interested in broadening their horizons. Also, there was only one good restaurant in town!
Liberals who enjoy intellectual stimulation and being part of a community have no reason to move to these places, unless they want to engage in a social experiment with what it's like to be an outcast.
12
There is something happening that is beyond economic class. Things are tough for the white "working class" guy in southern Ohio. But it is no picnic for a service worker (white guy or not) in the the coastal city either. Wages are low relative to the cost of living, especially as regards housing, which is in a crisis situation in most big cities. Many of those urban service workers went for Bernie in the primary. Why didn't the guy in Ohio join in? You hear pundits say things like urban elites left them behind, whatever that means. The Ohio guy had a chance to change the Democratic party in the primary and he ignored it.
2
This article shows that many families contain both democratic and republican voters; they just don't live in the sam regions. Making connections and healing the gulf between right and left might be less far off than we think; those "red staters" and "uppity costal dwellers" are our families, not strangers. How is it that the national conversation has made us forget this?
3
Go to any Red State. We need help pushing back the radical right tide, not constant sniping from liberals hiding in safely Blue states.
3
I just spent a week driving thru my old homeland, from Toledo to Milwaukee. In spite of being knee-deep in Trump/Spence signs at times, I found the land beautiful and prosperous looking, the people sweet and children outgoing and kind. I saw many instances of friendly racial interaction that seemed to be the everyday norm. There could be worse places to quietly get along.
2
Many reasons exist to live somewhere. Political affiliation has to be at the bottom of the list, probably below the strength of the local curling team. If your social skills only allow you to be comfortable with people that think exactly like you, you are doing it incorrectly.
2
~If they do manage to win a Senate majority, it will be exceedingly difficult to hold it past 2018, when 25 of the party’s seats must be defended, compared with eight Republican ones.~
Then get public campaign financing so the business of the people can be conducted rather then just the business of the businesses. They are not both mutually exclusive. Just tilted very heavily right now and that is what needs to change.
Citizen value is far more important then Shareholder value.
Then get public campaign financing so the business of the people can be conducted rather then just the business of the businesses. They are not both mutually exclusive. Just tilted very heavily right now and that is what needs to change.
Citizen value is far more important then Shareholder value.
2
I understand the premise here: if Democrats really wish to effect a change in congress perhaps the most efficient way would be to stop worrying about gerrymandering and re-sort ourselves into "red" areas on the U.S. map.
As a Democrat living in a solidly red state with a dot of blue here in Omaha, I've thought about this. I think about it when I envision the possibility of a change of scenery at retirement. Would I like to move back to my home state of Kansas some day? Well, for sentimental reasons yes, but for political ones, no. It's not the same state it was when I left nearly 30 years ago.
Though I technically live among the few Democrats in NE, it's a lonely existence. And NE was once a much more evenly split state, regularly electing Democratic governors and splitting our Senators between the Democratic and Republican parties. Not so much now. Two years ago we elected a conservative Democrat to the House, unseating an 8-term Republican. After just one term, his Republican opponent this year has no elected experience and it may be a close race.
It does become a sort of self-fulfilled prophesy when you believe a place is unwelcoming to folks with your beliefs so you avoid that place. Understandable. NE has its share of retrograde ideas. We were looong hold outs on gay marriage. We're currently trying to bring *back* the death penalty. Public school integration is still an issue IMO (not saying you can't get a good education, though). Much food for thought.
As a Democrat living in a solidly red state with a dot of blue here in Omaha, I've thought about this. I think about it when I envision the possibility of a change of scenery at retirement. Would I like to move back to my home state of Kansas some day? Well, for sentimental reasons yes, but for political ones, no. It's not the same state it was when I left nearly 30 years ago.
Though I technically live among the few Democrats in NE, it's a lonely existence. And NE was once a much more evenly split state, regularly electing Democratic governors and splitting our Senators between the Democratic and Republican parties. Not so much now. Two years ago we elected a conservative Democrat to the House, unseating an 8-term Republican. After just one term, his Republican opponent this year has no elected experience and it may be a close race.
It does become a sort of self-fulfilled prophesy when you believe a place is unwelcoming to folks with your beliefs so you avoid that place. Understandable. NE has its share of retrograde ideas. We were looong hold outs on gay marriage. We're currently trying to bring *back* the death penalty. Public school integration is still an issue IMO (not saying you can't get a good education, though). Much food for thought.
5
The logic of this piece truly puzzles me. Democrats are comprised of many demographic segments. The writer's focus on only one segment - college graduates - misses the mark. Democrats may hold a 12-point edge in party identification among those with a college degree or more, but Democrats hold a 69 point edge among black voters, a 42 point edge among Asian-American voters and a 30 point edge among Latinos. All of these demographic segments cluster in Blue states and the larger cities in both Red and Blue states. Democrats have a 16 point edge among women, a demographic group evenly divided among Red and Blue state. And overall, Democrats have 11 point edge in party affiliation. See, Pew Research, http://www.people-press.org/2015/04/07/a-deep-dive-into-party-affiliation/
Alec MacGillis ought to reconsider this piece.
Alec MacGillis ought to reconsider this piece.
3
Despite a few issues one could take with this article, on the whole it is exactly the kind of message we progressive Democrats need to hear. Short of reforming apportionment for the House to factor in population density, we will continue to be disadvantaged until we tackle several of things Mr. MacGillis mentions: educational disparities, socioeconomic equality, mobility, etc.
I regard with skepticism the idea that people would consciously reject self-sorting; it's the product of a natural human response: go where you will be accepted. And, as has been mentioned in several places, why would anyone, given such short time in this life, choose to live where the quality of life isn't what one wants? (Especially if there is little hope of changing it, too.)
Cities are economic powerhouses; 'twas ever thus. They are, however, limited: there is only so much space. A population must be enabled to live as close as possible to cities, which means that vast, ongoing investment in our infrastructure is the only way of extending the benefits of cities to more and more people.
With regard to the Senate; it works the way it was designed to work. It is the House (and state legislatures) that are in the most dire need of reform. But all of this must also be met with higher voter turnout; as long as Democrats stay home in midterm elections, they will only continue to dash our hopes for our rightful leverage to move this country's future.
I regard with skepticism the idea that people would consciously reject self-sorting; it's the product of a natural human response: go where you will be accepted. And, as has been mentioned in several places, why would anyone, given such short time in this life, choose to live where the quality of life isn't what one wants? (Especially if there is little hope of changing it, too.)
Cities are economic powerhouses; 'twas ever thus. They are, however, limited: there is only so much space. A population must be enabled to live as close as possible to cities, which means that vast, ongoing investment in our infrastructure is the only way of extending the benefits of cities to more and more people.
With regard to the Senate; it works the way it was designed to work. It is the House (and state legislatures) that are in the most dire need of reform. But all of this must also be met with higher voter turnout; as long as Democrats stay home in midterm elections, they will only continue to dash our hopes for our rightful leverage to move this country's future.
2
While it is true that white liberals do tend to self-sort and stay away from red states, there are increasingly more and more liberals who belong to a minority group, and they are spread out all over the country. More and more Americans have Latino roots, and thanks to the racist rhetoric of the Republican Party most of them vote for Democrats. That is, when they remember to vote.
Latinos still don't vote in numbers commensurate with their percentage of the US population. If they did, the makeup of Congress would be far different. But things are beginning to change. This year Latinos are more motivated than ever to vote. They have the power to push states like Arizona and Georgia over to Democrats. They may be able to do it in Texas as well.
Until the GOP changes its racist views on minorities, they will continue to lose in national elections. The establishment of their party knows this, but is beholden to its nationalist base that insists there are more white voters out there. As demographics slowly but surely make this country browner, there will be a point of no return. Democrats will start to win more and more in state and local elections. Maybe then Grand Old Party will change its ways.
Latinos still don't vote in numbers commensurate with their percentage of the US population. If they did, the makeup of Congress would be far different. But things are beginning to change. This year Latinos are more motivated than ever to vote. They have the power to push states like Arizona and Georgia over to Democrats. They may be able to do it in Texas as well.
Until the GOP changes its racist views on minorities, they will continue to lose in national elections. The establishment of their party knows this, but is beholden to its nationalist base that insists there are more white voters out there. As demographics slowly but surely make this country browner, there will be a point of no return. Democrats will start to win more and more in state and local elections. Maybe then Grand Old Party will change its ways.
"The internet was supposed to allow wealth to spread out, since we could be connected anywhere — but the opposite has happened."
The only problem with this is that the internet did NOT spread out. Look at this map ( http://www.broadbandmap.gov/technology ), clear the DSL choices (because DSL is slow) and check the Cable modem DOCIS 3.0 and Fiber to end user (i.e. real broadband). Look at the rural areas of that map and tell me again about the spread of a high speed network? Yeah exactly.
The simple fact is that America has done a very poor job of building a high speed network. Mainly because we treat true broadband as a market good instead of a necessary service that the government should provide when the private sector can't or won't. At bare minimum the government should be running fiber to these areas (satellite connections are a joke, don't even go there). But internet access is now political (like everything else these days) and so blue states will continue to invest in the network, red states will work on gun laws.
Perhaps now is the time for a constitutional amendment that says over any given 10 years states are required to pay into the federal coffers what they take out. Maybe then ruby red states will have some incentive to invest in REAL pro-growth policies (like true broadband) instead of the race to the bottom they usually do (like tax breaks for corp relocations--SPOILER: it doesn't work).
The only problem with this is that the internet did NOT spread out. Look at this map ( http://www.broadbandmap.gov/technology ), clear the DSL choices (because DSL is slow) and check the Cable modem DOCIS 3.0 and Fiber to end user (i.e. real broadband). Look at the rural areas of that map and tell me again about the spread of a high speed network? Yeah exactly.
The simple fact is that America has done a very poor job of building a high speed network. Mainly because we treat true broadband as a market good instead of a necessary service that the government should provide when the private sector can't or won't. At bare minimum the government should be running fiber to these areas (satellite connections are a joke, don't even go there). But internet access is now political (like everything else these days) and so blue states will continue to invest in the network, red states will work on gun laws.
Perhaps now is the time for a constitutional amendment that says over any given 10 years states are required to pay into the federal coffers what they take out. Maybe then ruby red states will have some incentive to invest in REAL pro-growth policies (like true broadband) instead of the race to the bottom they usually do (like tax breaks for corp relocations--SPOILER: it doesn't work).
Twenty years ago I moved from LA to central PA for a good job and the low cost of living. But the true cost of trying to know and talk with those unlike me politically was having to grit my teeth and deal with racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, etc, etc, etc. It's exhausting, and nothing ever changed. WHile I've made good friends with folks on the opposite end of the political spectrum here, I hope to God that my son ends up back in CA or in the Northeast corridor. There's no economic future here and no interest in imagining new industry or business opportunities. People just want to hear that heavy manufacturing and coal are coming back. The only real growth industry is class and racial resentment.
9
I always imagined if all us hippies from 1960s Ohio colleges moved back there, The Buckeye State would be deep blue -- except for the beemer drivers, of course.
2
The Internet has spread wealth out a LITTLE bit. As an editor and digital marketer in Michigan, I often work for clients in large cities who pay me that region's going rate. It goes twice as far here in MI, where I own a large house and pretty yard for under 800 a month.
1
America ends west of the Hudson river
1
Des Moines is a lot hipper than many know. I moved here from Minneapolis years ago and suffered the lack of arts and culture for quite some time. But the area is in a renaissance and the opportunity to join in is everywhere. Music, arts, theater are all alive -- especially for those who want to shape the future of things. Schools are very good. Infrastructure is dang good. Entrepreneurial climate is hopping. Pro sports pretty much sucks, but college teams are vibrant. Yes, there are too many Trump signs for my taste as I drive from my more rural home to the city (a 25 minute commute compared to those of you who idle on freeways for hours each day), but Iowa went blue for Obama twice and may very well go blue again. So urban hipsters, shrug off your coastal bias and give the heartland a shot. I could use another Hillary sign next to mine.
4
mangroves consolidate salt into one leaf on each branch, letting it turn red then brown. you try and save all 50, you'll lose the whole.
1
Yeah....I'm not moving back to Mississippi.
3
People tend to prefer being around others they have something in common with. This is largely why a lot of small town Midwestern kids of the liberal or artsy persuasion head to the West Coast or the Twin Cities or New York when they graduate. Liberal hipsters might find themselves frozen out socially in small town Middle America.
29
You're associating education and Democratic clustering. I'm sure the relationship exists. However, consider that education might lead voters to seek certain types of jobs which are only found in major urban centers. Hence, economic necessity drives clustering rather than geographic or political preference. The same could be said about Okies migrating from the Dust Bowl.
I for one did move west. I over packed the hoopty, threw the fixie on top, and headed out. The windmills in Iowa are nice. I'll die happy if I never see Nebraska again. Wyoming is a relief but only in warmer months. I found a place to live when I got here. The job started 3 days after I arrived. The quality of life is great. However, without the economic opportunity, I wouldn't have come. Without the economic opportunity, I wouldn't have stayed.
I for one did move west. I over packed the hoopty, threw the fixie on top, and headed out. The windmills in Iowa are nice. I'll die happy if I never see Nebraska again. Wyoming is a relief but only in warmer months. I found a place to live when I got here. The job started 3 days after I arrived. The quality of life is great. However, without the economic opportunity, I wouldn't have come. Without the economic opportunity, I wouldn't have stayed.
21
As a 40+ year resident of Maine's 2nd congressional district - the one that's getting all the attention this election cycle because Trump may win our one electoral vote - I find this analysis statistically correct, but lacking in insight and nuance. Any demographic changes resulting in lasting impact will take decades. An easier way to change some of the problem is for Democrats to TURN OUT AND VOTE in off-year elections, instead of just getting fired up in presidential years. Low voter turnout, especially for state legislative races is how Republicans have achieved their well-conceived long-game, which started decades ago. I moved to Maine precisely because I didn't want to surrounded by people like me and for the quality-of-life that small, rural communities can offer. I've been active in local and state Democratic races, even when the majority of my neighbors were Republican. Depending on the race, you win some and lose some. It takes time, effort and patience. As for the Senate giving every state two votes and the ability of state legislatures to redraw congressional districts every 10 years, blame that on the Founders and try to find ways to make it work for you, just as the Republicans have.
1
Being landlocked in the middle of America is no way to live one's life.
3
Thank you Socrates. (me, having lived all over the US being from NYC) I tried living in Anderson, Indiana with my (ex) husband but that is where the Grand Dragon of the Klan lived, back then. No amount of reasoning to those people in his family could get through. I still do not understand....
3
Anyone with the opportunity and enlightened view of the world doesn't want to settle in states where most new jobs are in farming business - pork, cattle, dairy, poultry, etc. That's the business engine of states like Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee and others. There's nothing wrong with being a farming state, but these states cannot attract highly educated people.
Now the people in these states feel stuck to poor paying jobs, low quality education and what not. They feel the new, progressive America doesn't care about them.
Until there are politicians in those states that are willing to break the cycle of poverty that surrounds them, these states will continue to lag and their people will continue to feel disenfranchised.
Now the people in these states feel stuck to poor paying jobs, low quality education and what not. They feel the new, progressive America doesn't care about them.
