A Gallup poll revealed that Alabama is the most conservative state in the U.S. Having lived in Alabama for the past 7 years, I can testify to this result. Although it is delightfully tempting to bash political conservatism, I will restrain myself and instead make some observations about the polarization of political views in the "dirty south".
First, let me address the designation of "conservative" itself, as I have experienced it in the evangelical church culture. Most evangelical Christians would term themselves religiously conservative. Politically, however, I think southern evangelicals may align themselves with other conservatives solely based on the issue of abortion and possibly taxation and pro-Bush interventionism in Iraq (I hesitate to say, anti-terror policy, considering the oxymoronic nature of such a statement). After the 2008 presidential election, pundits naively assumed that the southern states had overwhelmingly voted for McCain as confirmation of deep-seeded racism, but I think they fail to take into account the strength of support for pro-life candidates. The word "liberal" is tantamount to "demonic".
Growing up in southwest Kansas, I was raised in a politically conservative family. However, there is a strong populism alive in the heartland of the U.S. that creates a larger base for Democrats, than in the south. People are generally more fiscally conservative and self-reliant. I never experienced the extreme political polarization between parties or politicians that exists in Alabama.
A month later and i have completely lost this train of thought.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)