How conservative is the Villages?
 

As a retiring life-long democrat, I got worried on my recent visit to the Villages. In some of the literature, I noticed Limbaugh, Hannity, GW Bush and Rove pictured and/or mentioned. I saw nothing of Obama, Kennedy, Reid or Pelosi. Is it a ridiculous notion for me to even consider retiring in the Villages. I love the place, but I may hate the politics. Conservatives and liberals alike please advise. Thanks!

surprising
 

last poll showed both represented about the same, give or take a few points....Please don't base your opinion on TOTV's political forum...Granted the Morses are Republicans, but that is all right...We share the same sun and fun....You will find many wonderful Villagers that willl welcome you with open arms, and I'm one of them....

I've lived here almost 7 years and as a proud liberal democrat from SoCal, it was a shock to the system. It seems to me that the conservative republican is far more prevalent here, and vocal. During the 08 elections, I had Obama stickers ripped off my golf cart while parked at Glenview and it boggled my mind that people this age would do such a thing. The newspaper is a bad joke, the developer's political leanings couldn't be more in your face - but given all that, I still love living here. I don't agree with a lot of people here, but I play golf with them, go to dinner with them and like quite a few of "them". I do, however, stand up for my beliefs and love to debate them on all issues. There are democrat clubs you can join to meet people of like mind, which sometimes is quite a welcome relief! When Palin, Beck and Bush come to town, I find other useful things to do that day and get quite a kick out of the local paper the next day. Until this country learns it's not "us" versus "them", we're not going anywhere.

So come join us and add to the discussion - Lord knows we could always use another democrat!

thanks
 

I appreciate your response. I feel better already! Retirement is still a couple of years off, but I am certainly close enough to want to begin some serious planning.

Snoopy.... Welcome to TOTV! I learned a long time ago that there are two things I never discuss....politics and religion. I keep both to myself and it has worked well for me over the years.

I don't "feel" any covert [or overt] conservatism or liberalism in TV.... Come on down; be happy!

Snoopy - I have always considered myself a moderate - but here is TV that is considered radical left.

Other stuff about TV is great - and we all need to have good dialogue to keep this great country of ours working. So come on down...

I would have to agree that the political views of too many in The Villages are ultra-conservative. Fox News is considered gospel as well as their talking heads like Hannity, Rove, and even Glenn Beck.

Just stay off of the Politics forum on Talk of The Villages; laugh out loud when you see golf carts with anti-Democrat stickers; and go out of town when one of the unbalanced Fox News darlings has a book signing - and you will be happy.

Life is too short to argue politics with fools.

I am a diehard liberal. I've lived in Orange County, California (ULTRA conservative) and I'm quite sure that most Villagers would consider even that county too liberal for their taste. This is truly the only place I have ever been to where liberal is truly considered a dirty word by the majority. There is no question that Morse is a diehard conservative Republican.

I have found many closet liberals here -- they really don't let people know their political bent. I have also found that as more of the "younger" baby boomers buy here, there are more Democrats and liberals moving here daily.

I refuse to hide the fact that I'm a liberal. I do refuse to discuss politics with some of my friends -- it just gets too heated and I value their friendship to lose them over political issues. There are other friends where the discussions are friendly, informative and the arguments are downright fun. For those, we discuss, argue and then go have dinner together. Heck, I'll even admit to a stranger in the Square that I'm a liberal if the right topic comes up. It has made for some interesting and fun discussions.

Now, having said all of that, I LOVE TV. There are a plethora of activities for all tastes. Riding around in a golf cart almost all the time is fun. There is a generosity of spirit here that I've seen nowhere else on this planet. So, it is up to you if you want to get in discussions about politics. If you do, be prepared to feel like a serious minority (even though you really aren't as much of one as is believed). You won't be reviled for being other than a conservative (they may not like liberals here, but they'll like you as long as you're a good, happy person). TV isn't perfect, but it is a wonderful slice of good, old-fashioned apple pie (ala mode, of course) at the very least.

