When they talk about Vermont politics, there is often too very different views of the world that come up. There is the rural uplanders and farming culture that once dominated the politics of the state, then there is the ever growing flatlander culture created by the very liberal city of Burlington. Let's look at both groups.

Flatlanders. The flatlanders are the growing liberal elite that is centered around Vermont's major cities, particularly Burlington. These are people attracted to the state's rural natural beauty, and tend to be quite wealthy. As such they tend to have differenting ideas on conservation, social norms, and public policy from the uplanders.

Uplanders. The vast majority of Vermont's area is very rural and quite conservative country. Vermonters don't like being told what to be done, and tend to be resentful of the growing liberal elite that dominates public policy in Montepelier. Yet, the dairy farmers and similiar groups may be resentful of such policies, they tend not to have much of a voice with Burlington gaining in power and popularity.

Most Vermonters are fairly progressive, and being a liberal ain't a dirty word in Vermont politics. Yet, there are clear divisions in Vermont politics and to say that all Vermonters are alike would be a real strech of one's imagation.