Why is Washington Blue?

[Turboswede]

Roll on Columbia,

I was thinking, my state (Washington) was solidly in the Obama camp, has 6 of 9 Democrats in congress, a Democratic Governor and both of our Senators are Democrats, so it seems kind of ironic that we may be the conservative’s ideal state. Here in WA:

No income tax
Low property tax rates
Free interstates
11 Wilderness areas
7 large military bases
88.64% White
We are 11th in Agricultural Production
We have the State Initiative process

The Washington State Constitution has a separate right to bear arms and Washington is one of the original "shall issue" states. The county sheriff or city police chief shall issue a concealed pistol license to any applicant, age 21 or older, who meets certain requirements, including no felony convictions, no misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, and no outstanding warrants. In addition, a concealed pistol license is not required to carry a concealed pistol if the person carrying the firearm is in route to, in route from, or actively participating in a "legitimate outdoor activity".

Washington is also a "Stand Your Ground" state, in which there is no duty to retreat in the face of what would be perceived by an ordinary person to be a threat to themselves or others by another person that is likely to cause serious injury or death.

We also have some of the strongest protections for Speech and Illegal Search and Seizure found anywhere in the country.

So, what gives? Why haven’t the democrats we keep electing stripped us of all our state rights? Why didn’t all of us apparently freedom & gun loving Washingtonians vote McCain?

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Blue is Dem and red is Republican. They changed that about 15 to 18 years ago, Used to be the other way around, Guess some Democrat figured out being red helped us Identify them as the socialist turds they are?

 

[AVG-JOE]

Roll on Columbia,

I was thinking, my state (Washington) was solidly in the Obama camp, has 6 of 9 Democrats in congress, a Democratic Governor and both of our Senators are Democrats, so it seems kind of ironic that we may be the conservative’s ideal state. Here in WA:

No income tax
Low property tax rates
Free interstates
11 Wilderness areas
7 large military bases
88.64% White
We are 11th in Agricultural Production
We have the State Initiative process

The Washington State Constitution has a separate right to bear arms and Washington is one of the original "shall issue" states. The county sheriff or city police chief shall issue a concealed pistol license to any applicant, age 21 or older, who meets certain requirements, including no felony convictions, no misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, and no outstanding warrants. In addition, a concealed pistol license is not required to carry a concealed pistol if the person carrying the firearm is in route to, in route from, or actively participating in a "legitimate outdoor activity".

Washington is also a "Stand Your Ground" state, in which there is no duty to retreat in the face of what would be perceived by an ordinary person to be a threat to themselves or others by another person that is likely to cause serious injury or death.

We also have some of the strongest protections for Speech and Illegal Search and Seizure found anywhere in the country.

So, what gives? Why haven’t the democrats we keep electing stripped us of all our state rights? Why didn’t all of us apparently freedom & gun loving Washingtonians vote McCain?

King County. Heavily populated with educated software engineers and coffee connoisseurs who love trees and whales almost as much as they love their moms.

-Joe

 

[Turboswede]

King County. Heavily populated with educated software engineers and coffee connoisseurs who love trees and whales almost as much as they love their moms.

-Joe

Yes, The SnoKingPierce Metroplex votes Primarily Democrat. But we still manage to have a State where the laws seem to back conservative principals. Maybe some hope for freedom and liberty under the Obama administration?

 

[AVG-JOE]

Yes, The SnoKingPierce Metroplex votes Primarily Democrat. But we still manage to have a State where the laws seem to back conservative principals. Maybe some hope for freedom and liberty under the Obama administration?

I do appreciate your logic there Turbo... It is encouraging. Environment and social issues meet fiscal responsibility at Alpental for a day of fun on the slopes.

-Joe

 

[Toro]

I love Washington. I might move back there one day. The low taxes are a big plus.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

I love Washington. I might move back there one day. The low taxes are a big plus.

LOL, LOW Taxes? Washington used to be the 4th highest taxed State in the Union, sure no Income tax but they get you with all the other ones. I was born and raised there.

 

[Turboswede]

LOL, LOW Taxes? Washington used to be the 4th highest taxed State in the Union, sure no Income tax but they get you with all the other ones. I was born and raised there.

