Fort Madison, Iowa

I have a friend moving there who wants us to follow. Is Iowa a red or blue state? What's Fort Madison like? Jobs? Thanks!

Ft Madison is in Lee County, one of the bluest counties in the state. All but one office in the county is held by democrats. Local republicans are typical republican snakes and try every underhanded trick in the book. Go to the point that they are disruptive in county meetings. Always sending anonymous complaints to the state.

Iowa is as close to an even division between the reds and blues as you can get as far as state government. Senate is 25 / 25 and the legislature is 49 / 51 with republicans in the majority. Something I hope to see change in the next election. All the executive branch are democrats.

The people we send to congress are a different story. 4 out 5 are republicans for the house and 1 each for the senate. I am optimistic the house ratio will change in 2006.

As far as jobs goes, it depends on what you are looking for or what you have to offer. There are plenty of low wage jobs, but the better paying jobs are few and far between. The local economic groups are rather aggressive in trying to attract new business, but is a slow process. Unlike the rest of the state Southeast Iowa has not been a part of the last two economic expansions. The one during the Clinton years and the so called one going on now.

Cost of living is very reasonable. Don't expect to pay much more then $500 in rent. You can also pick up many decent properties for under $100 grand.

Fort Madison is the home of the Iowa maximum(I think) security prison. Eastern Iowa is generally blue, with blue bastions in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Davenport all a relatively short drive from Ft.Madison. Don't know much of Ft. Madison, but Iowa City has plenty to do with the U of Iowa there. Davenport,Rock Island and Moline seems to be pretty shall we say amenable.

but I moved from Illinois back to my native Iowa, 6 years ago. Ended up moving back to Illinois a year ago, and I TRULY miss the progressive politics in Iowa!! I thought about this as I said something "liberal" from the pulpit yesterday, and waited for complaints from my Repub parishioners. I could say anything leftish in Iowa, and be thanked and congratulated. It was a retired farmer in my church in Iowa who alerted me to the Project for a New American Century and their role in the Bush Admin.

And there is nothing in the whole world more fun--and more democratic--than the Iowa caucuses!! I'll probably be deeply depressed sitting here in Illinois when caucus season hits.

So, though Iowa is technically red (just barely), I found it much more progressive than the allegedly blue state where I live now. And I lived in north central Iowa, much less blue than the eastern part of the state. I would think Ft. Madison would be a great place to live. I'd move there if I could!

Oh, and I think the prison in Ft. Madison is federal, not state. That's why there have been executions there. Iowa doesn't have the death penalty (see, I told you it was progressive!).

NOw I'm feeling homesick again...:cry:

Very scenic and in a very blue area.


What people think of when they talk about the Iowa stereotype of being unsophisticated rubes living in the 50's is NW Iowa. Very conservative area. Plunging headfirst into the 1950's and proud of it.