Until there are politicians in those states that are willing to break the cycle of poverty that surrounds them, these states will continue to lag and their people will continue to feel disenfranchised.
3
I live in the little blue dot in NC. I love my home and being surrounded by like-minded people. But I miss the Northeast when I leave the little blue to go to other areas in NC because it is difficult to understand why people don't question what they hear on FOX or what they are told. Hillbilly Elegy tries to help people understand why, but understanding why doesn't help when these views bring us a presidential candidate like Trump.
1
Even with their overrepresentation, Republicans in many areas still feel put upon. If the rural areas in states like California and Oregon can't remake themselves to be have policies like Mississippi, they want to secede into a new state of "Jefferson" complete with 2 senators. If our national government is not regressive enough, by god Texas is going to secede. Why don't we hear about creation of a new nation of Pacifica, consisting of the West Coast states maybe with BC thrown in complete with their educated citizenry and economic resources? Given the Senate's constitutional quirks and gerrymandering, it seems like there is no other choice.
2
I often wonder how a few liberal billionaires might be able to alter the map by putting some money behind startup incubators in battleground states.
1
A simple one person, one vote policy would solve this problem in national elections along with a dissolution of the Electoral College.
2
Follow California's example! Make the entire country BLUE! Then we can finally join the civilized world and the 21st century rather than the first century where the Republican'ts and deplorables wish to take us.
Tell ALL you know and see to vote ONLY Democrat 2016 and shove the Republican'ts and deplorables so far down that they will never recover and end up in the trash heap of history where they belong.
Tell ALL you know and see to vote ONLY Democrat 2016 and shove the Republican'ts and deplorables so far down that they will never recover and end up in the trash heap of history where they belong.
2
It's not just about clustering. As a gay man who is a racial minority and an atheist, I honestly feel that my life would be in danger if I lived in some of these Trumpy locales. I would cry every night if I was consistently turned away from businesses because I'm too gay. I'm not kidding about this. I have spent considerable time in deep red Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri and I am not a loud or aggressive person. I dress modestly and try be courteous. But there are so many people out there who despise anyone who is slightly out of the status quo. I think there are many who would love to be part of a quieter and more neighborly town but there are the Arpaios, Gohmerts, Steve Kings who live there. It's simply unsafe.
75
This article makes the mistake of attributing self-segregation by highly educated liberals to political reasons. The real reason is a much more powerful driver--jobs. The highest paying sector of the economy is currently a confluence of science, technology, finance, entertainment and media, which all have high clustering effects (also the federal government for the D.C. Area).
The example of the person moving to L.A. to pursue acting illustrates this--he didn't move because he wanted to be with other liberals, he moved because there's more acting jobs in L.A. than in Ohio. As he stated, voting once every four years wasn't enough reason to stay versus the vastly increase career opportunities to moving.
What may help balance things politically are not young liberal hipsters but rather long term racial/ethnic demographic trends. Hispanic- and Asian-Americans are spreading out across the nation rather than staying only in places like California or New York. Many African-Americans are (unfortunately) being priced out of expensive cities like San Francisco, and moving back south, transforming places like Atlanta. As long as the Republicans remain hostile to minorities, that is what will tip the political balance in the future.
The example of the person moving to L.A. to pursue acting illustrates this--he didn't move because he wanted to be with other liberals, he moved because there's more acting jobs in L.A. than in Ohio. As he stated, voting once every four years wasn't enough reason to stay versus the vastly increase career opportunities to moving.
What may help balance things politically are not young liberal hipsters but rather long term racial/ethnic demographic trends. Hispanic- and Asian-Americans are spreading out across the nation rather than staying only in places like California or New York. Many African-Americans are (unfortunately) being priced out of expensive cities like San Francisco, and moving back south, transforming places like Atlanta. As long as the Republicans remain hostile to minorities, that is what will tip the political balance in the future.
2
Many excellent observations, but I'd like to push back a bit by suggesting that we are not, by nature, liberals or conservatives. These ideologies are written on to us in the process of socialization (processes that may even change the way our brains develop, if recent studies are an indicator). So urbanism produces a mindset of interdependence and common cause with proximity and constant encounter. Rural life produces a mindset of independence and isolation, leaving it's residents wondering what their homogeneous and sparsely populated worlds could possibly have to do with these centers of population and why their culture should adapt to these cities or why their taxes should support them. In other words, conservatives become more liberal by moving to cities and liberals become more conservative by moving to the country. It's a pattern of socialization that writes itself on to us. Self-selection certainly plays a role, but we can't ignore structure and enculturation.
4
If you are already in the city, why would one move out? We think we know why people move to the cities, opportunities and freedom, but once here, many cannot or do not stay. Often, the educated, affluent married move out for children, and some move for job opportunities elsewhere. Performers and artists, even though talented, cannot afford to stay where the competition and the costs are very high. Now, of you could afford to live in Manhattan or San Francisco, meaning you have six-figure incomes and tastes to match, there is little if any draw in exurban environments, although I would agree the slow pace of life and dense greenery, when it is abundant, can be a draw, as could the opportunities for an athletic life.
Personally, city life offers many things. I walk to work each morning along Park Avenue. We own our condo, and enjoy the freedom that comes with not having to maintain a house, and for us, less space is both comfortable and appeals to our eco-conscious concerns. Not because of wealth but luck, our place overlooks a block-sized park. I enjoy long walks around the island exploring it many neighborhoods, along which I can hop into any number of museums. We have our special dinners at restaurants that are world class.
Why would we leave, except to enjoy another urban environment, considering Portland or Seattle - both of these offer the greenery and opportunities for outdoor fitness - or even Chicago, or maybe another country to enjoy a different culture?
Personally, city life offers many things. I walk to work each morning along Park Avenue. We own our condo, and enjoy the freedom that comes with not having to maintain a house, and for us, less space is both comfortable and appeals to our eco-conscious concerns. Not because of wealth but luck, our place overlooks a block-sized park. I enjoy long walks around the island exploring it many neighborhoods, along which I can hop into any number of museums. We have our special dinners at restaurants that are world class.
Why would we leave, except to enjoy another urban environment, considering Portland or Seattle - both of these offer the greenery and opportunities for outdoor fitness - or even Chicago, or maybe another country to enjoy a different culture?
2
Move there and work where?
20
All those red states have college towns that are liberal and most of these have foodie restaurants, microbreweries and farmers markets with organic produce from local small farms. These towns and their environs are wonderful places to live and much cheaper than New York or the Bay Area.
Modern communications should make it possible for the big tech companies to set up operations in these towns. C'mon Google. Invest in Laramie, Wyoming or Ames, Iowa. Schools are good in university towns and housing for a family is affordable. There's talent in those places and people who would love to work closer to home.
Modern communications should make it possible for the big tech companies to set up operations in these towns. C'mon Google. Invest in Laramie, Wyoming or Ames, Iowa. Schools are good in university towns and housing for a family is affordable. There's talent in those places and people who would love to work closer to home.
45
"These towns and their environs are wonderful places to live and much cheaper than New York or the Bay Area."
But as the article notes, the clustering works on a state level too.
Legislatures in red states often reflect a deep urban/rural divide, and if rural conservatives are in charge during periods of demographic change, you'll see gerrymanders that dilute the political weight of cities, and election laws that make it harder for college students to vote. For instance, Austin is now carved up into multiple Congressional districts, and North Carolina's cities have been cracked and packed in state legislative districts.
So yes, if you want to change the complexion of the Senate, given the equal representation of small states, you have to move to those states, but you also have to create a fairer balance of urban and rural representation within those states.
But as the article notes, the clustering works on a state level too.
Legislatures in red states often reflect a deep urban/rural divide, and if rural conservatives are in charge during periods of demographic change, you'll see gerrymanders that dilute the political weight of cities, and election laws that make it harder for college students to vote. For instance, Austin is now carved up into multiple Congressional districts, and North Carolina's cities have been cracked and packed in state legislative districts.
So yes, if you want to change the complexion of the Senate, given the equal representation of small states, you have to move to those states, but you also have to create a fairer balance of urban and rural representation within those states.
1
Ohio Democrat, living in a Republican-voting small city. Our citizens are educated and wealthy, for the most part. In fact, this small town is wealthy, mostly crime-free, and very family-oriented. It is a good place to raise children.
My husband, who leans independent, wants to die here; I hope to move somewhere else once my children are launched - perhaps.
But I am seeing change in my small town. African Americans live on my block, an immigrant moved in nearby with a child. They are drawn by the safety and good schools of our town. We are just outside Cleveland, which contrary to the presentation of this article, has an outstanding orchestra (we attend regularly), a thriving theater district, and a burgeoning food and beer scene.
I do struggle with the Republican nature of my town, which reflects itself in a tendency to vote Tea Partiers into the school board (and thus avoid any science-based recommendations for how schools should operate) and be mostly car-based, not be supportive of those who want to increase walkability in this town, support developers coming in and razing areas to build McMansions all looking the same (literally with the same materials to save money) - my city does not have beautiful housing, it's pretty horrific, actually - and a strong focus on building monuments to war veterans while not offering any actual support to living veterans.
So I have my issues here. But my children are happy and sometimes I am happy with this town.
My husband, who leans independent, wants to die here; I hope to move somewhere else once my children are launched - perhaps.
But I am seeing change in my small town. African Americans live on my block, an immigrant moved in nearby with a child. They are drawn by the safety and good schools of our town. We are just outside Cleveland, which contrary to the presentation of this article, has an outstanding orchestra (we attend regularly), a thriving theater district, and a burgeoning food and beer scene.
I do struggle with the Republican nature of my town, which reflects itself in a tendency to vote Tea Partiers into the school board (and thus avoid any science-based recommendations for how schools should operate) and be mostly car-based, not be supportive of those who want to increase walkability in this town, support developers coming in and razing areas to build McMansions all looking the same (literally with the same materials to save money) - my city does not have beautiful housing, it's pretty horrific, actually - and a strong focus on building monuments to war veterans while not offering any actual support to living veterans.
So I have my issues here. But my children are happy and sometimes I am happy with this town.
19
You are correct that Cleveland is VERY misrepresented here. It is in fact a blue union section of an otherwise purple state. And as you said, it has many cultural institutions, museums, world class teaching hospitals and an orchestra.
Remember most lefty liberals in big urban areas see the nation like that old New Yorker cover: NYC as the center of the universe, and then everything else is a remote, dreary hinterland.
OK though -- let me guess -- Medina?
Remember most lefty liberals in big urban areas see the nation like that old New Yorker cover: NYC as the center of the universe, and then everything else is a remote, dreary hinterland.
OK though -- let me guess -- Medina?
I hate to say it, but it sounds kind of horrific.
2
You go where the jobs are, your family is close by and you'll be happy.
Given that there are few new jobs in the cornfields of the country (you don't need to go to IOWA, upstate NY is similar), of course freshly minted college graduates migrate to those places with jobs.
Voters hate being gerrymandered into oblivion whether its a conservative in the city or a liberal in the cornfield. Of course voter turnout is hard to achieve if your vote is meaningless.
The solution of course is proportional representation, so you don't have to move across the street the next time the party in power changes the district line.
Why do our troops help implement this when new democracies are minted, yet we struggle to do this at home, why to maintain power of course.
Our democracy is full of flaws, and that is one of them.
Seemed like a good idea at the time, but 230 years of improvements in communication, travel and the like have made the notion of districts for the federal government somehow quaint.
Given that there are few new jobs in the cornfields of the country (you don't need to go to IOWA, upstate NY is similar), of course freshly minted college graduates migrate to those places with jobs.
Voters hate being gerrymandered into oblivion whether its a conservative in the city or a liberal in the cornfield. Of course voter turnout is hard to achieve if your vote is meaningless.
The solution of course is proportional representation, so you don't have to move across the street the next time the party in power changes the district line.
Why do our troops help implement this when new democracies are minted, yet we struggle to do this at home, why to maintain power of course.
Our democracy is full of flaws, and that is one of them.
Seemed like a good idea at the time, but 230 years of improvements in communication, travel and the like have made the notion of districts for the federal government somehow quaint.
15
To which newly minted democracies that our troops helped to implement are you referring? Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen?
When trying to analyze what's wrong with our democracy, instead of focusing on the behavior of voters within the system, we need to start focusing on our completely broken democratic system itself.
Why do we have 2 senators per state regardless of population?
Why aren't congressional districts drawn at a federal level by non partisan committees?
Why are our elections winner take all instead of representative by percentage vote? Take the current presidential race for example. Much has been written about voters who choose 3rd party candidates, but I've seen virtually nothing suggesting that the electoral college should be assigned by proportion of the vote. If a voter wants to vote for Stein they can do so knowing their electoral college representatives will form a coalition with Clinton's. The same system could be used in Senate and congressional elections as well.
Instead of indicting the voter lets pause to realize our founding fathers left us with a terribly broken democracy.
Why do we have 2 senators per state regardless of population?
Why aren't congressional districts drawn at a federal level by non partisan committees?
Why are our elections winner take all instead of representative by percentage vote? Take the current presidential race for example. Much has been written about voters who choose 3rd party candidates, but I've seen virtually nothing suggesting that the electoral college should be assigned by proportion of the vote. If a voter wants to vote for Stein they can do so knowing their electoral college representatives will form a coalition with Clinton's. The same system could be used in Senate and congressional elections as well.
Instead of indicting the voter lets pause to realize our founding fathers left us with a terribly broken democracy.
18
The Founders did not leave us with a broken system. It was perfectly intact and on its way to evolving into a great system when they left. But during 300 years, the country grew into a huge landmass that was not a reality in the 1700s and the world itself changed radically. It's our parents and grandparents who left us with a broken system and it's all of us adults alive today who've done next to nothing to fix it for our children.
1
"Let's pause to realize our founding fathers left us with a terribly broken democracy"
They gave us a Constitutional Republic not a Democracy. And while you may not like the results in this context, if you stop and think you'll likely find it's preferable. Many of the founding fathers viewed Democracy as "rule by the mob" that would lead to the "tyranny of the majority". This is the same reason we didn't get to vote on other peoples marriages.
They gave us a Constitutional Republic not a Democracy. And while you may not like the results in this context, if you stop and think you'll likely find it's preferable. Many of the founding fathers viewed Democracy as "rule by the mob" that would lead to the "tyranny of the majority". This is the same reason we didn't get to vote on other peoples marriages.
1
So interesting from the perspective of someone who never left a city that was on the ropes. Many of my high school classmates left KC in the early 1990s for NY, SF, or Chicago. The few classmates who come back to visit always remark on the revitalization of downtown, but the city has changed in a lot of other ways since then, too. It is also considerably bigger and safer and the restaurants are more diverse, etc. Public transportation is at least on the civic radar. There are still serious issues, such as intrenched segregation and the dismal KC school district, but by in large it's not the city they left. Many of my classmates won't ever come back to visit, though, because this place is frozen in their minds as the backwater that caused them so much suffering in high school.
I also have a set of friends about ten years younger than me, and their crowd, like mine, fled to Chicago for college. But most of them are back now.
I also have a set of friends about ten years younger than me, and their crowd, like mine, fled to Chicago for college. But most of them are back now.
