MonkeyCommando ([info]monkeycommando) wrote,
@ 2004-11-12 14:36:00
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Corrollary ...
(... or something) to POINT NUMBER 4 OF MY LAST POST:

Its "common knowledge" lately that Canadians, as a group, are different from USians when it comes to politics. We're more progressive, more lefty, and whatnot.

But the revelation of the urban/rural split in the US election made me wonder to what degree our national differences are explained away by the fact that so many Canadians live in cities.

If the US split, creating a territory that had the same urban to rural ratio as Canada, would it also soon have public medical insurance, strict gun control, gay marriage, and a neglected military? Obviously they'd still be a bunch of loudmouths, but aside from that, would our political leanings then seem so different?

And just what exactly is it about urban living anyway? Or what is it about rural life?

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[info]raithen
2004-11-12 12:03 pm UTC (link)
I think that Urban living teaches more tolerance. In a higher-density area, people are much more likely to come into contact with people of other races, sexual persuasion, religion etc. As a result, they tend not to develop the same fears of the unknown as people in more monochrome rural areas.

And universal healthcare, for the record, developed in rural areas first ;).

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[info]monkeycommando
2004-11-12 12:07 pm UTC (link)
Fine, so we're a bunch of blashpemous miscegenating perverts.

And regarding Mr. Douglas, he's also a fine example of Evangelical religion driving lefty politics, is he not?

(He'd fall into the "Centre-left populist" camp, methinks).

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[info]raithen
2004-11-12 02:08 pm UTC (link)
Fine, so we're a bunch of blashpemous miscegenating perverts.


Not exactly my point, but OK. ;).

I grew up in a town which at the time was small (25,000 when I was born, over a 100,000 now). When I was a kid I can think of 3 black people I had even seen anywhere other than National Geographic. THere were a handful of asians. No Indians or Middle Eastern families that I can think of. People were white and usually affiliated with one of the local churches. THe area routinely voted SoCred (The Bennetts, of Wacky and Bill fame -- they were both premiers) provinicially, PC federally (then reform, alliance, and conservative respectively). MOst people I knew growing up who were from here weren't inherently biggotted or meanspirited. But since we weren't exposed to stuff, we sometimes respond naively, or with some fear.

When I went to university and met gay profs and fellow students, ya, I was a bit naive, and probably a bit unsure about how to behave. Gay people just were NOT part of my experience, and I had to figure out what it meant, if anything. But that didn't make me evil. I learned. I made a fool of myself, and was treated unkindly by some people who weren't willing to help me adapt. That was too bad, but again, I DEALT. By the time my sister came out, I had pretty much gotten used to the idea, and while it was an adjustment to think of HER as gay, I don't love her any less. Hrm, I think I still sound naive there. *shrug*

In a similar vein, I remember in my second year uni going to a prof's place for a Christmas function. His SO answered the door, and I said, in good faith "Hi, you must be Mrs. Dopp." See, in my world, to that time, couples were generally married, and the wife took the husband's name. She looked at me strangely and said "well, I guess you could call me that." She had NOT taken his name, and I don't know that they were married, though they had a child together. This was new to me, but she was kind, and I was exposed to something new. A big part of university for me has been being exposed to people and experiencs that weren't made available to me in my hometown.

ANd my politics HAVE changed, as a result. I am more liberal now than I was at 18. And I am glad, but I am also glad that I understand how people can mean well but just not understand a different perspective, and therefore support more conservative approaches.

As well, as someone who loves agriculture, there are times where liberal policies are at odds with my livelihood and recreation. The livestock id program is a case in point. But since I more generally agree with liberal policies than I do with conservative ones, I vote liberal, even if I am a fairly centre of left liberal :D.

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