So did I, but our little community ended producing more kids who graduated from major universities on a percentage basis than did the nearby wealthy town. The reason was an excellent little “union school” (12 grades) run by a well educated principal who came from the working class himself. What it showed was the incredibly important role that education plays. If we want a better future we need to reinvigorate our public education system, first and foremost.
Absolutely. I wish our political system would listen to more people with backgrounds like that (like me!). But I often get patronizing lectures rather than a fair opportunity to express myself... and the problem continues. Hubris really irritates me. Thanks for the wonderful comment, have you written any stories about that union school experience? Medium would be interested in those.
The principal (my dad) was gifted Socratic teacher who began as a science teacher. He would hold “science lab” one or twice a year for the entire school in the auditorium. He would conduct experiments while using Socratic methods to engage the kids (all ages at once). Little kids in dirty clothes stood on their chairs to see better. It lit fires in minds that still burn to this day.
Walter, I am almost 70. I grew up in Washington DC, but moved to a rural area at 14. I have been paying attention, an intellectually curious, but mostly not well off observer, all my life. I totally agree with absolutely every observation that you so astutely offered. Thank you. Great job. I hope lots of others pay attention.
Thanks for your kind comment. Unfortunately, fixing our problem requires some criticisms that are directed at the DNC. I'm confident that Harris will do better than her predecessors. It's nice to have somebody running for office that knows what it's like to work a minimum wage job. Thanks for the comment!
There has been a long history of denigrating rural populations in our country. It is a complicated mixture of the forces of immigration, race, cultural differences, educational differences and geography.
Outstanding work, sir. Once again, I feel educated.
It is absolutely true that the so-called elites, especially on the Democratic side, continue to call the rural areas “flyover country”, which just assists in those folks sinking deeper into their uneducated perception of the world.
We have definitely got to get more active (education, investment) in those rural states, which of course each have two senators and one congressman, at minimum, which are generally going to be filled by ultra conservative politicians, unless we do something to change it.
For starters, though, presuming Kamala Harris wins the White House, and Democrats take the house in Senate majorities, once the filibuster is killed, we should almost immediately be able to make a state out of Washington DC, and have a good chance of doing the same for Puerto Rico. Those net positive results by adding important Democrat-filled seats in the Senate and House. But even if that came to pass, we still cannot forget about the rural states, which need education and investment to begin to sway their attitudes.
Only then can we take on something as big as changing the electoral college to be driven by popular vote, at which point Republican/conservatives will never win national elections again.
Walter, I’ve just read your every word in this well-thought out treatise and truly believe you’re onto something. Not just something but a concept worthy of more attention than just my meager interest. Your choice of Wyoming particularly caught my eye because in an earlier era of my life I was a Wyoming homeowner and tax payer in Teton County. For more than a decade, I spent a portion of my annual professional activities there. No need for more of those deets about that but it does give me confidence to support your working theory and insights about the wisdom of reorganizing political strategies as you’re urging. Living in the heart of a blue blue blue state and congressional district, it’s feels rather pointless when I cast my vote. I’d feel a bit more encouraged if I felt like I’m supporting a political party that is working toward a greater good that recognizes the importance of our less blue states and has a mindset that is truly more inclusive of our fellow citizens in those rural communities — rather than writing them off as a political lost cause. Again, very impressive insights you’ve eloquently stated!
I looked it up once and I think you only have to physically be in Wyoming about 6 months a year to qualify as a resident. Rich Democrats in California should buy a small property in Wyoming and work the system. They're flying all over the place anyway. Also, Wyoming has some tax advantages. To be honest, the Republicans are probably already working the system in this way. It seems like it would be a good state for a solar farm. Green jobs bring in blue voters :) Thanks for your comment!
You’re so right. I think of how news outlets like CNN, MSNBC and NPR are considered “liberal” and yet they typically discuss the news in an straightforward a manner as possible, while the conservative news machine invented by corporate interests spews hateful propaganda and a constant stream of divisive lies.
