So, I am feeling a little upset after reading this post I stumbled upon. Rather than just flaming the writer, I feel it would be best to send an open letter to all liberals in blue states:
Dear Liberal Blue Stater,
As you know, our nation has all too often been split up into “red states” and “blue states.” You, as a blue stater enjoy more progressive policies, are more urban, tend to place a greater emphasis on the arts and culture, are more accepting of various points of view, and benefit from the advantages of rater large economies. Odds are also good that you yourself consider yourself liberal and a Democrat.
I, however, do not benefit from the traits listed above (though my particular area is the economic and cultural hub of the region). No, I live in the redest of the red – Utah. Why do I feel the need mention this? Because it makes me a better liberal than you.
Yes, yes, I know, how dare I – someone who lives in fly-over country and views a less than thirty point loss for Obama in their state as a major step forward for our state and our nation – say that you are not a good liberal? Well, it is for that reason, along with many others in that vein that point out exactly why I am. You see, whereas you take your liberal polices for granted, I value the ones I do have and fight harder to change the ones I don’t like.
By being forced to defend my ideology to my peers and family, I am forced to weigh all sides of an issue and debate only when I know I have a sound argument. The result of all of this is that I am better informed on the issues and, though I may not be as far left as you, my liberalism runs deeper. Also, I hate to break it to you, but your far-left stance on issues wherein you completely disregard your conservative opponents only makes them better at debating their points (I can only assume that they hate a Democratic majority as much as I hate a Republican one). This makes their arguments stronger on an aggregate, national level, and weakens yours.
What you should also know is that you are not making my work, and the work of my fellow liberals, any easier by utterly disregarding us red-staters. There is a reason why, as a general rule, us square states don’t like “those east (west) coast types.” It is not because you are more cultured and they just hate being challenged, it is because you think you are more cultured and that they hate being challenged. Liberal becomes a dirty word because you perpetuate a stereotype that I have to work against once you leave.
And this, my friends, is the root of the challenge. You can talk about corporate media and a degradation in civil society all you want, but when it gets right down to it the real problem is that you are just as guilty as conservatives in embracing the “color” of your state. Instead of wanting to work with you neighbors, you are happy to push them aside as you steamroll an idea through. This causes more distrust and more unnecessary fighting.
So please, my fellow liberal, try to look at the greater picture. The color of ones state should not automatically cause one to degrade an entire population. The liberals in states such as Utah should not be ignored or viewed as “collateral damage” in some sort of pseudo war that we as Americans have nothing to gain from. We are your allies, we are your friends, we are the ones that put together real, solid, arguments that attempt to better the nation, if only because we are the ones that have to defend and adapt them for all of the people – not just the party.
Howard Dean’s 50 state strategy was one of the best things to happen to the Democratic Party and a big reason why the Republicans had to play defense in states like Montana (Montana for God’s sake!) In order to play offence, we must play in places that we have not won in the past, and the only way to win is to treat people (and yes voters) as people, not as a blanket color that demeans us all. To use a turn of phrase, we must win their hearts and their minds.
Regards,
Curtis Haring
Member, Utah Democratic Party
As I said in my comment on the other blog, I find it curious that s/he first mentions Obama, then proceeds to divide us into red and blue. One of Obama’s most famous quotes, and a personal favorite of mine, is:
Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America — there’s the United States of America.
The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an “awesome God” in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
Greetings Curtis, and fellow progressives,
Please accept my apology if I offended your sensibilities. I am, and certainly was, a newbie when it comes to blogging. I am still struggling to find my voice. I do want to be bold and sharp, but I believe the blog in question was offensive in that it was somewhat simple minded and exclusionary. I appreciate you taking the time to read and think about what i wrote.
Best wishes,
Unimatrix0