You think it's hard right now in a blue state? Try living in a red state.

[elperromagico]

You think the election results are difficult to take in New York? You think they're difficult to take in Massachusetts? You think they're difficult to take in California?

Try living in a red state. Try living in Virginia, or Alabama, or Arkansas, or Idaho, or Utah, or Mississippi.

Try living in a state where Bush won by a 10, 20, 30, or even 40 point margin.

Try living in a state where a majority of your fellow citizens voted for the wrong person.

Try watching as 100% of your state's electoral votes go to the wrong man. Watch as your vote is, in effect, invalidated by the winner-take-all system.

As some of you say, "Fuck the red states," remember that there are a lot of us in those red states who are as loyal as or - I daresay - more loyal than you to the Democratic Party and progressive causes.

The states may be red on the big map, but we're just as true blue as any of you. Remember what the millions of us are going through.

[roguevalley]

1. agreed. my state voted for dimsum by 60+ %. Get off our backs

and leave us alone. We did our part.

[lefthandedskyhook]

65. New Mexico ALERT- - NM dems please read!!!

I can't start a thread. Just got this urgent email. Please help get the word out for the NM provisional vote count... HURRY!

(sorry for barging in on this thread - - already posted in NM state forum)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS IS AN ALERT

In Bernalillo County, thousands of provisional and other paper ballots are waiting to be counted in a warehouse at 2400 Broadway SW, a couple of blocks south of Gibson. There, minimally paid workers from the precincts work in pairs opening the sealed ballots, to read and tally them.

Party volunteers are needed to be present as observers and to keep tally of the presidential vote of each ballot as it is opened. The totals will be compared with the official precinct tallies. Training is minimal and provided on the spot. The process is boring but essential to keep the count honest and dependable.

One does not need to be a resident of Bernalillo County to participate. Help is desperately needed, and the deadline to complete the count is this Friday night.

Volunteers are needed from 8 AM to 8 PM from now through Friday. Usually observers volunteer for two or three hours at a time. To find out more about participating as a Democrat observer call Marci at 270-2526 or simply show up at Warehouse H, 2400 Broadway SW.

[Muffinsauce]

2. My heart goes out to you redd state democrats

ohhhh... i didnt think about those poor guys in places like oklahoma. not even ONE COUNTY went for kerry there! what kind of pot are they ON!! Im glad im in Washington, but dont go to eastern washington, its basically a mini texas.


Thank god for Fremont!

[karlrschneider]

27. No shit...I'm in Okla and for the last 6 days, I've been dissolving friend

ships. These neanderthal bastards are gloating over the Chimp "victory" it's fucking sickening. If my very elderly mom didn't live nearby, I'd be out of here so fast it'd make these idiot mofo morans heads swim.
:grr: :grr: :grr:

[juslikagrzly]

29. karl

see my post #28. du email me if you want to be part of what we attempting here. I'm not sure what part of OK you're from, but maybe we can DO something......anything!

[TwentyFive]

100. Good for you - you're doing the right thing!

I know it's not easy for you, but I know you are taking the honorable path by standing by your mother in her advanced years. May you have patience in realizing you are more intelligent and human than all those right wing, bugger eating republicans will ever hope to be!

[MeanAndGreen]

131. True friends can't be dissolved

Political jousts are never friendhips.

[krkaufman]

106. Yeah, the fact that they elected an extremist like Carson for Senate...

... is disconcerting. He has views that would normally require running for Congress in a mucho gerrymandered district. (Ditto DeMint)

[WorseBeforeBetter]

143. Carson or Coburn?

Coburn I think. Sterilization, death penalty for "abortionists," calling state government officials "crapheads," slamming Cherokees by saying they "aren't real Indians," and last but not least, all those lesbians running rampant in the Oklahoma public schools. It's truly mindboggling that this guy won, but I'm one of those dreaded East coast liberals, so WTF do I know. Coburn, Bunning, De Mint, Thune - quite an impressive bunch.

[Cobalt Violet]

3. No thanks!

Good luck out there in that sea of red hate.

[wellstone_democrat]

4. Try living in Texas right now---really, just try to imagine it

Why people who WON what they wanted are so *unhappy* is a mystery to me. People who restrained themselves somewhat before are chattering on in public about "excitement" over...."the end times"

I am alternating lately between depression and fear. I have never in my life seen anything like this----crazy religious talk like nothing I've ever heard and just a hatefulness.

You got your way, at least be happy about it for five minutes instead of trying to feret out dissenters from euphoria.

[TexasLady]

55. boy you sure hit the nail on the head..

Im just a little south of Crawford, and believe me, it aint funny. If you aren't Baptist and driving a huge vehicle then what the hell are you doing here? Or at least that seems to be the mindset where I am.

People automatically assume that EVERYONE feels like they do, and openly discuss how to rid the country of dissenters. Nothing like living in a 'free' country:eyes:

[umtalal]

76. What is their plan to be rid of dissenters?

What I find strange is that they won and they are still not happy? What do they think that we will be happy chimpy is in the White House?

[Frogtutor]

116. You took the words right out of my mouth!!

Hi neighbor,
I live in Fort Worth. If I wasn't sickened enough by the election results, imagine my nausea when I found out that Bush got 70%(!!)of the votes in Tarrant County (Fort Worth and Arlington). I read that this was the second highest margin in the U.S.; second only to Orange County, CA. I feel like I'm under siege! Fort Worth is a large, urban area; I don't know the numbers, but we have a large minority population. Where were all the minority voters? Do they think they're Republicans, too?!

Another thing I don't get: Texas has historically been a Democratic state until not that long ago. What the hell happened?!

You are SO right about people assuming you share their views; friends send me those little "Pro-Bush" emails all the time. I usually just ignore it, but the last one really struck a nerve. It went on and on about how hard Bush has had it as president, how he's a Christian, and how we need to pray for and support him, etc. Even though it never mentioned Kerry's name, in contrast to Bush it made it seem like he's the Antichrist or something! I emailed my friend back stating, "Kerry's a Christian, too". She was genuinely surprised by that!

So anyway, we Democrats in the "Red States" (especially Texas) need your compassion and support more than ever. Just remember that there are millions of us in the red states that DID vote for Kerry, regardless of what the red on all the charts and graphs indicates!

[fudge stripe cookays]

124. When that fucker Phil Gramm changed parties,

he took a bunch of other reps and voters with him.

Add to that the influx of outsiders during the boom (explains Austin's leaning red(ish) for awhile)"saved", and the nutjobs that are now considering themselves and you can understand what happened.

FSC

[Frogtutor]

157. Yeah, I remember that...

I was so pissed.
Frogtutor

[liberalequestrian]

154. Orange County checking in

I hadn't heard that... but I can believe it... Orange County is this little sea of uptight pugs wanting to hang onto every last cent... one saving grace is Laguna, where you will often see folks with signs (anti war, anti Bush, SOMETIMES pro Bush, but VERY rarely) down by the beach in the town on Saturday mornings. If you ever come to this little infestation of rats, keep driving south and you will hit Laguna, the single saving grace of OC.

(ps. for folks who don't mind nasty remarks, talking loudly about voter fraud, against the war, and civil liberties is an entertaining activity and one of the best ways to lose friends yet perhaps influence that one person. :) )

[TexasLady]

155. hi frogtutor!

:hi:

and welcome!

[Comadreja]

139. It starts like this

At an antiwar rally in Fallujah? Gaza? Try L.A.

