#border states

[jackassdemocrats]

How To Make Illegal Aliens Deport Themselves - Jackass Democrats

How To Make Illegal Aliens Deport Themselves. The debate over illegal immigration has been a persistent challenge in the United States, with

Deporting can't do it alone, they have to make all guilty parties pay a price.

[critical-skeptic]

Understanding the Southern Perimeter’s Republican Lean: A Multi-Factor Analysis

The political landscape of the United States is often discussed in terms of blue and red states, with certain regions consistently leaning Republican or Democrat. However, the southern perimeter of the continental U.S.—stretching from California to Florida—presents a unique case study. Despite cultural diversity, varying industries, and demographic shifts, this region generally leans Republican. This alignment, which includes border states with Mexico and those along the Gulf Coast, emerges from a complex interplay of geography, economics, historical values, and cultural attitudes.

1. Geographical and Climatic Influences

The southern perimeter is defined by its warmer climates, which attract specific demographics, most notably retirees. States like Florida have become retirement havens, drawing older populations from traditionally Democratic northern regions. This migration brings a demographic that often prioritizes conservative values such as lower taxes, property rights, and fiscal conservatism, aligning well with Republican ideologies. The subtropical to desert-like climate also shapes industries in these states, favoring agriculture, tourism, and energy sectors that lean conservative due to their reliance on limited government intervention and favorable regulatory policies.

Additionally, the shape and layout of these states play a role. California’s extensive north-south reach and diverse climate foster a mix of political ideologies, making it more complex, though its highly populated coastal cities tend toward Democratic dominance. By contrast, Arizona and Texas, with expansive rural and desert regions along the border, amplify conservative values centered on self-reliance and individualism, often associated with frontier mentality.

2. Historical and Cultural Factors

Southern states, including those on the southern perimeter, have a strong cultural legacy of conservatism rooted in a combination of frontier independence, skepticism of federal oversight, and a tradition of states’ rights. This tradition resonates with Republican ideology, which emphasizes limited government, individual liberties, and a cautious approach to social change. While California may stand as an exception due to its urban liberal hubs, the states from Texas through Florida reflect this traditional conservatism that has persisted over decades, reinforced by political institutions and local values.

Texas, in particular, embodies this “frontier spirit.” The state’s long history as a republic, combined with its emphasis on rugged individualism and suspicion of centralized power, aligns with Republican principles. Arizona, with its substantial rural population and similar desert environment, mirrors this mindset. The “frontier mentality” persists in these areas, where local culture values autonomy and self-reliance—traits that naturally dovetail with conservative ideologies.

3. Economics and Industry Patterns

Economic structures in these states contribute heavily to their conservative leanings. Texas, for example, is a major oil producer, while Florida’s economy is driven by tourism and agriculture. These industries often thrive under conservative economic policies, which typically favor deregulation, low taxes, and minimal government interference. Republican economic policies are seen as beneficial by stakeholders in these sectors, making the party an appealing choice for many business owners and workers.

Moreover, certain industries in these states feel the impact of immigration more directly, leading to support for stricter border policies and a more conservative stance on national security. Agriculture and construction in Arizona, Texas, and Florida rely heavily on immigrant labor but also face challenges from undocumented immigration, shaping local attitudes toward Republican policies that prioritize border enforcement and immigration control.

4. Proximity to the Mexican Border and the “Diversity Paradox”

For border states like Texas and Arizona, proximity to Mexico brings border security and immigration issues to the forefront of local politics. This isn’t just about geographical closeness; it’s about the daily reality of cross-border dynamics that influence attitudes toward national security, cultural integration, and economic impacts. The southern perimeter’s conservative alignment is often reinforced by a sense of “us vs. them,” a cultural boundary that shapes perceptions of national identity and sovereignty.

Counterintuitively, the high diversity in these border states does not automatically translate to liberal leanings. Instead, the influx of new populations can sometimes trigger a conservative backlash, as local communities respond to perceived cultural and economic shifts. This “diversity paradox” suggests that in some cases, increasing diversity can actually entrench conservative ideologies as groups seek to preserve traditional values in the face of demographic changes. California and New Mexico differ here, as both have deeply rooted Hispanic and Native American populations that pre-date current immigration concerns, leading to a multicultural identity that integrates rather than reacts to diversity.

5. Rural-Urban Divide and Population Distribution

The rural-urban divide is a significant factor in understanding Republican dominance in the southern perimeter states. Urban centers in Texas (Austin, Houston, and Dallas), Arizona (Phoenix), and Florida (Miami) tend to lean Democratic, but the vast rural areas and smaller towns remain conservative strongholds. Given that these rural and suburban regions often have disproportionate legislative influence due to gerrymandering and districting practices, Republican preferences are amplified politically.

In these rural areas, the appeal of Republican ideology is tied to a distrust of federal intervention and a commitment to traditional social values. The conservative emphasis on “law and order” and the right to bear arms resonates with rural populations who prioritize self-sufficiency and often feel culturally alienated from urban liberalism. This dynamic creates a political landscape where urban and rural values clash, but the rural-dominated districts sustain Republican influence at state and federal levels.

