Why does the northeast and the far west vote liberal? Both New York and California generally vote for democratic presidential candidates right? (2 states with 86 electoral votes between them) Yet both have republican Governors. Why does the middle of the country and the south vote republican? Is this a cultural thing? Plenty of people from all over the country vote ignorant to the issues - just based on what others are doing. But is this enough to get the entire north east? Can someone explain this?
Here's my take. 10 states out of 50 states made it a relatively close election. Most of those 10 states are major population centers. Most of those population centers are "inner city" or "urban", thus Democrat. These are voters who are dependent upon the government for their needs. Again, JMHO.
I'm with you, I'm at a total loss as to how these people think, especially New York. They were attacked by terrorist while Clinton was in office, and he did nothing. They were attacked again while Bush was president, and he let all hell loose against the terrorist,and how do they show their gratitude? They overwhelmingly vote for kerry. Go figure. :angry:
New Yorkers, being who they are (no offense, Martin...you're not a native), didn't take very long to squander the goodwill that 9/11 engendered toward them around the country.
maybe in urban areas where people are packed together, there tends to be more of a tendency for people to be conspicuously socially liberal, because they have a bigger audience to perform for. my theory is that alot of liberalism is caused by people who want to appear righteous more than they want to be rational. so with a larger stage, they have more people to impress with their liberal feelgood values, so that mentality draws more people in. so everyone gets in a contest with each other to see who has the most bleeding heart. plus artsy liberal types tend to move to cities for the same reason. also urban areas have more visible government presence in people's lives. for instance, urbanites depend on things like public transportation, and they sort of get the idea in their heads that government does, and should, play a large role in our lives. whereas more rural areas and smaller cities, people are more self reliant. i actually think this effect is less of a factor than what i said in my first paragraph, which is unquestionably brilliant.
On the flipside, the South is dominated by God-fearing people who take moral issues much more to heart (i.e., gay marriage, stem cell research, etc.). Thus, conservatism always thrives.