15
Movement has always played a part in redistributing politics in this country. However, it's more likely that people on site will change as opposed to the idea that others will move in in sufficient numbers to change the map. Granted movement does change things e.g. Virginia. But Reagan Democrats didn't move in they converted and conversion is a greater force. This is a watershed election full of the potential for conversion.
6
Arguably, the big mistake of the Continental Congress was adoption of the Great Compromise. This has resulted in such a disproportionate situation in the Senate, that states with low population effectively have a huge amount of power per citizen than do states with large populations. It goes against the entire concept of "one citizen, one vote" in that states with lower populations in effect have "one citizen, a whole lot of votes" when it comes to the Senate. And when you add the super-majority situation in the Senate, it's no wonder that obstructionism is the ongoing strategy, no matter which party has more Senate seats.
33
But the Senate is one of TWO houses of Congress. One represents population (the House), the other represents the States.
By your logic (and a few others, all of you having apparently slept through US Government class in middle school), BOTH houses of Congress would represent population and NONE would represent that States.
If so, we'd no longer be the United STATES of America. You may -- in snobby Boston -- hate flyover country. But we count too!
By your logic (and a few others, all of you having apparently slept through US Government class in middle school), BOTH houses of Congress would represent population and NONE would represent that States.
If so, we'd no longer be the United STATES of America. You may -- in snobby Boston -- hate flyover country. But we count too!
1
The Founders brilliantly balanced the rights of the majority and the rights of the minority when they deployed the two house system in the legislative branch. That's why we have a Senate and a House of Representatives. I can think of a number of Democrats from red states who have served the interests of the entire country quite admirably.
Yes, please. If they can turn over neighborhoods, they can turn over states.
2
I could quibble with some of the author's simplifications, but will leave that for another time. I moved to Dayton twenty years ago for work and stayed to raise a family. There is a sizable international community, due in part to the proximity of the air force base, as well as many internal "ex-pats" from the northeast, St. Louis, Chicago. Food trucks, craft breweries and music venues abound. There is also a phenomenal performance hall downtown for the philharmonic designed by Cesar Pelli, The Dayton Art Institute, a minor league baseball team, a vast metropark system, fairly moderate climate, good public and private schools and, perhaps most importantly, a very affordable cost of living. Of course, there are problems too and, having come from the east myself, no decent bagels or pizza.
People can seldom just pick up and move somewhere and even if they could Dayton, OH might not be first on the list, let alone fifth. Too bad, however, because we could use the influx of new people, new ideas, new capital. There's plenty of room and the water's fine.
People can seldom just pick up and move somewhere and even if they could Dayton, OH might not be first on the list, let alone fifth. Too bad, however, because we could use the influx of new people, new ideas, new capital. There's plenty of room and the water's fine.
37
You can see the rural, urban divide easily here in Washington state. Drive from Seattle to Spokane and as soon as you leave the metro area, the Trump signs pop up. But, though that part of the state is vast in area, it's small in population and its vote gets overwhelmed by the Seattle metro area's vote.
Due to a military career, we've lived all over the US and the world. We settled where we did after military retirement because it's where we had the amenities we wanted. Living in the deep red heart of Texas is no fun for two northern liberals. Rural New Mexico? Stultifying boredom and heat. Rural Maine? Stultifying boredom and 7 feet of snow.
Move there again? As several have posted, you go first.
Due to a military career, we've lived all over the US and the world. We settled where we did after military retirement because it's where we had the amenities we wanted. Living in the deep red heart of Texas is no fun for two northern liberals. Rural New Mexico? Stultifying boredom and heat. Rural Maine? Stultifying boredom and 7 feet of snow.
Move there again? As several have posted, you go first.
48
I grew up in North Carolina and last year had to move back (from Los Angeles) to care for aging parents. It's exciting to be in a place where my vote for Hillary has real meaning. However, when the time comes that I'm no longer needed here, I'm back to LA in a red hot minute.
35
Ranked choice voting by party affiliation would solve all of the districting issues listed in the article.
21
Iowa has a long history of being one of the most progressive states in the country. Look it up. Iowans are amused by outside observers who drop in on the state, usually only Des Moines, for a few hours of stereotyping mainly focusing on the small, noisy crowd of right-wing religious (in any other universe, an oxymoron) zealots. The majority of Iowans are middle of the road voters. How else can one explain the long senate careers of liberal Tom Harkin and conservative Chuck Grassley? A state, by the way, that has a non-partisan commission draw all legislative boundaries down to city precincts. No gerrymandering. While the college educated numbers may be low, there is a highly skilled workforce employed in its many industries. By the way, most of us are not farmers. If Iowa (and other states) fail to perform it is in mid-term elections. Voter turnout drops, opening the door to the extremists who do vote and give us lightweights like Joni Ernst and Terry Branstad. And people are moving to Iowa. Moderately. Not impressive particularly compared to western states that are filling up and laying the groundwork for future water shortages and environmental destruction.
128
Agree with this and there are parallels to northern WI where I come from. However, I do recall reading - I'll stand corrected if others know more - that in NW Iowa (where Cruz spent most of his Iowa time and money in the GOP primary fight) the Evangelical traditions of Dutch Reformed Church is dominant.
Tech companies should open offices in red states. They should also offer training. This will bring younger people to those states where housing is cheaper and provide an opportunity for underemployed conservatives living there to get better paying jobs.
83
There are already. See PayPal and LinkedIn in Omaha, for example. There are numerous opportunities for established tech companies and start-ups alike in "Silicon Prairie." As for training, we have that, too. For example, see http://omahacodeschool.com
1
The problem is, tech companies also have to compete for employees, most of whom are younger, better-educated and politically more progressive than most folks in say Cheyenne, WY. So they tend to stay put and let Mohammed come to the mountain instead of the other way around.
2
What do you think happened in NC?
Don't worry. Given the spiraling-out-of-control cost of living on either coast (which may be under water in a few decades anyway), and increasing possibilities for working "remotely," an inward migration is inevitable. Look out, Wichita, here we come!
5
I just watched NYT film about "the first Saudi woman to run for office". A prevailing sentiment from Saudi men is "isn't there anything else you want to do other than woman's right movement?" The same can be said about those people who don't want to bother living in the States that do not welcome you.
I am one of the minority groups who want Democrats to win in those State you mentioned in the article. Would you blame me for not wanting to live in the Deep South (I lived there for a while, btw, and the experience was not pleasant to say the least)? Or MidWest? There has to be some kind of bigger machines, political or economic, that need to change and create the "atmosphere" in those States first. "Then they will come!".
I am one of the minority groups who want Democrats to win in those State you mentioned in the article. Would you blame me for not wanting to live in the Deep South (I lived there for a while, btw, and the experience was not pleasant to say the least)? Or MidWest? There has to be some kind of bigger machines, political or economic, that need to change and create the "atmosphere" in those States first. "Then they will come!".
1
We need the voters to create the critical mass necessary for the kinds of social change we need.
Nothing worth it is easy. Come, and help us fight!
Nothing worth it is easy. Come, and help us fight!
Just make sure those moving get the geography right and go to where their votes are needed. I've been in Massachusetts for 17 years and most people here are grossly ignorant, assuming there is no Liberalism in the Midwest. That's particularly entertaining this year, when I see all the Trump bumper stickers and lawn signs in Boston's western suburbs where I live and work.
I spent the first 32 years of my life in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan). The Midwest includes those states, plus Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa. I'd add metro St. Louis (not the rest of Missouri), and that's it. All those places usually vote Democrat for president, except Indiana.
The strip of states from North Dakota to Kansas are not in the Midwest--they're in the Great Plains. It's those states plus the non-coastal West Montana, Utah, etc.) that are deep red and need an influx of Liberals.
I spent the first 32 years of my life in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan). The Midwest includes those states, plus Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa. I'd add metro St. Louis (not the rest of Missouri), and that's it. All those places usually vote Democrat for president, except Indiana.
The strip of states from North Dakota to Kansas are not in the Midwest--they're in the Great Plains. It's those states plus the non-coastal West Montana, Utah, etc.) that are deep red and need an influx of Liberals.
19
Don't forget Omaha, Nebraska. 25,000 more liberals would give the Democrats a safe House seat, 2 more competitive Senate races and an electoral vote every four years.
1
Stray Liberals bumble onto the High Plains from time to time. They don't usually homestead here. Ya see, when they find out we have high speed internet, watch Netflix on our cell phones, do Broadway, ski Aspen, lounge in Tuscany, winter in Scottsdale, trek Eighty Mile Beach and so on, they are unnerved. Ya see, it's hard to be smug and arrogant when you find out the hayseeds have been around the block a couple of times and aren't snowed by typical liberal provincialism. It's disconcerting to find out the sad sack serving burgers at the drive-in is a Phi Beta Kappa who chose a "simple" enriched life, or the guy slouched in the corner in overalls is a Berkeley Man who might throw a Wittengenstein quote in your face.
Influx of Liberals? Naw. They can't handle the High Plains.
Influx of Liberals? Naw. They can't handle the High Plains.
1
Democrats don't need to move there to win the Midwest. They can just visit for the duration of the election, and bring a few friends while they're at it. They can then have a voting tour party, casting 20-30 votes each, then bus back.
4
Sadly, only in Republican minds is that how voting works.
2
It's no secret to think that NYC, SF, Boston and Seattle recruit and keep highly educated and prosperous people. I mean, just look at the housing prices.
For all the commenters below who are Republican, I'd pose the honest question: do you think it's entirely accidental that these cities are also bastions of the Democratic Party, and of its left-leaning progressive wing at that, and that there might be a connection between education, inventiveness, achievement and optimism on the one hand, and a commitment to social liberalism on the other? I'd be curious to know.
For all the commenters below who are Republican, I'd pose the honest question: do you think it's entirely accidental that these cities are also bastions of the Democratic Party, and of its left-leaning progressive wing at that, and that there might be a connection between education, inventiveness, achievement and optimism on the one hand, and a commitment to social liberalism on the other? I'd be curious to know.
31
OR the housing prices act as a deterrent -- to chase out anyone who isn't rich?
The state with the highest poverty rate? Not Alabama. Not Mississippi. Not West Virginia.
Nope! it's bluer than blue California. And much of the poverty is directly traceable to unaffordable housing.
The state with the highest poverty rate? Not Alabama. Not Mississippi. Not West Virginia.
Nope! it's bluer than blue California. And much of the poverty is directly traceable to unaffordable housing.
Your assumption is the average red state voter can see the politics of the Democratic Party. San Francisco, Seattle, and NYC are too far away. When you live in a red state all you see of the Democratic Party is the inner city ghettos. The Republicans in the suburbs go to social gatherings and ask the following about the Democrats they see:
Don't they value education? Can't they see the great schools out in the suburbs?
Why are they so unhealthy?
Can't they see how great we live? Why don't they vote Republican? The Democrats have done nothing to improve their lives. Can't they see they are voting against their own interests?
Since I move between red states and blue states, I always find it odd how both sides, believing they have found a universal logic to governing, use the same arguments.
Don't they value education? Can't they see the great schools out in the suburbs?
Why are they so unhealthy?
Can't they see how great we live? Why don't they vote Republican? The Democrats have done nothing to improve their lives. Can't they see they are voting against their own interests?
Since I move between red states and blue states, I always find it odd how both sides, believing they have found a universal logic to governing, use the same arguments.
"these economically dominant cities tend to be in deep-blue states"
How do we explain, then, that in the last apportionment deep blue states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Illinois lost House seats?
Meanwhile, states like Arizona (where McCain has been given his closest race in years), Nevada (where the Democrat Cortez is leading over Heck for the Senate), and Florida (where Rubio is virtually tied) gained seats.
When people migrate from one region to another, the House seats follow. Perhaps it is unwise to use this election cycle as an example, but there is a real possibility that the Democrats gain a majority in the Senate despite House seats shifting from blue to red states. That would seem to contradict the conclusions in this editorial.
How do we explain, then, that in the last apportionment deep blue states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Illinois lost House seats?
Meanwhile, states like Arizona (where McCain has been given his closest race in years), Nevada (where the Democrat Cortez is leading over Heck for the Senate), and Florida (where Rubio is virtually tied) gained seats.
When people migrate from one region to another, the House seats follow. Perhaps it is unwise to use this election cycle as an example, but there is a real possibility that the Democrats gain a majority in the Senate despite House seats shifting from blue to red states. That would seem to contradict the conclusions in this editorial.
4
That statement has it backwards. Those states are blue BECAUSE they are economically dominant, not dominant because they are blue (i.e., morally pure).
Certain industries bring with them lefty liberals, and when they reach a critical mass, the area is (mostly) blue. But this just shows economic lack of diversity.
Certain industries bring with them lefty liberals, and when they reach a critical mass, the area is (mostly) blue. But this just shows economic lack of diversity.
In my various sales jobs, IA has been a frequent stop for me - the largest med school in the country is located at U of IA in Iowa City. Traveling back to the Twin Cities late Friday afternoon, I would see you single and couples venturing north.
A friend from IA who relocated to Mpls, said IA was where the locals drove Crown Victoria Fords and watched John Wayne movies. The people are nice however - living in both NYC and Chicago - I have learned what Midwestern nice means.
Even though the folks in IA are nice - not a lot of stimulating things to do there.
A friend from IA who relocated to Mpls, said IA was where the locals drove Crown Victoria Fords and watched John Wayne movies. The people are nice however - living in both NYC and Chicago - I have learned what Midwestern nice means.
Even though the folks in IA are nice - not a lot of stimulating things to do there.
7
Wouldn't the opposite be true too. Less educated, underemployed people who seem to be increasingly republican are not moving to where the jobs are. The job growth looks as if it is in "blue" regions. Their staying put for whatever reason, be it lack of marketable skills or nearness to family locks then in to continued hardship. Millions of people over the years moved to other ares either by desire or necessity to make a better life, not necessarily to be near their own kind or have something to do. If they choose to stay behind, then their hardship is on them.
30
Boy, talk about missing the big picture.
Those "awful less educated" people are not failing to move because they are "too stupid" to know where the jobs are.
They CANNOT move to San Francisco or New York City because of the very high cost of housing.
If you give up your home in (say) PAINESVILLE OHIO...let's say a nice 3 bedroom for $150,000...and try to move to Palo Alto or Silver Lake or Park Slope or Williamsburg....your housing costs will quintuple, at the least. Maybe even increase by 1000%.
NO job is so fantastic that it will allow for your housing costs to increase that much.
Now, sometimes it IS family obligations -- like for aging parents, or because of a spouse's job. But 90% of the time, if you really ask, it is that people simply cannot afford to move to "where the jobs are".
In the era you describe....where Americans moved pretty freely around the nation to take jobs....there was far less difference in housing costs between coasts and the interior states. Today it is impossible. There are large swaths of the country that I'd LOVE to live in, but I know it is economically impossible.
Those "awful less educated" people are not failing to move because they are "too stupid" to know where the jobs are.
They CANNOT move to San Francisco or New York City because of the very high cost of housing.
If you give up your home in (say) PAINESVILLE OHIO...let's say a nice 3 bedroom for $150,000...and try to move to Palo Alto or Silver Lake or Park Slope or Williamsburg....your housing costs will quintuple, at the least. Maybe even increase by 1000%.
