This forum is not on a Level Playing Field
 

See the following article:


The Villages: Where Republicans rule - Salon.com

http://www.salon.com/2012/07/11/the_...ublicans_rule/

I am not trying to offend but do not understand the liberal mindset, yes The Villages is most likely 60% Republican and the developer is a Republican who uses his money and influence to promote Republicans. I lived all my life in very Liberal NJ but so what. You can stay or you can move to many states or cities that are the exact opposite of The Villages. What is your point, should we force liberals to move to The Villages to make it 50/50 and tell the Morse's to forget about their right to donate money and support. Just wondering why someone would write an article such as this.

I agree with the article and yet I love the Villages very much. You rarely meet anyone in person with vile comments like you see on this site. As a matter of fact, I could not tell you what my own neighbors party is. Enjoy and stay away from politics.

First of all, should you not get many responses,you link did not come through as a link so some searching needs to be done to get to the article I presume you were alluding to.

All I will say is that I have been in The Villages since 1998 and in that time I have seen a lot of changes. One that will NOT change....EVER is that the developer is a big time Republican. If for some reason that makes you uncomfortable then you had better put your house on the market....that is just speaking plain.

In addition, since 1998, other than guests he may have here, I have never seen any overt politics at all...EVER (we recently had a thread about signing a pledge or something and something smelled rotten about that)

None of this is a defense of anybody or anything...just a statement of fact.

As far as the forum is concerned, I think I have been here since the inception of the TOTV and the political forum. Met many of the posters on line through a special board that was set up on a horse racing issue way back.

NEVER have I seen posters either feel reluctant to post or fear to post. FACT is and I will allow others to either validate or spurn what I say...but there were probably in numbers of posters, more "left leaning" and Obama supporters on here than the other. Most of them left after the election..they still post in the general part as I have seen thier names but they were not made to leave or pushed out of here. Don't tell them, as they surely gave me a hard time but sometimes I miss them because for the most part they were not nasty although there were exception as there are on both sides of the aisle. Fact is there were a few, and mostly on the conservative side that were asked to leave.

No..this is a flat playing field. BUT, in order to enjoy, learn, and interact properly you have to do it with factual discussion of issues

I recall back then, not many what I call the "party one or two liners" but an actual display of knowledge of the issues and in their own words expressing an opinion. Folks for the most part gave links to back up what they say. This is not to say the board did not have the "troublemakers" and I hate to use that word, but I think you get the point. There is now less of an exchange of facts and more of the what I call the Tweets, which I really do suspect (actually do KNOW in few cases) are tweets the copy and paste on here.

NO....playing field is level.....the developer nor anyone else controls this board or dictates what you learn, know or share. There are probably as many posters that post on here, that DO NOT EVEN LIVE HERE.

If the developer being an active Republican bothers you,do some research and find a development that has a developer who is active in the Democratic party and move and that is not meant to be smart but you are not going to change that my friend.

The Problem Lies
 

There are some very sound opinions so far. Please let me offer another.

I believe the problem does not only lie in the % of Republicans/Democrats in any given area but also in how the "bell curve" has changed.

Its use to be that each party had a mix of conservative and liberals Democratic conservatives and Republican liberals

Somehow unfortunately the two parties began to drift to one side. it explains why independents have gained ground.

Having a very liberal Democratic party or a very conservative Republican party does us all so much harm

It makes sense to have a good mix. I belongd to an organization that was dying because it catered to just guys. When I was elected President I recruited many women, etc. the organization grew and thrived because it was drawing a cross section of the populace.

If you are paying attention you can see some hint of a change as many moderate conservative Democrats are pulling away from Obama. I believe it also explains why Romney is careful not to be stuck with too conservative a label. finally with most of us a conservative/liberal label does not define all aspects of our lives as a person may lean more conservative for this issue but more liberal for another

True and very well said. Thank you for this post.

Just a couple of responses about the few of your comments that have anything remotely to do with the subject or intent of the post:

1) The link works just fine.

2) Why would you suggest I put my house on the market? Did I or the article suggest anyone should move from TV because of the Developer's obvious political bias? This is not an arguement as it appears you think it is. It's just an article that shares some interesting comments that are not intended to have you arch your back and start spouting typical party line crap.

