s/o ideological politics of MoCo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both sides let the extreme wing run things. MCGOP too often put up crazies (Ficker) or Trumpsters (Cox -- OK that was MDGOP not MCGOP).

Then the Dems like Takoma Park/SS control things, mainly because they are the most vocal and involved. The people in upcounty (Germantown, Clarksburg) where all the population growth is, are too busy making a living to get involved in the local party dramas.

The solution is open primaries, which means in the general (which has much higher turnout) you'd end up with a left-wing dem and a moderate dem most likely. Then the silent majority would pick the moderate dem.

Instead, the race is won in the primary, where there is scant voter turnout except among the most involved, which tend to be the most progressive.

I never understand this "Marc Elrich is a crazy left-winger" thing. You know who loves Marc Elrich? The Citizens Coordinating Committee on Friendship Heights, the "Save Westbard" group, the Kenwood Citizens Association, and the Montgomery Countryside Alliance. He says a lot of stuff, but when it comes down to it, he supports the homeowners who oppose change, every single time.

Marc Elrich is in office now because Hans Riemer, the county’s self-proclaimed YIMBY in chief, ran a no-chance vanity campaign and spent a substantial part of his public financing attacking David Blair. Those attacks stuck but Riemer only succeeded in making himself a second choice behind Elrich and in making Elrich the second choice to Riemer. What a great legacy for Riemer.

Riemer and Elrich both represent the tipping point for MoCo. They’re Takoma Park politicians, and the county’s political center of gravity shifted to Takoma Park when MoCo agreed to allow the municipality l to be consolidated in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an old school liberal. I think the extremist wing of the democratic party has become the opposite of liberal. I believe in funding schools, programs for the less fortunate, and supporting labor. But I don't want to mask mandates, vaccine passports, telling restaurant owners what they have to sell, and banning leaf blowers. I think some in the democratic party today are far too trusting of government and actually wanting to restrict ideas and speech. My parents are also old school vietnam war era liberals, and i think there is something to be learned from them.

It is not extreme to ban leafblowers. Why should I be forced to breath your polluted air?

Of course it is extreme. They are hurting working class jobs, often held by Latinos. A compromise like a voluntary rebate program would have been much more sensible. But the progressives here are extremists. Compromise is a dirty word. To them it means failure.

Electric leafblowers are a thing that exists, and people use them, including mow and blow crews.

You obviously don't do this for a living, or know anyone who does. The batteries don't last a whole day, so businesses are bringing gas powered generators to their work sites (your yards) to either plug in equipment or charge batteries.

Electric is find for homeowners. Not businesses. The tech isn't there yet.

That's interesting, because the mow and blowers use electric leafblowers at the condo building where I own a unit. The condo association required it, and hearing protection, too. Maybe the next time they're there, I should tell them that what they're doing is impossible.

Follow them all day and not just your little siloed world. Amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an old school liberal. I think the extremist wing of the democratic party has become the opposite of liberal. I believe in funding schools, programs for the less fortunate, and supporting labor. But I don't want to mask mandates, vaccine passports, telling restaurant owners what they have to sell, and banning leaf blowers. I think some in the democratic party today are far too trusting of government and actually wanting to restrict ideas and speech. My parents are also old school vietnam war era liberals, and i think there is something to be learned from them.

It is not extreme to ban leafblowers. Why should I be forced to breath your polluted air?

Of course it is extreme. They are hurting working class jobs, often held by Latinos. A compromise like a voluntary rebate program would have been much more sensible. But the progressives here are extremists. Compromise is a dirty word. To them it means failure.

Electric leafblowers are a thing that exists, and people use them, including mow and blow crews.

You obviously don't do this for a living, or know anyone who does. The batteries don't last a whole day, so businesses are bringing gas powered generators to their work sites (your yards) to either plug in equipment or charge batteries.

Electric is find for homeowners. Not businesses. The tech isn't there yet.

That's interesting, because the mow and blowers use electric leafblowers at the condo building where I own a unit. The condo association required it, and hearing protection, too. Maybe the next time they're there, I should tell them that what they're doing is impossible.

Follow them all day and not just your little siloed world. Amazing.

If only there were such a thing as extra batteries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an old school liberal. I think the extremist wing of the democratic party has become the opposite of liberal. I believe in funding schools, programs for the less fortunate, and supporting labor. But I don't want to mask mandates, vaccine passports, telling restaurant owners what they have to sell, and banning leaf blowers. I think some in the democratic party today are far too trusting of government and actually wanting to restrict ideas and speech. My parents are also old school vietnam war era liberals, and i think there is something to be learned from them.

It is not extreme to ban leafblowers. Why should I be forced to breath your polluted air?

Of course it is extreme. They are hurting working class jobs, often held by Latinos. A compromise like a voluntary rebate program would have been much more sensible. But the progressives here are extremists. Compromise is a dirty word. To them it means failure.

Electric leafblowers are a thing that exists, and people use them, including mow and blow crews.

You obviously don't do this for a living, or know anyone who does. The batteries don't last a whole day, so businesses are bringing gas powered generators to their work sites (your yards) to either plug in equipment or charge batteries.

Electric is find for homeowners. Not businesses. The tech isn't there yet.

That's interesting, because the mow and blowers use electric leafblowers at the condo building where I own a unit. The condo association required it, and hearing protection, too. Maybe the next time they're there, I should tell them that what they're doing is impossible.

Follow them all day and not just your little siloed world. Amazing.

If only there were such a thing as extra batteries.

They probably still to charge those extra batteries during the work day unless they have a LOT of extra batteries.

I think we should just ban powered lawn equipment outright. Rakes and reel mowers would create more jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not another “omg Montgomery County is dying from communism” thread.

I am more curious from the birds-eye view standpoint as how MoCo became in the last 20 or so years so ideologically distinct from the rest of the region which is pretty mainstream and moderate. Previously, MoCo elected Connie Morella Republicans and Doug Duncan Democrats, as someone mentioned in another thread. How did we go from that to electing Marc Elrich, Kristin Mink, and Will Jawando?

You can say there is a less White and more diverse electorate, but that does not mean more progressive. Usually people of color vote for moderate Democrats, not progressives. You can also say it’s the dominance of Takoma Park/Silver Spring activists, but why? Why doesn’t the rest of the county outvote them? And what draws more left leaning people to places like downtown Silver Spring anyway? Is it some kind of self sorting like people with left wing views move here or is it a highly successful effort to drown out more moderate voices?

Your premise is faulty. There aren't any more "Connie Morella" Republicans. The Republicans got rid of them. Meanwhile, on the County Council: Friedson, Balcombe, Katz, Sayles, Luedtke, Albornoz, and Sayles.

The Democrats got rid of Morella by rezoning her district so Van Hollen could win.

This.

Plus, she turned Right toward her last few years as the party shifted.

My mom was a lifelong Dem but she voted for Morrella until Van Hollen showed up. Why? Because Morrella abandoned her moderate ways and began following the party.

[Anonymous]

Can you name a reasonable Republican?

All you have is the crazy guy that's been banned from Wizards games because he is such a disgusting human. Who else do you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not another “omg Montgomery County is dying from communism” thread.

I am more curious from the birds-eye view standpoint as how MoCo became in the last 20 or so years so ideologically distinct from the rest of the region which is pretty mainstream and moderate. Previously, MoCo elected Connie Morella Republicans and Doug Duncan Democrats, as someone mentioned in another thread. How did we go from that to electing Marc Elrich, Kristin Mink, and Will Jawando?

You can say there is a less White and more diverse electorate, but that does not mean more progressive. Usually people of color vote for moderate Democrats, not progressives. You can also say it’s the dominance of Takoma Park/Silver Spring activists, but why? Why doesn’t the rest of the county outvote them? And what draws more left leaning people to places like downtown Silver Spring anyway? Is it some kind of self sorting like people with left wing views move here or is it a highly successful effort to drown out more moderate voices?

Your premise is faulty. There aren't any more "Connie Morella" Republicans. The Republicans got rid of them. Meanwhile, on the County Council: Friedson, Balcombe, Katz, Sayles, Luedtke, Albornoz, and Sayles.

The Democrats got rid of Morella by rezoning her district so Van Hollen could win.

