One of the more difficult things for some people, including myself, is coming to terms with the difference between political sentiments where one lives and those elsewhere in the country.
I live in New England, specifically in southeastern Massachusetts. It's a working class world for the most part, with deep immigrant and ethnic histories. Historically, this region was and remains the first stop off the boat for many populations. Some towns are populated more solidly by one group or another, as evidenced in the surnames of the time, giving rise to small traditions and a character of sentiment in the town.
I live in New England, specifically in southeastern Massachusetts. It's a working class world for the most part, with deep immigrant and ethnic histories. Historically, this region was and remains the first stop off the boat for many populations. Some towns are populated more solidly by one group or another, as evidenced in the surnames of the time, giving rise to small traditions and a character of sentiment in the town.
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| Taunton, MA, town flag |
Taunton does have a long and proud history. It flies the "Liberty and Union" flag, commemorating it's status as earliest to commit to revolution. For well over two centuries it was a significant regional manufacturing center, but none of that remains as the last silver plant closed. It is a struggling mix of retail and services, somewhat passed by as expressways built through adjacent, less built towns.
The city consistently votes Democrat, but also likes less doctrinaire Republicans. Many of us believe mixing parties is necessary to keep the governing bodies honest. We sometimes refer to "Republican lite" to characterize those office holders. They tend to embace fiscally conservative ideas but recognize that poverty usually is not a personal choice.
It's pretty hard sometimes to read the comment streams on news items and social media. If you consciously seek a balanced understanding of what people think elsewhere, the result is really disheartening. The vitriol, the terms used, the extremes espoused do not endear me to more conservative parts of the country. While I may dislike conservative opinion, I still hope we can have a conversation.
Nevertheless, I do share the view on the left that our current president is incompetent. That is not based on his politics, which are fractured and expedient. The man appears to have no principles beyond service to his own needs.
The city consistently votes Democrat, but also likes less doctrinaire Republicans. Many of us believe mixing parties is necessary to keep the governing bodies honest. We sometimes refer to "Republican lite" to characterize those office holders. They tend to embace fiscally conservative ideas but recognize that poverty usually is not a personal choice.
It's pretty hard sometimes to read the comment streams on news items and social media. If you consciously seek a balanced understanding of what people think elsewhere, the result is really disheartening. The vitriol, the terms used, the extremes espoused do not endear me to more conservative parts of the country. While I may dislike conservative opinion, I still hope we can have a conversation.
Nevertheless, I do share the view on the left that our current president is incompetent. That is not based on his politics, which are fractured and expedient. The man appears to have no principles beyond service to his own needs.
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