3) If you read the article, and understood what it says, you might understand that all I'm saying about this forum is that based on the comments noted in the article it's reasonable to conclude that 19 out of 20 posters are likely to be Republican. That my friend is not a level playing field.

Good job Rubi. The poles have pulled almost all politicians to the right or left, and left a whole lot of us in the middle disgusted with both. If we don't get some reason and real ethical dealing back in this political system I fear for the future. I am rereading "Truman", by his daughter, and am reminded on every page that a leader like him is a virtual impossibility today.

I think that the levelness of the playing field is not determined by numbers, but ideas. And in that regard it is certinaly not level.

Hmmm that is rather cryptic. Not sure what you mean, or who has those dominant ideas, but I would argue that IMO no one has the corner on the ideas market.

We are here. Is there a reason why there are more Republicans/conservatives in the villages? I think both Republicans and Democrats in the villages have one thing in common. They worked. I do understand that many worked in government jobs and are enjoying government retirement. There are many here who have just plain worked for a living and were not benefited by military or government retirement programs.

As far as insulting remarks go, in my humble opinion I think that the majority of them come from the uberliberals. Not all but most and the nastiest. However I suspect that many of those who are the nasty crowd do not live in the villages. If it is a problem that I would say the villages may not be a place for you. We do tend to be conservative. Liberals are welcome. The Democrat club appears to be kind of small. But as they say different strokes for different folks.

The political philosophy of the developer doesn't effect my views one way or the other. I also think the Morse clan will be out of here as soon as that last house is built and sold, so who knows who or what will takeover.

A lot of the posters on TOTV are people who are planning on moving to the Villages. Their politics could be just about anything imaginable -- Independent, Democrat, Republican, apolitical, etc.

I have met a lot of very vocal Independents among non-TOTVers who live in the Villages. The Democrats have seemed to stay more in the woodwork whenever politics is discussed at neighborhood parties. Most of the partygoers have been Republicans.

This is Morseland so I kind of expect some people moved here because of the politics of the developer. Not that many though. More probably move because of the golf courses and the weather.

Are you implying that those enjoying government retirement are somehow less worthy than the many who just plain worked for a living and were not benefited by military or government retirement programs? I guess I am one who just plain worked, but I did benefit from a couple of private retirement programs and don't feel that I am more or less worthy than anyone receiving a military or goverment retirement.

All VALID...just want to make something very clear.....I have 14 years here and not one time in all those years has there ever been a day, an event or anything that would indicate the political leanings of the developer.

NOBODY...NOBODY should ever make a decision on where to retire based on the political affiliation of the developer. First, in most cases, you could not even find it but because this is the biggest, well it is much different when you play sports in a large media market versus small......

FOLKS....it makes no difference the political affliation of the developer and if it does, you better re-xamine your life and priorities

What does your post have to do with this forum.

Many on this forum do not even live in TV.

You're making no sense at all here.

The liberals are all up in arms today and attacking with abandon. This thread and especially the one on Romney speaking at the NAACP.

Ridicule and hate all courtesy of the left. This is why they will lose big.

The Morse family is a very smart family in their business dealings. The Villages is truly an amazing place and I feel very lucky and blessed to live here. I do not care if they are Republicans or Democrats. I very rarely talk politics on a serious note when with friends.

Good for you. Actually couldn't agree more.

I'm "just" a wannabe. That lower class that truly desires to live in TV but has not sold a home yet. During my visits to TV I have never been asked to show political affiliation at any facility or amenity. I don't think that politics affect the lifestyle one bit.

Being a wannabe is not a lower class, it just proves you know a good thing when you see it and aim to be a part of it. We frogs understand that better than anyone.

I was trying to explain that there are more than a few like you on this forum, and that this forum is made of of people from all around the country and not just current Villages residents. I was on this forum for a while before I moved here. I used the forum for info and advice and feedback. It was the best tool I had in my desire to move my life down here.

There are more lefties here in TV than people think, I'm guessing, just from the number of avowed lefties in my circle of friends here in TV.