[jayde]

128. Can I relate!

I'm a Texan, but I'm glad I live in Travis county. Even through that, I still catch a lot of crap at work with the smug attitudes we have to put up with. I work in a place that's primarily Democrat too! We never really bothered to respond since we're pretty sure they're trying to bait us. I suppose we're just waiting for them to wake up and realise what they've done.

[svpadgham]

133. I'm not from Texas, but

I live here now. I currently reside about an hour north of Austin, and from hanging out there I've seen a lot of left leaning. I wonder if * wanted to kill himself while he was Gov. and had to be in Austin or was the climate different then? Or maybe he never showed up for work then either.

[desi826]

132. You know what's so funny about the "end times" scenario?

The end times don't come until the "anti-Christ" does.
A charismatic, leader that will fool many people.
The thought never seems to occur to these people that if what they are saying is true, then they just voted for the anti-christ.
Des

[ilovenicepeople]

144. OK explain to me which part of bUSH's alterego

is supposed to be the funny part?:shrug: :scared: :nuke:

[AnIndependentTexan]

5. Try living in Texas we are really screwed

[skylarmae]

6. 70.9% for b**in Utah - man oh man!

Everywhere you turn, there's another one..... to the right of me... to the left ....

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

99. Is it the Mormon thing there? More than the usual Western U.S. macho

stuff?

[realisticphish]

138. well

maybe not to the left ;)

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[patricia92243]

7. That is why I say my vote doesn't count in my red state. bah!

[RainDog]

8. There are few "red" or "blue" states.

Here, check out these election maps and feel better.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/

[Eurobabe]

94. that last one is very cool, looks like a butterfly...on steroids

[WestHoustonDem]

9. Try living in Houston

Today my daughter asked me to turn the music down in the car because the windows were down and I was playing "Bad President" :cry:

[thinkingwoman]

10. Hear! Hear!

Indiana is a difficult place if you aren't in Bloomington.

[kcwayne]

19. Agreed, I am a stranger in a strange land here in Indianapolis

My daughter is in middle school, where they had a mock election. She voted for Kerry, and her black friends said she is the only white person (including teachers) they know that voted for Kerry.

She was lectured by several of her (white) teachers about how everyone needed to vote for Bush because he was doing such a marvelous job.

I wanted to plow my car into a freeper on the highway who had made up signs in his window that said "I voted for Kerry before I voted against him".

The only people I can talk to here about politics are the Libertarians that I know. I only know one other person who is a Democrat.

It is a lonely, intellectually, and morally barren abyss.

[imaginary girl]

136. Hi kcwayne

Actually Indy isn't all bad. I only know a few republicans, and they're in-laws! And do remember that Marion County went for Kerry!

[Voltaire]

46. Most of Indianapolis is okay

But living here sucks politically. I am from Philly and I miss Democrats something awful.

[Nite Owl]

11. All of you red state dems

have our thanks and admiration. You guys are living the battle every day and standing for liberal beliefs can't be easy. From my little corner of the blue world it is sometimes hard to understand what is really going on in the red state America but you guys are right out there on the battlefield every day.

[Muffinsauce]

13. Seattle

Come to seattle, welove you here. Join the party! only 9% voted for B**h here. :)

[Comadreja]

141. Which makes you

A prime target for the next "terrorist incident".

[ribrepin]

152. I live in Snohomish County Washington State

I'm sick of the smug greens I know. They live in a dream world. If they just keep voting green, the people are gonna wake up and follow them.

Last election: It was good that Bush won because people would rebel against his conservative agenda. Guess what assholes? Didn't happen.

I was talking with some green today. She was prattling on about how they do it in Sweden. It's good to have a plan, but Jesus it so far from reality it's not even funny. Washington has been voting down tax increases for years.

I know this is a Red State Thread, but I had to vent.

[hinachan]

151. Thank you, Nite Owl....

I've lived in red states since birth, and let me tell you, it's not easy. Even before I understood politics, I understood hateful rednecks. There was a brief, wonderful time when I lived in California...I think Kern County, where I lived, is Republican, but even those Republicans had a lot more class than the usual Repuke.

Oddly enough, I never encountered really blatant sexism in the Plains states...I only ran into it when we moved to Arizona. There are some blue counties here, but unfortunately the altitude is too high in most of them for me to tolerate. :(

Meanwhile, as you say, we fight the good fight, with KXXT 1010 AM as our lifeline to sanity.

[BigBigBear]

12. Colorado

is starting to lean blue - we elected a new Dem senator and a Congressman, the Repub incumbents got a scare at the polls, the Dems now control both houses of the state assembly for the first time in 44 years, the Republican governor has been politically neutralized (word has it he's got a very nasty personal problem a local paper has threatened to expose if he tries for national office), and generally the tenor here has been relatively low key. Kerry was almost competitive here, whereas Gore lost by 10-11% in 2000.

Not planning to leave - Coloradoan for 23 years, living in one of the most liberal counties in America, surrounded by mostly softcore mix-party conservatives. Could be a lot worse.

[Patiod]

54. In spite of Coors money & Christian HQs

Good on ya!

[sazemisery]

14. Blue in Oklahoma

Right in the center of the Red States. On the maps, my county is light blue. We are the last of what used to be the Democratic stronghold of Oklahoma. But we do have a Dem Governor. The Repugs are already planning for 2006 when he have to run for re-election.

[juslikagrzly]

30. saze

see my post #28 and my reply to karl above. Same goes for you.

[karlrschneider]

31. An Okie from Muskogee! I lived there from 69 to 79! Moved to Fla in 79

(Tampa) then came back to get out of the miasma of traffic and snowbirds. Now on Ft Gibson Lake north of Wagoner. (I was chief pilot for Coburn -yeah, THAT Coburn- for 10 years)...
(another reason I moved back is my mom, 88 yrs old lives in Tulsa where I grew up, needs a little support now and again.)

[Chiyo-chichi]

117. Hey, Muskogee.

Former McAlester boy here. Things turned fast with the "Reagan Revolution." In my day Pittsburg County was 95% Democrats, & the state had seen only 2 Republican Governors or Senators -- Bartlett & Bellmon.

Am now in one of the few Indiana counties that went for Kerry. Not much solace in that.

[MuseRider]

15. Not going to work

there are too many "fuck you" posts out there now and I am feeling quite pissed about it. The one and only good thing about this election for me is the woman I worked for won as a Democrat for our state senate by 100 votes in a very republican district against an incumbent. Now they are recounting so we will see. I take solace in that one small win but coming here to DU has been brutal, the one place I always have come to feel better. It will pass but for now I am pissed.

[Art_from_Ark]

32. No red-state bashing from me!

Red-state voter here! As are my folks, who absolutely can't stand "President Voldemort". They did what they could to convince others, but sometimes it's hard to penetrate through all that cement!

Some of their acquaintances are actually wishing for Armageddon!

:argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh::argh:

[JohnKleeb]

16. afuckingmen to that and I am gonna nominate this sucker

Yep you are so right man.

[leans2left]

17. TN is a little rough right now too.

I have been catching a lot of flak from the co-workers. It is rough being an outspoken Democrat right now.

[Auntie Bush]

35. Wecome leans2left.

:bounce:

[ktowntennesseedem]

75. Same feeling I get in Knoxville (welcome leans2left!)

Luckily, most of my co-workers know where I stand because I was so outspoken before the election. Haven't had many comments since, and the few comments that did come my way have been met with a very cold shoulder until they change the subject, so most everyone knows not to bring it up around me. Even so, I have overheard plenty of insensitive crap around me and it's tough to keep my mouth shut.