Redwitch-

You forgot to include Trivia Night at Urban Flats as something to do!!

:agree:

Bill :)

Memason, as a newly arrived to TV I'm glad to hear that said. I can only hope that should demographics change in the future, that it will continue to remain that way.

How Conservative is The Villages
 

I agree with others that said its best to keep politics out of normal discussions between friends. I have found The Villages no different from other places I have lived except maybe The Villages showing more of outward appreciation and respect of our service man and women. Before we decided to buy in The Villages I researched many websites, books and magazines. I used a website called bestplaces.net which has its flaws but is an interesting tool to compare cities such as cost of living, taxes, school costs, and many others including voting registrations. Since The Villages is in 3 counties some of the data only shows Lady Lake but it indicates over 60% Republican and less then 40% Democrat at this time, do not know if it is accurate but it is interesting to compare areas. Mount Laurel NJ is shown as 15% more expensive to live then The Villages which I think is mostly accurate. Hope this helps others in making the decision if to buy in The Villages, we are glad we did.

Dear Snoopy, I am a Democrat. My father told me many years ago that there are 3 things that should not be discussed outside of family: religion, money and politics. Living in The Villages, I know how right he was. But I don't let it get me down. There is a very active Democratic Club here that meets every third Saturday at the Odell Recreation Center. Next meeting is Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m. Come, be welcomed, and meet some of your like-minded neighbors. You are not alone. 900 new Democrats were registered last year in Sumter County.

That isn't a consideration for us as we are going to settlement and moving down full time in hopes of NOT talking politics. Certainly there is way more to do than get into partisan arguments, unlike up here in the snowy north where it is about all people seem to do. We are becoming villagers to escape "political persecution" LOL

Talk politics to me and you will find a stone wall more knowledgeable and probably cares more too!

:a20:

I sadly find that too many friendships here are much more colored by political affiliation than where I have lived before.


I think that older people become much more certain of all of their views and stands and values and are not as open to other peoples ideas as younger people. So I think as a community we are a little more intolerant of others political views and sometimes a LOT more intolerant. It doesn't make for comfortable living sometimes and I find it a downside of living here.


I sometimes read and feel the bitterness in peoples views here and it saddens me.

Since you find the bestplaces data interesting, I thought you would enjoy the following voter registration stats obtained from the Florida Department of State's website:

Lake Co: 86,477 (R) 67,449 (D)
Marion Co: 89,506 (R) 83,324 (D)
Sumter Co: 31,128 (R) 22,127 (D)
Total: 271,111 (R) 172,900 (D)

These figures are as of 10/4/2010.

There were a significant number of "Other" affiliations, such as Independents etc., but their numbers were somewhat less than either Democrat or Republican figures. Also keep in mind that these figures are not TV inclusive; they represent the entire counties.

What difference does it really make?
 

I have never understood why this should make a difference in meeting people and having a friendship. Why is is so important to state one's policial affiliation here? When I meet someone for the first time I certainly do not shake their hand and say "Hi, my name is Donnie and I'm a _____". YOu certainly would not meet someone and state your religion or how much money you make. I think there are more important things in life to discuss than who you vote for. I agree with what some posters have said "outside of family do not discuss politics, money, or religion." We don't even discuss politics in family because some of our children and their spouses vote differently than we do but we didn't disown them. Then again maybe we should we'd have more money!
Taking liberties with Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech -- "one day my children will be judged by the content of their character and not by their polictical affiliation"
I am looking forward to living in TV and hope that when I meet someone my polictical affiliation won't be an issue.

I could NOT agree with you more but once you "settle in" the politics do become an issue among a LOT of folks. AND I think that our age is a factor, you become a little more set in your ways and sure of your views as you pass through five or six or seven decades of life and you believe that you are right.