One never knows what really goes on when the lever is pulled. :icon_wink: :beer3:

The title of the thread is dealing with an article called "The Villages - Where Republicans Rule".

I was stating I do not care if the Morse family is strongly Republican, they have built an amazing place. I was also stating that their politics does not interfere with my everyday life here one bit. The only time I talk politics outside of this forum is at "the watering hole" with friends and we jab back and forth in a good natured give and take.

In the three and a half months we have spent in TV over the last three years I have never once found myself in an uncomfortable political situation. As for the developer, he is entitled to his ideas and politics and can spend his money wherever he chooses as long as it is lawful. Morse may not be my cup o tea (pun intended), politically, or personally, but I am quick to defend him for being a great businessman and an even greater visionary. I don't think that is either because of or despite being a right winger, it just is. The fact that in 2011 almost 1% of the new homes sold in the entire country were sold in this little oasis of less than 100,000 people pretty much says it all.

In case you happend to have read the original article, you should know that your comments have nothing to do with what was posted. Let me help you, it simply said there are lots more Republicans than Democrats here and that the Developer is a staunch Republican supporter and contributor. Tell me, what does your post have to do with that?

Its a NON FACTOR
 

Republicans and The Villages are a mutually exclusive topic and over shadowed by yhe fact that we communicate electronically. I suppose if it were the turn of the 19th or 20th centuries and we gathered at the town square it might mean something but now...is a NON FACTOR

No.

:agree:

"Originally Posted by Bucco
All VALID...just want to make something very clear.....I have 14 years here and not one time in all those years has there ever been a day, an event or anything that would indicate the political leanings of the developer.

NOBODY...NOBODY should ever make a decision on where to retire based on the political affiliation of the developer. First, in most cases, you could not even find it but because this is the biggest, well it is much different when you play sports in a large media market versus small......

FOLKS....it makes no difference the political affliation of the developer and if it does, you better re-xamine your life and priorities"
_____________________

I agree with Bucco's posting about 98%. The tiny percentage left over showed when Dick Cheney spoke at Savannah Center and when Fox & Friends were doing their show at Lake Sumter Landing. However, I have NO problem with that at all.

We all know of the Morse political leaning but it has no impact on our enjoyment of The Villages.

You forgot the time last year that members of the democratic club were physically removed by the Sumter County Sheriff when they showed up for Gov Rick Scott's budget signing at Lake Sumter Landing. Apparently, Scott doesn't want to be governor of all the people in the state of Florida. I can't think of another time or place that this has happened to people in this country in the 21st century.

Not a level playing field means slanted. What you are refering to is being out numbered. The Villages can't keep a running total of who lives here based on their poliitical views and only allow those needed to bring the quota to level to buy here.

Janmcn - That did not happen. I was there and members of the Democrat club were asked (not physically moved) by the sheriff's staff to move across the street to the public sidewalk instead of being on the private property. No one got touched by the sheriff's staff. We moved to the sidewalk and there was no problem.

Buggy, we often disagree, for the most part amicably. I am grateful that you stood up and debunked this oft repeated bogus claim. All of us need to do more to ensure that the postings here are true and not a recital of talking points or bogus claims.

A rather weird perspective on the simple fact that over 90% of Village residents happen to be Republican.

Lets see. They were politely asked to move to the other side of the street simply because of their political affiliation. With this new knowledge it's only slightly less damning. Thanks so much for righting this outrageous distortion that Democrats were asked to move rather than being forcibly removed. Can't say that I see how the concept isn't the same despite the non use of physical force. Has any Democratic Politician ever asked the Republicans in the Villages audience to move to the other side of the street?

Well it does beat being run off by new black panthers with night sticks and not being able to vote just because you are white....just saying

I dont think what you say is true either but I was not there thus will leave it for the witnesses. The incident happened on PRIVATE property and the spectators were not just standing there with their hands in their pocket...not saying they were doing anything wrong but this thing keeps getting blown out of proportion as I see it.

That did happen either. If you looked at that YouTube video, you will see that there are white people exiting the polling place after voting. The incident took place at only one polling place and the two black men had night sticks and security badges. I did not see one person being run off. Please be truthful in your postings.