The last time there was actual “political ideology balance” in the Massachusetts State Legislature was in 1946. Ever since then, Massachusetts, within BOTH the state Democratic Party and the state Republican Party, has been “all leftist, all of the time”, with full conservatism being a profound minority. Avoid discussions on politics, with the majority of people for the majority of time, and you will do fine. Unfortunately, I see what happened this November, at the national level, as equal to what happened in Massachusetts in 1946. If this is the case, then the entire U.S. will be “all leftist, all of the time” for many decades to come, and it won’t really matter where non-leftists live throughout the U.S. I DO hope that I’m very wrong about this prediction.
Even that approach is not always possible with the aggressive liberalism tainting New England in general and Massachusetts in particular.
A few year ago, at a not-so-aptly named "Friendly's" restaurant near Watertown, MA, I committed the crime of driving while Texan. As I pulled into the parking lot with my Texas plates, a family of four (dad, mother and two kids) was coming out and saw my car. Without provocation, both the husband and wife confronted me about being from Texas. "So, you're from the Kennedy killing state!" and "I bet you cowboys down there had a party when Teddy died". I was told in a profanity-laced tirade that we "right-wing, redneck Texans" weren't welcome in their fine Commonwealth.
Sure, it was one isolated incident in this case. But there were numerous times I was greeted with a middle-finger salute by proud citizens on the traffic circles on Route 6, doubtlessly because of my Texas plates and Sarah Palin window sticker.