This “liberal elite” (according to my Alabama family) grew up in the 80’s in a rural town in Alabama dominated by evangelicalism. The smell of slavery still hung in the air and in the minds of many of my relatives. No blacks were allowed in my church. They had their own across the street. More importantly, not much has changed either.
Like you said, these towns and their citizens have been long forgotten and dismissed by the Democrats. People who have not lived in such places cannot comprehend or understand the mindset of such people here. Unlike many, I got a college education, lived in blue communities, and shed my cultish religion. I’ve been back in Alabama for about 11 years, and it is astounding to see the absolute power the Republican Party has on my state. They have played the long game and they have played it very well. Most Republicans run unopposed in Alabama, because Democrats do not see any point in throwing money at elections they are almost guaranteed to lose. There have been a few exceptions recently, like Marilyn Lands, a Democrat who ran on a pro-abortion platform and won her district this year. This gives me some hope that the tide may be turning at least in the minds of the people.
However, voter suppression and gerrymandering still play a huge role in keeping Dems out of elected offices. The Republicans have infected the churches and their power is almost limitless now. Pastors stump for Trump every Sunday from their pulpits yelling that you cannot be both Christian and Democrat. This is how the zombie virus has spread through my state, and I’m not sure at this point any inoculation will cure it. Democrats are as much to blame too. What did they think would happen if they left the rural towns of our country? These places only became more isolated and fascist-forward to the extent that some say only a civil war will fix it. I certainly hope it never comes to that point, but as the saying goes, history often repeats itself to those who are ignorant of the past. Will willful ignorance be the downfall of our democracy?
I wrote a post not too long ago about the John Lewis act. When that gets passed, it will be the end of the GOP as we know it, and it can't come a moment too soon!
Yes! I’ve seen her stuff, she does good work. I have been doing two things to support Harris, I have my T-shirts and hats, and I also go to the gym. In my area, my wife and kids don’t feel safe expressing their support. I really dislike conservatives.
Lmao Jess Piper is a fraud and a nobody. She got her butt so thoroughly kicked in the MO 2nd she didn’t bother running again in 2024. She’s made no inroads with anyone and is now simply grifting on Substack.
Walter, You hit it out of park with this essay! Absolutely correct. Here in Missouri the state has been a super majority of Republican control for 20 years. Any complaints about the way government works or in this case doesn't work to the advantage of the people should be laid at the feet of the Republican party. That's not what happens. There is hope though. Your column today and Jess Piper's, (she is a national treasure as are you) are both spot on. Here's the link.
I’m from rural/small town Midwest. It breaks my heart that these areas are now associated with Trump.
At my in-laws for the weekend. Small bedroom community for Chicago.
There are ppl who are&have always been racist. Conservative on abortion. Not sure about a woman as president. But still like/love the ppl.
We all went to the Labor Day Parade. The oldest in IN.
Though I like to think living in a city, believe I have a veneer of sophistication, I love this parade. My husband’s 94 year old father set lawn chairs out in a prime location days ago. Keeps checking.
My husband sees ppl with whom he grew up.
There were Labor Unions marching. School bands.
The family who own a good Mexican restaurant rode their beautiful horses.
My point finally is there were very few Trump signs. Few if any political signs.
I understand this blog&even agree, but being a country gal&a Democrat, I find mostly compatible.
Rural areas used to be progressive by nature. They believed in helping their neighbor and establishing good schools and that medicine saved lives.
Over the span of 30+ years, Fox News, hate radio (which includes religious stations) and Rush Limbaugh have groomed this set of people to put their brains on hold and turn their hearts against ‘the others’. Who ‘the others’ are changes as need be by Fox News, hate radio and the new Rush Limbaughs and made it possible for them to vote against their own self-interest and be proud to do it. And they begat miniature copies of themselves and spewed the decades-long vomit into the hearts of those they begat.