I also had a neighbor down the street from me that have had a history of sign-theft and general mischief for months. They kept up their Kerry/Edwards signs after the election, and two nights ago someone slashed the tires on the cars in their driveway. Their sign was changed to a homemade sign the next that read: "Republican jerks slashed our tires last night -- What moral values?!"

Yeah, Tennessee is tough!

[deadparrot]

18. Try going to an extremely

affluent, all-white Catholic school in the suburbs of a red state.

I despise it.

But hey, I got a 104% on my American Politics test, in part thanks to DU. Highest grade in the class, to one of two liberals. Who'da thunk it? :)

[JohnKleeb]

26. good on you

I got a perfect score on a model citizenship test after debating xenophobes :), who did miserable on the test.

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. Try Texas on for size!

In Bexar County, it was something approaching 70/30 for the chimp. And bush* screwed TX big time when he was the Gov. Left us with a huge impending deficit and laughed about it in 2000. When asked about the impending deficit in TX, he said, "I hope I am not there to deal with it, I am seeking a higher office." Translation, "I fixing to screw the rest of America like I did TX." And these morans down here love him. :crazy:

[AspenRose]

70. NOOOOOOoooooooooooo

I'm from San Antonio originally. It used to be a proud democratic stronghold.

What the hell happened?!?!? *sigh*

Henry B. is turning in his grave!

[fudge stripe cookays]

125. Military bases out the ass...

And not just the grunts, who might vote Dem. The generals and majors and lieutenants who know there's careers to be made in war.

FSC

[mountain mama]

21. Grieving the loss of my state

I'm new to the blog--I'm grieving the loss of my state (WV) we used to be blue, now we're bright red. I'm heart sickened. ;(

[quaoar]

60. Welcome to DU, Mountain Mama

I'm in Alabama, where 80 percent of the white vote went to Bush. If I see another Flush the Johns bumper sticker I'm going to go postal.

[RaleighNCDUer]

85. I feel for you, mountain mama. It was early in the counting, when I

saw WV going red that I realized things were going wrong. Though I had cautious hopes for NC I had no real expectations, but in my pre-vote tallys which gave Kerry 284 EVs, I had WV with us. It must feel so much worse for you who had a hope to stay in the blue.

[dogmastomper]

22. Yep

Indiana sucks right now.

[Delarage]

23. I was just talking about that at work today.

With another upset liberal. I said "At least we live in a 'blue' state because if I was in Ohio and some asshole told me he/she voted for Bush, I'd probably kill them and go to jail." Here I can ignore the Repukes because they're a pathetic, whiny minority.

[grendelkhan]

87. Let Me Tell You Something About That

I live in Ohio - Cincinnati specifically, and at work there is one vocal Repug, and he refuses to discuss things with me any more because I blow him out of the water. The key is - find the position of strength (which everything in the progressive agenda is) and the valid arguments for it, and then beat them to deal with it.

[d_b]

24. I feel you.

I'm in Alaska; so it's not like i can just get in a car and take a drive to illinois for the weekend.

[Dulcinea]

25. A blue county in a red sea.

That's Dekalb Co., GA (suburbs east of Atlanta) where I live.

I knew Kerry didn't have a chance in GA, but that didn't stop me from voting for him.

[offcenter]

36. Dekalb

Lived in Dekalb (Brookhaven) for 10 years & saw Georgia switch from Dem to Repug completely during that time. Just had to move back to Jersey. Now my sister & parents are down there & have turned into bushistas.

It's going to take a long time before I go back there for a visit.
I know it's pretty harsh to cut off family, but this is full on economic & cultural embargo.

[bunkerbuster1]

56. GA's always been run by right-wing goons.

They used to call themselves "Democrats." Now they call themselves "Republicans." Otherwise little's changed, statewide.

That said, GA demographics are changing, and you'll see a more progressive side to the state as transplants (particularly Hispanic transplants) get registered and become more politically active.

[BamaGirl]

49. I"m from Dekalb

Stone Mountain. Man, I so miss living in a blue county!

[RebelOne]

90. Cherokee County here.

It's just about 100% red. When there are elections for county offices, there is not one Democrat on the ballots. I think I was the only person in the entire county with a Kerry/Edwards bumpersticker. And all the idiots still have their Bush/Cheney yard signs up.

[Brewman_Jax]

105. In Dekalb, too

in Dunwoody. There were some Kerry/Edwards signs mixed in with the Bush*/Cheney signs, where there weren't "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs.

[juslikagrzly]

28. From Oklahoma,

and I agree with most of what I'm reading here. However, we are NOT all red, even here where we elected Coburn, overwhelming re-selected *, and voted 80% for the anti-gay marriage amendment.

We are beginning a snowball email campaign to like-minded folks here in Oklahoma. We're attempting to start a chapter of the Interfaith Alliance www.interfaithalliance.org/ in order to get together those of us who are locked in red hell.

Let's energize and mobilize whatever number of our fellow red-staters. DO something!

[HeeBGBz]

34. Blue in Red Missouri

I can relate. Branson is a nest of rightwing fundies and they are all speaking in tongues over this great victory of theirs. I work as a server in a restaurant and they've turned mean. Tips have dropped to nothing and the sorry fuckers are barking orders and acting like they are Gods favorite bitch. I have had two complaints in two days about my rudeness. I will probably lose my job.

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

45. ugh, you have my sympathy

I live in St. Louis, which has more than enough vocal * supporters despite being a Dem county. I can't even begin to imagine living in Branson right now. *shudder*

[mark11727]

80. You can always tell the character of a man...

...by how he treats waiters, waitresses and receptionists.

'Nuff said. :o(

[The FBI Monkey]

33. Totally agreed

I spend alot of time in Utah, over the summer and any other breaks I get off from school, and it is very sad to see that everyone backs Bush. My family out there are democrats, but their co-workers and neighbors are republicans...at least there is one blue in the red. Congressman Jim Matheson. I helped campaign for him over the summer and he represents the people of southern utah. I live in California which is demoratizeded but when I go to Utah, I see how the democrats suffer from being "ruled" by the elephants

[Sleepless In NY]

37. Try paying a Blue States Taxes

Go ahead, be my guest. Maybe it would wake them all up.

[A Brand New World]

38. Well Ohio's not much fun either. I feel very isolated and disillusioned.

I do have two co-workers who feel the same devastation so at least I'm not completely alone.

[GreenPartyVoter]

39. Heck, I am still waiting for a Green state

;)

-----------------------------------------------------------
Help expose the election 2004 voter fraud!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[ignatius 2]

40. Tell me about it. I am from Indiana 60/40 for Monkeyman. Every time

I am driving or walking by someone I think they most likely voted for him. I find myself scowling at them thinking you are helping enable the idiot who is destroying our coun try. I am so pissy,this morning I rode so close to a car with a w 04 sticker, i just about scared myself. It sucks bigtime.

[havocmom]

41. Wow, thank you, everyone who posted to this thread!

Just was on one that was down right nasty about Red-Staters. Made me wonder what the hell was going on. THIS is more like the DU I know & love.

Just a note on that county by county map from the Princeton chap. He has my county as 100% GOP and I know that is wrong. Makes me wonder what else is wrong with his map.