NO job is so fantastic that it will allow for your housing costs to increase that much.
Now, sometimes it IS family obligations -- like for aging parents, or because of a spouse's job. But 90% of the time, if you really ask, it is that people simply cannot afford to move to "where the jobs are".
In the era you describe....where Americans moved pretty freely around the nation to take jobs....there was far less difference in housing costs between coasts and the interior states. Today it is impossible. There are large swaths of the country that I'd LOVE to live in, but I know it is economically impossible.
2
I grew up in a state that went from blue to red and moved to a bright red state that is turning purple real fast: Arizona. My good friend, an immigrant from Belgium, just got her citizenship, and I went to the ceremony. Every American should do that. There were over 700 people from 100 countries who became brand new American citizens that day. They're all Democrats. They know who to vote for and are eager to do it.
President Thomas Jefferson said: "If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." It is a quote I've remembered and taken it to heart since my 7th grade American History teacher told me to write it down and remember it. If Donald Trump went to my little high school in south central Kentucky, he would be class president.
I've never feared the outcome of an election until now. We are on the verge of becoming an industrial police state that wages perpetual war against itself.
If you are a coal miner in Kentucky who believes Senator McConnell when he tells you that President Obama and the EPA are out to destroy the coal industry, then you are willfully ignorant. If you are a resident of Miami who doesn't believe in climate change and votes for Senator Rubio, then you are willfully ignorant. If you're a citizen nearing retirement and need Social Security, yet vote Republican, then you are willfully ignorant. Votes like this just pour more gas on a fire that will eventually consume all of us.
President Thomas Jefferson said: "If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." It is a quote I've remembered and taken it to heart since my 7th grade American History teacher told me to write it down and remember it. If Donald Trump went to my little high school in south central Kentucky, he would be class president.
I've never feared the outcome of an election until now. We are on the verge of becoming an industrial police state that wages perpetual war against itself.
If you are a coal miner in Kentucky who believes Senator McConnell when he tells you that President Obama and the EPA are out to destroy the coal industry, then you are willfully ignorant. If you are a resident of Miami who doesn't believe in climate change and votes for Senator Rubio, then you are willfully ignorant. If you're a citizen nearing retirement and need Social Security, yet vote Republican, then you are willfully ignorant. Votes like this just pour more gas on a fire that will eventually consume all of us.
90
You're Thomas Jefferson quote isn't real and how could you possibly know the political affiliation of over 700 people that you didn't talk to?
1
Thomas Jefferson also stated, as enshrined on the walls of his memorial in DC:
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
To the commenter who claimed the Founders left us with a "broken system" I reply, not only did they leave it perfectly intact and evolving for two centuries, they also left us with the means to repair the system if and when it does break down. Jefferson's prescience and wisdom still blows my mind nearly thirty years after I first beheld those words on his memorial wall.
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
To the commenter who claimed the Founders left us with a "broken system" I reply, not only did they leave it perfectly intact and evolving for two centuries, they also left us with the means to repair the system if and when it does break down. Jefferson's prescience and wisdom still blows my mind nearly thirty years after I first beheld those words on his memorial wall.
Our state has gone Blue in the Senate and White House because of Yankee and international immigration. The urban areas outvote everywhere else. Yet many in the House are safe because of how districting works.
`
Sure, young people could move back to small towns, but the only coffee you can buy comes from a convenience store or Hardees. So I don't see that happening in The Old Dominion. While I can see Millennials moving to smaller cities, remember how tribal Millennials are; they won't be playing Green Acres in any numbers. How in a town of 500 could they hang out with friends while all of them are on the phone to someone else? Socializing there means a Baptist Church or high-school football game.
There's no fast Internet in most of my rural county, but there's hope: we have two microbreweries and a handful of wineries now.
So if we want to end the Red gerrymandering that has made the House unattainable for the real majority in America--the young, the multiracial, and the Blue--we need a Supreme Court that will end gerrymandering and strike down People United.
`
Sure, young people could move back to small towns, but the only coffee you can buy comes from a convenience store or Hardees. So I don't see that happening in The Old Dominion. While I can see Millennials moving to smaller cities, remember how tribal Millennials are; they won't be playing Green Acres in any numbers. How in a town of 500 could they hang out with friends while all of them are on the phone to someone else? Socializing there means a Baptist Church or high-school football game.
There's no fast Internet in most of my rural county, but there's hope: we have two microbreweries and a handful of wineries now.
So if we want to end the Red gerrymandering that has made the House unattainable for the real majority in America--the young, the multiracial, and the Blue--we need a Supreme Court that will end gerrymandering and strike down People United.
30
"the only coffee you can buy comes from a convenience store or Hardees".
Because there is no such place as Starbucks. And of course, no such place as Amazon which would be happy to deliver you coffee from any source in the world.
This isn't 1960 or 1970, where if you moved away from a big city, you were cut off from eateries, breweries, etc. The internet moves many of those things (not all, but a LOT) to wherever you live, even a remote Alaskan village.
BTW: Democrats invented gerrymandering, and I live in a DEMOCRATIC district gerrymandered since the 70s, and designed to be a crazy quilt that guarantees the election of a black Democrat.
And I think you mean "Citizen's United". You can't blame everything on that SCOTUS decision, as it only occurred in 2010.
Because there is no such place as Starbucks. And of course, no such place as Amazon which would be happy to deliver you coffee from any source in the world.
This isn't 1960 or 1970, where if you moved away from a big city, you were cut off from eateries, breweries, etc. The internet moves many of those things (not all, but a LOT) to wherever you live, even a remote Alaskan village.
BTW: Democrats invented gerrymandering, and I live in a DEMOCRATIC district gerrymandered since the 70s, and designed to be a crazy quilt that guarantees the election of a black Democrat.
And I think you mean "Citizen's United". You can't blame everything on that SCOTUS decision, as it only occurred in 2010.
1
So, basically, you're telling me Midwesterners are as "dumb as a box of rocks"?
Heady indictment for an entire region, don't you think?
As for moving from Connecticut to Iowa, don't hold your breath. As my wife, who is from the Mid-West puts it, "Most people out here think of you Easterners as highly educated morons who think you are superior to them".
She's right; just read my first sentence. If "god, guns and guts" is your political foundation, then you are as "dumb as a box of rocks' in my own liberal, pointy headed, college educated opinion.
Heady indictment for an entire region, don't you think?
As for moving from Connecticut to Iowa, don't hold your breath. As my wife, who is from the Mid-West puts it, "Most people out here think of you Easterners as highly educated morons who think you are superior to them".
She's right; just read my first sentence. If "god, guns and guts" is your political foundation, then you are as "dumb as a box of rocks' in my own liberal, pointy headed, college educated opinion.
17
The author lost me when he said liberals should move back to certain cities because foodies and beer snobs will have much less to complain about in these places. Does the author believe young people move to blue coastal states for the food and microbrew choices? I guess the author thinks he is performing a public service telling Times Democrat readers they can find affordable rent, good beer, good food and advance their political cause if they relocate to rural Oklahoma. Gee, thanks. I am packing now to beat the rush !
32
Forget the food and beer choices. As another female commenter here has mentioned, it's actually down to literal autonomy over our bodies that keeps us in blue states. She discussed trying to buy condoms in a Dakota but found them under lock and key because of some sort of weird religious shaming ritual of basic human sexuality that they practice there.
In fact, after thinking about her and your comment and this article, I'm actually becoming a bit offended that the author thinks it's only food and beer that keeps women in blue states. Would you subject your female partner to the crazy talibanic laws in some of these states? I say let progressive men colonize those sexist backwaters first and send for the women once they can be guaranteed life-changing personal freedom and autonomy over their bodies.
In fact, after thinking about her and your comment and this article, I'm actually becoming a bit offended that the author thinks it's only food and beer that keeps women in blue states. Would you subject your female partner to the crazy talibanic laws in some of these states? I say let progressive men colonize those sexist backwaters first and send for the women once they can be guaranteed life-changing personal freedom and autonomy over their bodies.
6
It's not the only factor, but it is worth considering.
For what you pay for a tiny 400 square foot studio in NYC....you could have a large house on an acre of two of land, in flyover country. And money to spare for stuff like a car (or vacations to big cities).
For me, where you live is a huge factor in personal happiness. But your mileage may differ. That's why it's great there are different places, where different people can satisfy their different tastes.
For what you pay for a tiny 400 square foot studio in NYC....you could have a large house on an acre of two of land, in flyover country. And money to spare for stuff like a car (or vacations to big cities).
For me, where you live is a huge factor in personal happiness. But your mileage may differ. That's why it's great there are different places, where different people can satisfy their different tastes.
How about go South or Southwest Young Retiree?
38
I was ready to comment directly until I read this. I support Greg's recommendation.
More specifically, we need more New Yorkers, retireees young and old, to establish Florida residency!
More specifically, we need more New Yorkers, retireees young and old, to establish Florida residency!
They already do. At least the ones who are driven more by low taxes than a sense of community or civic enagagement.
1
As someone who is a liberal who moved from the NYC suburbs to a small rural NC county I am dismayed by all of the Trump signs and bumper stickers I see down here. I find some of the mindset to be intellectually lazy in that people rather be spoon fed their brand of political sustenance than actually look at verifiable information that shows the truth or at least the other point view. They complain that the people in power are taking away their rights, allowing illegals in and keeping the economy in hands of the elites while jobs go overseas. The concerns are real and the problems need solutions but fact is the right has obstructed and watered down legislation that would help the very people who need it the most. This is lost on them so they continue to lament their economic quandary while pinning hope on a demagogue who demonizes, divides and spews hatred. I blame the Republican party for the rise of Trump and his message. This is the culmination of years of attack that started back when Reagan did away with the fairness doctrine and has continued with the rise of cable networks and the internet and the SCOTUS decision on Citizens United. Unless we hold the media responsible for showing both sides of the issue we will move to the next phase which I believe is already in the works, the upcoming alt right Trump (Bannon) TV. I am now rooted here in the red area of NC and have met many wonderful people but I try not to discuss politics unless I know I am in safe company
192
The problem is many issues don't have two sides. Vaccines don't cause autism, the world is not flat, climate change is real. The other sides of these arguments should not be presented as somehow equivalent in validity. So I'm not sure the fairness doctrine is useful.
27
The mirror image of certain parts of New York City, or of almost any college town anywhere in the USA.
It has always been a given that people do not discuss politics or religion or even their personal lives except to a psychotherapist. He is getting paid to get dumped upon. And you otherwise save yourself a lot of grief.
This piece really hit home for me. I did "Go Midwest" and after growing up and going to college in New Jersey, I have spent the majority of my adult life in blue cities in red states - New Orleans and Omaha. I now find myself in rural Oklahoma, where I describe it to my more liberal friends as "The Twilight Zone."
I came here right out of graduate school for a job in the mental health field, and I am earning about what I would earn in a city on either coast. My dollar stretches far here, but the downside is that I feel like an outsider. I don't feel safe expressing my personal, religious, or political opinions, and it has been very difficult to make friends.
There is also extreme poverty - poverty of ideas, opportunity, education, experience, and diversity all on top of the financial poverty. I am struggling to understand the culture and find a place for myself in spite of my intense discomfort. The one thing I do look forward to, however, is voting. This will be the first time I get to place my progressive and democratic vote in a sea of red.
I came here right out of graduate school for a job in the mental health field, and I am earning about what I would earn in a city on either coast. My dollar stretches far here, but the downside is that I feel like an outsider. I don't feel safe expressing my personal, religious, or political opinions, and it has been very difficult to make friends.
There is also extreme poverty - poverty of ideas, opportunity, education, experience, and diversity all on top of the financial poverty. I am struggling to understand the culture and find a place for myself in spite of my intense discomfort. The one thing I do look forward to, however, is voting. This will be the first time I get to place my progressive and democratic vote in a sea of red.
307
The reverse situation is also true, lest folks start pointing fingers at intolerant conservatives who make anyone not in lock step uncomfortable.
I am a rarity - a herbalist and esoteric practitioner who happens to be fiscally conservative and socially moderate. When I attend conferences and gatherings, I don't participate in conversations when the topic turns to politics or liberal social ideas. I listen politely, smile a lot and either change the subject or find somewhere else to be. I learned long ago that if I voice my opinions about immigration reform or government funded social programs I will be ganged up on or avoided for the remainder of the weekend.
The same thing happened living in Ojai, CA. I gave up on the town because of the small group of mostly San Fransisco transplants who believed the town should create it's own currency, live in tribe-like communities (preferably in yurts) and ban cars from the streets.
The truth is we live in times where debate is no longer civil, and people do in fact congregate into like-minded groups. This is why I live in the country where people are tolerant, even if they shake their heads occasionally when I dis Trump.
I am a rarity - a herbalist and esoteric practitioner who happens to be fiscally conservative and socially moderate. When I attend conferences and gatherings, I don't participate in conversations when the topic turns to politics or liberal social ideas. I listen politely, smile a lot and either change the subject or find somewhere else to be. I learned long ago that if I voice my opinions about immigration reform or government funded social programs I will be ganged up on or avoided for the remainder of the weekend.
The same thing happened living in Ojai, CA. I gave up on the town because of the small group of mostly San Fransisco transplants who believed the town should create it's own currency, live in tribe-like communities (preferably in yurts) and ban cars from the streets.
The truth is we live in times where debate is no longer civil, and people do in fact congregate into like-minded groups. This is why I live in the country where people are tolerant, even if they shake their heads occasionally when I dis Trump.
Sounds a lot like South Dakota. I empathize with you.
The country is too large to be governed efficiently. Why should highly educated liberal professionals move to the midwest when they have the means to afford a lifestyle that they're attracted to on the coasts? Why should the costal states continue to pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits while supporting states like Alabama and Mississippi?
It's time to split the country up, probably into 6 regions or so. The northeast and far west are solidly blue. They should be autonomous. The center of the country is deep red, and the folks that live there seem to detest the idea of educated costal liberals interfering with their lives. Let them go it alone. If we do this, 20 years from now we might have clear evidence of which party / ideology is more correct. Now, we're just sabotaging each other and wasting money and time.
Let's agree to disagree and move on.
It's time to split the country up, probably into 6 regions or so. The northeast and far west are solidly blue. They should be autonomous. The center of the country is deep red, and the folks that live there seem to detest the idea of educated costal liberals interfering with their lives. Let them go it alone. If we do this, 20 years from now we might have clear evidence of which party / ideology is more correct. Now, we're just sabotaging each other and wasting money and time.
Let's agree to disagree and move on.
11
You can get 80% of the lifestyle you want for a third of the cost in some places in the Midwest.
2
The mini-cultural renaissance you are talking of is happening right here in really red Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I moved here 25 years ago, and couldn't find a Guinness to save my life. Dining options were few, and theater was almost nonexistent. Now we have at least two breweries making great craft beer, there are several new dining venues and gastropubs. There is a thriving theater scene and symphony, and a growing downtown and harbor centre. There is more cultural diversity than ever before. There is even surfing! And, thanks to dynastic family ownership, there are still some manufacturing jobs. This city on the shore of Lake Michigan is an hour north of Milwaukee and an hour south of Green Bay. Think about it, check it out, you might be surprised.
