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.

Originally Posted by Guest

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.

...

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.

Originally Posted by Guest

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:

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.

Originally Posted by Guest

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.

Originally Posted by Guest

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Guest

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Guest

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.