[prairierose]

42. Amen brother

I have lived in this red state a loooong time. Funny thing is as one of my classmates says, "most of these people aren't rich enough to be repugs". The interesting thing in these western states is:

When this area was opened up for homesteading, the President was Republican. Many people who achieved the dream of their own land were so grateful that they registered as Republicans in response. But it's one of those odd things. It happened so long ago that no one remembers why they registered that way & we all know how people can get so entrenched with an idea that they won't change! OTOH, that party has now moved so far away from its historic roots that Abe Lincoln,for example, would not recognize it.

But it aint easy watching people vote against their own self-interest because they listen to rw media & attend one of those "churches" where they are told to vote r.

I was lucky, most of the family who came here were railroad people so they were :dem:

[Must_B_Free]

43. Georgia is the worst

GA seems to be the bowels of the American "hate for power" movement. They are really proud of their hatred and intolerance here...

[Shopaholic]

44. South Carolina ain't no picnic that's for sure. . .

I'm surrounded by them and they're just so thrilled that * "won".

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

47. Thank you, elperromagico. You said it better than I could.

Living in VA, it's really sucky.

[TroglodyteScholar]

48. Living in Georgia...

It's a bummer...It was some consolation that my county went to Kerry, but I actually work in a different county where Bush won by like a 50% margin. I get ganged up on a lot at work, and it gets tiresome. I was really feeling good on Nov. 1, though, because we were talking politics...and it's usually 5 people against me, but on that day I had 4 people agreeing with me against the 1 biggest wingnut in the office. I think some folks are opening their eyes, just a bit too slowly. I know of at least 2 or 3 coworkers who already regret voting for Bush. Such a shame......

[Mabel Dodge]

50. I live in Ohio and the day after the election,

I was going into work when I stopped at a red light and just happen to look in my rear view mirror. I saw an over dressed woman in a bright red luxury car applauding and laughing while pointing to my Kerry bumper sticker.
I know it was rude...crass even, but I rolled down my window and shot her the all American one finger salute.

[ktowntennesseedem]

79. If it were me, I might have stuck it in reverse and hit the gas!

[momhates_republicans]

110. Good for U

I'm from Ohio too and I can't believe Bush actually got Ohio. He cheated and we all know it. Ohio should have be given to Kerry.

[Zorra]

51. Soon I will be moving to a place where there are no republicans at all -

and I can't wait. They seldom try to vacation at this place and when they do they do not feel welcome and leave immediately because they don't fit in.

[Selwynn]

74. Heaven?

Wave to Jesus for me... :)

[fudge stripe cookays]

126. Provincetown?

;-)

[BamaGirl]

52. It sucks.

Almost as bad as it sucks coming here. I'm getting so sick of the, write off the South or those red states suck, posts. This is the first post that hasn't seemed to be a great big bash those idiots post in awhile. Thanks!

Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a Dem, and you know, there hasn't been any gloating or obnoxiousness. I guess I've been lucky.

[MelissaB]

53. I'm in Alafreakingbama

and feel so alone. I teach in a school that has prayer over the intercom (Yeah, I talked to the principal and the ACLU in our city about it. He said fighting this would be ugly and put my family through hell. He recommended that it should come from a student.)and feel isolated. Please don't leave me behind. We are trying to get out. I HATE THIS STATE AND ALL IT STANDS FOR! I don't feel like there is a lote of hope for it changing either.

Instead of "Sleepless in Seattle" I am "Hopeless in Alabama."

Melissa

Damn, I sure would like to watch this thread, but it is blocked at school. I love you guys. You are my link to the outside world.

[quaoar]

62. Welcome to DU Melissa

We need more Alabamians here. I've been here 17 years. It didn't used to be this Republican. I miss Sen. Howell Heflin, who used to rant about "Grey Poupon Republicans."

Your principal is probably right that it is best to come from a student. But then that student and his/her family will be ostracized in the community. There isn't an easy solution to that unless there is someone with enough courage to risk the community's wrath. And even if you win, they just become even more hard core about how all the godless liberals are driving God from the schools and Rush picks it up and spreads it all over the country.

[MelissaB]

120. It wasn't the principal who

said a complaint should come from a student. It was a guy from the ACLU.

My principal wants prayers broadcast on the intercom and said he is wiling to go to jail for his beliefs because he had already talked to his wife and preacher. He said that it doesn't matter that some students don't share his beliefs. :mad: He wants to force his beliefs on everybody because he is "right." Most of the faculty feel the same way. They think I am an athiest because I believe in the seperation of church and state.

I just walked out of a program today because a preacher was leading a prayer. Don't tell me I don't believe in God. I do!!

[quaoar]

142. Sounds like your principal needs a good write-up

in an Alabama newspaper. I happen to work at one. If you want, send me the guy's name and the name of the school and what town it's in and I'll pass it along to the right reporter.

[Az_lefty]

97. My daughter lives in Georgia and feels the same way...

BTW. If DU is blocked at school is Freeperville also blocked?

[MelissaB]

121. I don't know anything about

Freeperville, but I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NicRic]

59. As a CA. resident...

I admit it feels good knowing that most of my neighbors probably voted for Kerry. With that said ,I do feel for those of you that live in these red states. I give you credit for not jumpimg on the popular bandwagon and staying true to your beleifs, I imagine it would not be easy being surrounded by people who have been fooled into believeing the bush's, high morality B/S. Just wanted to let you know the world is getting smaller with the internet etc. and even though we are in differant sates ,you are still my neighbor !

[juslikagrzly]

61. thanks for that NicRic. We do exist here in redland.

[pleiku52cab]

63. I live in a 'red' state

registered Independent (voted mostly dem anyway) my whole life until after 2000 election. Changed to registered Democrat in disgust of the first stolen election. How in the hell do you think I feel now? You blue staters have it easy living among fellow believers. Give us true blue residents of red states a little break, will ya????

[Butterflies]

64. Virginia is almost half Kerry-supporters

and I met lots of great Dems at rallies and meet-ups over the last 6 months. I find that the more you get involved with the Party, the less alone you feel. I'd love to see some of you from dark blue states move down here to get us over 50%. Virginia is at the red state border, so why not start with it?

[Midlodemocrat]

112. Right there with you

...I used to feel very alone politically here, but many, many libs came out of the closet this election and I made some good friends.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

137. Midlo, you must be right near me (I'm near Huguenot H.S.).

[Midlodemocrat]

148. Hull Street, near Clover Hill High

...my dad was in the nursing home on Robious until his death this past August.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

159. Sorry to have heard about your father's death.

[tmooses]

66. We are all in this together no matter where we live....

even if you are surrounded by right wing "morans", there's always a local Dem hdqtrs. I can't remember a time when it seemed more important
to find people who think "in the real world". The internet and DU has helped alot-even from the last election in 2000. We now have a media presence on talk radio (AAR is either on a station or streamed) that we
hadn't dreamed of only a couple of years ago. For those of you living in red states, remember blue states have their areas which are just as
back wards politically as your neighbors. I live in Oregon, but there are areas in this state which are just like Oklahoma or Texas. The same
thing in California. You may think the whole state is liberal but spend some time in the central valley and you'll get an entirely different picture. Keep the faith..it's more important than ever..and we haven't forgotten you.

[pableaux]

67. Long-term strategery for blue people in red states

Hypothetically speaking, of course, if in 2010 blue people in red states accidentally miscounted the number of people in their households or failed to return their census forms, that would decrease the total population in that red state. If enough people were to do that, the red state would lose seats in the House of Representatives.