And I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of Sheboygans out there just waiting to be discovered.
And I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of Sheboygans out there just waiting to be discovered.
11
Not to go off on a tangent but the food in the so-called economically dominant, democratic cities seems to be getting worse. When I look up a menu in one of these big cities I expect to find deer tongue or cow leg.
1
Well let's start here - If you want to meet America face-to-face - move to Iowa! Then talk politics to me.
2
My husband moved to South Dakota for a job. I thought about pulling up stakes here in Baltimore to join him. I spent some time out there with him - not a lot - but enough to know I didn't want to move there.
My husband holds a PhD in a STEM field as do I. The community there welcomed my husband. I could see that he was considered unusual but accepted; mostly I was dismissed. It never dawned on anyone that I could be equally well educated. He was a rarity; I was unimaginable. When I told people about us what made him special made me a deviant.
Another funny and sort of sad fact. The condoms were kept literally under lock and key at the drugstore we visited. Is this state mandated? I don't know but stores are generally in the business of selling things so why make it difficult to sell a product? How should I think about this? Recognize that obtaining any other birth control for myself might be truly difficult? Happy that there is equality in terms of making it equally difficult for both genders to obtain birth control? Frustrated that a couple could be shamed into an unwanted pregnancy?
Perhaps I am reading too much into these small instances but it was enough to present an attitude about women and my likely inability to fit in. Fitting in matters in a town of 1000 people. There's not a lot to do and if you can't find friends it's going to be a very lonely existence. Good luck to the democrats in South Dakota.
My husband holds a PhD in a STEM field as do I. The community there welcomed my husband. I could see that he was considered unusual but accepted; mostly I was dismissed. It never dawned on anyone that I could be equally well educated. He was a rarity; I was unimaginable. When I told people about us what made him special made me a deviant.
Another funny and sort of sad fact. The condoms were kept literally under lock and key at the drugstore we visited. Is this state mandated? I don't know but stores are generally in the business of selling things so why make it difficult to sell a product? How should I think about this? Recognize that obtaining any other birth control for myself might be truly difficult? Happy that there is equality in terms of making it equally difficult for both genders to obtain birth control? Frustrated that a couple could be shamed into an unwanted pregnancy?
Perhaps I am reading too much into these small instances but it was enough to present an attitude about women and my likely inability to fit in. Fitting in matters in a town of 1000 people. There's not a lot to do and if you can't find friends it's going to be a very lonely existence. Good luck to the democrats in South Dakota.
44
Here's a reality: George McGovern was elected from South Dakota; so was Tom Daschle. One of the current senators is a Democrat--and a woman. I know a number of women from rural South Dakota--smart, tough, independent women. We may not all share the same politics but there is much to admire about them. Rural South Dakota is different from Baltimore for sure and women may be less likely to call themselves feminists but if you observed and became part of their lives, I think you might find a lot more commonality than you imagine.
1
Birth control is legal in all 50 states. Walmart sells condoms, and so does Sam's Club, and they are not under "lock and key". This might just reflect that particular drug stores policies or ownership.
Did you TRY to fill a birth control prescription? Because it sounds like you are making wild assumptions based on NOTHING.
Did you TRY to fill a birth control prescription? Because it sounds like you are making wild assumptions based on NOTHING.
2
One of my children did just that--up to a point. She moved from Chicago to Wisconsin. Of course she and her husband chose Madison--a deep blue enclave--and not Waukesha. What they got was a vibrant community--and a reasonable cost of living. They thought about moving back to Colorado but were deterred by the high cost of housing along the northern Front Range. I was sad, but understand their reasoning. They have good jobs, a nice house, and beautiful countryside nearby. What's not to like? Oh yeah: bitter cold winter and summer's armies of mosquitoes.
15
This is exactly what Abolitionists did to keep Kansas a free state (no slavery allowed). They moved to Kansas so they could vote against slavery. We moved to North Carolina as a swing state for the very same reason...to help it swing to Democrats. Let's hope this election shows results!
9
You are unlikely to get people to move to other regions for political convenience. The more practical approach is for Democrats to find issues where they might have some common ground with rural people. Democrats used to be at least competitive in Southeastern Ohio, when the region had a fair number of decent pay and benefits Union jobs (energy industry and subsidiary automobile parts industry). Those have largely been replaced by low paying no benefits WalMart jobs, and the Democratic Party did almost nothing to resist that transition. The GOP has capitalized on the fact that the Dems abandoned rural America by playing to the innate cultral conservatism of these areas, but they, too have done nothing to stop rural America's slide into poverty and drug addiction. A portion of rural America could be won back to the Democratic side without abandoning the party's other commitments, making rural America at least competitive again.
10
"If you really want Democrats to win in Iowa, move there."
Except NOT the district Steve King serves. Words from the experienced who had to leave and move to Iowa's blue area to feel at home.
Except NOT the district Steve King serves. Words from the experienced who had to leave and move to Iowa's blue area to feel at home.
7
Thanks for pointing out -- correctly -- that Iowa has a Democratic-leaning area. Many rural states have towns, counties, and regions that vote Democratic, and where I live, the Democrats win elections by turning out the "blue" rural vote vs. the "red" suburban vote. There's not a major city.
1
Reminds me of being be born and raised in Chicago were we clearly understood what was called The Democratic machine. If you had Republican tendencies it was tough as your vote mean't zilch. Eventually y everyone like Mayor Richard J Daley and his son to follow. The system was rigged but it worked.
2
Still exists! more so than EVER! "Debbie Wasserman Schultz"!
Increasingly, green in terms of transportation is being added to the list of considerations in where to live. One can easily live in New York without owning a car. In fact, it's a hindrance.
14
Yes, "One can easily live in New York without owning a car" IF ONE CAN AFFORD THE RENT. But suppose one is paid $10 per hour with no benefits and that one has a kid to support. One's job is in Manhattan. In that case, where does one live, and how does one get to work? Probably not driving. But maybe taking a long, long bus ride? When the easy living for affluent urbanites is supported by low-income workers who are forced to commute long distances, the transportation demands aren't that different than the bad old days when the affluent people were in the 'burbs and the poor were concentrated downtown.
My parents were part of the 1950s move by young professionals from the Midwest to the Northeast. So were my wife's folks. Both families brought Midwest values with them and a fierce belief in education. My wife and I grew up in comfortable circumstances in northern NJ in what I would say was a purple environment. We moved to Michigan in the 1970s and have enjoyed a deeply purple life. Now I tend to roll my eyes when I hear too much dogma from either side, and I believe that it is possible for liberals and conservatives can live in close proximity if they maintain civility. It happens in families, neighborhoods, towns and states. It is hard to say were the economic pressures will push people, but for real vitality I would chose somewhere purple.
4
Or we could elect via proportional representation instead of single-member districts, which allows for vote proportion totals, and not plurality district votes, to determine the makeup of legislatures. A more logical, and democratic, system that most of the world uses.
Though if we could pack up the hipsters from Brooklyn en masse and send them to Nebraska I wouldn't complain, either.
Though if we could pack up the hipsters from Brooklyn en masse and send them to Nebraska I wouldn't complain, either.
2
I tend to support proportional representation via party lists/slates on a ranked choice ballot. If a party does not gain the minimum number of voters needed to gain a House seat, the party's votes would be allocated to the voters' second choice, and so on.
You express a lot of things I have thought about in a nicely written article, from gerrymandering to how I have come to think about where I live, and why I feel comfortable in some places, but not others. I thought it was just me. Now I see it is a thing.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
5
Hipsters SHOULD live in Iowa. They would love it there. Seriously, they can pursue organic beekeeping, bike everywhere, live 'authentic' experiences, be a part of strong communities, raise chickens, make art and music, and so on. I know this sounds facetious, but I'm being serious. Iowa is awesome, as is most of the midwest.
30
Are you Jewish, Black, Muslim, gay, liberal, an atheist? Just wondering.
3
Although this is an oversimplification, part of the driver for the self-segregation is personality, with liberals tending to like change, and conservatives liking stability. Liberals tend to score higher on openness to experience on the five factor model (FFM). Additionally, open people tend to like diversity, the bane of conservative and white middle America. Personally, I hated the suburbs, not for politics, but for the stultifying dullness, the lack of culture, and the sheer ugliness of suburban living. There are some lovely areas outside of the city, but one typically cannot afford to live in them until one is further along economically, but even then, unless you have kids, living in the city makes life so much easier.
I doubt many of the people moving to cities, the educated, the young or the wealthy, look at the city as a destination where they can be surrounded by people of similar political stance. We live in Manhattan, and all of my personal friends are voting Democrat, while I know numerous conservatives at my workplace, an asset management firm, but none of us are here because of our politics.
I doubt many of the people moving to cities, the educated, the young or the wealthy, look at the city as a destination where they can be surrounded by people of similar political stance. We live in Manhattan, and all of my personal friends are voting Democrat, while I know numerous conservatives at my workplace, an asset management firm, but none of us are here because of our politics.
6
Not quite true, Mr. Outside the Box. I'm no longer a youngster and I doubt I was ever hip. But my career took me to work in New York, Boston and Southern California. I moved to the Kansas City, MO area seven years ago and it's a much different lifestyle. But with the GOP moving so far to the right, I look like a liberal. And having seen what Sam Brownback has done to Kansas, there are lots of us here in Missouri who are voting Democratic this year in hopes of turning out the ideologues and avoiding what's happened to Kansas. Not to mention retaking control in Washington at multiple levels. So no, I don't judge the Midwest from a distance. I'm really rather involved in it.
8
Sure. As long as I can bring the Atlantic Ocean with me.
4
Young hipster, check out Columbus. Just avoid locating in the part of the metro area that has been gerrymandered into Ohio's 12th congressional district where, as a left-leaning citizen, your vote for representative will never count.
5
there is little there to entice a california person to want to relocate there. sure the price of living is cheaper but they have one thing that truly makes californian's hesitant. it is called winter. winter like we don't have any idea of. i never knew winter till the army sent me to europe. at first i thought snow was neat. but once one gets to shovel it. then shovel more of it. well the allure dissipated rapidly. i dont want to live there in any way what so ever. i don't judge those that do. i guess i am glad some one lives there or gas stations might not be open. oh well ;fun read thanks.
2
You are ignoring all the Southern states, then! Winter in FLORIDA? in Texas? in Louisiana? or Georgia?
It's not just "the Midwest vs. California", you know.
And it's not just "the price of living". It's housing costs that are 10 times higher in CA than in the Midwest or in the South. Not a "bit more" but TEN TIMES MORE. That means the difference between owning your own home -- and having to have roommates in your 40s.
It's not just "the Midwest vs. California", you know.
And it's not just "the price of living". It's housing costs that are 10 times higher in CA than in the Midwest or in the South. Not a "bit more" but TEN TIMES MORE. That means the difference between owning your own home -- and having to have roommates in your 40s.
2
Living in Iowa, I see this first hand within the state. Rural areas and aging manufacturing towns such as Fort Madison lose their ambitious young graduates to cities seen as having more opportunity, cultures more interesting to recent graduates, and better chances to meet potential spouses. Des Moines, Ames, Iowa City are all thriving and growing thanks in part to excellent universities, robust economies and in-migration. All are more liberal than their surrounding farm communities. Other cities and towns such as Fairfield and Dubuque, formerly struggling, have reinvented themselves as centers of culture and innovation and are likewise thriving. Both are also much more progressive. As high school graduates leave rural high schools and attend universities, many encounter new perspectives and moderate their parents' political views. And they seldom return to their home communities. This causes self-segregating income and political stratification. One solution to segregated politics is to craft legislative districts with balances of urban and rural populations (as Iowa's reapportionment process is designed to do) in order to mix in one district a variety of viewpoints. This can bring more moderation, more party turnover, more inclusion and personal ownership of the political process.
4
This article is great ! Ask many that left their midwest home state . NYT your good.
1
Being Blue in a Red state is difficult. As "All politics is local", people of liberal persuasion are reminded every day of their square-peg-round-hole status. The school board, the zoning commission, the city counsel, the newspaper, tv and radio stations, all voice opinions, make decisions, adopt points of view that are crazy-making EVERY DAY. One's fellow citizens at the mall are wearing T-shirts with messages that make it clear you don't belong here. I live in Indiana. Outside of two or three university-anchored liberal cities, it's difficult to find fellow liberals. The legislature is Republican, the governor is Mike Pence (for crying out loud). Even the Democrats who attain office or have a good shot at election (Evan Bayh, for instance) are what would be considered moderate Republicans in another state.
I lived in Connecticut for a year before returning to my home state. I returned because of family and social connections, but while I was in New England I thought I'd died and gone to liberal heaven (with Nor'easters). There is a lot to love about Indiana, but It was difficult to come back to the state of RFRA.
In order to shift the demographics in a way that eliminates or reduces the Republican advantage in the legislature, too many people would have to move to places inhospitable to them. Probably won't happen.
If you want to live in Indiana, however, I can help you pick the city and give you directions to beautiful state parks. and how to register to vote.
I lived in Connecticut for a year before returning to my home state. I returned because of family and social connections, but while I was in New England I thought I'd died and gone to liberal heaven (with Nor'easters). There is a lot to love about Indiana, but It was difficult to come back to the state of RFRA.
In order to shift the demographics in a way that eliminates or reduces the Republican advantage in the legislature, too many people would have to move to places inhospitable to them. Probably won't happen.
If you want to live in Indiana, however, I can help you pick the city and give you directions to beautiful state parks. and how to register to vote.
6
The division isn't as deep as it seems. Democrats are within a few percentage points of Republicans in several Midwestern states. A northeastern diaspora could have a huge impact.
Seems to me that East coast and West coast liberals won't move to Fly-over states because they wish to avoid being judged and told how to live their lives by narrow-minded bigots. The coasters probably don't agree with xenophobic, homophobic, anti-immigration, anti-choice, anti-science points of view. At least, that's one man's opinion, who left Ohio 29 years ago and hasn't looked back.
29
Let me get this straight, Jim -- you moved from horribly conservative OHIO (which is a purple state with two big "blue" cities) -- to avoid "being judged by bigots" -- to bright red, conservative Florida? The South is far more religious than a northern state like Ohio!
I lived in both Florida AND Ohio, and there is no comparison terms of religion or tolerance. Ohio is far more liberal on that count, especially in the large cities. In Florida, I lived in a housing development -- in a nice suburb of Orlando -- where the first home at the entrance had a six ft high sign that said "CHRIST IS KING".
I lived in both Florida AND Ohio, and there is no comparison terms of religion or tolerance. Ohio is far more liberal on that count, especially in the large cities. In Florida, I lived in a housing development -- in a nice suburb of Orlando -- where the first home at the entrance had a six ft high sign that said "CHRIST IS KING".
In my experience in a purple Western state, this essay is one-sided. Conservatives, especially retirees, moving to the suburban, exurban, and rural parts of the Northern Rockies (and other con outposts like southern Oregon) is a trend that's been in place for at least a couple of decades, many of them "escaping" oh-so-blue California. Conservative clustering is also a major factor in the political segregation of the country.
