Florida is a giant melting pot controlled by older white guys. Sooner or later that will change (been living here 9 years after 5x that in MA). Just a reminder on MA that although I was born in Boston I grew up on Cape Cod and it and the Berkshires were bright red versus blue in politics. Even the most liberal state had conservative pockets as is true with even the most conservative states.
Those are good points all around, Brian. I've been coming to Florida for vacations for a long time, but the conversation around DeSantis's recent policies made me forget just how diverse and complicated a place it can be. But as you say, that's really how everywhere is when you scratch the surface!
As a conservative, I honestly can’t relate to this at all. I understand that you want nothing to do with my kind, but I’m perfectly happy to go vacationing up in the Northeast, California, or the PacNW. Eh, the laws might not be much to my liking, and perhaps I don’t have a whole lot in common with the folks who make their home there, but I’m not moving there - just visiting a week or two. There’s stuff to see and do, and I refuse to let people who I know for certain don’t like me stop me from the things I or my kid want to experience. Besides, original sin notwithstanding, most people of every stripe are actually decent humans in daily, mundane interactions. It makes me sad that you’re so terrified of people like me, and that you’re teaching your kids to be as well.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, Katie. I think your comment gets at the heart of the issue I'm discussing here. I have no problem with people who have a different ideological belief than me, but at one time, a conservative ideology meant wanting a less government regulation, lower taxes, etc. I disagree with but respect people like Mitt Romney or John McCain who simply have a different approach to problem solving.
I find modern conservatism is more about discriminating against marginalized groups (minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people) and in the case of DeSantis, his policies seem to be about riling up a base with cultural issues. Those policies have real world consequences, less for me as a straight white man, but certainly for others who I care about. If conservatism were just about taxes and regulation, we could agree to disagree. But I think it's about something much bigger and troubling.
Florida is a giant melting pot controlled by older white guys. Sooner or later that will change (been living here 9 years after 5x that in MA). Just a reminder on MA that although I was born in Boston I grew up on Cape Cod and it and the Berkshires were bright red versus blue in politics. Even the most liberal state had conservative pockets as is true with even the most conservative states.
Those are good points all around, Brian. I've been coming to Florida for vacations for a long time, but the conversation around DeSantis's recent policies made me forget just how diverse and complicated a place it can be. But as you say, that's really how everywhere is when you scratch the surface!
As a conservative, I honestly can’t relate to this at all. I understand that you want nothing to do with my kind, but I’m perfectly happy to go vacationing up in the Northeast, California, or the PacNW. Eh, the laws might not be much to my liking, and perhaps I don’t have a whole lot in common with the folks who make their home there, but I’m not moving there - just visiting a week or two. There’s stuff to see and do, and I refuse to let people who I know for certain don’t like me stop me from the things I or my kid want to experience. Besides, original sin notwithstanding, most people of every stripe are actually decent humans in daily, mundane interactions. It makes me sad that you’re so terrified of people like me, and that you’re teaching your kids to be as well.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, Katie. I think your comment gets at the heart of the issue I'm discussing here. I have no problem with people who have a different ideological belief than me, but at one time, a conservative ideology meant wanting a less government regulation, lower taxes, etc. I disagree with but respect people like Mitt Romney or John McCain who simply have a different approach to problem solving.
I find modern conservatism is more about discriminating against marginalized groups (minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people) and in the case of DeSantis, his policies seem to be about riling up a base with cultural issues. Those policies have real world consequences, less for me as a straight white man, but certainly for others who I care about. If conservatism were just about taxes and regulation, we could agree to disagree. But I think it's about something much bigger and troubling.
I related hard to this. The American south is my favourite region which triggers a lot of dissonance.
Thanks Nic! Dissonance is the perfect way to describe it too
We're back in Louisiana in autumn . Mucho guns and republicanism but I adore the place if not the politics.
I know NOLA well, but have never ventured to other parts of the state. A very special place!
We're returning to NOLA and then travelling to New Iberia which is a great base for exploring the rest of the state.
Sounds fun- have a great trip!