This.

Plus, she turned Right toward her last few years as the party shifted.

My mom was a lifelong Dem but she voted for Morrella until Van Hollen showed up. Why? Because Morrella abandoned her moderate ways and began following the party.

However moderate she might have been otherwise, Connie Morella voted for the Republican for Speaker of the House, including Dennis Hastert and Newt Gingrich.

[Anonymous]

I think MoCo is on a “self-fulfilling prophecy” journey.

The county’s older more affluent, white longtime residents are dying off or retired in Florida. The reliable tax base has decreased dramatically.

The county has diversified dramatically thanks to its sanctuary city status. Frankly, the affluent heyday prompted a boom requiring service workers.

Now we are entering a new phase where Latinos are the overwhelming majority in entire portions of the county. Mcps is prioritizing dollars to better support them…and beginning to realize (surprise!) they are religious and very conservative. And they aren’t the only ones! The west side of the county has growing Asian and Muslim communities that are also conservative.

ICYMI: the reliably blue MoCo is quietly transitioning. Sure, plenty of Latinos can’t vote…yet. But give it a generation or two.

I mean, who do you think votes in red TX? Latinos are generally religious and politically conservative. The mcps anti-lgbtq book thing was driven by religious non-whites. The times they are a-changing.

[Anonymous]

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/11/hispanic-voters-fleeing-democratic-party/671851/

The Atlantic does a good job explaining Hispanic voting trends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think MoCo is on a “self-fulfilling prophecy” journey.

The county’s older more affluent, white longtime residents are dying off or retired in Florida. The reliable tax base has decreased dramatically.

The county has diversified dramatically thanks to its sanctuary city status. Frankly, the affluent heyday prompted a boom requiring service workers.

Now we are entering a new phase where Latinos are the overwhelming majority in entire portions of the county. Mcps is prioritizing dollars to better support them…and beginning to realize (surprise!) they are religious and very conservative. And they aren’t the only ones! The west side of the county has growing Asian and Muslim communities that are also conservative.

ICYMI: the reliably blue MoCo is quietly transitioning. Sure, plenty of Latinos can’t vote…yet. But give it a generation or two.

I mean, who do you think votes in red TX? Latinos are generally religious and politically conservative. The mcps anti-lgbtq book thing was driven by religious non-whites. The times they are a-changing.

(White) Montgomery County Republicans keep telling each other this, and believing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/11/hispanic-voters-fleeing-democratic-party/671851/

The Atlantic does a good job explaining Hispanic voting trends.

Watch the propaganda on Spanish TV for a week and you would understand why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not another “omg Montgomery County is dying from communism” thread.

I am more curious from the birds-eye view standpoint as how MoCo became in the last 20 or so years so ideologically distinct from the rest of the region which is pretty mainstream and moderate. Previously, MoCo elected Connie Morella Republicans and Doug Duncan Democrats, as someone mentioned in another thread. How did we go from that to electing Marc Elrich, Kristin Mink, and Will Jawando?

You can say there is a less White and more diverse electorate, but that does not mean more progressive. Usually people of color vote for moderate Democrats, not progressives. You can also say it’s the dominance of Takoma Park/Silver Spring activists, but why? Why doesn’t the rest of the county outvote them? And what draws more left leaning people to places like downtown Silver Spring anyway? Is it some kind of self sorting like people with left wing views move here or is it a highly successful effort to drown out more moderate voices?

Your premise is faulty. There aren't any more "Connie Morella" Republicans. The Republicans got rid of them. Meanwhile, on the County Council: Friedson, Balcombe, Katz, Sayles, Luedtke, Albornoz, and Sayles.

The Democrats got rid of Morella by rezoning her district so Van Hollen could win.

The Republicans in Montgomery County could run "Connie Morella" Republicans, if they could find any. So, why don't they?

Because they would lose.

This life long Democrat has started to vote Republican in Maryland state elections, especially when there is a reasonable candidate. I voted for Hogan and then Moore.

Would you vote for a local Republican who is pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ, pro-environment, anti-trump, while anti tax-and-spend and pro-police and against substanceless DEI initiatives?

dp... I definitely would, and so would my Dem spouse. I'm an Independent. Even my D spouse doesn't like the hard left the county is moving towards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think MoCo is on a “self-fulfilling prophecy” journey.