This is all hypothetical, of course, since everyone is legally obligated to complete their census forms accurately.

[chicago_irish]

68. I feel your pain

I live in Cook County, Illinois where, proudly, Kerry won by the widest margin in the entire nation. However, I am originally from Kentucky.

If you look at a county map of election results: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm you can see these beautiful streaks of blue in the "red states." (the blue area in eastern Kentucky is where I grew up ... at least THEY have some sense.)

I'm sure that Kerry supports in these areas don't want their states to be categorically cast as Bush-lovers any more than we'd like for Britain to think that the entire population of the US is a bunch of Bush-supporting idiots!

[blindpig]

69. try 85% for * in my precinct

Fuck those people. There is more to a place than it's people. The land and its non-human inhabitants is what keeps me grounded. Maybe city folk can't understand that.

[nostamj]

71. i'm BLUE in a blue state...

people here are horrified, depressed but I have NOT heard anyone blame the RED states. can't imagine dealing with that crap on TOP of dealing with the prospect of four more...<gag>

[Selwynn]

72. I live in Idaho.

It's rough.

[Vanje]

93. Hi neighbor

As far as I know I am 100% of Owyhee County's out gay population.

(Fortunately, nearby Canyon County has a few out and rural gay folks!)

[Erika]

163. Living in Idaho Is Rough!!!

Almost 70% of the people here would for Hussein if he had a R after his name and against Christ if he had a D next to his name.

That's why it is so important for blue staters to use their economic power by boycotting, etc., Republican businesses.

[Killarney]

73. I can't imagine what it's like to live in a red state these days.

Keep up the good fight. Spread the word. You red state Dems are the diamonds in the rough.

I take for granted that I live in Mass and are among the majority here. It would be so much harder to live in a red state surrounded by "them".

Red state DUers have my admiration!

[CpUltravox]

82. Well...

Well...

I'm in Ohio, I'm proud to be in Ohio, I love this place, even when we're wrong. This may sound kinda ridiculous - but I like the fight. I like being the voice of reason, and the arguments. I like getting people to think and cede points, even if I don't change their mind. And they challenge me too, and make me really think... they really make me work to belive in what I believe in.

And to me, that's a good thing.

Besides, if you're a blue guy like me (or gal) in a red state, and you voted for JFK like me, and your friends from Blue states start getting on your case just remind them, "You may not like where we live, but we have all the food."

:) Seriously, the daily challenge makes it fun.

[blueinOmaha]

77. damn this red state

Thank you for addressing this topic. As an unwilling resident of Nebraska I thought my biggest problem would be the Cornhuskers (as a CU alum). Close-minded, pro-Bush, theocratic knee-jerk Republicans have now become my biggest nightmare. As I drown in a sea of red, I find myself increasingly paranoid about expressing my opinions aloud for fear of being ridiculed.
It seems I can't even protect my own kids from the right-wing onslaught. My four year old came home from a playdate yesterday saying "John Kerry's a bad man because he cuts babies out of mommies tummies." I am sickened that this is the kind of information "red" parents are giving their children.
Blogs of like-minded democrats are the only thing keeping me sane right now.

[Arkansas_Democrat]

78. Mind Numbing

I live in Arkansas, but I teach seventh grade English in a small Texas town (about 800 people). I can testify that both states can give you a headache politically. I personally find it easier in Arkansas. We almost made ourselves a swing state after all (did my best, gang). Texas, in huge chunks, is redder than W's neck. At one point leading up to the election, my wife, my daughter, and I were stopped at a light. Every car around us had some form of Bush bumper sticker ("Bush Country," "Dubya," or my least favorite, distributed by a couple of local churches, a black square that simply says: "W." and underneath, "The President."). My wife and I were commenting about it in disgust and rolling our eyes at a cowboy in a truck next to us pointing and mouthing unpleasantries at our Kerry/Edwards sticker. My two-year-old daughter started questioning us as to what we were talking about ... she wanted to know why we were mad at "dose people." We told her that they were just ... they were just ... we didn't really know what to say. Finally, she finished the sentence for us: "They dummies?" We readily agreed.

But that's just the problem. The truly frustrating thing about living here is that these are the people that I work with, teach, talk to every day. Everything that I know about them seems perfectly normal. I'm even friends with a few of them. Then something comes up in conversation about politics (or many religious issues, for that matter), and my entire opinion of them changes. I just cannot understand ... as The Daily Mirror put it, how can 59,054,087 people be so dumb? It makes it difficult to explain to my daughter or anyone else. How can my fellow town members be so sweet and loving and friendly and enjoyable, then suddenly reveal a horrible streak of bigotry, racism, or just plain ol' stupidity.

The school I teach in is rural and overwhelmingly white. The kids aren't all as country as you're probably thinking, but it can be pretty bad. They can be so smart and good, but then they will shock me by complaining that they can't wear clothing with a rebel flag on it. Or they will talk horribly about someone they believe to be gay. After three years of battling, I have just this year gotten the administration to agree to put gay related slurs on an equal punishment level with racial slurs. Before that, they were rampant. It was enough to make me want to cry.

And that's what it all does. It makes me want to cry. My only hope is that we can somehow appeal to that glimmer of humanity that I have seen in so many of the die-hard reddies that I'm packed in here with. I often feel like I could make them understand if I could just make them listen. So, as difficult as it is, I have no desire to leave my red state. Because I want to keep trying to make them listen. In fact, I say, if you're thinking of relocating, look at the red states. We need more people talking and screaming if we have to until more of them start listening. Some of them are more reasonable than we like to think. Talk to them. All of them. Some are morons, and they'll respond in such a fashion. But some are just misguided, misled, tricked into buying four more years of damaging goods. I try to talk to people in roles of leadership: preachers, teachers, and the like. I'm not silly enough to think that I might could convince them to vote for, say, Barak Obama in '08, but I do hope that I can help them realize why they should be more respectful toward gay people, minorities, women, the poor, the forgotten. And if they can ever really see the error of their ways in those regards, then who knows? So I say, yes, don't forget about us in the red states, but, also, if you're able and you feel up to it ... join us. Let's change some things.

[Blue Gardener]

114. Welcome to DU!

I think it sucks even more when you used to be a Blue state, but turned red in this election. I'm in Iowa, and I'm just sick about it. Thankfully I am in a very blue county.

[1gobluedem]

81. I wish the red state Republicans would read this letter

This was forwarded by a friend who received it from a friend in NYC. I wish the red state Republicans and Freepers would read it -- it's very powerful. Red state Dems, I feel for you. I live in SE Michigan which is pretty blue but most of the rest of the state is red, especially the west side so we in Michigan can sympathize with what you're going through.

Letter To The Red States

Sorry, I try not to deluge people with my ramblings. But I had to write this and, having written it, had to send it. Even though I don't know anyone I can send it to (without alienating my Republican in-laws, who are the only "middle country" people I know).

I am writing this letter to the people in the red states in the middle of the country -- the people who voted for George W. Bush. I am writing this letter because I don't think we know each other.

So I'll make an introduction. I am a New Yorker who voted for John Kerry. I used to live in California, and if I still lived there, I would vote for Kerry. I used to live in Washington, DC, and if I still lived there, I would vote for Kerry. Kerry won in all three of those regions.

