I don’t disagree with the author’s thesis, but it can be very frustrating to live amongst ‘the blue’ and many of their misguided ideas, especially when it comes to ‘fiscal responsibility’. In my state, Connecticut - pension indebtedness is profound - the third worst in the nation after Illinois and New Jersey. Taxes are very high which makes it difficult for ordinary young people (not Greenwich Wall Streeters) to stay, hence many leave. And because just about everything is taxed, even business assets annually, new business formation is low. Moreover, with just 3.5 million residents there are 50k public employees, higher per capita than most states. And the state university system has a dozen campuses with duplicative administrations. Expenses only grow, nothing is ever cut, and taxes just get higher (energy costs!) and the spiral just continues. Governor Lamont born with a silver spoon in his mouth and clearly see no need to get the CT economy going again. It’s very frustrating to say the least. Seemingly, enough people aren’t hurting enough to make change.
Agree. I literally could lose my job and all my friendly acquaintances here if I let anyone know I am Conservative. I have to watch myself every minute. I am biding my time until I retire and can move where I can be honest with my friends. A borderline red state would be enough for me. But anywhere even slightly left means I have to censor myself or face very unpleasant social consequences. No thanks.
The Blue side is far too rude and self satisfied and "holier than thou." It is oppressive to live among them today.
It's instructive to live in the deep blue state (Los Angeles, in my case) and pass as one of them. People tell me all kinds of things they would not otherwise, if they knew I were a registered Republican. They are genuinely frightened of those they mock, and think of themselves as morally superior. None of this surprises, I am sure, but it saddens me to know that the common ground we find is not enough for the blue state denizens to accept anyone who doesn't vote exactly as they demand.
However, I enjoy the fact that I don't live in an echo chamber. I have to develop the art of staying silent as necessary, and of tactical speaking up for truth. It sharpens one.
I don't want to live in an echo chamber either. But I'm very tired of censoring myself just so I don't fear being fired or socially embarrassed or even harassed. I have seen others face pretty unpleasant consequences for just speaking their own truth. I'm tired of it. When I retire from work, I am going to go somewhere that at least is a little red. So that the blue don't dominate and force people to live in fear of social ostracization and harassment. They have gotten so full of themselves that it's impossible to deal with them anymore. It's impossible to live with them and be honest. It's the saddest thing I've ever seen.
And it may sharpen me to have to constantly watch what I say and come up with some sort of sophisticated way of questioning anything. I am tired of working so hard just to be me. It's ridiculous. It's exhausting. And I think back on the whole covid thing. I was right. They were wrong. Yet we all were forced to shut up and tow the line. For lies. For nonsense. And yet they still consider themselves superior and "right." It would be funny, except it's the world I live in. It would be funny except it's sad anybody is that devoid of self-reflection.
I don’t disagree with the author’s thesis, but it can be very frustrating to live amongst ‘the blue’ and many of their misguided ideas, especially when it comes to ‘fiscal responsibility’. In my state, Connecticut - pension indebtedness is profound - the third worst in the nation after Illinois and New Jersey. Taxes are very high which makes it difficult for ordinary young people (not Greenwich Wall Streeters) to stay, hence many leave. And because just about everything is taxed, even business assets annually, new business formation is low. Moreover, with just 3.5 million residents there are 50k public employees, higher per capita than most states. And the state university system has a dozen campuses with duplicative administrations. Expenses only grow, nothing is ever cut, and taxes just get higher (energy costs!) and the spiral just continues. Governor Lamont born with a silver spoon in his mouth and clearly see no need to get the CT economy going again. It’s very frustrating to say the least. Seemingly, enough people aren’t hurting enough to make change.
Agree. I literally could lose my job and all my friendly acquaintances here if I let anyone know I am Conservative. I have to watch myself every minute. I am biding my time until I retire and can move where I can be honest with my friends. A borderline red state would be enough for me. But anywhere even slightly left means I have to censor myself or face very unpleasant social consequences. No thanks.
The Blue side is far too rude and self satisfied and "holier than thou." It is oppressive to live among them today.
It's instructive to live in the deep blue state (Los Angeles, in my case) and pass as one of them. People tell me all kinds of things they would not otherwise, if they knew I were a registered Republican. They are genuinely frightened of those they mock, and think of themselves as morally superior. None of this surprises, I am sure, but it saddens me to know that the common ground we find is not enough for the blue state denizens to accept anyone who doesn't vote exactly as they demand.
However, I enjoy the fact that I don't live in an echo chamber. I have to develop the art of staying silent as necessary, and of tactical speaking up for truth. It sharpens one.
I don't want to live in an echo chamber either. But I'm very tired of censoring myself just so I don't fear being fired or socially embarrassed or even harassed. I have seen others face pretty unpleasant consequences for just speaking their own truth. I'm tired of it. When I retire from work, I am going to go somewhere that at least is a little red. So that the blue don't dominate and force people to live in fear of social ostracization and harassment. They have gotten so full of themselves that it's impossible to deal with them anymore. It's impossible to live with them and be honest. It's the saddest thing I've ever seen.
And it may sharpen me to have to constantly watch what I say and come up with some sort of sophisticated way of questioning anything. I am tired of working so hard just to be me. It's ridiculous. It's exhausting. And I think back on the whole covid thing. I was right. They were wrong. Yet we all were forced to shut up and tow the line. For lies. For nonsense. And yet they still consider themselves superior and "right." It would be funny, except it's the world I live in. It would be funny except it's sad anybody is that devoid of self-reflection.
Excellent. rigorous and wellresearched.