The South ==--we CAN compete

[Blue_Roses]

in the south. All these threads saying "forget the south" remind me of the primaries. To hell with that. The south ironically benefits from the policies of the Democratic party, however, unfortunately, most living in the south don't understand that. When you talk about "policies" to the average Joe and Jane six pack they really couldn't give a rat's ass, but ask them about how they will pay their bills or feed their children and you will see their eyes light up. Also, Southern Baptist rule the south. Doesn't mean they are right, but they rule, only because they shout the same old mantra that they have been shouting since I was a kid. I finally confronted one and told them that Jesus doesn't have a mandate on any political party and I'm sure he is offended that you say he does. It shut her up, but you could tell she was then ready to shout "liberal."

With this said it makes the south sound like it's riddled with ignorance. Well, maybe that's true to an extent, but most of it has to do with many who have never lived any where else, never walked outside of their glass house long enough to see that there is life outside of that glass house. My sister is a fundie and dad always said, "she lives her life in a bubble" and he was right. Ignorance, naive'...it's all the same when you judge others according to what you think they should know and live by.

Bottom line is people don't think "outside of the box" until they are forced to--abortion for example. Women and men who will never face an unplanned pregnancy can shout their "pro-life" shit, but all that changes when an unplanned pregnancy faces them or their teenage daughter. As a counselor, I've seen it. Change only comes through conflict--whether it be with one's self or with others. The south isn't lost, but they do need to see some "change."