TN forumers more liberal?

[BrandonTO416]

I've noticed that for the southeast section, we TN forumers tend to be far more liberal then average. There are only two particularly conservative forumers I've met on these urban-minded forums from TN, and they didn't last anyhow (I can't complain, LOL).

So who in here ranks how?

I'm obviously left of center in my political thoughts, I wanted Dean to win the primaries last year, I voted for Kerry, and I think you guys already know my other beliefs. However I'm Liberal first and Democrat second. It was Republican Don Sundquist that tried to implement a 4% state income tax and cut our sales tax down to 3%, afterall, and fund needed services - and Democrat Phil Bredesen who chose to cut practically every department and continue our 9.25-9.75% statewide sales tax. If the Board of Regents approves a 15% tuition hike for the next school year, Tennessee 4 year state universities will be getting closer to $3,000 a semester now. That's not exactly liberal, or caring about the working class...

Also over the years I've become so frustrated with the way things work here that I have almost nothing good to say about this area. You guys have probably noticed this too...

I just want to see poverty reduced to levels I've seen in places like Denver, Toronto, etc. and for this area to grow with less congestion and more urban options. No city of Nashville's size should have the constant construction and traffic headaches that we experience as well.

So where do you guys stand?

[rocket9561]

I'm way left of the center. I like the Social Democrat model of Scandinavian countries..not exact, but a model. I believe in raising everyone to a comparable level of income through taxation without a overly large upper or lower class. I believe we need to work toward a Federal system for education (the NCLBA is such a contradictory act though) and begin looking at Universal Healthcare. I'm also a realist and don't get too upset when my ideals aren't acted out by members of our Government...this is a "democracy" and politicians will usually support public opinion above all else because that is what gets them into office.

That being said, I like Bredesen and think he has done great things for the state by being able to save Tenn Care with the mess Sundquist left him and for pushing for a state lottery which makes the tuition increases less of a factor for most new students. I believe in an icome tax but since Tennesseans are so used to a sales tax and it seems that most people moving to our area love the idea of getting away from the Sales tax of other states I don't think it would have made sense for him to change it. As for poverty, Nashville is doing very well compared to most cities in this Nation and the fight on poverty should occur more at the Federal level where now Bush is hoping to only ease the poverty with religious group intervention and not Federal programs that could actually make a difference.. (btw, Denver actually has a higer percentage of its population living in Poverty than Nashville)

[brewerw]

You guys may not think much of my oppinion cause im younger but i tend to be more right. I think Sundquest was pretty messed up, i dont know anyone who really liked him. Oh, and BTW, both my parents lean left so you cant say i just coppied my parents.

If i could vote i would have voted for Bredesen. He is a great leader and buisness man. If i could chose i would prob. vote more liberal in the local and more conservative in the federal.

[BrandonTO416]

I didn't like Sundquist, but he did try and pass income tax reform.

[BizGuy]

There are only two particularly conservative forumers I've met on these urban-minded forums from TN, and they didn't last anyhow (I can't complain, LOL).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To whom are you referring?

Don't you think that Nashville tends to lean more to the left? It's obvious to me that the government is more liberal than conservative.

So where do you guys stand?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Proud, thinking libertarian.

[satalac]

Don't you think that Nashville tends to lean more to the left?  It's obvious to me that the government is more liberal than conservative.

.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i agree, nashville does lean more to the left.

[DallasTexan]

I'm liberal, but I wasn't a native of TN when I lived there

[BrandonTO416]

To whom are you referring?

Don't you think that Nashville tends to lean more to the left?  It's obvious to me that the government is more liberal than conservative.

Proud, thinking libertarian.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not referring to you BizGuy, besides you aren't even in TN.

Nashville as a whole is one of the most conservative metropolitan areas in the nation. The city is slightly liberal, mostly in select communities.

This is just about forumers, not analyzing the city's overall politics.

[Claws]

Nashville as a whole is one of the most conservative metropolitan areas in the nation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, what do you expect when it includes places like Dickson County? I've always felt Nashville was very forward thinking; however, the state it's in has held it back a bit. I still love Tennessee, but its many faults are kind of hard to look over.

[sleepy]

I used to vote Socialist Worker in the 70's, then got conservative and started voting democratic.

I remember the 60's when liberal democrats were the enemy--"Dump the Hump", "Hey, hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?", and so on.

[it's just dave]

...and I remember the days when I could make a little joke about the misuse of handicap stickers and not be labeled a bigot.

How times change.

[monsoon]

How times change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Indeed they do. The Confederate Flag is now considered a racist symbol. 25 years ago it was painted on the roof of a car on one of the most popular shows on TV at the time.