6. Geopolitical Significance and National Policy

Border security, immigration, and national security are not merely abstract political issues in the southern perimeter states; they are local realities. The Republican party’s stance on border control and immigration resonates with communities directly impacted by these policies. For residents in states like Texas and Arizona, issues of border security are personal and immediate, influencing their political alignment. The southern perimeter’s exposure to these cross-border dynamics fuels support for policies that emphasize strict immigration enforcement, contributing to the region’s Republican leanings.

Furthermore, the high visibility of national debates on immigration and security in these states places them in a unique geopolitical position. Residents of the southern perimeter often view federal immigration policies through the lens of local impact, which can heighten conservative stances on enforcement and sovereignty, particularly during times of political polarization on these issues.

The southern perimeter’s Republican alignment, spanning from California to Florida, is a product of interwoven geographical, economic, cultural, and historical factors. From the lure of warm climates drawing conservative-leaning demographics to the economic structures that benefit from conservative policies, each element reinforces the region’s political leanings. The combination of rural influence, frontier mentality, and proximity to the Mexican border creates a unique political identity that sustains Republican dominance.

While California and New Mexico serve as exceptions due to their own unique geographic and cultural compositions, the southern perimeter as a whole demonstrates the impact of physical geography and local demographics on political identity. This analysis underscores how politics in border states cannot be reduced to simple assumptions about diversity or proximity to Mexico; instead, it is the product of complex, localized dynamics that shape conservative values and Republican support across the region.

[articlesminer]

Now We Know Their Names

Now We Know Their Names

Under a large white tent on a warm Sunday in early autumn, a group of residents in Montgomery County, Maryland, gathered at Welsh Park in the town of Rockville. A crescendo of gospel hymns hung above the crowd before falling gently over us like a warm bedsheet. A small group of children squealed from a playground in the distance. We were there to remember the lives of two Black men who had been…

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[anonymous-robot]

[support-groups]

All the feels

I find that Summertime is often the busiest time of year in my house, it is a long, long school break filled with many activities to juggle, which often makes time management a little precarious.  I have multiple alerts on my phone to make sure everyone gets where they need to be and this morning I found myself eating a gluten free waffle in the car while driving one of my kids to camp (only at red lights by the way, I try to keep 2 hands on the wheel for safety).  We do what we have to do to make sure our kids are safe and happy and I think that is why this issue with kids being taken away from their parents at the border is hitting me so hard.  I love my kids, they annoy me too, I am not one of those people who think their kids are perfect, not by a long shot, but they are mine and if they disappear for a minute I automatically think the worst.  

My family only came to this country, the United States, a few generations ago, they came because of religious persecution and sought a country that would let them practice their religion and customs without fear.  Things were better here than from where they came from, but just a generation later, they were barred from joining certain social clubs, or going to certain hotels because of signs that read: No Blacks, Jews or Dogs allowed.  

So what is happening in Texas feels personal, because of who I am as a person, because of who I am as a parent, who I am as an American and as someone who works on the team that makes up www.supportgroups.com, a site that accepts anyone, from any country, completely free from fees, because our aim is to provide a place where ANYONE can get support, the reality of what is going on is a hard truth to swallow.  

"People come here penniless but not cultureless. They bring us gifts. We can synthesize the best of our traditions with the best of theirs. We can teach and learn from each other to produce a better America."                       -Mary Pipher

It is hard not to have feelings about what is going on lately in the news, I often feel like social media, that once was my fluffy, fun place to tune out the real world is very REAL lately.  As I am writing this, I see on Twitter that President Trump has apparently signed an executive order stating that families will no longer be separated while keeping the “zero tolerance” prosecution in place.  This means that those who come illegally into the US will still be subject to criminal charges, meaning that they will be arrested and as to their children...?

"No one leaves home unless / home is the mouth of a shark."-Warsan Shire

Most of us, unless we are Native, didn’t originate here, most of us are part of a family who immigrated in the last century or so, we love Pizza and Pasta from Italy, we adore Dolmas, Lamb Kebabs, Pita and Greek Yogurt from Greece, Spicy Curries, savory rice, Naan and Chai from India and the list goes on, we love the food, we enjoy the cultural experiences, opera, dances, music, but we have become fearful of the actual immigrants themselves.  There are so many things that are the same if we get to know one another.  Just about every city has multiple organizations that work with immigrants, volunteer your time, host a family for dinner, host a family for a “real American experience” which probably translates to sports for most people (that is what pops into my head anyway).  

In our own way we can do something and that is to love one another, show kindness and compassion to someone who looks different than you do, who worships differently than you do, who wears a wig(sheitel) or hijab, who eats different foods or speaks another language.  From personal experience, it is amazing and differences melt away very quickly.   

“Your enemy is not the refugee. Your enemy is the one who made him a refugee." -Tariq Ramadan

As always, we thank you for being a part of our site.  

All the best- Team SG

[anonymous-robot]

[anonymous-robot]

[oldfolksadventures]

Joshua Fry Speed: Abraham Lincoln's Closest Friend and the Kentucky Unionist Who Helped Save the Union

Joshua Fry Speed: Abraham Lincoln's Closest Friend and the Kentucky Unionist Who Helped Save the Union