2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumCan we agree that the Deep South is a unique region within our country and shares many issues?
The Old South is an important but unique part of America, and some people nevertheless seem to balk at the idea that the states of the Old South tend to operate more or less as a solid voting block.
Don't we agree that the Old South is a fairly unique region religiously:
Don't we agree that the Old South is a fairly unique region in its slowness to accept LGBT equality (possibly because of its religious uniqueness):
Don't we agree that the Old South is a fairly unique region in its reluctance to acknowledge collective bargaining rights:
Don't we agree that the Old South is a fairly unique region both in terms of its historical approach to education and it current approach:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PevJxpViUcE/U2mmb0OzPYI/AAAAAAAAHCU/0aWhygBX5gk/s1600/high+school+graduation+rates.png
Don't we agree that the Old South is a fairly unique region in terms of its poor access to health care and poor transportation to health care facilities and resulting obesity and diabetes and teen pregnancy:
http://notunlikeresearch.typepad.com/.a/6a0133f1fb8812970b014e89d296b1970d-pi
If we do not agree that the Old South is a unique region with special gifts and special needs, we are fooling ourselves.
We need to address the Old South as a political region that has unique strengths and unique requirements, but we also need to accept that political ideas that are suited to the Deep South will not necessarily carry the same weight outside of the Deep South:
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)What is most bizarre, to me, is that many Southern States seem to still be at war with the Federal Government. And at war with the 21st century.
nolawarlock
(1,729 posts)I am from Massachusetts and I now live in Louisiana, and while it can be a bit of a culture shock, these are people who are passionate about their lives and their government. New Orleans is certainly a lot more liberal than the rest of the state, but wherever I go here, these are people who want to improve their lives. I may not agree with all their politics but to completely deride them in this way is obnoxious.
LexVegas
(6,073 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)If Clinton has an advantage among african-americans in the US, it is nothing compared to that enjoyed by President Obama.
Take another look at that Obama vs Romney electoral map. The old south was irrelevant even to him.
ljm2002
(10,751 posts)...are just a bunch of racist bullshit.
Well at least we know there is at least one Hillary supporter out there who is indeed a low information voter, obviously by choice. Thanks for exposing yourself so clearly, for all to see.
emulatorloo
(44,133 posts)Texas Democrats will vote for the Democratic nominee no matter which of our candidates gets the nom.
Some Texas republicans will vote for the Dem as well.
Someday Texas will go blue.
Born and raised in Texas with a lot of ties to the state.
Attorney in Texas
(3,373 posts)will get a few Texas Democrat votes, and many will stay home (Texas Democrats have a big turnout problem).
Texas will not go blue in 2016.
2020, maybe, depending on the ticket.
2024, probably, but still depending on the ticket.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)It helps when ones goal is to improve society. All of society. So many great things about the South. And the North. And.......
It also needs to be understood that part of being a progressive is understanding these are people in the south, not statistics. Many people are suffering greatly but are outnumbered at the ballot box. They need us to fight for justice and a better way of life. Few in this country need our help more as far as looking regionally.