What explains the liberalism of DC residents?

[Anonymous]

I am curious why DC votes 90 percent for Democrats. Is it that they are government employees and therefore inclined to more government programs? Is it aspirational in that they believe themselves to be “educated” and the Democrats to be the party of the “educated”?

Makes me wonder because it seems obvious that one thing that would really improve DC is to break the stranglehold the Democratic Party has on city government.

[Anonymous]

OP most cities are like this. It's just that DC is looked at as a state when compared to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP most cities are like this. It's just that DC is looked at as a state when compared to others.

I know most cities are like this, but why? I have lived elsewhere and think most cities would benefit from the same thing. A place like San Francisco, for example, could be greatly improved if the people who live there could come to the realization that they are harming themselves by blindly voting for Ds.

[Anonymous]

Because 42% of the population has at least a bachelor's degree, and half the population is African American. Those two demographics, by and large, are more liberal and vote democratic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP most cities are like this. It's just that DC is looked at as a state when compared to others.

I know most cities are like this, but why? I have lived elsewhere and think most cities would benefit from the same thing. A place like San Francisco, for example, could be greatly improved if the people who live there could come to the realization that they are harming themselves by blindly voting for Ds.

Putting asside your assumption that anyone is voting blindly, here are some articles on the topic:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/09/brief-history-how-democrats-conquered-city/597955/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-02-19/what-is-it-exactly-that-makes-big-cities-vote-democratic -- this one is partic good

https://www.niskanencenter.org/explaining-the-urban-rural-political-divide/

[Anonymous]

It’s more diverse and therefore people are open to new things. Democrats are more open than republicans (look up the hypocampus science) and when you’re around different types of people your empathy goes up and you’re probably less worried about who’s a “welfare queen” or however red states might view inner city people.

Also, this place is idealistic. Tons of non profits. Most masters degrees in the nation.

Now I live on the hill. I like diversity and urbanism, but Im also falling out of love for the lax criminal policies being driven by the wokist (I shudder at that word) that accompanies tolerance. Now most people are supposed to just accept crime because of the disparate impact and arrest stats and all that stuff. I’m also aghast at how easily left wing folks like to shame speech or behavior they find unpalatable. As if a good shunning will help the cause. It’s moral absolutism and it’s on both sides.

I wish there was a more centrist government less apt to tax and throw money on programs that don’t work, and less woke on crime, but that’s life. That’s this city.

[Anonymous]

Because people flock to this city to work for the government. They are, by and large, process people who love rules and telling other people what to do. The very definition of a liberal.

[Anonymous]

One could easily turn this around. We have a second home in West Virginia. Folks here vote against their self-interests every day. It's why the governor switched parties and why Manchin keeps giving Biden the finger. It's flabbergasting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because people flock to this city to work for the government. They are, by and large, process people who love rules and telling other people what to do. The very definition of a liberal.

No more liberal than every other city, though.

[Anonymous]

Why would DC ‘improve’ less liberal?

Our liberalism has gotten:

- Universal Pre-School
- Universal Paid Leave
- New Mom UBI Pilot
- Free Public Transportation for Kids
- Highest LEED Environmental certification in the country
- Extremely high percentage of commerce and mixed used development
- Universal public testing and vaccination for a pandemic
- Highest levels of protections for residents in a pandemic including moratorium laws and vaccine passports

Meanwhile our neighbors just got stripped of a mask mandate. I love DC.

[Anonymous]

In part, because the conservatives who move to this area for jobs tend not to want to live in DC (except The Wharf I hear?)

[Anonymous]

education and the types of jobs available around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because 42% of the population has at least a bachelor's degree, and half the population is African American. Those two demographics, by and large, are more liberal and vote democratic.

This! Until relatively recently, DC was a majority African American city, with a very high concentration of highly educated people. DC also has only had Home Rule for about 50 years or so, and still lacks voting representation in Congress. Most would see absolutely nothing positive about the current Republican Party when it comes to values and priorities.

What’s “obvious” to the OP is pretty funny. I’m curious, OP. Why is “educated” in quotes? Why no actual data or even well-presented arguments to support such an “obvious” opinion? Even Tucker Trolls can provide something more substantial than “curiosity “.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would DC ‘improve’ less liberal?

Our liberalism has gotten:

- Universal Pre-School
- Universal Paid Leave
- New Mom UBI Pilot
- Free Public Transportation for Kids
- Highest LEED Environmental certification in the country
- Extremely high percentage of commerce and mixed used development
- Universal public testing and vaccination for a pandemic
- Highest levels of protections for residents in a pandemic including moratorium laws and vaccine passports

Meanwhile our neighbors just got stripped of a mask mandate. I love DC.

+1 I am an idealist who pays plenty of taxes and agrees with a strong safety net and progressive politics.

[Anonymous]

Education and intelligence. It’s that simple.