[otterhere]

Originally Posted by Phorlan

Let me tell you how I see what's going to happen to us here; the despicable spineless party called the Democratic Party...

You're NOT a Democrat? Don't move to Vermont!

[otterhere]

Seriously. At least not Burlington! By coincidence, I'm listening to a conversation with Sebastian Junger discussing his book "Tribe" - specifically, the lack of it in today's society - concerning exactly what we're discussing here. I agree with OP.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

Easy to paint whole picture as democrat, but there are nuances here believe it or not. Where I'm at in Franklin County it's evenly split 50/50 D & R. Our governor was recently named most popular in the US.

https://www.mynbc5.com/article/poll-...urvey/43656444

He may be a RINO by national standards, but he's not a democrat. I like him as I can't stand extreme pendulum swings on either side and he has the veto power to slow the democrat agenda in the legislature. If you're a staunch conservative, then yeah obviously Vermont is not your best option. But they are here and do make their presence known nonetheless. I lean center left and won't disagree on the spineless democrats remark, because it's true.

It's local municipal government where taxes and political policy are most palpable. Choose your town/city very carefully.

For the community aspects, I'm living in my fourth state as a resident so I see it more of a generational thing and less of a geographical one. That said New England as a whole is undeniably more reserved and a tougher nut to crack. It takes more work to get to know people here. But we're not immune to 21st century society here. Do a google or youtube search on dating, finding friends, & loneliness in the modern world and you'll find yourself in a very deep rabbit hole.

[zendwa]

America (and maybe the rest of the world) has become so polarized. There seems so little middle ground, and it's probably because (as Champ and others mention) that we don't interact in person as much as we (as a society) did 10, 20, or 50 years ago -- we're all just online. Even here on CD. Yes, it seems generational, but I know younger folks who are just as isolated. I walk my dog and talk to strangers -- superficially. I don't know (or really care) if they're Republican or Democrat. But the relationship never seems to go beyond the casual conversations -- better than online babbling, but not warm and welcoming either. Perhaps most sadly, I've become OK with that. Kinda resigned that the dog, the garden, the home, the spouse is all I have and need now.

[Phorlan]

You bet I'm not a democrat. I'm a Progressive, which means I mean to see implemented what the Dems, yes the spineless dems such as Obama, the clintons, etc... say they'd like to see implemented but will never fight.

[Phorlan]

So when the zombie apocalypse starts, you're going to try to cope all by yourself?

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by otterhere

You're NOT a Democrat? Don't move to Vermont!

Originally Posted by otterhere

Seriously. At least not Burlington! By coincidence, I'm listening to a conversation with Sebastian Junger discussing his book "Tribe" - specifically, the lack of it in today's society - concerning exactly what we're discussing here. I agree with OP.

Would you believe Vermont was one of the two states that voted against FDR and for Alf Landon in 1936? At that time my parents/grandparents were ardent FDR supporters. They could not have known that FDR would eventually go rogue.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

Would you believe Vermont was one of the two states that voted against FDR and for Alf Landon in 1936? At that time my parents/grandparents were ardent FDR supporters. They could not have known that FDR would eventually go rogue.

Vermont used to be very conservative; no more. Maybe a few rural pockets, but not the more populated cities.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Phorlan

You bet I'm not a democrat. I'm a Progressive, which means I mean to see implemented what the Dems, yes the spineless dems such as Obama, the clintons, etc... say they'd like to see implemented but will never fight.

The progressive party lost seats in Burlington to the democrats.

[Phorlan]

yeah, the Progressive Party is dying anyway.