No income tax, a 8.7% sales tax and a 1% property Tax rate is high?
(I don't drink or smoke)

California has a 9.3% income tax AND a 8.5% sales tax AND 1.5-2.5% property tax rates.

I moved from Seattle to NY and had to file State AND City taxes, allong with an 8.9% sales tax and a 3% property tax rate.

I think I will stay in Washington.

 

[Demontheses]

Most likley one of the simplest questions here:
The U.s and also the world are sick and tired or Republican Conservatives and Republicans, that they want change. And Barack Obama will give it to them.

 

[DiveCon]

Blue is Dem and red is Republican. They changed that about 15 to 18 years ago, Used to be the other way around, Guess some Democrat figured out being red helped us Identify them as the socialist turds they are?

actually, it used to switch back and forth until 2000, since then red has been republican and blue democrat

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Most likley one of the simplest questions here:
The U.s and also the world are sick and tired or Republican Conservatives and Republicans, that they want change. And Barack Obama will give it to them.

Yup and if he changes all the things he promised to change the Democrats will be out in 2010 and Obama will be out in 2012.

Funny how 55 MILLION people voted for McCain but the republican party is dead. I suggest you all buy new glasses. Maybe look for a clue while you are shopping for those non rose tinted glasses.

 

[Toro]

LOL, LOW Taxes? Washington used to be the 4th highest taxed State in the Union, sure no Income tax but they get you with all the other ones. I was born and raised there.

Yeah, but the trees, mountains and oceans are so pretty.

 

[William Joyce]

Interesting.

Parts of the American northeast, like Vermont and NH, have some of the same stuff going on, are heavily white, but vote D. Maine, too.

I think the truth is that white people all basically like the same stuff, but sometimes want to differentiate themselves from other whites.

Could also be that when whites don't have other races to contend with, they go lib. When they do, they go conservative.

 

[DiveCon]

Interesting.

Parts of the American northeast, like Vermont and NH, have some of the same stuff going on, are heavily white, but vote D. Maine, too.

I think the truth is that white people all basically like the same stuff, but sometimes want to differentiate themselves from other whites.

Could also be that when whites don't have other races to contend with, they go lib. When they do, they go conservative.

hey, stop trying to figure it out, you'll go nuts

here in Maine, they voted to rescind a tax the legislature enacted, yet put the same guys back in the legislature


as if they will just say, "oh my, they didnt like that tax, we better not do another one"

 

[KGB]

Most likley one of the simplest questions here:
The U.s and also the world are sick and tired or Republican Conservatives and Republicans, that they want change. And Barack Obama will give it to them.

& this statement has everything to do with the thread at hand....

 

[Luissa]

No income tax, a 8.7% sales tax and a 1% property Tax rate is high?
(I don't drink or smoke)

California has a 9.3% income tax AND a 8.5% sales tax AND 1.5-2.5% property tax rates.

I moved from Seattle to NY and had to file State AND City taxes, allong with an 8.9% sales tax and a 3% property tax rate.

I think I will stay in Washington.

me too and weren't you glad to see Gregoire win! They could tax cigarettes less here but I will live with it. The problem is the west side gets all the money while us here on the east side end up getting screwed often.I think that is also why you see the east side go red, luckly Spokane County was blue this year except for re electing Cathy McMorris Rogers.

 

[Luissa]

& this statement has everything to do with the thread at hand....

actually washington has been pro democrat for years, this isn't something new!

 

[Luissa]

Yeah, but the trees, mountains and oceans are so pretty.

and we have marmonts!

 

[Turboswede]

LOL, LOW Taxes? Washington used to be the 4th highest taxed State in the Union, sure no Income tax but they get you with all the other ones. I was born and raised there.

That was probobly a while ago, today (according to the tax research center) we are 35th out of 41 (there are 9 ties) With NY at #1 and TX at #41

 

[Turboswede]

actually washington has been pro democrat for years, this isn't something new!

Right, I read all these predictions about how the Democrats hate guns & freedom and then I think, hey...Washington is pretty darn protective of rights and is VERY well armed, and have been a Democrat stronghold for years, I think the last election we went republican was Regan v. Mondale (can you blame us).

Lots of diffrent Democrats out there, I guess thats what a big tent does.