Potential Newbie Has Question about Political Climate
 

I am a New Yorker and am looking for a community that is fun, positive and where I can meet new friends. Everyone raves about The Villages up here. Can you tell me if there is racial and political diversity? I known my own values and who I am going to vote for and I don't like hearing a lot of "ranting" about politics. That is what is going on a lot where I live and I would love to get away from it. Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks!

If you read on the political forums, there is lots of ranting. I find most everybody is civil and nice to each other in public.

About 70% of Villages residents are Republicans and my guess it is about 90% white. I would not classify The Villages as racially or politically diverse. Almost everyone you meet in person is friendly, not necessarily the case on TOTV political forum, but you don't have to read it or participate if you don't want to.

98.35% white, 0.9% Asian, remainder split among Hispanic, African-American, and native Americans. Diversity is an artificial construct of the far left, we need it like a hole in the head. Everything is just fine here.

:agree:...:thumbup:

Dear Guest & OP: Most cultural divides are engineered by political and financial elites. You will find that the particular demographic here because of their stage in life while patriotic are less prone to force their political views on others. Perhaps its because this is a generation that understood the benefit of reticence, perhaps because they have enough of the fight or simply because they at this stage in life are more individualist than collectivists ?

New York politic while more freely expressed does not seem to play well here in The Villages. There is in my view "a live let live" philosophy and one that is most welcome. However you will take note that a very high percentage of the demographic here vote and that's the only thing that really matters.

Personal Best Regards:

You will find PC even down here in the conservative dominated community, although it is relaxed a bit because of seniors being allowed to be a little spontaneous with their verbiage, respecting their age. Most of us do not consider "diversity" to be a factor in our choice to move here. I didn't. I do not consider diversity to be something special and do not look for it in people. Color or sexual deviation does not factor into my day to day lifestyle and I allow others to work it out in their own manner, as long as it does not effect me. I do not cater to anyone that wants special treatment due to their implied status in a particular minority. I do not consider one's religion, race, sexual deviation or political party to be a determining factor in how I treat someone, UNTIL they indicate that they believe they should get special consideration. Then I avoid them. The Villages is mostly conservative by choice. If you are looking to change a community, then it is probably not the best choice for you, as most here are already set in their ways. If you are looking for a friendly community that accepts people of peculiarities, then you might like this place. Many of us are very accepting of differing natures, but may become opinionated if drawn into a conversation on a subject. PC is not much of a factor limiting our conversations down here. We prefer honesty over PC. Respect it or not, that's the way we are. I can't speak for everyone else, but that is my observation and opinion.

Actually that isn't totally correct...
 

most cultural divisions are fostered by the people themselves in wanting to be with others who are like minded. Perhaps the divides of which you mention are the slums and uber rich enclaves. Putting the blame of such divides on politics and financial elites is removing the lack of motivation and responsibility from those who are "have nots".

There are too many cases of the so-called "down trodden" moving upwards to support your supposition.

Merry Christmas.

That doesn't make sense. Are you agreeing or disagreeing? If disagreeing, then what are you disagreeing with? Your comment is a contradiction in itself.

I think I should clarify my statement so it does not sound "racist"--far from it. I wouldn't care if TV was 98% black or 98% gay. It is the people and how they behave and interact with each other and the environment created by "The Developer" that makes this place great. "Diversity" has nothing to do with it. If diversity develops naturally in a particular location, fine. But to force diversity by edict or regulation where it does not naturally exist is a formula for problems.

:thumbup:

I'm a diehard liberal. I love GOOD political discourse. Sadly, a thing few and far between here. That being said, aside from some condescension (I'm still waiting for the pat on the head move), I've found the vast majority of Villagers to be kind, generous and happy. There is a very active Democratic Club here. The African-American Club is thriving, as is the Hispanic Club. So far as I know, there is no "gay" club but there is a very active gay community here. All in all, we are pretty accepting of our differences. Fitting in and making friends is not a problem, even for New Yorkers.

