Why does it seem that more Conservatives live in rural areas and more Liberals live in bigger cities?

Not saying all conservatives live in rural areas, but I would say a high percentage of people who live in rural areas are conservative.

Public Comments

1. Because in the rural areas you HAVE to work for yourself just to live... there is no other way... You cannot be dependant on the community for things or you will fail... That doesn't mean that we don't help each other out in the rural areas... we do what we can... but we can't be totally collective..
2. Well I would say its because of family. Most rural families are closer then most urban families. I have lived in all areas and been all over the world. I currently live in NYC and most people would consider me to be a Conservative but I consider myself a Libertarian. I have socially Liberal views but conservative views on the role of government
3. When you are exposed to more views, more information, and more culture, you tend to be tolerant in your own views and more liberal. This is true of extremism in any culture or religion. It has nothing to do with closer families or depending on yourself like rightwingers like to delude themselves into thinking.
4. When you're exposed to many different things that change rapidly in a city, you tend to be more liberal (like the person above me just explained). When you're in a rural area, you tend to stay in that area because you like it. And when you like something, you don't want it to change. People who don't like much change tend to be conservative.
5. Living in the city makes it easier for liberals to get their government freebies. If people in rural areas are more conservative, it's probably because they have to be more self sufficient and don't understand the gimme mentality.
6. Yo, Herbie, why ask why? roflmao
7. I live in a large city but have many friends who live in the country--some of those are farmers. You are correct that there are more conservatives in rural areas than urban areas. If you look at my state's election map, you can see exactly where the cities are in the states because they are blue spots in a sea of red. I can only write about my personal observations with those that I know. My rural friends are much more independent and they are very against what they see as government intrusion into their lives. Even simple things like the fact that I have to pay for a permit and comply with city standards if I want to put up a fence around my yard. I have to pay and ask permission. Even then I'm not allowed to have a fence over six feet high. My frinds in the country are astonished that I willingly go along with this. They're more used to making their own decisions and doing what they want on their own property. They are very against losing that freedom. Overall, they simply want to be left alone. They often have an attitude of, "Get out of my way and let me do it myself". Many of my friends are hunters. When the farmers are in the fields, they normally carry a gun with them just in case. They want to keep the right to own guns and use them---and they don't want to have the government know everything about their choices to own guns. I live in a city and don't own a gun. I don't hunt and have few worries about snakes. If you think about something like the stimulus bill, what benefits will rural people get from it? Probably very little yet they'll be paying for it. The programs for family planning and STD's will mostly be spent in cities because that's where the percentage is higher for the need. The programs for youth services will mostly go to cities because that's where it's supposed to be needed. Running internet into rural areas is an interesting idea but all of my friends already have satellite for the cable service.