Republicans In the District

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: We are actually saving 30K a year by living in VA--that is just too much for us to ignore with children and other family obligations.

Wouldn't you have to be making over $1 million/year to save 30k in income tax by moving to VA?

[Anonymous]

I'd vote for buddhist, agnostic, atheist, christian, jewish, muslim, hindu. but not any cult like mormon or scientology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd vote for buddhist, agnostic, atheist, christian, jewish, muslim, hindu. but not any cult like mormon or scientology.

Southern Baptists scare me too, probably more than the scientologists and mormons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd vote for buddhist, agnostic, atheist, christian, jewish, muslim, hindu. but not any cult like mormon or scientology.

Southern Baptists scare me too, probably more than the scientologists and mormons.

Hey, Nixon was a Quaker and look how he perpetuated the war in Vietnam, so you have to be careful about judging someone based on his/her religion. It really depends on the candidate for me.

[Anonymous]

Yes on the income question--we make a lot and we worked for it so we are living in Virginia because their tax policies are better--many many people live in the District when they are young and their income isn't as high but they leave as they get older and married because the District's tax policy just doesn't make sense for your high earning years. A shame because I liked living in the District once upon a time. Capital is mobile as are people.

[Anonymous]

I am a republican and live in the District because taxes are better for our situation: dual income in the $400-$500k ballpark, baby on the way, own a home (and a couple rentals). DC Treasurer puts out a tax analysis every year comparing tax burdens of DC and near-VA and MD counties. In our analysis, DC comes out ahead because you have one less tax layer (no county taxes), and you don't have a car tax like in VA. But that analysis is totally up to the individuals and their situation.

We do not put political stickers on our cars because they would be vandalized, nor do we put campaign signs in our yard so that our house won't be vandalized. I am surprised to hear Democrats on this list saying they have felt attacked because in the many places I have lived in addition to DC (some much more right than left), it is always the Republicans who have to be careful and take precautions and not the Democrats. I have always found that ironic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do not put political stickers on our cars because they would be vandalized, nor do we put campaign signs in our yard so that our house won't be vandalized. I am surprised to hear Democrats on this list saying they have felt attacked because in the many places I have lived in addition to DC (some much more right than left), it is always the Republicans who have to be careful and take precautions and not the Democrats. I have always found that ironic.

Yes, well, this is just an example of not having walked in our shoes so you don't know our experience -- just like I haven't walked in yours. So we need to give each other a break and not make assumptions, right?

[Anonymous]

15:26 here ---- I wasn't making an assumption. I was expressing my genuine surprise based on my observation that Democrats are much more comfortable putting their opinions on their cars than Republicans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:26 here ---- I wasn't making an assumption. I was expressing my genuine surprise based on my observation that Democrats are much more comfortable putting their opinions on their cars than Republicans.

Maybe there are Democrats out there that aren't comfortable doing that. How would you know unless you hang out with those people? I guess I'm assuming you don't hang out with Democrats a lot (but I could be wrong about that) -- that's my point.

[Anonymous]

I am an independent, and definitely many conservatives do not feel comfortable sharing their views at work or with strangers, because they are worried to be labeled "racist", or something else equally silly. I never see that with liberals.

[Anonymous]

15:26 again --

By making that assumption you would be wrong. We're friends with lots of dems, and my parents and siblings are all dems. Lots of stickers and yard signs, all around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an independent, and definitely many conservatives do not feel comfortable sharing their views at work or with strangers, because they are worried to be labeled "racist", or something else equally silly. I never see that with liberals.

Agreed. Why is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an independent, and definitely many conservatives do not feel comfortable sharing their views at work or with strangers, because they are worried to be labeled "racist", or something else equally silly. I never see that with liberals.

Agreed. Why is that?

But have you talked to liberals who live in very conservative areas? When I lived in a conservative area, I was careful about what I said to people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an independent, and definitely many conservatives do not feel comfortable sharing their views at work or with strangers, because they are worried to be labeled "racist", or something else equally silly. I never see that with liberals.

Agreed. Why is that?

But have you talked to liberals who live in very conservative areas? When I lived in a conservative area, I was careful about what I said to people.

True. I am moderately conservative, and I was taught that in formal environments such as your workplace there was no place for political talk, that it was self-limiting particularly if people in a position to advance you disagree with you. Not so much the Democrats in my workplace - some even have Obama picture and Hope and Change literature tacked up in their cubes. One has a photo of Obama as a screen saver. It is any wonder they think everyone agrees with them; those of us who don't keep our mouths shut!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an independent, and definitely many conservatives do not feel comfortable sharing their views at work or with strangers, because they are worried to be labeled "racist", or something else equally silly. I never see that with liberals.

Agreed. Why is that?

But have you talked to liberals who live in very conservative areas? When I lived in a conservative area, I was careful about what I said to people.

True. I am moderately conservative, and I was taught that in formal environments such as your workplace there was no place for political talk, that it was self-limiting particularly if people in a position to advance you disagree with you. Not so much the Democrats in my workplace - some even have Obama picture and Hope and Change literature tacked up in their cubes. One has a photo of Obama as a screen saver. It is any wonder they think everyone agrees with them; those of us who don't keep our mouths shut!

So I'm probably not taking this comment as it was intended, but this gets me thinking. If we could all discuss our political views in an emotionally detached way such that its a discussion about philosophies and not perceived as personal attacks, would politics still be a taboo subject in polite company?

For example, I personally do not agree with the direction that President Obama is trying to take our government, but if I were to try to express that, I'm pretty sure I would be accused of being a racist. So, I keep my mouth shut. I wonder if by doing so, i'm giving tacit approval to his policies and doing myself, and others who think like I do, a disservice? I'm not about to yell at my elected official in a town hall (not that Eleanor Holmes Norton cares what I have to say), but I sympathize with the Tea Parties.