12
Part of the problem is developers who can make an easy buck building new housing in California where there is no water and they ruin more pristine landscape every day. Meanwhile an already livable city like Dayton with resources and infrastructure in place has lost half its population? But people staying where they are is not "housing starts" so that's considered stagnation.
4
Actually, it is the other way around. You can build cheap in the empty Republican states, but it is very hard to make money in some of the blues states because of zoning restrictions and high costs. That is also why housing is scarce in the liberal cities, since to build and profit developers market to the affluent and wealthy. This is not a justification, just a fact...
3
Who would enjoy living in a town with Fox News on 24/7 in cafes and waiting rooms which relentlessly denigrates Democrats and where locals turn and stare suspiciously at strangers?
30
Conservatives. That is the point of the article.
1
This article focuses on geographic political desegregation. The other approach is to lift education, health and income outcomes for the lower-ranked states (almost of which are red). Reducing economic inequality will lead to lower political desegregation. Infrastructure and clean energy jobs (remember "shovel ready"?) would be a good agenda item for the first two years of the Clinton presidency while she still has control of the senate.
8
But what to do if the Red States which most desperately need education spending, expanded health care, and job opportunities resist, because of right wing ideology, embracing help offered by the Feds? Republicans have worked very hard to dumb-down education, and have in many cases refused the Medicare expansion which has been helpful to many. If Republican state lawmakers resolutely refuse solutions and help because it would make a Democratic administration look good, exactly what can be done?
2
Although I think the federal government under Democrats has tried to do just that, improve things, the local Republican establishment prevents progressive actions. Think of all the red states that hobbled the ABA, aka Obamacare. You could try to implement good policies, but the conservatives in Congress, and the local establishment prevent it, as does the politics of the people themselves.
3
The disproportionate number of Democrats in the urban areas is a result in part of the disproportionate level of economic development. The U.S. is a large country geographically with major parts (the Plains states for example) that have very low levels of economic activity. This situation has been decades in the making. In the drive to revitalize cities mainly in Democratic-leaning states, policy-makers have neglected the rural areas. This is a legitimate reason for why many people feel left out and why they support an outsider like Donald Trump.
The Plains states and other regions like it can do with a major economic development plan from the federal government. Focusing on the most depressed regions of the U.S. would have the multiplier effect. The urban areas have issues of their own caused by over population. There are just so many jobs to go around even in the metropolitan cities. Employment and housing issues could be relieved if they were plentiful in other states. If young people see growth and prosperity all across America, then there will be an incentive to move to places other than New York, San Francisco, and similar cities.
The Plains states and other regions like it can do with a major economic development plan from the federal government. Focusing on the most depressed regions of the U.S. would have the multiplier effect. The urban areas have issues of their own caused by over population. There are just so many jobs to go around even in the metropolitan cities. Employment and housing issues could be relieved if they were plentiful in other states. If young people see growth and prosperity all across America, then there will be an incentive to move to places other than New York, San Francisco, and similar cities.
9
I guess farming is no longer an economic activity. Who knew?
1
What this article doesn't acknowledge is that, as a woman, moving to a red state would mean giving up a considerable portion of my rights at this point. Depending on the state, it might mean public education budgets have been slashed, thus making it harder to find affordable good education for the children I hope to have. It often means that parental leave policies, etc. differ markedly. And it means a strong proliferation of guns, which means I would hesitate to let children play at their friends' houses lest guns be lying around, among other considerations. Poorer people than I, or people of color, would have even more to worry about.
Moving is not just a matter of a taste for craft beer or comfortable conversations. We're not all flannel-shirted white male hipsters. I grew up in Texas and while I love all my family still there, miss some aspects of home, and go often back to visit, the idea of moving back stirs up a real, sick fear in my stomach.
Moving is not just a matter of a taste for craft beer or comfortable conversations. We're not all flannel-shirted white male hipsters. I grew up in Texas and while I love all my family still there, miss some aspects of home, and go often back to visit, the idea of moving back stirs up a real, sick fear in my stomach.
375
You MUST be kidding. Not only is NY was of THE most segregated states, but NYC is THE most segregated city in the US, with THE MOST SEGREGATED school system in the US.
Most people who can afford it at all, send their kids to PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
And yet you sneer at other states!
There is more violence in a blue city like Chicago than in any red state or city, regarding guns.
There are no "different rights" in any state. You can vote in all 50 states. You can have a legal abortion in all 50 states.
The short version of this is "you are a bigot" -- or why else would you feel such revulsion for your HOME STATE?
Most people who can afford it at all, send their kids to PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
And yet you sneer at other states!
There is more violence in a blue city like Chicago than in any red state or city, regarding guns.
There are no "different rights" in any state. You can vote in all 50 states. You can have a legal abortion in all 50 states.
The short version of this is "you are a bigot" -- or why else would you feel such revulsion for your HOME STATE?
1
I lived most of my adult life in Boston, NY, and San Francisco. I'm back in Texas now caring for elderly relatives. Yes, women's rights are under fire here. The whole absurd access to abortion fight. It is scary. It is very guns and religion. Yes, it is much easier to live here albeit dull. Real estate is 100$ a sq ft. There is a tiny struggling community of artists and foodies, but it's not flourishing because it's an anti-urban, big box store, chain restaurant kind of town. There is no solid governance driving core revitalization that is meaningful. This is a town where uneducated white males feel like America abandon them. There are jobs but it's limited largely to service industry work. It's a place where the Republican agenda will reckon with it's choice to dumb-down its base. I'd be interested to see statistics on obesity and drug addiction here.
2
And what about pro choice policies?
1
Most Democrats wish to live a life with some diversity.
That would not be Iowa. Sorry.
That would not be Iowa. Sorry.
144
Depends on the neighborhood. Have you ever been out here?
Why is a "blue" state more diverse, per se, than a "red" one? Answer: it isn't. The flaw embedded in the smugness of your remark is your deficient definition of "diverse". Here's what Webster says: "made up of people or things that are different from each other". You're suggesting that in places like Iowa that are more racially or ethnically homogenous, that no "diversity" exists. This pre-supposes that everyone in Iowa is some ignorant, unsophisticated, bigoted pig farmer who's never tasted kale or artisanal beer and would run gay people out of town with flaming pitch forks. And of course, everyone in NYC, SF, etc. is an enlightened, tolerant, educated paragon. So long as they're surrounded by a sprinkling of Asians, Blacks, Muslims, Gays, Transgendered people to give the place a little color, the Democrats that MIMA refers to like to pat themselves on the back for being "diverse", as though by some hard-fought, principled battle against the forces of anti-diversity they have carved out this brave little enclave.
News flash: The gloriously diverse people you fawn over did not gravitate to where you are to add color to the plate. They came to find work in the restaurants you like to eat at, to take care of your children, to drive the cabs you take, deliver the take-out you eat. And most of the time, they can't afford to live in your neighborhood, but since they don't share your social or political views, that's OK. They'd just spoil the diversity you value so much.
News flash: The gloriously diverse people you fawn over did not gravitate to where you are to add color to the plate. They came to find work in the restaurants you like to eat at, to take care of your children, to drive the cabs you take, deliver the take-out you eat. And most of the time, they can't afford to live in your neighborhood, but since they don't share your social or political views, that's OK. They'd just spoil the diversity you value so much.
Please! New York's segregated as all get out.
Why would young people want to live in a conservative, Bible-Belt region where ignorance is celebrated with daily stupidity, denialism, and intellectual backwardness?
Why live in an American insane asylum when the real world that has real respect for you brain awaits you ?
Why surround yourself with ignorance when you can surround yourself with knowledge ?
Americans consistently report high levels of belief in the supernatural.
About 80% of Americans believe in miracles and three-quarters believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, according to a 2013 Pew survey.
Four in 10 Americans believe God created the Earth and modern humans, less than 10,000 years ago, according to a Gallup poll.
A 2014 National Science Foundation study found that only three out of four Americans know that the Earth revolves around the sun and not vice versa, and a large percentage didn't know the Earth's core was hot.
http://www.livescience.com/46123-many-americans-creationists.html
A September 2015 poll found that 30% of all Americans do not believe President Obama is a Christian, including 43% of Republicans who say he is a Muslim, while 20% of all adults believe he was born outside the United States.
http://www.salon.com/2015/09/14/a_staggering_number_of_republicans_belie...
While American ignorance is widespread, it is rural, red, Mid-Western America that leads the charge of stupidity over the ignorance cliffs.
Who wants to jump over a stupid cliff every day ?
Why live in an American insane asylum when the real world that has real respect for you brain awaits you ?
Why surround yourself with ignorance when you can surround yourself with knowledge ?
Americans consistently report high levels of belief in the supernatural.
About 80% of Americans believe in miracles and three-quarters believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, according to a 2013 Pew survey.
Four in 10 Americans believe God created the Earth and modern humans, less than 10,000 years ago, according to a Gallup poll.
A 2014 National Science Foundation study found that only three out of four Americans know that the Earth revolves around the sun and not vice versa, and a large percentage didn't know the Earth's core was hot.
http://www.livescience.com/46123-many-americans-creationists.html
A September 2015 poll found that 30% of all Americans do not believe President Obama is a Christian, including 43% of Republicans who say he is a Muslim, while 20% of all adults believe he was born outside the United States.
http://www.salon.com/2015/09/14/a_staggering_number_of_republicans_belie...
While American ignorance is widespread, it is rural, red, Mid-Western America that leads the charge of stupidity over the ignorance cliffs.
Who wants to jump over a stupid cliff every day ?
245
My thoughts exactly. I left Iowa after four years. The thinking is incredibly archaic. The racism shocked me. It has got to be the most white place on earth.
14
Socrates, you are a good example of a quality author who should be getting paid by a media company, and never will. Even our lefty outlets are looking over their shoulders these days.
3
Me. As a liberal in a conservative area, I enjoy the challenge of debating and arguing with my ideological opposites. It's stimulating and gives me a window into the mind of the opposition. It's arrogant of you to think that Midwesterners are stupid- they're just as intelligent as other people, but they've got different traditions and beliefs. I enjoy challenging them and winning minds a few at a time, but I couldn't do it with your attitude. They'll never come around if folks like you A) belittle them, and B) don't engage them socially and politically. That, and it's supremely unhelpful to label your opponent with "stupidity" because it prevents meaningful discourse.
6
No question about it: if the current alignment of political ideology and demographics persist, then large numbers of inner-city Americans who moved to suburbs, exurbs and rural areas, as well as currently solidly red states, likely would tip the electoral balance to a Democratic congressional majority as well as one in statehouses, governorships and other state and local offices; and could yield Democratic presidents for a long time.
Dream on. A major motivation for supporting a liberal worldview is personal interest. The publically-financed services on which many inner-city residents rely exist ONLY in large cities, not in all those places where they're outnumbered by Republicans. Look at the whole state of Texas, for heaven's sake -- there ARE no public services to speak of in comparison with a bankrupt state like Illinois. But, then, Texas is going gangbusters and the only reason Illinois isn't officially bankrupt is because it SAYS it's not.
Expect Democrats to continue to vitiate the potential of their vote by huddling in like-minded enclaves. The likelihood is high that the U.S. House will be Republican for the next generation.
Dream on. A major motivation for supporting a liberal worldview is personal interest. The publically-financed services on which many inner-city residents rely exist ONLY in large cities, not in all those places where they're outnumbered by Republicans. Look at the whole state of Texas, for heaven's sake -- there ARE no public services to speak of in comparison with a bankrupt state like Illinois. But, then, Texas is going gangbusters and the only reason Illinois isn't officially bankrupt is because it SAYS it's not.
Expect Democrats to continue to vitiate the potential of their vote by huddling in like-minded enclaves. The likelihood is high that the U.S. House will be Republican for the next generation.
4
Don't know the last time you went to Texas, but it is changing. Bigly. Dallas now has a public transit system, for instance. I live in Oklahoma, as red as it gets, and believe me, with all the tax cuts and the loss of oil revenues, we are pretty much bankrupt, without Illinois public services. Many school districts can only afford to keep the schools open 4 days a week. Look at Kansas. Not exactly doing well, is it? The idea that Republican fiscal conservatism leads to health and prosperity is a big joke. A bad one if you live in a Red State.
9
JSL:
Texas is probably still too unwilling to tax to provide basic services that as a moderate Republican I would support. However, that tends to become a slippery slope, and pretty soon you're Illinois; or my own New Jersey, which is only two steps behind Illinois in the bankruptcy line.
The way you describe Oklahoma, they've definitely gone too far to protect against the spenders who promise bread and circuses, create a dependency that can't be curbed without blood in the streets, then look at everyone else and declaim "who, me?!"
We need a return to moderation. But then there's Illinois and New Jersey staring us in the face -- and even California, which had to pay vendors with scrip last recession and might go under with the next, as dependent as they are on the outsized taxes they levy against their higher-earners, who get hit hard in a recession. An object lesson for New York, which is in the same boat with Wall Street.
You criticize Republicans, but they're the only ones protecting America from a disastrouslevelling of society in the interests of free cheese and Band-Aids.
Texas is probably still too unwilling to tax to provide basic services that as a moderate Republican I would support. However, that tends to become a slippery slope, and pretty soon you're Illinois; or my own New Jersey, which is only two steps behind Illinois in the bankruptcy line.
The way you describe Oklahoma, they've definitely gone too far to protect against the spenders who promise bread and circuses, create a dependency that can't be curbed without blood in the streets, then look at everyone else and declaim "who, me?!"
We need a return to moderation. But then there's Illinois and New Jersey staring us in the face -- and even California, which had to pay vendors with scrip last recession and might go under with the next, as dependent as they are on the outsized taxes they levy against their higher-earners, who get hit hard in a recession. An object lesson for New York, which is in the same boat with Wall Street.
You criticize Republicans, but they're the only ones protecting America from a disastrouslevelling of society in the interests of free cheese and Band-Aids.
Liberals are liberal for personal interest? Ha! Personal interest is selfishness and greed in the face of hunger, homelessness and poor education and infrastructure. Personal interest is lessening regulation. Personal interest means saying you're more important than the whole of the country. Personal interest is embodied in the GOP, not the liberals.
There are plenty of liberals/progressives that willingly lose out on what they could have under GOP/conservative policies, because they see the evidence and believe in the power of liberal policies to elevate everyone. Warren Buffett, for example.
The demographic shift that is currently underway will not be something that pleases you. Regardless of how you want to try to spin your own tale, the GOP has been losing voters and the Democrats have been gaining voters. Gerrymandering will be challenged in a liberal Supreme Court and the GOP's days of being overrepresented will soon be over.
There are plenty of liberals/progressives that willingly lose out on what they could have under GOP/conservative policies, because they see the evidence and believe in the power of liberal policies to elevate everyone. Warren Buffett, for example.
The demographic shift that is currently underway will not be something that pleases you. Regardless of how you want to try to spin your own tale, the GOP has been losing voters and the Democrats have been gaining voters. Gerrymandering will be challenged in a liberal Supreme Court and the GOP's days of being overrepresented will soon be over.
