One of my favorite Bostonians was famous for saying
"All politics are local"
I moved into a new neighborhood 5 months ago and have noticed that the Republicans have a US flag up all the time. I went to only one neighborhood get together and the neighbors that call themselves "the originals" (for living there the longest) were speaking of the value of many Republican agendas like lower takes and frivilous lawsuits putting poor Doctors out of work. These were Irish Catholic types mind you. They tell tales of how the street used to have many Democrats but now they have seen the light.

I mentioned the value of stem cell research since Reeves had just died and his bill was before Congress soon to be tabled. I was told, no I was threatened that not only would we not go there but my status as a good neighbor was in the balance. Sine then one neighbor told me obliquly to shut the fuck up by saying shut the fuck up. The husband of the woman who told me not to "go there" now makes a great effort to spit if I happen to see him.

The Bush bumper sticker people here usually have military service history and kids in the service. They are approachable but wary.

There is probably a silent magority of Democrats here but neighborhood net working is not their priority. They probably feel the same as the family on the corner from France.

If for no other reason as to keep the "originals" from being the only true patriots, I fly a US flag.