*HOW TO BECOME A LIBERAL*

1. You must believe the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.
2. You must believe the same teacher who cannot teach 4th graders to read is somehow qualified to teach them about sex.
3. You must believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than nuclear weapons in the hands of Iranian jihadists..
4. You must believe there was no art before Federal funding.
5. You must believe global temperatures are less affected by cyclical, documented changes in the earth's climate, and more affected by SUVs.
6. You must believe gender roles are artificial, but homosexuality is natural.
7. You must be against capital punishment, but in favor of abortion on demand.
8. You must believe business creates oppression and the government creates prosperity.
9. You must believe self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.
10. You must believe the military, not politicians, start wars where military personnel, not politicians, die.
11. You must believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution
12. You must believe taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.
13. You must believe standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides aren't.
14. You must believe Hillary Clinton and Elena Kagan are ladies.
15. You must believe the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.
16. You must believe homosexual parades are Constitutionally protected, but manger displays at Christmas are illegal.
17. You must believe that anyone who dislikes "ANYTHING" about Obama is a racist.
18. You must believe that anyone who wants to pay less tax and take back the extreme weakening in Washington is an idiot.
19. You must believe that everything that is going wrong now is Bush's fault.
20. YOU MUST LOVE THE CHANGE YOU VOTED FOR!

Not sure if this is redundant, but in the good natured spirit of bashing the liberal

You might be a liberal if…

you break out in a cold sweat at the mention of the Constitution.
you own something that says “Dukakis for President” and still display it.
you believe the Constitution is living but unborn babies aren’t.
you’ve never been mugged.
you believe that a democrat freed the slaves and a republican created the KKK.
you are only tolerant of people as long as they totally agree with you.
you think the Free Market is where they hand out Government cheese.
you have earrings in places that don’t have lobes.
you know at least one “vegan.”
if you think Benghazi is an Italian sports car maker.
you think that Supply Side Economics refers to your dope dealer’s stash.
you think “integrity” is a new foreign car model.
you still believe in Tinkerbell, the Tooth Fairy and Ted Kennedy.
you’ve ever tried to protect the ozone layer.
you love the spotted owl but have never seen one.
you think occupy Wall Street protesters are sane but Tea Partiers are nuts.
you can’t articulate one single word without a teleprompter.
you think the only absolute in life is vodka.
after looking at your pay stub you can still say, “America is under-taxed.”
you’ve stood for animal rights, but wear leather belts and sandals.
you pay 185% mark-up for organically grown food.
you abhor censorship unless it’s censoring race, religion, Conservatism, Western culture or Rush Limbaugh.
you would vote for Jimmy Carter for president again because he’s done such a good job running Habitat for Humanity.
you go to Gay Pride Day parades so that no one can call you homophobic.
you think having a picture of Jesus on school property is dangerous, but having a condom machine is not.
your wedding vows start with “I promise to be the man that my husband deserves.”
you regard luxury cars as personal excess but spend $1100 for a bike and $400 for a cappuccino machine.
you believe Oprah should have been Obama’s running mate.
you think the phrase “separation of Church and State” is in the constitution.
you think “ethics” is an eastern European country.
you think Jesse Jackson is a good spokesman for the black community.
you support PETA and Green Peace, but still eat beef, fish, lamb, and wear leather garments.
you respond to the “paper or plastic?” question with, “It doesn’t matter. I’m bi-sacksual.”
you think the National Organization for Women is made up of mostly heterosexual women with no lesbian agenda.
your innermost fear is that there might be an omniscient superior being other than yourself.
you want to protest something but don’t know what.
you do all of your grocery shopping on the 4th of each month.
you never told a child that Oscar the Grouch “lives in a trash can” because he chooses to do so.
you think denial is a virtue.
you are a hypocritical Catholic who votes for a baby exterminator every four years.
you think “safe sex” involves tying back your pony-tail.
you believe that watching “Will and Grace” re-runs makes you a defender of gay rights.
you despise the rich even though they pay your share of the taxes.
you get your news from MTV.
you think it’s wrong that “food stamps” can not be used for cigarettes, lottery tickets, and beer.
you give a Kenyan-born socialist an unlimited credit card and power over foreign relations.
you think Monica Lewinsky was a slut who threw herself at Wild Bill.
you believe that no teenager in the world is still a virgin, and that the very idea of virginity is somewhere between quaint and absurd.
you believe that Tolerance is the highest virtue, and that any expression of disagreement with your views of tolerance should be declared a “hate crime.”
you would rather have a free phone than a job.
you believe 59% of whites who voted for Romney are racists but 96% of blacks who voted for Obama are not.
you laugh at your redneck neighbor’s car on blocks while you continue to ride the bus.