I was taught NOT to discuss religion, politics and money. I try hard not to. Others, particularly those who like you, frequently assume that your politics and theirs are the same..............and feel free to bring up the subject.

How Conservative is The Villages
 

Skyguy79

It appears 60% to 40% is about right. Thanks for the data. As you noted it's difficult just to get data only for The Villages.

I agree re: keeping a low profile in conversations re: politics. I appreciate living here due to the respect given our service people etc. and much more. I don't see it as a negative to live here at all. It is a 'bubble" as many people will attest to. We moved here from one of THE most liberal areas of the U.S. and that too can be a negative....just mho. If you don't care for the events where politiicians come...you don't have to participate. If you think you're going to come and change things then you probably shouldn't consider this place as somewhere you'd want to live. Again mho.

I'm a die hard liberal as well, and have been shocked by some of the right wing nut jobs I've come into contact with here in The Villages. That said, its a good sized community - I've developed my friendships based on activities and common interests, and find my large circle of friends includes mostly left leaning people like me, along with a few center-of-the-road types. For those I'm friendly with that I sense don't share my political views, we manage to just not discuss politics. I do find the bombardment of right wing nonsense in the Daily Sun to be annoying, so I get the Orlando Sentinel. There are so many other wonderful aspects of The Villages, I wouldn't let the conservative political bent dissuade you from checking us out.

I've noticed
 

that as we age, we are less diplomatic....I've also noticed that few if any conservatives have added to this thread from TOTV's political forum...Another observation, usually TOTV's political forum has the same posters, saying the same thing....Life is good here in the Villages and I find it easier to avoid the very few unhappy people... I know debate is a good thing, IF, you are considerate and open minded to others opinions and don't jam it down their throats....Bottom line when we go to the polls, we are ONE vote, after that, we can go play golf...

Beautifully said.

I can't stand the heat, so I try to stay out of the kitchen.

The only thing that MIGHT change someone's mind is how one lives his/her life.

:agree: except for one thing... not all of us can go play golf! :sing:

Snoopy, Thank you for bringing up this topic. Being a moderate to liberal person, I have been wondering about this myself in regards to moving to TV in a few years. About 90% of the time, I can get along with just about anyone regardless of their political persuasion. I've managed to work for almost 23 years in an office dominated by more conservative coworkers without a problem. I won't hide how I feel, but I won't push it on anyone either. I won't let the more conversative tilt of TV be a deterrent to me moving there at some point in the future.

I agree. We had to ask a friend to stop sending political jokes to our email as we disagreed on alot of the issues.

How about open mindedness; why Republican or Democrat. Yes we "lean" R but have voted for the best candidate even if a D.

In fact Buddy Dyer (D) has ours for Orlando mayor.

Snoopy,
:welcome: to TOTV!

Here's one way to look on the bright side. If you feel comfortable where you live now because it is solidly blue, consider this: Florida is a swing state. OK, quit snickering y'all. I don't mean it in the kinky sense.

I mean that in a solidly red or solidly blue state (or community), one more vote red or blue vote isn't going to make much of a difference. In a "swing" state, it does. So if you're passionate about your politics, come on down. Just look at it as you're vote counting more here.

Ok, quit snickering y'all. Hanging chads. Sheesh!

Good job PT - who I believe is also pretty much a moderate.

I have learned not to let birthers here run off at the mouth or espouse another sadly misinformed "facts" - I think we are responsible to be sure that if we disagree on something it is based on facts, not hearsay or misinformation...otherwise, I am with Gracie...

I LOVE the fact that we appreciate our military here ...

Ok, here's a response from a conservative. To be honest it was not even a consideration when I chose to move here. Only realized how conservative TV was after a few months. It wasn't that important that my neighbors and friends have the same political beliefs. After a little over a year and having met quite a few people from all aspects of TV for the most part I don't know if they are liberal or conservative and don't really care. I just don't think it should matter what political affiliation a person is. I guess what I'm saying is that we are so busy with fun things it rarely comes up and if it does we just agree to disagree and laugh and go on.