2
You first. There is a real issue here. Urbanization is happening for solid economic reasons, not just preferences for rooftop bars and tapas. What you see that offsets this trend to some degree is flight from prime cities to second-tier ones where settlers can reasonably replicate big city amenities at a lower cost. Think Austin, Raleigh, Atlanta, Denver. But it can't happen everywhere, it takes investment in education, and core industries to attract talent. In other words, policy planning. Eventually, growing minority populations and expat big city hipsters will politically crowd out aging less educated whites in many areas. Think Virginia over the last decade, North Carolina now, Georgia soon and Texas not far off. But the jury is still out on whether our democracy can survive the loss of white privilege before we get there.
33
What do you mean "survive the loss of white privilege"? Are you comparing the future U.S. to present day Zimbabwe?
2
How are Atlanta and Denver second-tier? Those are million plus major urban areas? I agree with your general premise, but it seems like second tier cities with major universities tend to be some of the best places to live diversly.
1
I'm pretty sure that part of the problem is the cap on the size of the house - until 1929 the size of the house increased as the overall population increased. This results in many problems, not the least of which is that each Congressperson represents over 700,000 people, s opposed to 200,000 in 1911, and there are considerably discrepancies between states. Like many aspects of our government, there is a sclerosis which has developed. We need to Regain some flexibility.
For details on the 1929 Reapportionment act see http://www.thirty-thousand.org/documents/Kromkowski_Fall1991.pdf
For details on the 1929 Reapportionment act see http://www.thirty-thousand.org/documents/Kromkowski_Fall1991.pdf
6
At this point we need the Times to present a comparison with one or more other countries to give us some basis for understanding if there are models for changing our two-party system and amending our Constitution that would make our system "fairer" ("fairer" because we will need to define).
Perhaps the Times could begin with Canada. After all it gives us today a long article about Canada's welcoming of Syrian asylum seekers perhaps to suggest how my fellow Americans might behave if they stopped following the advice in my all-time favorite comment (sarcasm warning) in the Times, the comment by an anonymous writer who told us that: "We must fear all Muslims."
Since I do not expect the Times to do this for me, perhaps Canadian readers can help me out.
Thanks in advance, Canadians.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Perhaps the Times could begin with Canada. After all it gives us today a long article about Canada's welcoming of Syrian asylum seekers perhaps to suggest how my fellow Americans might behave if they stopped following the advice in my all-time favorite comment (sarcasm warning) in the Times, the comment by an anonymous writer who told us that: "We must fear all Muslims."
Since I do not expect the Times to do this for me, perhaps Canadian readers can help me out.
Thanks in advance, Canadians.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
10
Politics evolve. Republican control of Iowa and the other square states between the Rockies and the Mississippi will become irrelevant in the House when those states finish being depopulated for lack of water. People and power will move to the coastal states.
There after, the big question will be what to do about the Senate with its 2 per state votes. 20 depopulated states will have blocking power in the Senate. What a battle that will be.
There after, the big question will be what to do about the Senate with its 2 per state votes. 20 depopulated states will have blocking power in the Senate. What a battle that will be.
10
Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, etc. like things they way they are. They get way more money from the feds than than they pay in federal taxes; why should they want to change? Although more US voters choose Democrats than Republicans, our messed-up electoral system nearly guarantees Republican control of the House. No wonder Congressional Republicans are even fatter and lazier than Congessional Democrats.
68
The Republican mindset is driven by blame, and the democratic mindset, that of shame.
If only both contingents defined themselves by what they stood for by simply living it, instead of expecting it from others, and refrain from acting out of their worst qualities of shame and blame, one could say, that the democratic process and the American states to still have the possibility of true progress, rooted in the true principles of the country.
if only...
If only both contingents defined themselves by what they stood for by simply living it, instead of expecting it from others, and refrain from acting out of their worst qualities of shame and blame, one could say, that the democratic process and the American states to still have the possibility of true progress, rooted in the true principles of the country.
if only...
6
Iowa voters arguably played an outsized role in getting Barack Obama elected, and he carried the state twice. A Lot of the blue counties in eastern Iowa were rural ones. Needed: more effective local, grassroots efforts to build party, and counter toxic rhetoric of the national parties.
52
I am liberal but spent most of my adult life in Utah, which got redder and redder. My vote rarely mattered and was not much sought. Very frustrating.
I retired to blue California, which was very pleasant and enjoyable. But my individual vote still didn't mean much, nor again was it much sought.
So this summer I moved to Nevada, where I can make a difference. However, due to being retired (and therefore older), I am still a city girl and didn't move to a more rural where I could have more of an impact (and where I suspect I would be less welcome.) Though I may eventually have to move back to blue country where they actually believe in providing in public services, I will hold out as long as I can and do my best to change hearts and minds (and the Senate.)
I retired to blue California, which was very pleasant and enjoyable. But my individual vote still didn't mean much, nor again was it much sought.
So this summer I moved to Nevada, where I can make a difference. However, due to being retired (and therefore older), I am still a city girl and didn't move to a more rural where I could have more of an impact (and where I suspect I would be less welcome.) Though I may eventually have to move back to blue country where they actually believe in providing in public services, I will hold out as long as I can and do my best to change hearts and minds (and the Senate.)
27
Maybe it is time to EDUCATE the people in the RED states. You make more money with a college education. Employers locate jobs whee they can find people who can do the work. If the number of people who can perform that are needed to sustain an operation are available in a less expensive location, where rents, wages and other costs are lower, there is every reason for a business to locate there. They prove that every time they move a manufacturing job out of the US. Maybe we need to get more people who can do white collar jobs qualified to do so in fly-over country. Free state college tuition might be a step in that direction. Guess who is proposing that? Not the Republicans. The taxes paid on the extra $1 million or so that a typical college degree helps a person earn WILL more than pay back the cost of the college tuition.
99
I would hope the education might be in the way of policies. Perhaps, at some point the connection between policy and the economy might be made. Perhaps connecting more "liberal" policies and a good economy is complicated, but it is less difficult to link a poor economy and very Conservative policies, as we see in Kansas under the current administration.
1
It isn't the main thrust of this article, but the income numbers it gives are important . . . and dangerous.
New York, the Bay area, D.C., and other "dominant cities" can't understand why the policies (in short, globalization) that have done so much to raise their incomes aren't popular with people out in the red areas. And, yes, those policies have made the system more efficient and productive, but it's done that by pushing red area people (and the less educated residents of blue areas) out of their places in the economy and replacing them with low wage workers in other countries.
At the end of the piece an Ohioan longs to move to a blue city because "it's more comfortable to be around people who are like you." But if we quit siphoning off the red areas' incomes THEY will be more like "us," just as they used to be.
If we continue on our current path, on the other hand, we will push half our population further and further down the path to Trumpism.
New York, the Bay area, D.C., and other "dominant cities" can't understand why the policies (in short, globalization) that have done so much to raise their incomes aren't popular with people out in the red areas. And, yes, those policies have made the system more efficient and productive, but it's done that by pushing red area people (and the less educated residents of blue areas) out of their places in the economy and replacing them with low wage workers in other countries.
At the end of the piece an Ohioan longs to move to a blue city because "it's more comfortable to be around people who are like you." But if we quit siphoning off the red areas' incomes THEY will be more like "us," just as they used to be.
If we continue on our current path, on the other hand, we will push half our population further and further down the path to Trumpism.
18
Perhaps I missed it: Where in Iowa does Mr. MacGillis live?
27
is the sorting resulting in an unconstitutional discrimination that needs remedy? though the house seats are population based, must they be district rather than state wide? times change in transportation and communication, so any rational for small districts that might have been in 1790 are no longer needed today.
17
I do think it's past time to rethink the Constitution on the matter of districting, apportionment of votes, and perhaps even the Electoral College. But good luck on getting any such ammendment out of Congress and, especially, ratified by three-fourths of the states as they all stand today.
The Founders were so concerned about the marginalization of rural voters but upon seeing what's happened today, I'm sure they'd think differently. As it stands now, it's urban liberal voters in red states and blue state voters who are getting marginalized as Republicans, solidify their hold over state houses and Congress. It may not happen in my lifetime but eventually, with a minority majority population that is more progressive and globally-connected, Republican spell-binding holds of power will one day break. It's a law of physics after all: for every action there is a reaction.
The Founders were so concerned about the marginalization of rural voters but upon seeing what's happened today, I'm sure they'd think differently. As it stands now, it's urban liberal voters in red states and blue state voters who are getting marginalized as Republicans, solidify their hold over state houses and Congress. It may not happen in my lifetime but eventually, with a minority majority population that is more progressive and globally-connected, Republican spell-binding holds of power will one day break. It's a law of physics after all: for every action there is a reaction.
1
I lived in Cincinnati suburbs over 20 years. Because of gerrymandering, my democratic vote didn't make a difference. I worked for the elections several times and found the other required democrat at the table lied about her affiliation so she could work with her fellow republican friends. I was ridiculed and even threatened for being a democrat. I moved to a blue state several years ago and am so happy. Move back to Ohio? Never!
111
You have my sympathy. The Cincinnati suburbs are the reddest part of the state.
21
It's understandable that progressive young people would not want to be among the mindless primitives. Most Republicans that i have tried to discuss politics with are quick to verbalize their hatred towards 'liberals', President Obama, Secretary Clinton, etc. The plutocrats ' propaganda hate machine has been quite effective for many years. My neighbors are very Republican. We discuss the weather almost exclusively.
155
We're all such primitives...I'm having difficulty forming these sentences. Please. It's taboo to make broad generalizations about minorities, women, members of religious groups. How about extending the same curtesy to Republicans?
3
Probably not global warming.
1
A bit simplistic, but people go where the money is. The cities are not meccas for the educated, the young, and the wealthy, just because they are on the coasts, but because they are exciting, although that encompasses many things. Yes, there are midwest urban areas that have draws, the exciting aspects of cities, e.g., industry, jobs, connections, wealth, culture, and the young, but those are typically on the coasts of the country. The change we need is to apportion voting to the number of people in the state equally, and to not allow the biased division by region, and its related gerrymandering.
15
Not sure you're completely right. I could work remotely in my profession, and pay far less for housing in the Quad Cities. The Big City would be Chicago, and I could afford to go there for a big-city fix. So why not?
2
Of course I am not completely right, but you, like me, are exceptions. Most people don't have the option. i have worked in tech for over twenty-years, now as a developer and project manager. Even when we have meetings, most of our meetings are done over Skype, and some of our employees are working from home. I have twice weekly meetings with staff in India, have a manager in Santa Monica, and coworkers in New York, Chicago, South Dakota, and Maryland. That said, my internal clients are in New York, and for those we definitely have face-to-face meetings.
2
We would welcome the empathy of any progressive democrat, but not their physical presence unless they forced a conservative to leave. The world is a very crowded place--the problem even progressives won't touch. In fact we would prefer you come for a visit, adopt one of our many conservatives and take them back home with you.
17
Why isn't the question also one of self segregation of Republicans as well? As someone raised in a redder rural location in a historically blue state in the West (not California), and who has lived in a Midwest state as well as a Northeast state - you go where your education chances and jobs lead you, and you tend to stay once you have a family - I can tell you the judgment goes both ways. I live in a small town and would love to move back West. However, that may wait until my husband and I retire. We had considered re-locating throughout our working lives, but moving 2 kids and leaving well paying jobs is difficult. And yes, it IS a consideration to living in a place that shares values and tolerance - my experience is that living in a "bluer" area allows and accepts a wider diversity of opinion and lifestyle, which are the types of values we wanted our children to grow up around.
121
Please !! Don't send them out here. Can't they just "flyover" and be with their nutso bros and sisters on the Left Coast
7
Don't worry. You have my word that I'm staying put.
3
Have a nice day.
4
I promise you I will stay on the left Coast. Your ignorance and hate can stay intact.
7
Fascinating article.It sounds like Democratic-leaning voters are gerrymandering themselves to some degree..."packing" not "cracking". I'd love to know if the US practice of apportionment, being based on total population rather than voting age population, also strengthens the power of voters in states where larger families are the norm; and where the population of recent immigrants is largest.
5
And some of the shift is due to the fact voters of any Party tend to prefer and work towards an informal "checks and balances system" where if the President is Democratic the Congress will be Republican and if the Governor is Republican the Legislature will be Democratic. American voters in general don't like concentrating the power of one party in the executive and legislative branches for fear of authoritarian and despotic rule. And while this strategy helps to insure a lively democratic process it can also lead to gridlock and voter frustration. Democracy is never easy or clean and pretty but it is always democracy for better or worse. Remember what Mark Twain said about democracy---"There are two things you shouldn't watch being made---one is sausage and the other is laws.".
2
If the cost of living does not go down in places California and NY, you will see a re-clustering in less expensive places like Ohio and Iowa. Just think about how many more IPAs your money will get you!
39
Big difference between Ohio and Iowa......
1
We need something like Brigham Young's wagon train or Sarah Silverman's great schlep. 500,000 millennials, they work remotely anyway, clever placed in WY, Montana and North Dakota should net 6 Senate seats. Republican Confessional Districts are easy to find. Move in, vote and move on. Repeat as needed.
105
Lead the way, Mark. We'll wait to hear from you.
3
I live near a very liberal enclave in Montana. Move in, vote and move on? That would be a recipe for major resentment. Though Montana is welcoming to all kinds of people, the expectation is that you can live your life in peace - there's plenty of space - but don't come here and tell me how to live mine.
2
OK. You first.
2
Nice try. This native Ohioan would never move back for any reason, least of all to vote for Hillary or Sherrod Brown. Sure, I want them to win, but not enough to move back just to vote for them.
18
One motivation I suspect is behind the White House's Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing plan to force inner city minorities upon suburban and exurban neighborhoods is to spread out loyal Democratic voters into more House districts.
5
who relocates based on political affiliation?
the problem is the electoral college. with direct voting, clustering would be less relevant.
the problem is the electoral college. with direct voting, clustering would be less relevant.
9
You are never going to get hipsters to move to Ohio, Iowa, Alabama, or the Dakotas. Life is horrible in those places compared to life in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, the Portlands, Seattle, Raleigh, Denver, and D.C., and it has always been so. When they had enough money to live in L.A., the Beverly Hillbillies moved out of their backwater region to civilization.
But Texas big cities, even ones besides Austin, will eventually turn Texas into a more Democratic state. New York may lose a seat in every census, but this is at the expense of Republican upstate regions and not the city.
It's true that after the 2020 Census, states likely to lose House seats include Democratic strongholds like New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, along with the Republican stronghold of West Virginia, which has gone from six House seats in the 1950s to likely only two House seats in the 2020s.
But the reapportionment gainers are likely to be the Democratic strongholds of California and Oregon and states that are becoming increasingly Democratic, like Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia and Arizona.
Red states like Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas can't lose any more House seats because they have only one.
And the Texas gains in House seats are likely to go to urban districts.
The U.S. Senate may be a lost cause, but eventually the makeup of the U.S. House will change to a more liberal body. It will just take a while.
But Texas big cities, even ones besides Austin, will eventually turn Texas into a more Democratic state. New York may lose a seat in every census, but this is at the expense of Republican upstate regions and not the city.
It's true that after the 2020 Census, states likely to lose House seats include Democratic strongholds like New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, along with the Republican stronghold of West Virginia, which has gone from six House seats in the 1950s to likely only two House seats in the 2020s.