Maybe you want to know more about me. Or maybe not; maybe you think you know me already. You think I am some anti-American anarchist because I dislike George W. Bush. You think that I am immoral and anti-family, because I support women's reproductive freedom and gay rights. You think that I am dangerous, and even evil, because I do not abide by your religious beliefs.

Maybe you are content to think that, to write me off as a "liberal" -- the dreaded "L" word -- and rejoice that your candidate has triumphed over evil, immoral, anti-American, anti-family people like me. But maybe you are still curious. So here goes: this is who I am.

I am a New Yorker. I was here, in my apartment downtown, on September 11th. I watched the Towers burn from the roof of my building. I went inside so that I couldn't see them when they fell. I had friends who were inside. I have a friend who still has nightmares about watching people jump and fall from the Towers. He will never be the same. How many people like him do you know? People that can't sit in a restaurant without plotting an escape route, in case it blows up?

I am a worker. I work across the street from the Citigroup Center, which the government told us is a "target" of terrorism. Later, we found out they were relaying very old information, but it was already too late. They had given me bad dreams again. The subway stop near my office was crowded with bomb-sniffing dogs, policemen in heavy protective gear, soldiers. Now, every time I enter or exit my office, all of my possessions are X-rayed to make sure I don't have any weapons. How often are you stopped by a soldier with a bomb-sniffing dog outside your office?


I am a neighbor. I have a neighbor who is a 9/11 widow. She has two children. My husband does odd jobs for her now, like building bookshelves. Things her husband should do. He uses her husband's tools, and the two little girls tell him, "Those are our daddy's tools." How many 9/11 widows and orphans do you know? How often do you fill in for their dead loved ones?

I am a taxpayer. I worked my butt off to get where I did, and so did my parents. My parents saved and borrowed and sent me to college. I worked my way through graduate school. I won a full tuition scholarship to law school. All for the privilege of working 2,600 hours last year. That works out to a 50 hour week, every week, without any vacation days at all. I get to work by 9 am and rarely leave before 9 pm. I eat dinner at my office much more often than I eat dinner at home. My husband and I paid over $70,000 in federal income tax last year. At some point in the future, we will have to pay much more -- once this country faces its deficit and the impossible burden of Social Security. In fact, the areas of the country that supported Kerry -- New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts -- they are the financial centers of the nation. They are the tax base of this country. How much did you pay, Kansas? How much did you contribute to this government you support, Alabama? How much of this war in Iraq did you pay for?

I am a liberal. The funny part is, liberals have this reputation for living in Never-Neverland, being idealists, not being sensible. But let me tell you how I see the world: I see America as one nation in a world of nations. Therefore, I think we should try to get along with other nations. I see that gay people exist. Therefore, I think they should be allowed to exist, and be treated the same as other people. I see ways in which women are not allowed to control their own bodies. Therefore, I think we should give women more control over their bodies. I see that people have awful diseases. Therefore, I think we should enable scientists to try to cure them. I see that we have a Constitution. Therefore, I think it should be upheld. I see that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Therefore, I think that Iraq was not an imminent danger to me. It seems so pragmatic to me. How do you see the world? Do you really think voting against gay marriage will keep people from being gay? Would you really prefer that people continue to die from Parkinson's disease? Do you really not care about the Constitutional rights of political detainees? Would you really have supported the war if you knew the truth, or would you have wanted to spend more of our money on health care, job training, terrorism preparedness?

I am an American. I have an American flag flying outside my home. I love my home more than anything. I love that I grew up right outside New York City. I first went to the Statue of Liberty with my 5th grade class, and my mom and dad took me to the Empire State Building when I was 8. I love taking the subway to Yankee Stadium. I loved living in Washington DC and going on dates to the Lincoln Memorial. It is because I love this country so much that I argue with my political opponents as much I do.

I am not safe. I never feel safe. My in-laws live in a small town in Ohio, and that town has received more federal funding, per capita, for terrorism preparedness than New York City has. I take subways and buses every day. I work in a skyscraper across the street from a "target." I have emergency supplies and a spare pair of sneakers in my desk, in case somethng happens while I'm at work. Do you? How many times a month do you worry that your subway is going to blow up? When you hear sirens on the street, do you run to the window to make sure everything is okay? When you hear an airplane, do you flinch? Do you dread beautiful, blue-skied September days? I don't know a single New Yorker who doesn't spend the month of September on tip-toes, superstitiously praying for rain so we don't have to relive that beautiful, blue-skied day.

I am lonely. I feel that we, as a nation, have alienated all our friends and further provoked our enemies. I feel unprotected. Most of all I feel alienated from my fellow citizens, because I don't understand what you are thinking. You voted for a man who started a war in Iraq for no reason, against the wishes of the entire world. You voted for a man whose lack of foresight and inability to plan has led to massive insurgencies in Iraq, where weapons are disappearing into the hands of terrorists. You voted for a man who let Osama Bin Laden escape into the hills of Afghanistan so that he could start that war in Iraq. You voted for a man who doesn't want to let people love who they want to love; doesn't want to let doctors cure their patients; doesn't want to let women rule their destinies. I don't understand why you voted for this man. For me, it is not enough that he is personable; it is not enough that he seems like one of the guys. Why did you vote for him? Why did you elect a man that lied to us in order to convince us to go to war? (Ten years ago you were incensed when our president lied about his sex life; you thought it was an impeachable offense.) Why did you elect a leader who thinks that strength cannot include diplomacy or international cooperaton? Why did you elect a man who did nothing except run away and hide on September 11?

Most of all, I am terrified. I mean daily, I am afraid that I will not survive this. I am afraid that I will lose my husband, that I will never have children, that I will never grow old and watch the sunset in a backyard of my own. I am afraid that my career -- which should end with a triumphant and good-natured roast at a retirement party in 2035 -- will be cut short by an attack on me and my colleagues, as we sit sending emails and making phone calls one ordinary afternoon. Is your life at stake? Are you terrified?

I don't think you are. I don't think you realize what you have done. And if anything happens to me or the people I love, I blame you. I wanted you to know that.

[RaleighNCDUer]

88. A powerful, wonderful, sad letter. Too bad that the only

Bushistas that will see it will be lurking Freepers -- who are the worst of the lot.

But I honor your attempt.

Peace.

[scarlett1]

111. Letter to red State republicans

I will send on your letter to some Democrats in Kansas who would be willing to send it on to Republicans here. Right now I'm having a p*ssing match with a lady who I know who keeps send me bad jokes making fun of Kerry etc. If I get another she will get this.

[Allie]

83. We may be blue here in California, but....

Whole areas of California -- especially Southern California -- are red as a beet! Here in Orange County, people were afraid to put out signs for fear of vandalism. And, picture this: Every day, when I drive down the hill from my house, I must look at a HUGE (Probably 8'x10') "Bush Cheney '04" sign which the neighbors at the bottom of the hill haven't managed to take down yet. It makes me sick every time!

[RaleighNCDUer]

89. At least we don't have to look at 20' high portraits of our glorious

leader hanging from all public buildings.

Yet.

[Az_lefty]

98. I think I would have hit that sign with some paintballs..nice RED ones.

[Momgonepostal]

122. I live in a red part of CA

People talk about how liberal CA is, but I live deep in the heart of Republicanland, here in the Central Valley.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

160. Welcome to DU, Allie.

[progressivebydesign]

84. I can't comprehend the people that voted for Bush... the poor ones.

There are counties in northern Florida that supposedly went overwhelmingly for Bush. I looked at their Census info, and couldn't believe my eyes. There are counties there with a median income of 13k for a family, with rampant poverty, and yet.. they vote for the guy that has destroyed the economy. Could lack of decent education in these areas contribute to the inability to reason things clearly? I'm in Blue state.. and always will be. My sympathies with those in the red ones. yuck.