The county’s older more affluent, white longtime residents are dying off or retired in Florida. The reliable tax base has decreased dramatically.

The county has diversified dramatically thanks to its sanctuary city status. Frankly, the affluent heyday prompted a boom requiring service workers.

Now we are entering a new phase where Latinos are the overwhelming majority in entire portions of the county. Mcps is prioritizing dollars to better support them…and beginning to realize (surprise!) they are religious and very conservative. And they aren’t the only ones! The west side of the county has growing Asian and Muslim communities that are also conservative.

ICYMI: the reliably blue MoCo is quietly transitioning. Sure, plenty of Latinos can’t vote…yet. But give it a generation or two.

I mean, who do you think votes in red TX? Latinos are generally religious and politically conservative. The mcps anti-lgbtq book thing was driven by religious non-whites. The times they are a-changing.

(White) Montgomery County Republicans keep telling each other this, and believing it.

Well, I’m a Dem with a social justice warrior type job who routinely interacts with immigrants.

Long story short: religious, anti-abortion, anti-lgbtq, anti-taxes, work under the table in jobs that deal in cash even when they are here legally to avoid taxes, etc.

Sounds pretty Republican to me.

Mcps abandoned Halloween festivities in response to their religious beliefs. Give it a generation and let’s see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think MoCo is on a “self-fulfilling prophecy” journey.

The county’s older more affluent, white longtime residents are dying off or retired in Florida. The reliable tax base has decreased dramatically.

The county has diversified dramatically thanks to its sanctuary city status. Frankly, the affluent heyday prompted a boom requiring service workers.

Now we are entering a new phase where Latinos are the overwhelming majority in entire portions of the county. Mcps is prioritizing dollars to better support them…and beginning to realize (surprise!) they are religious and very conservative. And they aren’t the only ones! The west side of the county has growing Asian and Muslim communities that are also conservative.

ICYMI: the reliably blue MoCo is quietly transitioning. Sure, plenty of Latinos can’t vote…yet. But give it a generation or two.

I mean, who do you think votes in red TX? Latinos are generally religious and politically conservative. The mcps anti-lgbtq book thing was driven by religious non-whites. The times they are a-changing.

(White) Montgomery County Republicans keep telling each other this, and believing it.

Well, I’m a Dem with a social justice warrior type job who routinely interacts with immigrants.

Long story short: religious, anti-abortion, anti-lgbtq, anti-taxes, work under the table in jobs that deal in cash even when they are here legally to avoid taxes, etc.

Sounds pretty Republican to me.

Mcps abandoned Halloween festivities in response to their religious beliefs. Give it a generation and let’s see what happens.

Do you mean: let's see what happens when their kids vote? Ok. What will happen when your kids vote? What will happen when my kids vote? What is happening when Gen Z is voting now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an old school liberal. I think the extremist wing of the democratic party has become the opposite of liberal. I believe in funding schools, programs for the less fortunate, and supporting labor. But I don't want to mask mandates, vaccine passports, telling restaurant owners what they have to sell, and banning leaf blowers. I think some in the democratic party today are far too trusting of government and actually wanting to restrict ideas and speech. My parents are also old school vietnam war era liberals, and i think there is something to be learned from them.

It is not extreme to ban leafblowers. Why should I be forced to breath your polluted air?

Of course it is extreme. They are hurting working class jobs, often held by Latinos. A compromise like a voluntary rebate program would have been much more sensible. But the progressives here are extremists. Compromise is a dirty word. To them it means failure.

Electric leafblowers are a thing that exists, and people use them, including mow and blow crews.

You obviously don't do this for a living, or know anyone who does. The batteries don't last a whole day, so businesses are bringing gas powered generators to their work sites (your yards) to either plug in equipment or charge batteries.

Electric is find for homeowners. Not businesses. The tech isn't there yet.

electric ones are also less powerful, so it takes much longer to blow the leaves. I have both. I started with an electric. It didn't do a good job. So we got a gas powered one, and man, what a difference.