R. Emmett Tyrrell: Greetings From a Small Town in Florida

WASHINGTON — There is a phenomenon that has been creeping across America for at least the past 30 years that I have yet to comment on. It has been a topic of long-term interest to social scientists. It’s the phenomenon of people from the right moving into areas that are already conservative. On the other side, people at the left end tend to stick in traditionally left-leaning areas. This has resulted in a growing polarization in American politics.

People with views like Sean Hannity move to Dallas, Texas, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Indianapolis, Indiana. On the other hand, people on the left stay in places like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, — all traditionally left-wing enclaves. These older left-wing enclaves don’t allow for much movement. It is hard to imagine a New Yorker wanting to drive the family Prius across the country, perhaps to Indiana. These left-wing enclaves are home to many people despite their high crime and murder rates. The gunfire doesn’t stop even during holidays.

This trend will likely continue and get worse. It would not surprise me if left-leaning cities change their names to reflect their politics. New York City could easily change its name to New Moscow. Or Chicago could become New Beijing. Los Angeles could be Marxville or Leninville. Hollywood’s focus on personalities cannot be overlooked, and Marx or Lenin have always captured the imaginations of many Los Angelenos. Remember how they venerated Fidel Castro and his stance against tobacco.

As I was visiting South Florida, I thought about the increasing polarization in America. Although I love America’s big cities, I can’t help but feel that America’s big cities are being overthrown by the left. If things become more dangerous in Washington, where am I going to live? Washington is fine right now, but one day I might have to leave. The street signs are a warning sign. The homeless are a real menace. Every park in this once-pleasing city has been turned into a tent city and every street corner has become a latrine. Where are the police officers? It’s getting worse.

But, while I was in South Florida for the weekend, I was shown to a small, friendly town where I could easily live comfortably. Not only that, but the conservative migration has already begun there, and in the last election, the governor of Florida — not surprisingly a Republican — rolled over his opposition. He performed so well, I believe that he has a bright and future. Palm Beach is the tiny town I am referring to. Ron DeSantis is the governor. I’m keeping my options open.

Rush Limbaugh is the one who started the conservative migration. He called Palm Beach his “his” location. “Southern Command.” Limbaugh regretted leaving South Florida to seek a better life in 2021. However, by that time, he had already begun a migration. Ann Coulter (the writer), Laura Ingraham (the writer and television personality), and Chris Ruddy were among the migrants. Ruddy started his career as a New York Post writer, but he is now an entrepreneur. Ruddy founded Newsmax in an attempt to compete with Fox News. Although he is still struggling, Ruddy is following Fox’s lead if Fox falls. Chris has brought others to Palm Beach. Sean Hannity is also there on a regular basis. Donald Trump is another conservative figure who has attracted a lot of attention to Palm Beach.

Elizabeth Ailes is another. She is the wife of Roger Ailes who was responsible for much of Fox News’s success. She seems to have the charm and talent to be the Madame de Stael for the conservative migration to South Florida. Elizabeth Ailes was a friend of mine, and I heard her speak about how a salon in Palm Beach, overseen by her, is what America needs to survive the end of Bidenism.

Ukraine: Glory!

R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr., founder and editor in chief at The American Spectator, is also the author. He is a Senior Fellow with the London Center for Policy Research. “The Death of Liberalism,” Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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