Why is suburban Maryland so leftist?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:
What's leftist to you is centrist to me, OP. I'm from Europe, where most countries have decent parental leave, subsidized daycares and health care systems that don't fleece patients and the nation. The US Democratic Party is centrist compared to the multiple Left-wing parties in Europe.

Another European here, and couldn't disagree more.

US Dems have become a far left party, with a radical quasi-communist platform focused on identity politics and hate for "western" values.

Back to OP's question -- many of your neighbors work in DC yet they choose to live up in MD...they feel guilty about it so they have to show how cool and progressive they are via some cheap rethoric.

Where are you from, Hungary?

Nope, not even close.

Where are you from, the USSR?

OK, then please tell us where, because I don't know of any country in Europe where the US Democratic Party would qualify as "far left."

Again, I think the US Democratic Party is more centrist on economic issues than European parties, although that is starting to change (thankfully). Universal healthcare is a given in Europe, even though it takes various forms, and there is generally more appreciation of a welfare state and worker protections (family leave, vacations, etc).
But I do think Americans are more socially liberal. Yes, there is the actual racist/sexist/homophobic constituency on the Right, and of course the evangelicals, but the move toward LGBT equality over the last 20 years or so has been commendable. You see a LOT more normalized homophobia in Europe, even Western Europe. And you really don't see the kind of uber political correctness like you see among the "woke" wing of the US Democrats. The US is far from perfect, of course, but being completely honest you'd be hard-pressed to find a more culturally tolerant society elsewhere, besides maybe Canada.

If that's even half true, why the constant whining?

Signed,

European

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Traditionally, national elections were about "the battle for the suburbs"... the middle ground voter between the urban liberals and the rural conservatives. You hear about the proverbial suburban moderate, small business owners who would like a tax cuts, suburban soccer moms who care about gun control, that sort of thing. At least that's what the mainstream media or a lot of political conventions like to portray.

Why then is suburban Maryland (specifically the DC metro, white people in Baltimore County less so) extremely leftist? Not just Democratic, but far left Democratic? I guess Arlington and Alexandria VA are sort of like that, but not Fairfax or Loudoun. But places like Bethesda seem to be full of California-type farmers market-shopping, NPR listening, Prius driving liberals, and Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Hyattsville, College Park downright socialist. There were a bunch of socialists that won Maryland state and local elections too.

Why is suburban Maryland politically more like urban DC rather than other suburbs of metropolitan areas, like Orange County or like suburban Chicago, Philly, or Houston?

Because it’s the best way to live?!? —with respect for workers, honest Democracy, and empathy for others

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:
What's leftist to you is centrist to me, OP. I'm from Europe, where most countries have decent parental leave, subsidized daycares and health care systems that don't fleece patients and the nation. The US Democratic Party is centrist compared to the multiple Left-wing parties in Europe.

Another European here, and couldn't disagree more.

US Dems have become a far left party, with a radical quasi-communist platform focused on identity politics and hate for "western" values.

Back to OP's question -- many of your neighbors work in DC yet they choose to live up in MD...they feel guilty about it so they have to show how cool and progressive they are via some cheap rethoric.

Where are you from, Hungary?

Nope, not even close.

Where are you from, the USSR?

OK, then please tell us where, because I don't know of any country in Europe where the US Democratic Party would qualify as "far left."

You are not European.

Which country are you from?

[Anonymous]

Education. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Traditionally, national elections were about "the battle for the suburbs"... the middle ground voter between the urban liberals and the rural conservatives. You hear about the proverbial suburban moderate, small business owners who would like a tax cuts, suburban soccer moms who care about gun control, that sort of thing. At least that's what the mainstream media or a lot of political conventions like to portray.

