Exactly How Right Wing is Phoenix/Arizona? (Mesa, Gilbert: fit in, attorney)

[pgc323]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I think that is one of the points being discussed: it was different in the 90s. No doubt you could still find liberals here, they did not all move out, but the atmosphere in Phoenix has become more polluted with intolerance and extreme right attitudes. Certain elements here, including the government, have resurrected ideas that seem to belong to a different time in America's evolution.

I was watching a comedian on TV last night and he had a whole slew of jokes about racists in Arizona. In Arizona of all places! I used to travel and was always proud of the my home state: we had so much going for us in the 90s. Now, you sort of hang your head and wait for the questions about "that Sheriff" or whether we are really that racist when you tell someone you come from AZ. We are no longer an example of growth, opportunity, and a promising future. Instead, we are the brunt of jokes and a caricature of racism and closed-mindedness. It is sad and regretable.

Oh please...AZ doesn't come close to W. Virginia when it comes to jokes!

Seriously...When I comment to someone in PA that I own a home in the Phoenix metro, I always get positive comments. I'm not hearing what you're hearing, but I'm not saying I don't believe you either.

[Java Jolt]

Blowhards like Nickelbag Joe, Queen Jan, and some of the clowns in the legislature have been a huge embarrassment, they make it seem ultraconservative here.

Most ordinary people I have come across here are pretty middle of the road, maybe slightly right of center but not extremist.

I'm a moderate democrat who supported Obama but I have never been targeted or harassed.

When I worked in midtown Phoenix many of my co-workers were more liberal than me.

There are always going to be some extremists on both sides of the political scale who try to manipulate everyone around them but they are few and far between, and I usually try to ignore them anyway.

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I think that is one of the points being discussed: it was different in the 90s. No doubt you could still find liberals here, they did not all move out, but the atmosphere in Phoenix has become more polluted with intolerance and extreme right attitudes. Certain elements here, including the government, have resurrected ideas that seem to belong to a different time in America's evolution.

I was watching a comedian on TV last night and he had a whole slew of jokes about racists in Arizona. In Arizona of all places! I used to travel and was always proud of the my home state: we had so much going for us in the 90s. Now, you sort of hang your head and wait for the questions about "that Sheriff" or whether we are really that racist when you tell someone you come from AZ. We are no longer an example of growth, opportunity, and a promising future. Instead, we are the brunt of jokes and a caricature of racism and closed-mindedness. It is sad and regretable.

I have to agree with you totally. I'm always getting calls from friends and relatives that are out of state asking how come things are so crazy here with the local state politics. They use the internet and view local tv news reports on issues as well the national news.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I think that is one of the points being discussed: it was different in the 90s. No doubt you could still find liberals here, they did not all move out, but the atmosphere in Phoenix has become more polluted with intolerance and extreme right attitudes. Certain elements here, including the government, have resurrected ideas that seem to belong to a different time in America's evolution.

I was watching a comedian on TV last night and he had a whole slew of jokes about racists in Arizona. In Arizona of all places! I used to travel and was always proud of the my home state: we had so much going for us in the 90s. Now, you sort of hang your head and wait for the questions about "that Sheriff" or whether we are really that racist when you tell someone you come from AZ. We are no longer an example of growth, opportunity, and a promising future. Instead, we are the brunt of jokes and a caricature of racism and closed-mindedness. It is sad and regretable.

Those intolerant attitudes come mostly from the knuckleheads in the state government and the blowhard-in-chief of MCSO.

It is an embarrassment when we make national or world news for negativity, reminds me a little bit of the Evan Mecham days when Phoenix and the entire state were being ridiculed over one stupid governor.

I still hold to my beliefs that the grand majority of people here are not extremists or knuckle-dragging ignorant neanderthals.

You know the saying about one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. All it takes is one or a few loudmouths to grab the attention of the national news media and make us look bad.

[MotleyCrew]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

Those intolerant attitudes come mostly from the knuckleheads in the state government and the blowhard-in-chief of MCSO.

