The eight fastest-growing states are all "red states"

WSJ - Best of the Web ^ | April 25, 2005 | JAMES TARANTO

[I still care]

It's amazing how clueless people are. I live in Florida. People come down for two reasons - the climate and lower taxes.

Then they are amazed when we don't have all the services they have in the blue states. So they vote up the taxes to pay for them!

[ACDSWIZ]

Most of the population growth in Cali. is illegals. That is also true in other states. Just visit N.C. for a first hand view.

[princess leah]

As an x-Californian who's been living in Arizona for the past 9 years, I am a bit worried that more liberals will move here...The women republicans need help as they voted for our GOvernor (supposedly a woman) over a good republican, Matt Salmon. Then we have a real RINO senator in Mccain...The bright spots are Sen. Kyl and Rep JD Hayworth (I was so disappointed that he's not running for Gov)...

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Arizona, Florida, Texas, #'s 2, 3, and 4 respecitvely is the fastest growing list. All without an income tax.

More people means more demand for services. Expect an income tax soon.

[who knows what evil?]

I am in New England, and am considering Idaho. However, I am aware that Californians are flooding into Idaho, and that many of them are bringing their obnoxious liberal habits with them. True?

What do you folks think? Are you seeing more conservatives coming to Idaho, or are you seeing more Volvos, Saabs, and Birkenstocks? The CDA Press seems to think that Democrats are coming on strong in that area due to California 'immigrants'.

[Mark in the Old South]

Virginia has been under assault for a long time but is the most reliable GOP state in the Southeast, tied with Oklahoma. Something is in the water here. There is a fella at Church that wears a lapel pin of the First Confederate Flag. We were talking Sunday and it turns out he was born and raised in the Midwest. Not an ounce of Souther blood either. He didn't even marry his way into the Confederacy. Southern girls could have won us the war if we had let them handle it. Once they get down here it starts to work on them.

[Verginius Rufus]

According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census figures, between 2000 and 2003 Nevada grew by 12.2%, Arizona by 8.8%, Florida by 6.5%, Texas by 6.1%, Georgia by 6.1%, and Colorado by 5.8%.

In absolute numbers, Nevada grew by about 243,000, Arizona by 450,000, Florida by 1,036,000, Texas by 1,166,000, Georgia 498,000, and Colorado by 248,000.

California had a lower percentage growth (4.%) but still increased by 1,612,000 (obviously the illegals are moving in faster than the citizens are moving out). North Carolina also had a larger growth in absolute numbers than Nevada (about 360,000).

Only North Dakota and the District of Columbia had an actual decline in numbers, but West Virginia was virtually unchanged at a 0.1% growth (about 2,000 people).

These figures are extrapolated from the 2005 edition of The World Almanac.

[Verginius Rufus]

That should be 4.8% increase for California between 2000 and 2003, rather than 4%.

[donozark]

I would note that ALL of the Red States are Right to Work States, with the exception of Ohio. This should tell everyone something...

[Recovering_Democrat]

Exterminate liberalism

WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE!

[ladyjane]

Weather does play a role but economic growth and job opportunity are major factors.

[IdahoNative]

"What do you folks think? Are you seeing more conservatives coming to Idaho, or are you seeing more Volvos, Saabs, and Birkenstocks? The CDA Press seems to think that Democrats are coming on strong in that area due to California 'immigrants'."

During the 70s & early 80s we seemed to get more conservatives but since the mid-80s the liberals are moving up here and IMHO ruining Coeur d'Alene/North Idaho.

[Allosaurs_r_us]

"What do you folks think? Are you seeing more conservatives coming to Idaho, or are you seeing more Volvos, Saabs, and Birkenstocks? The CDA Press seems to think that Democrats are coming on strong in that area due to California 'immigrants'"

 

It is apparent the libs are moving into the larger cities, but in Idaho the population is largely in the open spaces between urban developments.

 

Boise is largely controlled by the Mormon church. Even though they seem to have a more liberal stance on many issues, morality is still driving their politics.

 

Lewiston will stay Repub for the foreseeable future as it is a blue collar stronghold. Mostly hard working families.

 

Moscow is our college town and as you can imagine is controlled like any other college town. So liberal to the hilt. Population though is very much related to the school year. Permanent residents still tend to be very conservative but unfortunately are outnumbered by left wing students and faculty.

 

Coeur d'Alene would be the northern most large urban development and is still largely Republican, but the libs are making inroads, as many Californians believe it is paradise as compared to where they have just left. The CDA Press is a left wing environmental Rag!

 

Any farther northward is strictly conservative and we intend to keep it that way. There is of coarse exceptions, but mostly on the environmental issues. Very few Dems will get elected to office around here, and when they do they are still strong Second Amendment supporters. We still live by the gun up here. It is not unusual to read about close calls with nature, and the need to defend one's family against the more violent side of animal behavior. Our crime rate is pretty much non-existent, as compared to other parts of the country, as we are all armed to the teeth.

 

Immigrants moving into Idaho seem pretty much to be a 50/50 split. As many Pubbies as Dimwits. Many liberals just don't last. If they try raising a stink, we can be downright hostile to any change. What puts the kabash on most of them is this is a "Right to Work" State. Very little Union influence and that just drives 'em nucking futz".

[who knows what evil?]

During the 70s & early 80s we seemed to get more conservatives but since the mid-80s the liberals are moving up here and IMHO ruining Coeur d'Alene/North Idaho.

I had a feeling that might be the case. New England USED to be conservative, but the liberals came to town, brought their socialist ideologies with them (including voting a straight Democrat ticket), and that was that. Now we are the abortion/gay marriage/euthanasia/high tax capital of the US. I like North Idaho, but it sounds like I would exchanging one nest of liberals for another.

[who knows what evil?]

AC/DC fan? Cool. So I would probably see Birkenstocks around CDA, but it is likely I would be in the company of many fellow Conservatives north of that area...say the Hayden/Sandpoint '95 corridor'. After reading the CDA Press on-line, I got the impression they would do whatever it takes to promote the Democrat agenda (like most newspapers.) I have to admit...I did like the column the other day that proposed getting Californians hooked on cigarettes. Can't remember his name, but that was hysterical!

[who knows what evil?]

Our crime rate is pretty much non-existent, as compared to other parts of the country, as we are all armed to the teeth.

I am an advocate of the policy that states "if you know how many guns you have; you don't have enough guns".

[Allosaurs_r_us]

"I am an advocate of the policy that states "if you know how many guns you have; you don't have enough guns"

 

Rule number one in North Idaho:

 

There is no such thing as enough guns.

[Alberta's Child]

Any farther northward is strictly conservative and we intend to keep it that way.

I've traveled quite a bit across this country, and someone once asked me the most conservative place I've ever been. I thought about it for a while, then decided that it's a toss-up between Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Forsythe, Montana.

[who knows what evil?]

Then I guess I had better start working on my Christmas list extra-early this year. Appreciate all the detailed info!

[Clemenza]

During the 70s & early 80s we seemed to get more conservatives but since the mid-80s the liberals are moving up here and IMHO ruining Coeur d'Alene/North Idaho. < P> Methinks the Neo_Nazis in Hayden Lake were part of a conspiracy to get property values down so the libs could buy up all the land up there. ;-)