Why then is suburban Maryland (specifically the DC metro, white people in Baltimore County less so) extremely leftist? Not just Democratic, but far left Democratic? I guess Arlington and Alexandria VA are sort of like that, but not Fairfax or Loudoun. But places like Bethesda seem to be full of California-type farmers market-shopping, NPR listening, Prius driving liberals, and Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Hyattsville, College Park downright socialist. There were a bunch of socialists that won Maryland state and local elections too.

Why is suburban Maryland politically more like urban DC rather than other suburbs of metropolitan areas, like Orange County or like suburban Chicago, Philly, or Houston?

"Far left"? Nuh uh. When someone starts calling for nationalizing the means of production, let me know.

Also, why the focus on white (non-Hispanic) people? Non-Hispanic white people are a minority of the Montgomery County population, let alone the Prince Georges County population.

Marc Elrich does so on his facebook page all the time, and he just called for a state (MD) run cannabis industry.

And he refuses to let the county get out of the liquor sales and distribution business monopoly they have.

The state legislature set that up, actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:
What's leftist to you is centrist to me, OP. I'm from Europe, where most countries have decent parental leave, subsidized daycares and health care systems that don't fleece patients and the nation. The US Democratic Party is centrist compared to the multiple Left-wing parties in Europe.

Another European here, and couldn't disagree more.

US Dems have become a far left party, with a radical quasi-communist platform focused on identity politics and hate for "western" values.

Back to OP's question -- many of your neighbors work in DC yet they choose to live up in MD...they feel guilty about it so they have to show how cool and progressive they are via some cheap rethoric.

Where are you from, Hungary?

Nope, not even close.

Where are you from, the USSR?

OK, then please tell us where, because I don't know of any country in Europe where the US Democratic Party would qualify as "far left."

Again, I think the US Democratic Party is more centrist on economic issues than European parties, although that is starting to change (thankfully). Universal healthcare is a given in Europe, even though it takes various forms, and there is generally more appreciation of a welfare state and worker protections (family leave, vacations, etc).
But I do think Americans are more socially liberal. Yes, there is the actual racist/sexist/homophobic constituency on the Right, and of course the evangelicals, but the move toward LGBT equality over the last 20 years or so has been commendable. You see a LOT more normalized homophobia in Europe, even Western Europe. And you really don't see the kind of uber political correctness like you see among the "woke" wing of the US Democrats. The US is far from perfect, of course, but being completely honest you'd be hard-pressed to find a more culturally tolerant society elsewhere, besides maybe Canada.

If that's even half true, why the constant whining?

Signed,

European

I'm a DP from the person you were arguing with before about whether or not the Democrats are far left vis a vis Europe. I'm the PP who said before that European Labour parties are more economically left. I used to live in Europe.
Anyways, regarding whining, I do think that **some** American liberal Democrats lose perspective about where the rest of the world is on social issues. YES there are racists and sexists in America and it can be tough to be black and gay or trans in rural Alabama. But the hair splitting over gender pronouns or cultural appropriation is not a thing in Europe. And sometimes I think "woke" progressives need to draw the line when it comes to being tolerant and cultural relativism in order to not welcome inherently illiberal ideas. That's an issue in Europe, for example, if a fundamentalist Muslim population settles in Denmark, they need to learn Danish law and conventions and behavior towards women and not assume they can live by the values of the old country. Sometimes you have to be somewhat politically incorrect to be liberal, and realize it's not the same as being racist.

But I digress. Maryland is just liberal. MoCo and PG have a very diverse and educated population with a lot of federal employees, scientists, and nonprofit professionals. Gun-waving, Bible-thumping evangelicals don't flock to these professions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we are highly educated for the most part. Because educated people are open minded. Because we are doing good financially but are not rich.

Funny because my FB friends who are the most vocally liberal are not highly educated.

I find that people who are actually highly educated are better able to see the nuance in certain issues. And don’t simply regurgitate what they hear/see in the liberal media. Truly intelligent people are better able to see both sides of every story and that every decision has potential pros and cons.

