Thank you! I’m a Missourian and all the Republican governmental bullshit drives me crazy! They gaslight the people of Missouri shamelessly and relentlessly. Yet it baffles me how people around here are so easily led and bamboozled! I will only speak of politics or current events with a select few people because I disagree with probably 90% of the people I live by, yet they would give you the shirt off their back and feed your family in the event of a tornado.
I’m in your shoes, Michele. I live in the Panhandle of FL - the most red district you can imagine, home of Matt Gaetz!! I moved here 40 years ago because it was blue then, and I was hoping for a better life for my two daughters than racist Birmingham, AL. Now I’m very angry often. We no longer even have recycling, and our education system is among the worst!!! I would really like to live in a blue state before I die!
I travel a lot by car, so there are no flyover states for me. I’m somewhat conflicted when traveling through Red states, do I “support” Alabama by spending money despite their Draconian laws? Articles like these remind me the people of a state aren’t necessarily defined by the actions at the state level. I try to spend local, but a BBQ joint with a Confederate flag out front is a hard no. I’ve met really nice people at meat & threes in Mississippi and had interesting conversations where politics never came up. They genuinely want to know what I think of their town. Thanks for the perspective.
So glad to hear this – folks in red states (and blue states, for that matter) aren't nearly as homogenous as the political results might have us believe. And Missouri isn't red so much as it is uncontested. When 40% of the state legislative seats are uncontested, the map is going to look blood-red, even if it's not so clear-cut. (And I miss the meat & threes in Georgia! Though I'll never understand how mac & cheese is considered a veggie...)
Thanks Michele ! Seeing that you are finding ways to collect funds and actually get them to downballot progressives is about the most motivating reading I've done recently.
There's a lot more to say, but for now, just -- thank you ! -- b.rad
The enumeration of obstacles to a state and local government that could serve everyone, Michele, left me feeling suffocated. I know that was not your goal. Sugar coating what a super-majority state government does to its citizens serves no purpose. Living in Florida offers the same predicament re super-majorities in the legislature. Trump’s defeat, were that to happen this fall, is viewed as the end of the fascist efforts to overturn our constitution. I truly fear a civil war will ensue regardless. These speculations don’t generate hope of any kind. With a 4-yo granddaughter I wish this wasn’t the case.
Growing up, Missouri was a solid democratic state, proud of its practical Truman legacy and ultimately with Carnahans in the wings. Then the Ashcrofts slipped onto the scene, with “red values” and notions of “good”.
The state’s governance went downhill from there in respect to advocating fully for the common good. Metropolitan areas with urban needs suffered financially as the rural anger infested the legislature.
When Missouri’s hard-working Senator Claire McCaskill lost to Josh Hawley, the diewas cast…Missouri lost its balance and became rock hard red.
For family reasons, I live in NYC now, where it is politically more comfortable. But I mourn MO and my hometown St. Louis. So much to celebrate there, but tough obstacles to overcome today’s divisiveness and unrelenting inability to find reasonable common ground.
Thank you! I’m a Missourian and all the Republican governmental bullshit drives me crazy! They gaslight the people of Missouri shamelessly and relentlessly. Yet it baffles me how people around here are so easily led and bamboozled! I will only speak of politics or current events with a select few people because I disagree with probably 90% of the people I live by, yet they would give you the shirt off their back and feed your family in the event of a tornado.
It's so true – and hard to reconcile how such kind neighbors can so enthusiastically support MAGA politicians and policies...
So true!
I’m in your shoes, Michele. I live in the Panhandle of FL - the most red district you can imagine, home of Matt Gaetz!! I moved here 40 years ago because it was blue then, and I was hoping for a better life for my two daughters than racist Birmingham, AL. Now I’m very angry often. We no longer even have recycling, and our education system is among the worst!!! I would really like to live in a blue state before I die!
I feel that struggle – and echo that hope! 💙
I travel a lot by car, so there are no flyover states for me. I’m somewhat conflicted when traveling through Red states, do I “support” Alabama by spending money despite their Draconian laws? Articles like these remind me the people of a state aren’t necessarily defined by the actions at the state level. I try to spend local, but a BBQ joint with a Confederate flag out front is a hard no. I’ve met really nice people at meat & threes in Mississippi and had interesting conversations where politics never came up. They genuinely want to know what I think of their town. Thanks for the perspective.
So glad to hear this – folks in red states (and blue states, for that matter) aren't nearly as homogenous as the political results might have us believe. And Missouri isn't red so much as it is uncontested. When 40% of the state legislative seats are uncontested, the map is going to look blood-red, even if it's not so clear-cut. (And I miss the meat & threes in Georgia! Though I'll never understand how mac & cheese is considered a veggie...)
Thanks Michele ! Seeing that you are finding ways to collect funds and actually get them to downballot progressives is about the most motivating reading I've done recently.
There's a lot more to say, but for now, just -- thank you ! -- b.rad
The enumeration of obstacles to a state and local government that could serve everyone, Michele, left me feeling suffocated. I know that was not your goal. Sugar coating what a super-majority state government does to its citizens serves no purpose. Living in Florida offers the same predicament re super-majorities in the legislature. Trump’s defeat, were that to happen this fall, is viewed as the end of the fascist efforts to overturn our constitution. I truly fear a civil war will ensue regardless. These speculations don’t generate hope of any kind. With a 4-yo granddaughter I wish this wasn’t the case.
Thank you for writing this. I would have never known otherwise.
Thank you Neela!
I live in Texas. I feel your pain.
Thank you, as a red state democrat it’s tough .
What she said. 🥲
Minnesota is slowly creeping Red…Biden-Trump virtual tie…poll out yesterday has generic ballot of likely voters going GOP 52-43.
Looking in the rear view mirror:
Growing up, Missouri was a solid democratic state, proud of its practical Truman legacy and ultimately with Carnahans in the wings. Then the Ashcrofts slipped onto the scene, with “red values” and notions of “good”.
The state’s governance went downhill from there in respect to advocating fully for the common good. Metropolitan areas with urban needs suffered financially as the rural anger infested the legislature.
When Missouri’s hard-working Senator Claire McCaskill lost to Josh Hawley, the diewas cast…Missouri lost its balance and became rock hard red.
For family reasons, I live in NYC now, where it is politically more comfortable. But I mourn MO and my hometown St. Louis. So much to celebrate there, but tough obstacles to overcome today’s divisiveness and unrelenting inability to find reasonable common ground.
The challenge:
SHOW ME a MISSOURI
COMPROMISE for a robust
future for the whole state.