What are Oklahomans?

[V98]

I’ve heard many people of various races and political persuasions tell me that Oklahomans are strangely conservative and liberal at the same time.

We’re a state with some of, if not the loosest “medical” marijuana laws in the nation (a perceived liberal stance) and very few restrictions on gun ownership, possession and carry (a perceived conservative stance).

I have long believed that Oklahomans for the most part are true libertarians. Live and let live. Do what you will but leave me and mine to do what we will. If you’re not harming me or my family what you do is none of my business. You get the point.

Just for fun, I’m curious what this particular group thinks! I’m not going to participate in any political conversations and I don’t want to start any arguments. Just curious!

 

[bigred1]

I believe in live and let live and I also believe voting Republican is my best avenue to getting there.

 

[dennishoddy]

I have conservative values, not necessarily Republican although that label can be subjective depending on what part of the country you live in.
Folks on the leftist coasts would consider democrats in Oklahoma Republican because they are more towards the middle and not far left like the coasties.

 

[PBramble]

Depends. The metro areas are decidely blue, the rural areas are diehard red. About the same number of people in either setting though.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

^^ That's not supported by the voting data. I'm pretty certain not a single county in Oklahoma voted blue in the last election. It was close in OKC (Oklahoma County) but still went to Trump.

 

[Gideon]

I don't think any political labels are sufficient to describe most people.

Most people I meet here are socially conservative, but the history of the state and blue collar nature of many Oklahomans pushes a lot of people towards a kind of populist pragmatism.

Right wing populism with paleo-libertarian features sounds about right.

Even most of our left wingers are metaphysically conservative.

 

[TedKennedy]

I'd quickly conclude that Oklahoma is conservative by the modern definition. As the church weakens, this will change (is changing).

My hope is that former conservatives will follow liberty over comfort as opposed to the socialist direction our neighbors to the south and west have gone.

 

[V98]

I’m not interested or curious about political labels. I know some Democrats that are very conservative on many issues and many Republicans that have liberal views on many issues. I didn’t mean to indicate Libretarian as in the party, I meant as a philosophy.

I agree, it’s tough if not impossible to put anyone completely into one category or another. Interesting discussion and some good takes!

 

[V98]

Libertarianism - Libertarianism is a philosophy that upholds liberty as its core value.

Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state; emphasizing free association, freedom of choice, individualism and voluntary association.

Not the “official party” the philosophy!

 

[wawazat]

Libertarianism - Libertarianism is a philosophy that upholds liberty as its core value.

Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state; emphasizing free association, freedom of choice, individualism and voluntary association.

Not the “official party” the philosophy!

With that clarification, based on my own network, a libertarian mindset seems to dominate. I would be disappointed if a large number of people swung 100% one way or the other on every topic across the board.