[Demrock6]

86. I heard young white poor males were strong Bush supporters!

Isn't that ironic.

I have sympathy for the original poster as well. My state, Minnesota was a so called battle ground state. I spent countless hours talking to people about why Kerry was the better choice. I like to think it helped keep Minnesota blue 32nd year straight!! If we turned to a red state I would be very upset, and could not live with myself!!

[ImpeachBush]

91. What I wish I had done ... maybe next time

I moved to Georgia Sept. 2003, after living more than two decades in Utah. I was born and raised in Ohio, and my parents still live there. What I wish I had done was register as an Ohio resident, use my parent's address as my own, register my automobile there, get an Ohio driver's license, and just declare my stay in Georgia as temporary (as it is - 2.5 more years and I'm out of here - for good - this state sucks! At least Utah had wonderful scenery and wilderness to offset the moronic mormons). Then maybe my vote would have counted. I have always considered myself a Buckeye, and it's as good a place as any to declare residency.

[TedsGarage]

92. You'd be welcome in Chicago

Not only are we America's finest city, we voted 81% for Kerry. The Republican Party has been reduced to fringe status in Illinois. Move up here, where you won't have to put up with gloating right-wingers. We could use more electoral votes.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

95. I also am a Texan and Democrat.

To make that odd combination worse I am a vocal democrat. I did my part and swayed a few people here, took back some leaners in our own party and worked my butt off getting the message out. I still am speaking up and telling it like it is. I am not a popular woman right now. I heard all the bashing here and all I can say is give me your best shot. I am used to it, I hear it daily where I live. My skin has grown thick and it does not hurt me.

For the record, I pay my taxes and am in a bracket that means I too am helping to support the people in my state that voted for *. You blue state people are not the only ones upset by that.

LSD

[krkaufman]

108. Excellent work down there, Lone Star Dem

Sounds like you guys made some gains. Well done.

[H3Dakota]

96. Or perhaps FL or OH...

I'm in Florida - talk about tough! Knowing in 2000 that Gore really won, but it was handed to Bush... and seeing the crazy numbers that came out in this election??? *shaking head* Even my county, which generally seems to go Democrat, supposedly went red this year. Most puzzling, as the number of Kerry supporters outnumbered the * supporters, in my experience.

[Rich0826]

101. Move to Florida

What we need to do is have all the progressives in the bible belt, pick up and move to Florida or eastern coastal states. We need to change the "redistribution of wealth" from the "liberal" states to the rednecks and let them fend on their own for once.

[jbm]

164. welcome to DU Rich!

:toast:

[HoosierClarkie]

102. Suffering in Indiana!

We were the first to get called for * ! :( Doesn't mean that all Dems in my state are not working overtime. It takes more balls to put a Kerry/Edwards bumpersticker on our cars here than anywhere else! Not to mention going door to door!

[scarlett1]

103. Try living in Kansas

Try living in BLEEDING KANSAS.
There was a person who lives up the street from me who put helium balloons on their Bush Cheney sign on November 3.

People also complain about the State's lone US Representative who is a Democrat, Dennis Moore. The Republicans Gerrymandered Lawrence to reduce the chance of Moore being re-elected. It didn't work because the person who won the GOP primary is extremely far right. So even some Republicans wouldn't vote for him. "Do Nothing Jim Ryun" is the other US Rep that represents Lawrence who is also Very Far right.

The State Senator for my district is a women doesn't believe women should have the vote.

http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/local.pat,local/3acd03...

"A prominent female state senator has said that she does not support the 19th Amendment, which guarantees women the right to vote, and that if it were being considered today she would vote against it.

Sen. Kay O'Connor recently told the co-presidents of the Johnson County League of Women Voters that the amendment was the first step in a decades-long erosion of traditional family values."

Welcome to my world.

[atommom]

135. Being in Kansas too, I sympathise. But there are more of us

here than you might think! I'm just grateful I have liberal friends to commisserate with me. (Have you read What's the Matter with Kansas? It didn't exactly make me feel better, but it is a good account of how most of the state got brainwashed by the right!)

[krkaufman]

104. I've gotta agree... being a Red State Democrat...

... requires continued dedication in the face of decades of losses, knowing victory may never come but putting up the fight because it's the right thing to do -- kinda like being a Red Sox or Cubs fan.

Oh, wait.

Hope Springs Eternal.

[holboz]

107. I agree!

Okay, I f'ed up and made comments about your post under another thread. This is only my second post at DU and I suppose I've already screwed up. Can I blame it on post-election traumatic stress syndrome?

Anyway, I live in Bentonville, Arkansas which is probably the #1 repuke area in Arkansas. This area is oozing in Bush/Cheney/EC folk. I had a Kerry/Edwards sign in our yard and feel quite lucky that I only had to replace it once during the season. We did, however, have to move it closer to the front door when our neighbors qho supported the Moral Values party continued to let their pets do their business around it. You gotta love these people.

But I have to admit, when I saw a car with a Kerry/Edwards sticker or spotted another Kerry/Edwards yard sign it always made me smile simply because they were so far and few between. It was like spotting another member of The Resistance!

The odd thing about Arkansas is that OUR STATE LEGISLATURE HOLDS A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY!? Try and figure that one out. At least we haven't completely lost our minds. So there is hope for Arkansas. I hope the next Democratic candidate doesn't write us off to the Repukes like Kerry's campaign did.

[jsascj]

109. I too am new here(2nd post) and live in a red state...

I live in the only county in VA that posted marshals at every polling place. They never told us why. Interestingly, my husband I have NEVER seen so many Dem yard signs, bumper stickers, buttons, etc...here. I've never had to stand in a line before and waited for about 1 hour. Zogby even said watch VA for some surprises. Well, no surprises! Wonder if something fishy is going on here, too. The scanner that counts the ballots "was jammed" when I voted. I wonder if my vote was counted now

I am so happy that I found this place. I'll keep coming back.

[yellowdogintexas]

113. sigh, no fun in Texas, that is for certain

Times like these I want to move to Illinois, or at least to a safely Democrat area in Texas where at least my congressperson will be a dem.
However, we are in year four of our ten year plan to Take Back Texas. Next stop: Governor Goodhair has got to go! and if Kay Bailey Hutchison decides to run for gov instead of stay in senate we have a chance to get her senate seat back.

We are not dead yet down here. there are many activist Democrat clubs and other organizations, which I did not know about until I got involved in this campaign. I intend to keep in touch with them. 2006 will be here before we know it.

But it is hard, seeing all the "W" signs. I too have an 8 by 10 foot Bush sign that I have to see anytime I head for the Mall or grocery or even to my friend Connie's house...right there on the access road!

while I was in Kentucky burying my (totally yellowdog) mother, some piece of elephant dung took my "Veteran for Kerry' sign OFF THE INSIDE OF MY PLATE GLASS STORM DOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was over Halloween so I am sure it was somebody who was pissed that I did not have candy. I found the sign in the gutter in front of my (also yellow dog)neighbor's house when I came home fromthe funeral.