I don't know your friends. Otherwise you are parroting what I wrote. I see both sides, I see pros and cons, I don't vote democratic "just because." I don't repeat what I see in any media. I have no idea where did you come to these "truths" from my post. Which nuances are you suggesting that I am not seeing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because we are highly educated for the most part. Because educated people are open minded. Because we are doing good financially but are not rich.

Funny because my FB friends who are the most vocally liberal are not highly educated.

I find that people who are actually highly educated are better able to see the nuance in certain issues. And don’t simply regurgitate what they hear/see in the liberal media. Truly intelligent people are better able to see both sides of every story and that every decision has potential pros and cons.

+ a million

[Anonymous]

Agree with everyone. The answer is 100% education and upbringing in an educated household. The two are tied together. Bethesda for one, is the most educated small town in America. Read the stats and do the research. It's all there.

[Anonymous]

No one is focused on the racial component. PG is one of the biggest majority black countries in the United States

That's why

DCUM liberal elites really need to get out of their bubble

DC is supermajority democrat due to the black population as much as the liberal rich white population

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with everyone. The answer is 100% education and upbringing in an educated household. The two are tied together. Bethesda for one, is the most educated small town in America. Read the stats and do the research. It's all there.

+1 so much data that shows this, but I know that conservatives don't like to look at the data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s education. Better educated population. Many very educated women.

Key point.

[Anonymous]

Birds of a feather flock together! We tend to pick neighborhoods to live where people have similar values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Traditionally, national elections were about "the battle for the suburbs"... the middle ground voter between the urban liberals and the rural conservatives. You hear about the proverbial suburban moderate, small business owners who would like a tax cuts, suburban soccer moms who care about gun control, that sort of thing. At least that's what the mainstream media or a lot of political conventions like to portray.

Why then is suburban Maryland (specifically the DC metro, white people in Baltimore County less so) extremely leftist? Not just Democratic, but far left Democratic? I guess Arlington and Alexandria VA are sort of like that, but not Fairfax or Loudoun. But places like Bethesda seem to be full of California-type farmers market-shopping, NPR listening, Prius driving liberals, and Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Hyattsville, College Park downright socialist. There were a bunch of socialists that won Maryland state and local elections too.

Why is suburban Maryland politically more like urban DC rather than other suburbs of metropolitan areas, like Orange County or like suburban Chicago, Philly, or Houston?

Many more bureaucrats and fewer corporate folks and small business owners in dc and nearby.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It is but it also isn't. Don't forget the megachurch people and the people who live in the suburbs or exurbs and who are afraid to come into the city.

Huh? Why are you equating fear of going into the city with being conservative? That makes no sense.

Also, where are there actual megachurches in MoCo? WaPo did a list of the largest churches in the DC area in 2014 and no MoCo churches made the list.

Agree. That’s ridiculous. What, so no conservative-leaning fed employees in DC?

And I can’t think of a single megachurch in a 10 mile radius of my neighborhood.

There are a fair number of conservative federal employees, I don't know why, but they exist and my dh works with them in suburban Maryland. And I find it strange that someone thinks that all DOD and Pentagon and military staff are "liberal" because they are feds too.

Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg
https://www.covlife.org/
Montgomery County megachurch that just had a huge child sexual abuse scandal. Was all over the news, not sure how you all missed it.
So, list of megachurches in MD: http://hirr.hartsem.edu/cgi-bin/mega/db.pl?db=default&uid=default&view_records=1&ID=*&sb=4&State=MD

I hate mega churches, and much more traditional (and liberal) and would imagine many people in the DC area, would prefer to go to a non megachurch.

The are more Democrats and liberals in MoCo than VA but MoCo is not super leftist, if all the people I see driving around with "pray the rosary" and "prolife" stickers are any indication.

There are plenty of people in suburban Maryland representing the whole political spectrum who don't fit most of the stereotypes pps have discussed. Fairfax is becoming more "liberal" by the day.