Guess I just got the online version of a pat on the head. Sigh. I know it is hard for you conservative, Republican, whte men to believe, but most liberals are not stupid nor naive. We love this country. We do have work ethics. We are no more hypocritical than most average human beings. Many of us really do understand that a coin has two sides. We are tolerant of other people's foibles and beliefs. We may not like it, but we do believe the KKK has as much right to a parade as a peace protest. We do believe everyone should get a fair chance but not a free ride. We do believe that protecting the environment is important. We do believe that people should have the right to enjoy their sexual preference so long as it does not harm another. And so on and so forth. We ain't stupid nor blind.

Most liberals I know are sorely disappointed in Obama and not thrilled with the concept of Hillary as President. But we do think anyone would be better than Trump or Rubio. For now, I'm rooting for Rand Paul and he doesn't stand a snowball's chance. So, Mickey Mouse may end up getting my vote.

Wow!----where did you get your impression of liberals, Fantasyland???? Sorry, but the liberals I know, as well as those on TV as "commentators" are only "tolerant" of those who agree with them, but since they have no logical arguments to support their point of view, resort to name calling and labeling everyone else "racist", "homophobic", or "islamophobic" They support open borders, a nuclear Iran, European style socialism, "free stuff" for those who produce absolutely nothing, including cell phones, cars, wide screen TVs, home computers and gaming systems, and college tuition. They bash anyone who owns a gun, while they themselves are protected by armed bodyguards. They think Islam is the "religion of peace"--religion of pieces is more like it. They join PETA, but support abortion. They think 67% of those incarcerated come from an ethnic group that is only 13% of the population because the criminal justice system is "racist", not because these are the people committing the violent crimes. They think they are safer from a mass shooter in a "gun free zone". And these are just the run of the mill liberals, not the extreme left "wacko birds" Like Bill O'Reilly says, "wise up"

That was a very good response. The only thing that I might add, is regarding his comment about tolerating the KKK. I guess he/she does not realize that the KKK was started by Democrats and that the Democrats were the ones that voted against abolishing slavery and then later against the equal rights amendment. But, I am sure that the confused liberal meant well.

How to become a conservative acquire the ability to talk out of both sides of your mouth at the same time. Take a look at the chart of how much each state pays in income tax, and how much of that comes back to them.
Federal Taxes paid/received for each State

Now, do you want to talk about handouts, and who is receiving them!

I don't think they're confused at all---it's just they truly believe their distorted ideology, regardless of the facts. Too much Kool-Aid must kill brain cells

If I was a Democrat, like my father was I would be voting for Mickey Mouse also. But, the Democrat party of today is NOT the DemocratIC party of yesteryear.

Damn, I told you either John Kasich, or Donald Duck. Mickey Mouse is use to getting his own way like Trump. It is hard to understand Donald Duck, when he speaks. That would make him well qualified to become president.

Agree with that. Today, JFK would probably be in the Tea Party. Gus Hall, who ran as the communist party candidate through that era, would be considered too moderate to join the Democratic party. I think Hugo Chavez might qualify, ...maybe

Donald has too many temper tantrums. Goofy might be a good Republican choice. How about Pluto for the Dems? I vote Independent, so really do try to pick the best candidate for my country at that time. Political party is irrelevant. (I don't like either party.)

And would dearly love to know where some if you are meeting the liberals you describe? Glad the ones I know are a bit more willing to think things through. Let's face it, no political party is perfect. We all should choose what we think is best for the country, not ourselves. It's a shame people can't vote with their minds rather than their emotions.

And, OP, sorry your thread has gone so far off topic, but it does give you an idea of what's here.

That's your counterargument???? Lame doesn't begin to describe it. Waiting to be called a racist or homophobe.......