Of course the good side is that people will honk and wave and thumbs up your bumper stickers, even if they aren't sporting one of their own, just glad to see they are not alone down here. I need to just switchout my name specific stickers for those good ole "TEXAS DEMOCRAT' bumper stickers.

[Peasantparty]

115. Here in Austin, TX

Austin is a strange political oasis in the sense of it's populations view points. Probably the University, maybe due to the Capital, but for whatever reason Travis County is like a blue bouy on the red sea. So while it's nice to never be far from even and open-minded individuals, the mentally challenged are everywhere. Imagine interacting with someone who voted for * as Governor twice, and President twice.

[Chiyo-chichi]

118. You know....

even crazy Alan Simpson and Andrew "misguided about a lot of things" Sullivan had something of a point on Bill Maher last week. We are not doing ourselves any good by bashing those we hope to win over to our side.

[pcboss49]

119. Also from Indiana

At one polling station in Anderson,Indiana, a woman in line looked around and in a loud voice said, " OH BROTHER, I SEE THAT ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS CAME OUT TO VOTE!" ... I just wish I would have been there to say something....

[Comadreja]

145. Ain't gonna happen

I would agree if there was hope that we could win them over to our side. Their leaders are planning how to invade the blue states to "win" us over to their side. You don't change a person's mind that is convinced that democrats automatically go to Hell. And a majority of these throwbacks believe ardently in hell.

[Chiyo-chichi]

158. I know that we can't win over the majority of those who voted for Chimpy..

but... if you assume the election results were legit... (which is a big assuption)... we would have only needed to win over a couple of percent. You have to believe that is doable, otherwise we really are screwed. Forever.

[Geek_Girl]

123. I live in a Red State

but I can't help but think what comes around goes around I don't think the Republican's will over turn roe v wade I don't think they'll be able to pass a constitutional amendment against gay marriage. But they will continue with the war in Iraq and maybe even expand it I think they'll be a draft I think Bush will continue on the same fiscal path he's been on. Basically this all equates to his constiuents getting royally screwed. I'll be ok and my family will too. But these dumb fucks are up shits creek. I wonder if they will ever learn.

[American Tragedy]

127. I'm in Louisville. You'd be surprised though, it hasn't been bad at all.

If I weren't faintly aware of the rest of the state, I would think that Kentucky leaned blue. Maybe Republicans are just keeping a low profile, I dunno.

[MeanAndGreen]

129. It's not that hard. Why not describe the offensives that perturb you?

Other than emotions that will soon heal with time the lifestyle here in Ohio has not changed. What exactly are you eluding to?

[consciousobjector]

147. You want to hear what's happening in Ohio?...

I'm from a red county in Ohio and some of the things happening since the election are truly frightening...

The daughter of a friend of mine was accosted in the parking lot of a local college by a large middle aged white man who, after seeing her get out of her car that had Kerry bumper stickers, lunged at her and started yelling that she "should be stripped naked and hung for treason".

Two days later, she found that the Kerry stickers had been ripped from her car and her car had been keyed all down the side so deeply that it will require body work.

My sister, who lives in another red county, works for a small business run by funtajudgementalists. The day after the election her boss took her into his office and lectured her for an hour on the error of her political ways, trying to force her to accept Bush (as though he's the second coming). The pressure hasn't let up on her yet to convert to Bushism (there are no other jobs in her area and she can't afford to not work).

Not all is bad though...lots of Kerry signs left up in our county. And the local DNC headquarters is still open (and making the local Repubs really nervous)...

And the ballot counting isn't over yet...

[Cattledog]

130. I'm in Ga what states voted for * with a

40% margin? He won 58% to 41.4% here.

[elperromagico]

149. Here are the states that gave Bush his biggest margins.

Utah (Margin - 44.72%):
Bush - 71.09%
Kerry - 26.38%

Wyoming (Margin - 39.85%):
Bush - 68.98%
Kerry - 29.14%

Idaho (Margin - 38.13%):
Bush - 68.43%
Kerry - 30.31%

[Frogtutor]

165. I'm surprised, but sort of relieved!

I just KNEW Texas would be number one...Thanks for the info!

Frogtutor

[muchacho]

134. I understand

As a Texan currently living in Texas I know what your going through. But it's tough here too,

[finecraft]

140. Hey - you forgot Louisiana!

The most unhealthy, poverty riddled, uneducated state in the Union -
Probably the only state that passed an amendment to their constitution that gave everyone the constitutional right to hunt and fish! (Our legislature didn't have any really big problems to take care of last session- so they dedicated their efforts to make sure that our right to hunt and fish was constitutionally protected...oh, they also cut business taxes.)

Yes, we Louisiana DU members KNOW our state IS A JOKE, but we're trying to change that. We don't have to be reminded how stupid the majority of the people in our state are....we live the horror every day. :cry:

[Dangrmom]

146. I've been waiting for somebody to say this!

I've just been lurking for the past five weeks or so, and I love DU, but since Nov. 3rd, it's felt really scary in here!

I'm in Ohio -- you know, the state that "lost" the election -- and I worked harder on this campaign than I ever imagined I could. I believed we would win, and not just Ohio, I believed in a landslide for the whole damned country. But when we lost -- stunned, heartbroken, and then suddenly also RESPONSIBLE, apparently for the whole damned thing...

Sigh. It's just good to have a thread where I'm not the only one...

[Sparkly]

162. Welcome to DU Dangrmom, and thanks for your work!

:hi:

[hinachan]

150. Amen, try living in Arizona

Where the Repukes are not only filled with hate, but also loaded with money. Our only lifeline is Air America Radio, and our local station makes these really cool promos that slice'n'dice the wingnuts to tiny slivers. Check 'em out and download them here:

http://www.1010kxxt.com/stationpromos.htm

They've got a new one that's fantastic, where the announcer pretends to congratulate the rightards on their victory...it includes bon mots like, "and when your job AND your kids are shipped overseas", then finally concludes with the announcer vomiting noisily. I can't wait for that one to be posted to their site!

Just because the state is red, many of us here are true-blue. Don't hate us because of our neighbors!!

[jojo54]

153. I feel for ya

My state, N.J. has flip flopped over and over again as far as red state/blue state goes. But keep your chin up. I'm from the southern part of the state, and we tried to cecede about 25 years ago 'cause all the money was going to central and northern N.J. Unfortunately, we didn't have quite enough signatures for the legislation, but I think it sent a wake up call to "ye powerful". Since then, they have made strides to protect the southern portions' highways, farmland, parks, etc. But then again, maybe it's what the latest statistics show: southern New Yorkers moving to north Jersey, north Jerseians moving to central Jersey, central Jersians moving to south Jersey, and southern Jersians moving to FLORIDA, of all places!!

So, maybe we can turn these red-faced bassards yet!

[moose65]

156. checking in from NC

Thankfully, I don't have to endure many Repubs at work... teaching at a college has SOME advantages! Yes, NC is red, but there are glimmers of hope. We re-elected our Democratic governor and now both houses of the state legislature are controlled by Democrats.

I think that some Southern states will eventually turn blue for good, due to demographic shifts. The Raleigh-Durham area is fast-growing and has a lot of Yankee transplants; ditto for Charlotte. One of these days.........

I think Virginia has the best chance of becoming a swing state in 2008, for the same reasons... growth in the cities and in the northern suburbs of DC. And when I have looked at county maps, I was surprised that counties in SW Virginia and eastern Kentucky were blue this time.... that is quite a rural, impoverished region.

So, there is hope!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

161. Welcome to DU, Moose.