In the some circles, colonization is an activism war-cry, but as the West grows rapidly with cultural urbanites, elections no longer reflect the minds, values, people, and environments of the West.
Yep. I've been in New Mexico since I was 13, but my parents were from here, and my grandparents moved here post WWII, so I feel like I count as a native. (I'm certainly not truly native to anywhere else either, being a military brat.) And I've definitely seen exactly what you're talking about down here, too, though thankfully not quite as much since it's still pretty undeveloped. Though being poor just means it's easy to influence our elections with outside money. So we have quite a few elected officials who are there courtesy of Mike Bloomberg, who is very much *not* a New Mexican.
"If you liked how it was on the coast so much, feel free to go the fuck back there." Probably too long for a bumper sticker. ;)
I like your bumper sticker idea -- I'd buy one! haha. I think all of the interior western states are going through this right now as the coastal wealth spreads westward, now that the locals have made it just comfortable enough for them to grace the place with their presence. Vote local, vote no on outside money!
Interesting thoughts. I think the term colonization is appropriate for what you describe. I currently live in New Mexico, but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and when I go back there to visit I see something similar happening to Nashville. The Nashville I grew up in during the 1960s & 1970s had the feel of a big small town. Over the past 10 years since I left the area it has transformed with entire neighborhoods seeing their characters completely changed. Nashville was a moderate Democrat town that now seems to be turning hard left. It no longer feels like home to me.
I grew up in Southern California in the 50's and 60's. It was heaven. I can recall the smell of the orange groves in the Valley and riding my bike from our house on the West Side to the Santa Monica pier, POP, Malibu, Clover Field...everyplace. It was run as a moderately Republican state until the 70's when we were inundated by newcomers from the East and Midwest. They came to California for the climate, lifestyle, and relatively low taxes - but they brought their values with them. They spread throughout the state like a metastatic cancer and basically forced us locals out. The California of today is just New York or Chicago with better weather.
It's a paradox that people move someplace because they think it's nicer than where they are only to turn it into what they left. The West used to have its own unique character. Unfortunately, that's gone. The newly urban West is no different than the urban East...which is a damn shame.
As for me, I moved to another West Coast state that was then moderately Democrat but has since turned hard left. So, like a gypsy, I'll pull up stakes and move to one of the Southern states in the very near future.
Nailed it. Isn't it interesting how the changes keep sweeping, but those making the changes don't even realize or acknowledge their roles in it? Coloradans took specific steps to protect from some of it, but anything we did was undone and steamrolled by the complete takeover of our systems of government, media, and communities. Turns out, when 4 million people want what you have, they'll take what you have, then tell you to leave if you don't like it ... the ole "stop hitting yourself" bully move.
I feel for you, and your story about California's past is gold -- that needs to be more fully written. I hate to say it, but it's a clear sign that the West never stood a chance ...
I'll bet dollars to doughnuts; all the Californians fleeing to Texas will vote in all the same politicians/policies that ruined CA.....not the sharpest bulbs in the deck.
Guaranteed! It sure would be nice if people would hold off on voting locally and in the state for a while after they move. Maybe learn what the issues are before voting the locals out and taking over, eh? It will be interesting to see how Texans take to being overrun by intranational colonists and expropriators.
Yep. I've been in New Mexico since I was 13, but my parents were from here, and my grandparents moved here post WWII, so I feel like I count as a native. (I'm certainly not truly native to anywhere else either, being a military brat.) And I've definitely seen exactly what you're talking about down here, too, though thankfully not quite as much since it's still pretty undeveloped. Though being poor just means it's easy to influence our elections with outside money. So we have quite a few elected officials who are there courtesy of Mike Bloomberg, who is very much *not* a New Mexican.
"If you liked how it was on the coast so much, feel free to go the fuck back there." Probably too long for a bumper sticker. ;)
I like your bumper sticker idea -- I'd buy one! haha. I think all of the interior western states are going through this right now as the coastal wealth spreads westward, now that the locals have made it just comfortable enough for them to grace the place with their presence. Vote local, vote no on outside money!
Interesting thoughts. I think the term colonization is appropriate for what you describe. I currently live in New Mexico, but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and when I go back there to visit I see something similar happening to Nashville. The Nashville I grew up in during the 1960s & 1970s had the feel of a big small town. Over the past 10 years since I left the area it has transformed with entire neighborhoods seeing their characters completely changed. Nashville was a moderate Democrat town that now seems to be turning hard left. It no longer feels like home to me.
I grew up in Southern California in the 50's and 60's. It was heaven. I can recall the smell of the orange groves in the Valley and riding my bike from our house on the West Side to the Santa Monica pier, POP, Malibu, Clover Field...everyplace. It was run as a moderately Republican state until the 70's when we were inundated by newcomers from the East and Midwest. They came to California for the climate, lifestyle, and relatively low taxes - but they brought their values with them. They spread throughout the state like a metastatic cancer and basically forced us locals out. The California of today is just New York or Chicago with better weather.
It's a paradox that people move someplace because they think it's nicer than where they are only to turn it into what they left. The West used to have its own unique character. Unfortunately, that's gone. The newly urban West is no different than the urban East...which is a damn shame.
As for me, I moved to another West Coast state that was then moderately Democrat but has since turned hard left. So, like a gypsy, I'll pull up stakes and move to one of the Southern states in the very near future.
Nailed it. Isn't it interesting how the changes keep sweeping, but those making the changes don't even realize or acknowledge their roles in it? Coloradans took specific steps to protect from some of it, but anything we did was undone and steamrolled by the complete takeover of our systems of government, media, and communities. Turns out, when 4 million people want what you have, they'll take what you have, then tell you to leave if you don't like it ... the ole "stop hitting yourself" bully move.
I feel for you, and your story about California's past is gold -- that needs to be more fully written. I hate to say it, but it's a clear sign that the West never stood a chance ...
I'll bet dollars to doughnuts; all the Californians fleeing to Texas will vote in all the same politicians/policies that ruined CA.....not the sharpest bulbs in the deck.
Guaranteed! It sure would be nice if people would hold off on voting locally and in the state for a while after they move. Maybe learn what the issues are before voting the locals out and taking over, eh? It will be interesting to see how Texans take to being overrun by intranational colonists and expropriators.