Independents are either liberal or conservative, but won't commit to either party. Independents can't vote in the primaries in many states, so being an Independent is just a facade. A Republican can vote Democrat and vice versa in the General election, so that is no excuse. I laugh when my brother tells me that he is an Independent, because he admits that he has ALWAYS voted Republican, even though he hates both parties. In his state, he cannot vote in the primary. I am very amused when someone tells me that he is an Independent so that he can vote for the one that is best for the country. Like no one else is voting for their country..... I have to call BS on that.

Like I have said before, I am registered Republican but ONLY to be able to vote in the Republican primary and do so with the hope of voting for the most outlandish one. Naturally, in the General, I go Democrat.

Lots and lots of us Democrats are doing the same thing. It was taught to us in the Democrat Clubs to hopefully screw up the Republicans even more than they are doing to themselves.

Apparently, you have no problem with being called a hypocrite. When a list of total nonsense is match against reality, total nonsense will always prevail in the Republican world. Go Trump Go. We need a leader that excels in total nonsense. The path to the top always starts in the gutter. In Trump case, it will remain in the gutter. The gutter will protected his hair from being messed up by the wind.

Trump's first wife
fish face - Bing images

Dear Guest: I suggest you go back and re-read what I wrote. but before you do please make sure you have an understanding of the key words in my statement "engineered" "political class" "financial elitist" "individualist" "collectivist". Essentially you got yourself turned around

Personal Best Regards:

Why Hillary always wears a pants suit.
Mother's lipoedema causes fat to build up in her legs - despite dieting | Daily Mail Online

Dear Guest: What does your statement below mean? What would affect you as respects this issue? Is there a manner in which this issue may affect you without you actually being aware?

I am not being judgmental nor critical. Its just that something is obfuscating the intent of the statement and so I am curious to learn why?

I do not consider diversity to be something special and do not look for it in people. Color or sexual deviation does not factor into my day to day lifestyle and I allow others to work it out in their own manner, as long as it does not effect me.

Personal Best Regards:

I apologize for not being more clear. Putting thoughts in writing is not quite the same as vocalizing them. What I meant is that unlike many others that seem to thrive on PC, I don't care about one's diversity, color, sexual orientation, religion, etc, as long as it does not effect my day to lifestyle. I may not approve of their lifestyle or even religion, but I don't consider one's color or lifestyle or religion any more special than mine. It may be different, but not special. I do not give special consideration for the diversity and if that's not PC, then they will just have to live with it. If I say something offensive, I apologize if I believe it is warranted. I treat others as I wish to be treated, NO better and no worst. I will leave special treatment of diversity to the liberals. I consider the group of "black lives matter" to be trouble makers and stupid. I consider the protesters of Wall St to be the same, trouble makers and stupid. Race doesn't matter to me and religion does not matter to me, even if I don't agree with their religion. I will respect their religion but will not give it special consideration or treatment. Political affiliation doesn't matter to me, even if I believe that today's democrats are not the same as the Democratic party of my father. I don't like where they are trying to steer America, but most of the Dems that I know, don't even realize what their party is doing to America. That's why I still get along fine with them. I just don't talk politics with my liberal friends because I don't wish to end our friendship when I set them straight :lipsrsealed: I won't get into sexual deviants because as long as they keep it in private, I have nothing to say about it. I don't have to agree with them, but they are not hurting me as long as they leave me and my family alone regarding their deviation. Same way with any other matter of sexuality.

That's what I meant. I participate in activities in The Villages and have no idea what anyone's political proclivity might be. Even if I did, I would not want to mix it with my activities.

Neither is the Republican party

You are a conservative if:

your three golden rules are to criticize, condemn, and complain
you become speaker of the house; therefore, you need a disguise so you grow a beard
the best day of your life is when you resign as speaker of the house, so you sing a happy song on departure
you vote to repeal Obamacare 54 times, because your followers attention isn't longer than two weeks, and their memory is even shorter
you can't solve any problem, because solutions are "too hard", and you say that with a tear in your eye
you think Obama was foreign born, because Hawaii isn't a state
you can't be responsible for anything, because you don't do anything
you blame liberals for everything, because you know never do anything wrong
you want very social program cut except the ones that you are receiving, because those are great
you think Trump, and Cruz are the best thing since Reagan, although they are nothing like Reagan
you complain about 47% of people that don't pay taxes forgetting that 8 out of the 10 worse states are Republican
you complain about free handout, but your states are getting more federal aid than they pay in taxes.
you think that social security, Medicare, state income taxes, gasoline taxes, excise taxes, and sales taxes aren't really taxes so you can lump low income people in the 47% category
you complain about the president's ISIS ,and Syria game plans, but refuse to vote for any law to implement anything to solve these problems
you fall down a say a prayer every time Trump swears in public
you are against abortion, but do not want to pay a cent for a woman, who has a hard time supporting her children
you don't think global warming exist, because it is still cold in the winter
you don't want to accept climate change, because it was called global warming first
you think supply side economics works even though it has always failed, so you never learn from your mistakes
you think that the Hastert rule is in the Constitution
you think that only the Republican Senate leader can use the filibuster to stop legislation
you think that Obamacare will be repealed the first day a Republican becomes president
you think that Washington doesn't work, so your candidate is going to be someone that makes sure that it won't work
you want to close the government down every time you don't get your way
you want a strong military, but don't want to put your kids in harms way
you want the Hispanic vote, but do everything to make sure that they won't vote Republican
you think that deporting 12 million illegal aliens won't cost anything
you think that adding 20,000 border guards won't cost anything
you think that there is no way of getting around a wall
you think that you are the only party that cares about a safe America
you think that Archie Bunker was a liberal, because he only wanted everybody on a plane to be armed instead of everyone in the country
you are against every Heritage Foundation plan that Obama puts forward
you think that Fox News is "fair and balanced".
you can't understand why Glenn Beck was fired from Fox News
you think that any middle of the road Republican is either a RINO or RHINO.
you think that all Muslims should have to register like Jews in NAZI Germany
you think that the Supreme Court justices should vote based upon party affiliation rather than the law

Is that list long enough?

long, yes
Accurate, hardly

Dear Guest: That aah moment. Indeed we agree and in an earlier post I referred to that as culture engineered by political class or financial elitist. And I suspect some of those people herded into such a culture class cringe also.

Personal Best Regards:

Dear Guest: I could logically counterpoint on every single statement you made but it would be much too long. So let me say with all due respect your thinking here is a prime example of the shallow, bias and delusional thinking conducted by so many progressives.

For example your statement referring to the repeal of Obamacare flys in the face of reason when by every measure, measures generated by different people many of whom have no axe to grind explain the disastrous affect this law has had on our economy.

Frankly I tired of trying to explain the facts of life to present day progressives ,its like talking to a drunk . Clearly the Democratic Party has been hijacked by radicals whose policies continue to sink this nation into mediocrity and when logical intelligent people try to explain such folly progressives respond with accusations of "the three golden rules of criticize, condemn and complain"from the Party of No. "Disingenuous", as you progressive are fond of saying, don't you think.

And by the way I am as inclined to disagree with many Republicans who place self interests ahead of national interest and that speaker who resigned singing a happy tune was one of them. And its beginning to look like the speaker with the newly grown beard is heading in the same direction with his agreement to fund Planned Parenthood.

Its no wonder Trump is trumping them all....and I am not fond of Trump

Personal Best Regards:

I tend to agree with most of what you said. However, I would be interested in what you would have done regarding the funding of PP. You do know that Obama promised/threatened to veto any budget where he didn't get his way. He does NOT compromise at all, and neither do most of his minions. Putting the GOP congress in a situation where he could tell everyone that they closed down the gov is his favorite strategy and it would hurt the upcoming elections. This presidential election is the difference in whether or not we have a country to give to our grandkids or not. This is a lot more important that winning a small fight, which would not be a win at all, considering his Veto. So, give me an idea that you believe that they have not thought of regarding the budget. How many years did the GOP complain about not having a budget under the Obummer regime? No, let them have their little satifcation now, and then slam the budget later, when we have to power to do so. Posturing we can leave for Obumble on SNL, and NBC. If we want to fix America after his attempt to destroy it, we have to be smarter than being baited into these little fights. The leader of the House is smart. He knows his numbers and will straighten out the budget in 2017

My father taught me that there are three things you don't talk about excep with family
POLITICS, RELIGION, MONEY
I still think he was right

If you think like that, WHY are you on a Political forum? Are you lost? :shrug: