If you fundamentally disagree with the politics in your city/county/state, why do you live there?

Some people can’t afford to leave. It seems like a lot of people here are pretty wealthy, but I’m a broke college student and I wont be leaving PA for quite some time.

I get that. But I was a broke teenager when I moved to Vancouver, Canada from Los Angeles. There are schools and jobs all over the country.

I understand that. I’m moving to LA as soon as can (dunno how many other places in the country have a high demand for special effects artists), but not everyone has those kinds of opportunities.

But after being very into bother Political Races of my time, (2004, 2008) I can honestly say that most people don’t care. That is why intolerable things like the Patriot Act exist. Nobody seems interested in standing up for themselves anymore.

Because it’s their home.
Forget about politics—there are still people living in Chernobyl!

I don’t have the cash, the mode of transportation needed, or the education I desire.

Yes, there’s also the issue of socio-economic mobility.

Because the political climate is never the sole reason or even a reason that most people choose a place to live.

This is, after all, the U.S. where even the lowest common denominator politically is better than much of the rest of the world.

Ok, so aside from money being an issue (which I do not wholly find a good enough excuse), why if you have skills, money, and transportation, do you live in such a place?

Is that better?

I am not the best person to answer this seeing as once I complete my education I plan on moving over seas. I was born in this area and haven’t really had the resources to move away. I think some people fear change and are not willing to leave the area that they have become the most settled in because of this. Some have other reasons. I personally have an educational obligation. I am a first generation college student and I am going to make sure that I am one of the first in my family to actually make it all the way through the school system including college. Others may have family obligations or feel that they have occupational obligations. These lend themselves to circumstance.

People don’t give the political climate the same value that you do, TF. It’s not wrong, it’s just different. Many people never think about moving. Others cannot imagine moving from friends and family and familiar.

Because there are more females here who will have sex with me, and SOME of them walk on two legs.

Hint of the Day:
If there’s also a third leg, they’re probably not female.

[writing that down]

Because people have jobs, friends and a home. Moving is hard, hoping that change will happen isn’t.

It takes a very special person to take politics seriously. I know I’m guilty. Hell, most politicians don’t take politics seriously enough.

also, TF, sometimes the kids are in (hopefully good) schools and it’s hard to pick up the kids and take them out of their school systems. plus when family and friends are around, and are a resource, that helps keep people rooted in the area. politics change, too. politicians come and go, values get more liberal or more conservative with time, depending.

Due to a variety of circumstances, I have twice moved from bigger metropolitan areas with more liberal politics (which matches my sensibilities) to smaller, farther suburbs with more conservative politics. Mostly because I wanted to stay in the same general area, but could not afford to live in my exact location of choice. Tiny, if I were in your shoes, I would do exactly as you did.

Because I love the place I live and—despite my strong disagreement with the current government—believe that it will be better some day, but only if people like me hang around and fight to make it better. And the consequences/opportunity costs of it continuing down the current path are too great to fathom.

I have a particular country in mind.

I suppose this is a case of the fight or flight response. If you think you can win the fight, you stay, if not, you flee.

Good points all..

Because if you don’t agree with the politics of the area, you can always work to change them (um, in the US at least). It’s your home: your friends, life, job, and home are there. Moving is stressful and difficult and unnecessary when you can stand up and try and change things to make it a better life. And if you do, it’s not just a better life for you but for others as well.

Otherwise you’re just running away.

@tinyfaery: In which states are your rights protected?

In any event, I disagree with the politics of my county, regarding trap/neuter/return laws for cats. Durham County is against TNR, and it is illegal. I still do it, and I am working to get the legislation changed. I live here because my career is here, and as a resident, I can represent the county at meetings to try to change this legislation.