My neighbor yells anti-anything but Republican epitaphs at FOX News as he uses his treadmill, but is about the best neighbor you'll find. The developer has deep pockets in his conservatism, but he's put together the very best retirement community on earth. I do get a little embarrassed when my friends see on the national news that "flash-in-the-pan" political leader wannabes are hawking their wares at Sumter Landing. It's a little hard to explain the public one-sidedness. We have a couple of handfuls of know-it-all, LOUD conservatives, waiting on the attack, but are pretty well contained in the Political Forum at TOTV. When they do wander out into the general population they are pretty civil and many are quite like-able. Come on down and become one of our silent majority. Reasonably minded Liberals, Moderates and Independents are building a significant power-base.

Xavier

I think it is fair to tell people considering a move here that the political party of the owners is Republican and they are large contributors to the Republican party. The paper that they own has a decidedly Republican bent, slant, bias, you choose the words.

Before elections and at other times too, there are speakers and book signings by Republicans such as George Bush, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, etc. This is given a lot of coverage in the paper and a LOT of people attend these functions at the squares. President Bush has been a guest in the Morse home.

The Democratic nominees and speakers are not afforded much of a welcome from the developers.

I read that the split is 60-40 but it feels to me more like 70-30. Out of ten homes on our street, neighbors nearby I would wager that 8 out of 10 vote Republican. There is a large silent bunch of moderate Republicans and a lot of vocal Tea Party people.

I hope I continue always to have friends on both sides of the aisle.

Whoooa, hold on here, what started out as a decent conversation has turned into a butt kissing contest.
"Right wing nut jobs" and other nasty remarks by liberals towards conservativs and we just have to tolerate it!
Fox news and the slams against Republicans! My stomach is starting to turn reading some of these posts, dont know about others but that is my opinion.

"Cmon on down but watch out for these nasty right wingers"

I was wondering
 

how long it would take to hear from the conservatives, you can always count on Sparky! huh!? And in response, I think Gracie was more than gracious and diplomatic!.She was only repeating the facts man, "Only the facts"....IMHO

It's just a matter of time before any discussions similar to this go down the same old road. Some sooner than others. No surprise.

I've lived here since June of this year and have met several Villagers. I have no idea what their political affiliation is and care very little how they vote. It just isn't any of my business. If someone were to ask me about my political leanings, I would have to tell them it is none of their business. Do I care about the country and how it is being guided? Of course I do, and I let my votes do my talking. Am I missing something or being unpatriotic by keeping my views as my own?

For those who say they won't discuss politics or religion, I will add this:

I won't get into a political discussion with anyone. If they insist, they will see my back as I walk away.

As far as religion, I will discuss religion with anyone who is willing to use the Bible as the standard for discussion. Other than that, there is nothing but opinion, and you can't discuss opinion in a civilized conversation with many people. It tends to become uncivilized rather quickly.

Well said! I think we need all opinions in a democracy....

Jebartle, the man asked a question on how conservative is the Villages, and I simply answered his question, too old to be playing the political correctness agenda.

ok, I guess it is time for me to wade in! I am going to try and answer this in a non-political way!
Is TV conservative? YES, in a very big way! We believe in old fashion values, we Love our Country, we Love our Flag, we Love those of us like me that are Military, we for the most part Love our neighbors and the old time feeling of closeness in our neighborhoods and help out all we can, we LOVE that we can be deverse (sp?) and speak our thoughts, and we for the most part accept that from others. So yes we are conservative, do we all have our own political leanings? Yes! But the core is we are all conservative to some point and live in TV for that reason. WE ARE TV'ers!

Hope I made sense!
Army Guy

Good job! :)

Bill

Decided to respond without looking out any of the responces to your post.
I haven't belong to a political party for many years. I honestly get very quiet when politics are discussed with friends or family. I have my views and that's that. Politics would never stop me from moving to TV.