[DaddyYo]

I am way, way conservative.

Does anyone remember Suburban Supporter or Stan Yates from the Skyscraperpage forum?

Hello guys. Good to see you all again.

[nashvol85]

If i could vote i would have voted for Bredesen. He is a great leader and buisness man. If i could chose i would prob. vote more liberal in the local and more conservative in the federal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi. I'm new to this forum, but I thought I would give my two cents. I think that I fall right in line with you brewerw. I tend to be a little bit conservative, especially in national politics, but by no means do I consider myself affiliated with the Republican Party. I was 17 when Bredesen ran for Governor, or I would have voted for him. I'm currently a 19 year old freshman at UT Knoxville, but a Nashville native. Anyways, that's my two cents!

[nashvol85]

Nashville as a whole is one of the most conservative metropolitan areas in the nation. The city is slightly liberal, mostly in select communities.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd have to disagree with you there. If you look at election results (in general), Davidson county is even more liberal than Shelby county. It seems that it tends to vote democratic with about a 58-42 margin (election 2000), compared to Shelby's 56-44 (and considering that Davidson counties' black population is about 26% of the city, and Shelby's is 49%, and African Americans tend to be strong Democrats) The suburbs are mildly conservative, with the exception of uber conservative Williamson county. Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner are just barely conservative...and even tend to vote Democrat on a local level. I would say that as a whole, Nashville is a somewhat conservative metro, but a pretty liberal southern city (also, for some reason, state capitals seem to be more liberal)...

[it's just dave]

Welcome, nashvol85. I would have liked to been able to read the discussion you and heckles might have had on this topic, but heckles is not on this forum any longer.

I must admit, it was refreshing to see what you had to say. I am in complete agreement with your assessment of the area's political landscape. Heckles often painted Nashville's picture with a darker brush than reality often dictated.

[nashvol85]

Welcome, nashvol85. I would have liked to been able to read the discussion you and heckles might have had on this topic, but heckles is not on this forum any longer.

I must admit, it was refreshing to see what you had to say. I am in complete agreement with your assessment of the area's political landscape. Heckles often painted Nashville's picture with a darker brush than reality often dictated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What happened to heckles?

Anyways, someone who tends to be extremely liberal will percieve a city like Nashville as a very conservative place, especially out in the suburbs. If you asked someone from Williamson county if Nashville was a liberal city (the actual city itself), then they would probably tell you that it was extremely liberal, especially due to all of the activist groups that can be seen around Nashville (or any other sizeable city...even Knoxville has such groups).

[it's just dave]

Can't really say. He told me he was stepping out for a while. He ended a stint with Dell and told me he was considering moving to Memphis for a while. I'm sure he'll be fine.

I live in East Nashville and find liberal attitudes all over. And I personally think it's time the Lipstick Lounge pulls the Kerry banner off the building and the neighbors remove the yard signs and get on with life.

I consider myself rather moderately conservative with liberal leanings, but if I lean too far to the left, I fall over.

[nashvol85]

I live in East Nashville and find liberal attitudes all over. And I personally think it's time the Lipstick Lounge pulls the Kerry banner off the building and the neighbors remove the yard signs and get on with life. .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I have a little experience with East Nashville and that side of town. I went to Meigs Magnet School a few years ago (the old rundown building) and had the wonderful opportunity to experience the culture on that side of town...it's quite a melting pot with many different ethnic groups and socioeconomic classes. Once you get away from Gallatin Pike, there are some nice areas...but unfortunately a lot of the beautiful historic homes of Edgefield are located in the hood. I haven't been out there in a little while, are there any new major developements/restorations going on in that area?

[it's just dave]

It depends on what you call a little while. The past couple of years has been positive and some very large strides are happening in 05 and beyond. If you haven't been over in a while, you might be quite surprised. And I hope pleasantly. I actually live in Inglewood, so I actually have to drive to the 'hood. And I do. A lot.

[sleepy]

If the Board of Regents approves a 15% tuition hike for the next school year, Tennessee 4 year state universities will be getting closer to $3,000 a semester now. That's not exactly liberal, or caring about the working class...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just a comment on tuition at Tennessee's public universities--

I was told that non-resident tuition at Ole Miss is only a couple hundred dollars higher per semester than resident tuition is at the Univ. of Memphis and some Memphians either go to the Ole Miss-Southaven or take the 1 hr. 15 min. commute to Oxford.

[nashvol85]

They are also thinking about raising the HOPE Scholarship $$$ to about $4,000 per year...factor in financial aid and most of the cost will be taken away for those students who need it/deserve it. I think it will have a greater effect on out of state students who do not qualify for the HOPE.

[doormanpoet]

Liberal Democrat here!