Sharpening "Blue" vs. "Red"-US Polarization under the Trump administration 18 November 18:18

Blue (BLUE) VS Red (RED)
The US presidential election that is approaching next year may be a better contrast than the blue and red colors. As a result of President Trump's confrontation over the past three years, bipolarization has progressed in the United States. On the other hand, some people may say that “bipolarization is not the beginning”. Nonetheless, it is certain that this bipolarization will greatly influence the future of the upcoming election. I visited the front line of what is happening now. (Washington bureau reporter Atsutoshi Nishikawa)

What appeared in the “red” stronghold ...

Dallas, Southern Texas. On the 17th of last month, the center of the city was surrounded by a strange atmosphere. Many people wearing red hats and clothes.

The hat says “Make America Great Again”.

Yes, their goal is President Trump. It is a large Republican gathering of supporters. Ten hours before the start, a line of thousands of people was completed. Some people have been sleeping on the street for two days. It looks like a fan waiting for a popular idol live.

A stadium with a capacity of 20,000 people filled with supporters. At a high volume, familiar songs such as “We are the Champions” and “Young Man” are played, and there is no excitement.

President Trump showed up there. In the speech, he strengthened his language because the opposition party and the Democratic party's immigration policy was too permissive.

(President Trump) “We are fighting leftists and socialists. The Democrats are trying to open the border and focus on illegal immigrants rather than Americans.”

The excitement of the meeting reached its peak.

In the “blue” stronghold ...

Opposition and democrats. With the aim of recapturing the government, a mixed battle in which nearly 20 people stand as candidates. Candidates oppose President Trump and appeal to the immigrants.

Some candidates argue that immigrants who have illegally entered the United States should be covered by public health insurance or given citizenship.

The Democratic stronghold, California. A parliament with a majority of liberal parliamentarians, enacting state-specific laws, and one after another, different policies from the federal government.

It is said that there are nearly 3 million illegal immigrants living in the state, accounting for a quarter of the United States.

Education is particularly important. The week we visited was labeled “Illegal Immigration Support Week”. Organized by organizations of more than 100 universities in the state, each university held various events to support illegal immigrants.

State University “Riohond College” near Los Angeles. More than 70% of students are Hispanic. There is even a specialized contact point for financial consultations for students who have entered the country illegally.

Students who are unable to pay tuition will receive state subsidies. It is said that the state's taxes, etc., are not used for funding, but for university budgets.

The university representative explained to students who asked, "What happens if the parents don't pay taxes?", "There is a way to get subsidies even if parents don't pay taxes."

There are some illegal immigrants who have almost no tuition fees. When you ask the person in charge at the university, why do you offer so much support?

(University manager Angel Garcia) “There is nothing to do with skin color or nationality. We do not discriminate. California is migrant-friendly. Because it is a liberal state, it also supports illegal migrants.”

NO to tilt left! People aiming for the 51st state

There are of course conservatives in California. A meeting was held in a hotel near Los Angeles in late October.

At the entrance of the venue is a sign that says "New California. 51st State". Participating were 150 representatives from the region where many conservatives live in the state.

(Representative of the organization) “California is strange. Now it is a state of socialism and communism”

(A woman whose son was killed by an illegal immigrant) “I vowed to protect my country from foreign invaders. I will continue to protect until I die.”

Don't be surprised. The organization, formed last year, aims to divide California into two separate states: maintenance and liberal. He was seriously discussing the draft law and the first governor for the birth of a new state. There are over 10,000 members of this organization.

In addition, conservative residents from Midwestern Illinois and Western Nevada participated on the day through the Internet. This may also be a “byproduct” of President Trump ’s birth.

“Easy to do without struggling”

One of the people who attended the meeting, George Habralac, told us more about his story at home.

Actually, I was an immigrant who came to Germany from Germany when I was three years old.

Why do you oppose policies that are immigrant to you, even if you are an immigrant? The family of Mrs. Habralac said that they had a hard time gaining citizenship while living poorly in an apartment with only one room with no bath or kitchen.

From his own experience, he says he is not against accepting illegal immigrants from a humanitarian perspective.

However, I feel that it is too much to allocate a large amount of taxes to illegal immigrants and support public insurance and education. The bottom line is that it is unfair to enjoy without effort.

“Illegal immigrants should make the necessary steps to become legal immigrants. Everyone is waiting in line and waiting for their turn, but there is no allowance for them. The US suffers from poverty. There are a lot of people, the government and the state should not take care of Americans, not illegal immigrants. ''

For Japanese people, there are many people who feel that there is a reason.

I don't want to live with liberal anymore ...

The United States is being divided. And this was happening.

For political reasons, there is a movement to bother to “migrate”. One of them, Ryan Zalick (46). I left California in my hometown in June and moved to southern Texas. This is a strong place for conservatives.

Veteran Zalick who has served in Iraq. For the past three years, I have sympathized with President Trump, who has been promoting the American principle.

But California, where I lived, is just a liberal who criticizes the president. Such people are seen with white eyes and say that they have been suffocating day by day.

The place where Mr. Zalick told me is the planned site of his home under construction. I decided to live permanently in Texas and looked forward to completing it next year. It was still the foundation, but it should have taken a lot of money due to its size. “Why is that ...” is my honest impression.

The children remain in California, but Zalick says he is not going back.

"In California, I'm afraid of even supporting the Republican Party and I can't say it. Good things are happening under this new president. On the contrary, liberals are attacking us. Here There are many people in Texas who are more conservative and think more about America. ''

I went to the left too ...

Mr. Zarik finally decided to move because he knew the existence of an activity. The name is “conservative move”. Paul Chabeau (45), who runs a real estate business in Texas, was born and launched on the Internet.

According to a poll, in California, three-quarters of conservatives say they no longer want to live in California. Shabo's activities are spreading throughout the United States.

He says that more than 200 real estate agents in 40 states are now participating. The answer returned when I asked Mr. Chabo, whether this “separation of living” activity is driving the bipolarization of society….

(Mr. Chabo) "The conservative Republican hasn't changed in the past. The Democratic Party has gone too far, so there's no room to talk."

Why is Republican supporter Shabo putting emphasis on this activity? That's because the recent rise in prices and housing costs in large cities has led to an increase in the number of liberals moving to Texas, where living expenses and taxes are cheaper.

The strong Texas economy is also supporting it. As a result, Texas, which has been regarded as a conservative stronghold, will be taken over from “RED (conservation)” to “BLUE (liberal)”. There is a sense of crisis.

Diversity of American national policy is impaired

So what do liberals think? The day when a TV debate for selecting Democratic candidates for the presidential election was broadcast throughout the United States. I heard that there was an event where Democratic supporters gathered and headed to a local restaurant.

When asked about Chabo's activities, a chilly response was returned.

(Democratic supporter man) “It is dangerous for people who think the same way to move all at once. The same opinion will only echo the diversity of the national politics.”

Some conservative residents were overwhelmingly disgusted if they did not want to come.

(Democratic supporter woman) “Liberal leftists have a fair mindset and I want them to come to this city, but I don't understand how to attract other conservatives.”

The case I saw this time is just one part of what is happening in American society. However, it is true that this is a symbolic example of the division between “red” and “blue”.

The division that deepened in the three years under the Trump administration will deepen further. In the presidential election, which is less than a year old, the idea of ​​having to keep an eye on this trend of “red” vs. “blue” has been strengthened.

Washington office reporter Atsutoshi Nishikawa