It is an embarrassment when we make national or world news for negativity, reminds me a little bit of the Evan Mecham days when Phoenix and the entire state were being ridiculed over one stupid governor.

I still hold to my beliefs that the grand majority of people here are not extremists or knuckle-dragging ignorant neanderthals.

You know the saying about one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. All it takes is one or a few loudmouths to grab the attention of the national news media and make us look bad.

Then give the media the credit it so deserves.

[ReadyFreddy]

Local politics don't affect my day to day life much, but I am embarrassed to live in a state with Sheriff Joe, prop 102 and SB1070 baloney. Then again when I left CO in 91 they too were 'leading' the nation with anti-gay legislation. Ugh.

But I'm in ultra-conservative, ultra-Mormon north Mesa, and I pretty much don't bring up my political views unless I hear misinformation being spread.

To the OP, we're out here. Please don't NOT buy in a city that appeals to you otherwise, solely due to political leanings of the majority. Mesa will never round the horn if only conservatives are willing to move here. There's no need to self-segregate.

[Kimballette]

I always find it fascinating that people get so worked up about the supposed political "atmosphere" of a city. I've lived in Gilbert, as well as far east Mesa (Las Sendas). At no time did I ever feel pressured or oppressed by ultraconservatives or Mormons (a perennial hobbyhorse in these forums). I suppose much of it does have to do with whether you're in the habit of discussing religion or politics with neighbors. I am not. I was raised to believe it's not polite.

So I heartily second part of what Freddy posted --> "Please don't NOT buy in a city that appeals to you otherwise, solely due to political leanings of the majority."

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

I heard plenty of anti-illegal talk in Chicago, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In fact I knew people in Chicago proper complaining about the "illegals" in their neighborhood. Anti-Obama sentiment is not extreme. Arizona is not the only place where he and other politicians are not popular.

Arizona and Phoenix are not free from the more unpleasant sides of humanity but this continued attempt to portray Arizona or Phoenix as a backwards place is pure hyperbole.

I am anti illegal and I have family members, work colleagues and friends who are extreme liberals.....we all get along. I do not call names or downgrade illegal aliens. I just want them to go back south of the border and quit mooching off the system. My liberal etc's are much more about vitrole (sp?) and saying I am racist, in a somewhat nice way..... All these people cover areas from California to NC. strong feelings are everywhere in this climate. Phoenix is no different. They are on the front lines with invasion of their home territory though...why should they tolerate it....?

[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I was watching a comedian on TV last night and he had a whole slew of jokes about racists in Arizona. In Arizona of all places! I used to travel and was always proud of the my home state: we had so much going for us in the 90s. Now, you sort of hang your head and wait for the questions about "that Sheriff" or whether we are really that racist when you tell someone you come from AZ. We are no longer an example of growth, opportunity, and a promising future. Instead, we are the brunt of jokes and a caricature of racism and closed-mindedness. It is sad and regretable.

It is a well known fact that most of the mainstream media, as well as most in the entertainment industry, have a heavy left-leaning bias. Therefore, one shouldn't be at all surprised about their blowing stories out of proportion, extending more than a fair share of biased coverage to what suits their agenda, or joke-making.

I know people here who run the gamut from OWS protesters to Tea Partiers. Everyone gets along well, even though we don't all share the same political views.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by CheyDee;23268769[B

]It is a well known fact that most of the mainstream media, as well as most in the entertainment industry, have a heavy left-leaning bias. [/b]Therefore, one shouldn't be at all surprised about their blowing stories out of proportion, extending more than a fair share of biased coverage to what suits their agenda, or joke-making.

I know people here who run the gamut from OWS protesters to Tea Partiers. Everyone gets along well, even though we don't all share the same political views.

I won't argue that assertion because it is quite off topic, but I do not agree. This state IS moving toward the Mississippi model in everything from education to social legislation. It is not the MSM making something out of nothing.