I am one of the people doing the counter-intuitive move. My partner and I relocated from CO to FL earlier this year. Our specific intent being to establish permanent residency in a battleground state.
I’m under no illusion that our two meager votes will turn the tide in 2024 or 2026…or 2028, but watching Colorado evolve from the state it was when we were kids to what it is now? It’s possible.
We came in with eyes wide open. We picked a specific county based on historical gerrymandering trends and political party splits. Both of us got electively sterilized before leaving CO. The state of Colorado’s contraception coverage mandate requiring private health insurance to at least match Affordable Care Act coverage helped with that. It made for a smooth process; when considering both likelihood of approval and zero out of pocket cost.
I recognize that there is a lot of privilege at work here, such as the economic stability of having remote jobs that can cross state lines, not to mention a lot of passing privilege at play. But like, that’s kind of the point, right? If not us, who?
We came in with eyes wide open. We picked a specific county based on historical gerrymandering trends and political party splits.
Oh uh, yeah, sure… that’s also why I’m living in overlapping House and Senate districts of the worst Representatives and Senate representation north of the Mason Dixon line. My votes have done nothing to affect change against the tide of the gerrymandering.
I recognize that there is a lot of privilege at work here, such as the economic stability of having remote jobs that can cross state lines, not to mention a lot of passing privilege at play. But like, that’s kind of the point, right? If not us, who?
Exactly!! You recognize your privileges and are using them for good. That’s awesome!
I live in a shithole, non-battleground, mostly politically-irrelevant state (WV: not as shithole as some, but we’re on our way). While I could move elsewhere, I decided a few years ago that I might as well commit myself to the long haul and stay to try to slow the decline if making things better is off the table (both are uphill climbs, lol, but the latter is definitely steeper).
I wish you all the luck. Hopefully you’re able to set a good example others will see and follow.
I am one of the people doing the counter-intuitive move. My partner and I relocated from CO to FL earlier this year. Our specific intent being to establish permanent residency in a battleground state.
I’m under no illusion that our two meager votes will turn the tide in 2024 or 2026…or 2028, but watching Colorado evolve from the state it was when we were kids to what it is now? It’s possible.
We came in with eyes wide open. We picked a specific county based on historical gerrymandering trends and political party splits. Both of us got electively sterilized before leaving CO. The state of Colorado’s contraception coverage mandate requiring private health insurance to at least match Affordable Care Act coverage helped with that. It made for a smooth process; when considering both likelihood of approval and zero out of pocket cost.
I recognize that there is a lot of privilege at work here, such as the economic stability of having remote jobs that can cross state lines, not to mention a lot of passing privilege at play. But like, that’s kind of the point, right? If not us, who?
Oh uh, yeah, sure… that’s also why I’m living in overlapping House and Senate districts of the worst Representatives and Senate representation north of the Mason Dixon line. My votes have done nothing to affect change against the tide of the gerrymandering.
Someday I hope both of our efforts bear fruit.
Exactly!! You recognize your privileges and are using them for good. That’s awesome!
I live in a shithole, non-battleground, mostly politically-irrelevant state (WV: not as shithole as some, but we’re on our way). While I could move elsewhere, I decided a few years ago that I might as well commit myself to the long haul and stay to try to slow the decline if making things better is off the table (both are uphill climbs, lol, but the latter is definitely steeper).
I wish you all the luck. Hopefully you’re able to set a good example others will see and follow.
Same to you, friend.