But the reapportionment gainers are likely to be the Democratic strongholds of California and Oregon and states that are becoming increasingly Democratic, like Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia and Arizona.
Red states like Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas can't lose any more House seats because they have only one.
And the Texas gains in House seats are likely to go to urban districts.
The U.S. Senate may be a lost cause, but eventually the makeup of the U.S. House will change to a more liberal body. It will just take a while.
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Those men that wrote the Constitution were pretty smart, weren't they?
Allow a republic to attempt to give voice to all voters. Then set up an equal power to ensure the public can't be taken over and the minority swept away and have no voice.
It forces compromise. Congress should try it.
Allow a republic to attempt to give voice to all voters. Then set up an equal power to ensure the public can't be taken over and the minority swept away and have no voice.
It forces compromise. Congress should try it.
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I'm guessing you're younger than I am, because I can remember a time when no cool person would ever have moved to Portland, Austin, Denver or Brooklyn. Things change. Uncool places become cool.
(Back in the 80s there was a Michael Douglas movie in which he's a tech executive that the company tries to force out by reassigning him to Austin. His wife's shocked reaction: "TEXAS??")
(Back in the 80s there was a Michael Douglas movie in which he's a tech executive that the company tries to force out by reassigning him to Austin. His wife's shocked reaction: "TEXAS??")
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Not mentioned here is the 50 State Strategy championed by Howard Dean during his tenure as DNC Chair that greatly helped the Democrats regain Congress and helped elect President Obama in 2008.
Funny thing happened. Tim Kaine took over the DNC- yes, that Tim Kaine - and promptly scuttled the strategy and it's investments in local Democratic party organizations. The money was pulled back to Washington and handed out to Villagers in a form of trickle down politics. I wonder how much of Kaine's change in policy had to do with the drubbing Democrats took in 2010.
Funny thing happened. Tim Kaine took over the DNC- yes, that Tim Kaine - and promptly scuttled the strategy and it's investments in local Democratic party organizations. The money was pulled back to Washington and handed out to Villagers in a form of trickle down politics. I wonder how much of Kaine's change in policy had to do with the drubbing Democrats took in 2010.
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How do we reconcile "The Big Sort" ideas with those contained in "RatF**ked: The True Story Behind The Secret Plan To Steal America's Democracy"?
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Pretty simple as the title says.... Democrats need to move back to the red states or split California into a bunch of blue states.
1
Move to Iowa? Go ahead, you first
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As coastal city costs-of-living continue on their current trend, I have to think that coastal Bo-Bo's lack of interest in other parts of the country might eventually change. What good is it to have great options near the ocean, when you cannot afford to enjoy them? If my coastal friends saw the lifestyle available in Iowa, instead of immediately poo-pooing it they might genuinely be surprised. My salary would have to triple - at least - for me to live like this in big city, and I cant be the only one to see the benefit...
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Instead of fighting this trend, maybe we can force the Red States to leave the union. Then they can crown Trump king, get guns for everyone, get rid of the EPA, stop worrying about the global warming hoax, do away with minimum wage, education, and health care, and stop being a drag on the rest of country.
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The phenomenon the author describes is no doubt real to some extent, but the political significance is being vastly overblown here. The flow of liberal young people from places like Ohio and Iowa to NYC and LA are a relative trickle compared to the flows from the northeast and midwest to sunbelt states like North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas; the exurban migration from Boston to New Hampshire; and the housing cost flight from California to other Western States. Even if the selection forces in those flows aren't quite as stark, the much larger numbers involved mean they surely have greater political implications.
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This is exactly my situation. I moved from New York to Phoenix ten years ago because I wanted a higher standard of living. As a teacher, I would never own a house in NY. Now I have a gorgeous 3 bedroom next to the desert mountains. Some days I really hate seeing the gun racks and confederate flags on the cars, but then I drive home to my beautiful house instead of my former apartment in the ghetto. I am definitely outnumbered here and hate it. Even last weekend a friend tried to pursuade me to move to CA, but unless the cost of living goes down in the blue states, I'll tough it out.
1
Progressives moving back to swing states in significant numbers is only slightly more likely than the real democratic solution - proportional representation in both the Senate and House, so both chambers reflect the actual numbers of Democrat and GOP voters nationally in each election. That of course would require the necessary constitutional amendments to be approved by the very small states that would lose their disproportionate advantage. Not likely in this universe.
Meanwhile progressives have to do a farther better job of outreach and persuasion, accompanied by govt-led reinvestment in the economies of left-behind communities. Though still very difficult, that is at least more possible politically under a Democratic administration. .
Meanwhile progressives have to do a farther better job of outreach and persuasion, accompanied by govt-led reinvestment in the economies of left-behind communities. Though still very difficult, that is at least more possible politically under a Democratic administration. .
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Just like that? Move there? Come on now, there just aren't enough jobs there. Besides, Iowa is already irrelevant.
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I noticed your scant coverage of Illinois and thank you for the example of your student 'working in Chicago.'
The governmental quagmire that is 2016 illinois defies logic and will be a new chapter in decades -long irresponsible planning. However it's only one slice of the pie...
I'm an example of 'working in Chicago ' and the employment arena here has always been fluid. Need a job? come to my Midwest!
The governmental quagmire that is 2016 illinois defies logic and will be a new chapter in decades -long irresponsible planning. However it's only one slice of the pie...
I'm an example of 'working in Chicago ' and the employment arena here has always been fluid. Need a job? come to my Midwest!
4
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julia-plevin/whos-a-hipster_b_117383.html
Hipsters generally do not like being labeled as hipsters. Indeed in Iowa they would not be labeled as hipsters, probably just as weird.
Hipsters generally do not like being labeled as hipsters. Indeed in Iowa they would not be labeled as hipsters, probably just as weird.
4
On my first trip to the East Coast over thirty years ago, I was dismayed at the density of the population. Some of us are already fearing the day when the rising oceans caused by global warming will send people from the coasts pouring into the less crowded mid-section of the country.
8
Why? Thanks to the genius of the electoral college on the one hand and the revolutionary power of global networks on the other, Iowa and most of the rest of reactionary America are becoming increasingly irrelevant. What is needed is not a revolt against their stagnation, but careful social and political definition of a new Era which allows them to stay true to their own beliefs. We need the square states as much as we need the hipsters.
2
everyone wants something from someone else these days. maybe the author should move there first.
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Poor, poor progressive liberals who are righteous and must live among their own in congested metropolitan islands that are surrounded by vast swaths of the country that believe in a different relationship between the government and it citizens. Democrat - smart, Republican - dumb... How pompous... It funny, progressive liberals want to be like the rest of the world but the rest of the world wants to be like us. You do not get to dictate and govern your beliefs on the rest of us. Too bad - deal with it because we are not going anywhere and you better learn to compromise with us in order to move the country forward in an manner that is acceptable to both. Maybe if you lived with us you might appreciate the values which we hold dear and have established this country as the beacon it is to the rest of the world. Moderation - learn the word and pass it around.
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I don't notice any moderation in your piece. How exactly does someone compromise with people who support Donald Trump or Ted Cruz?
9
CD - Moderation isn't a term you can tag onto Republicans at this time, not with a candidate who lacks it through and through, who is the most immoderate candidate in history, perhaps. And for the record, moderation was a way of life here in New England, for both parties, once upon a time. Republicans are correct in their views on keeping government small, but Democrats and wiser in saying keep the pursuit of happiness alive. Still boggles the mind that they can't find a middle path.
10
Hi, CD -
Obama tried over and over - and over - to compromise with Republicans, but they had taken a sacred pledge to obstruct him in Congress at every turn. Taking that pledge, by the way, went directly against the oaths they took upon entering office, in which they pledged to follow the Constitution.
One of your people, John McCain, recently stated publicly that Republicans would oppose any and all nominees President Hillary Clinton might send up for the Supreme Court. That's not governance, that's nihilism, and, if Mrs. Clinton wins, will fly in the face of the will of the people.
Moderation? Just when did the modern GOP practice moderation. Please, enlighten me.
Obama tried over and over - and over - to compromise with Republicans, but they had taken a sacred pledge to obstruct him in Congress at every turn. Taking that pledge, by the way, went directly against the oaths they took upon entering office, in which they pledged to follow the Constitution.
One of your people, John McCain, recently stated publicly that Republicans would oppose any and all nominees President Hillary Clinton might send up for the Supreme Court. That's not governance, that's nihilism, and, if Mrs. Clinton wins, will fly in the face of the will of the people.
Moderation? Just when did the modern GOP practice moderation. Please, enlighten me.
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What a strange premise upon which this piece is based. As if 'Democrats', a monolith, born that way and dyed in the wool, collectively decide "well, gee, let's all just get hip and move to (wherever)..."
Could it possibly be that there are many folks, of whatever other stripe and background, who happen to be female, black, gay, intellectual, or simply economically unbound to the place where they grew up, who seek and see opportunity elsewhere, and are able go to a place where they feel welcomed and not discriminated against? That these people may or may not vote Democratic is completely besides the larger point.
The author frets about those who might move someplace "...because it's more comfortable to be around people who are like you." The fact is, sadly, even in 2016, there are plenty of people who need to get out of their own hometowns, where they otherwise might love to remain, simply to live their lives without state-sanctioned harassment. We deserve better than than the author's mocking tut-tuttery about foodies and "beer snobs."
Could it possibly be that there are many folks, of whatever other stripe and background, who happen to be female, black, gay, intellectual, or simply economically unbound to the place where they grew up, who seek and see opportunity elsewhere, and are able go to a place where they feel welcomed and not discriminated against? That these people may or may not vote Democratic is completely besides the larger point.
The author frets about those who might move someplace "...because it's more comfortable to be around people who are like you." The fact is, sadly, even in 2016, there are plenty of people who need to get out of their own hometowns, where they otherwise might love to remain, simply to live their lives without state-sanctioned harassment. We deserve better than than the author's mocking tut-tuttery about foodies and "beer snobs."
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"If the Democrats are to gain a lasting hold onto the Senate." Well that clinched it for me. This guy is promoting the subversion of the democratic process.
His editor didn't edit very well.
His editor didn't edit very well.
Your second paragraph is both insightful and profound. Kudos.
3
Good insights to the political reality in this article, but it still smells of elite disconnect. A lot more needs to be investigated and written about how democracies fare when the conditions for economic equality are removed because that's what's happening. The problem with much of the Midwest is not that there's nothing to do. There's nothing to do because those who are left are barely able to maintain their parents' standard of living and the future is so very hard to see. Despite the glitzy presentations of our tech and social media industries, the hipster lifestyles in big cities feel hollow as well. I think we are suffering from a collapse of popular aspirations in both red and blue areas.
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Nothing anywhere is perfect there are trade offs. But the blue areas are for the most part just fine. If you are doing what you want there is nothing hollow about it.
This is true. Many urban sophisticates I know cannot dream of owning a house in the hip zip codes.
Cogent article, with one glaring misconception.
You assume that people get their political and cultural views from their peers, but that is only partly true. Six massive media companies now control 90% of content, and they answer only to advertisers. Truth is withheld from the suckers, and the editors and broadcast managers know it. Some of the yuppies who fled the boondocks work for airhead media companies, as well as advertisers and consumer product firms.
Rural residents are constantly bamboozled by local weathermen who deny global warming, armchair warriors who pine for the next invasion, hateful racists, and the other bile that can stew in open spaces. With an honest media, that could change, at least enough to save us from a violent and stupid Republican Party.
Instead, Limbaugh and friends blare on the radio, and TV anchors are bad dreams on acid.
Rural living doesn't create right wing views. Those are shaped by our media, as well as poor schools. There are plenty of liberal rural havens, like Ashland, Oregon, or Burlington, Vermont. The truth doesn't reach the rest of flyover states, because messaging is controlled- and dominated by greed.
You assume that people get their political and cultural views from their peers, but that is only partly true. Six massive media companies now control 90% of content, and they answer only to advertisers. Truth is withheld from the suckers, and the editors and broadcast managers know it. Some of the yuppies who fled the boondocks work for airhead media companies, as well as advertisers and consumer product firms.
Rural residents are constantly bamboozled by local weathermen who deny global warming, armchair warriors who pine for the next invasion, hateful racists, and the other bile that can stew in open spaces. With an honest media, that could change, at least enough to save us from a violent and stupid Republican Party.
Instead, Limbaugh and friends blare on the radio, and TV anchors are bad dreams on acid.
Rural living doesn't create right wing views. Those are shaped by our media, as well as poor schools. There are plenty of liberal rural havens, like Ashland, Oregon, or Burlington, Vermont. The truth doesn't reach the rest of flyover states, because messaging is controlled- and dominated by greed.
163
Why always the rush to blame "the media". Yes our media is more partisan than ever, yes they often will run stories (or not run stories) that disagree or agree with a viewpoint we may have.
But the media cannot be all things to all people, why don't people start critically thinking instead, why not start questioning the news for deeper understanding, instead of waiting to be spoofed information all the time. I can learn alot by watching CNN, reading the NYT and then the WSJ and use my god given brain to weigh the evidence to decide on what's right. And I'll tell you what it doesnt take that long to do.
But the media cannot be all things to all people, why don't people start critically thinking instead, why not start questioning the news for deeper understanding, instead of waiting to be spoofed information all the time. I can learn alot by watching CNN, reading the NYT and then the WSJ and use my god given brain to weigh the evidence to decide on what's right. And I'll tell you what it doesnt take that long to do.
5
Mike, those are excellent points - I would add, however, that it is not just an issue of restoring an "honest" media. Bill Moyers has written searing commentary and indictments of the total corporatization of our 4th estate, which has gutted even the pretense of investigative journalism, much of true local coverage, and so on, leaving the public very ill informed. Several huge media and entertainment conglomerates now own the vast majority of our networks, as well as our newspapers, and the results have been disastrous for transparency, shining a spotlight upon major environmental and other vital issues - that need is drowned out by the powerful industry lobbyists, and as usual, vox populi and the need for an informed, educated populace are left in the dust. Profits trump all in this game, but that nation continues to pay a grievous price as a result.
6
Because many people aren't able to think critically, or even understand what that means, E. You assume people are discerning and media literate, like you. They are not.
The East coast and West coast liberal won't move to the Fly-over states. They prefer to judge them from a distance and tell them how to live their lives.
54
They're called Fly-over States for a reason. Think about it. What thinking person wants to live in states governed by the likes of Sam Brownback (my great grandfather homesteaded in Beloit, Kansas in 1868) or Mike Pence or Scott Walker or Pat McCrory or (sob!) Rick Scott....
75
By making such a blanket statement about people who don't live in flyover country, you are being just as judgmental.
46
As someone who has done exactly what Outside the Box says will never do -- moved from New York to Arkansas 40 years ago and have lived in Iowa since 1985 -- I have had plenty of opportunity to judge from within. The comments of the Ohio expatriates ring true -- young people move away for greater career opportunity, greater entertainment opportunity, and the ability to be themselves and break out of an imposed societal mindset. As they live in areas of larger populations, they become exposed to different people with different backgrounds and different beliefs -- that broadens their own beliefs and opens them to the possibility of new ideas. This is what is unfortunately lacking in "flyover country" -- nonconformity.
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