[Parmy]

"I agree, that could be a problem. However, my point (hypothesis, whatever) is that the very nature of big cities breeds socialism (I won’t say ‘liberalism’, because that word doesn’t mean what Americans think it does). Change the environment, and you’ll change the people."

It is a real problem. It is why Colorado is turning 'blue'. It is why Austin is blue. It is why the Tri-Cities is beginning to be purple. And, I can go on.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Oh sure, that's how it works in real life; but, how does it work in theory? /s

Part of my 'hypothesis' is wishful thinking. I want rural areas to revive. Cities tend to promote dependence on government, and that leads to a socialist mindset. The culture is different in small towns & that environment affects newcomers. However, as you suggest, if there are too many newcomers the culture is changed. That works at the local level, as well as the national level.

As for Austin -- two things: it's a city, and it's a capital city.