And until the Fairness Doctrine is restored, this cycle will continue. Or maybe until the big city absorbs the rural area and changes hearts.
There is so much to process in this post. And I think there is more working here than just liberal and conservative (though that certainly is a reality). People overall are terrified of change. And people who are terrified of change will gravitate to conservatism (Hence conserve is in its name). Most large organizations, government being one, cannot institute immediate change. As the express goes, you cannot make a U-turn in a battleship. Thus, we wallow in incrementalism. It's not that AOC isn't liberal, she has run into the organizational juggernaut of incrementalism. I personally love change. It can be difficult to deal with but so refreshing to come out the other side of. Well done post.
I don't think we should assume that the government cannot institute immediate change. That's a common misconception, but I think it's a deliberate deceit. Thanks for the comment!
I like reading Walter. His writings are always thought provoking. What he writes here causes me to recall an argument I engaged in with a politically right-wing acquaintance. He was talking about the extreme left and I countered that the extreme right had been dragging the political landscape rightward to the point that they were clinging to the starboard edge of a flat earth while the extreme left was wandering somewhere in a moderate no-man's land. That was George Bush days, and I still feel that way.
So did I, but our little community ended producing more kids who graduated from major universities on a percentage basis than did the nearby wealthy town. The reason was an excellent little “union school” (12 grades) run by a well educated principal who came from the working class himself. What it showed was the incredibly important role that education plays. If we want a better future we need to reinvigorate our public education system, first and foremost.
Absolutely. I wish our political system would listen to more people with backgrounds like that (like me!). But I often get patronizing lectures rather than a fair opportunity to express myself... and the problem continues. Hubris really irritates me. Thanks for the wonderful comment, have you written any stories about that union school experience? Medium would be interested in those.
The principal (my dad) was gifted Socratic teacher who began as a science teacher. He would hold “science lab” one or twice a year for the entire school in the auditorium. He would conduct experiments while using Socratic methods to engage the kids (all ages at once). Little kids in dirty clothes stood on their chairs to see better. It lit fires in minds that still burn to this day.
Walter, I am almost 70. I grew up in Washington DC, but moved to a rural area at 14. I have been paying attention, an intellectually curious, but mostly not well off observer, all my life. I totally agree with absolutely every observation that you so astutely offered. Thank you. Great job. I hope lots of others pay attention.
Thanks for your kind comment. Unfortunately, fixing our problem requires some criticisms that are directed at the DNC. I'm confident that Harris will do better than her predecessors. It's nice to have somebody running for office that knows what it's like to work a minimum wage job. Thanks for the comment!
There has been a long history of denigrating rural populations in our country. It is a complicated mixture of the forces of immigration, race, cultural differences, educational differences and geography.
Calling it out is an important beginning.
I grew up in an unincorporated town. It was pretty awful.
Outstanding work, sir. Once again, I feel educated.
It is absolutely true that the so-called elites, especially on the Democratic side, continue to call the rural areas “flyover country”, which just assists in those folks sinking deeper into their uneducated perception of the world.
We have definitely got to get more active (education, investment) in those rural states, which of course each have two senators and one congressman, at minimum, which are generally going to be filled by ultra conservative politicians, unless we do something to change it.
For starters, though, presuming Kamala Harris wins the White House, and Democrats take the house in Senate majorities, once the filibuster is killed, we should almost immediately be able to make a state out of Washington DC, and have a good chance of doing the same for Puerto Rico. Those net positive results by adding important Democrat-filled seats in the Senate and House. But even if that came to pass, we still cannot forget about the rural states, which need education and investment to begin to sway their attitudes.
Only then can we take on something as big as changing the electoral college to be driven by popular vote, at which point Republican/conservatives will never win national elections again.
May we live to see it.
Walter, I’ve just read your every word in this well-thought out treatise and truly believe you’re onto something. Not just something but a concept worthy of more attention than just my meager interest. Your choice of Wyoming particularly caught my eye because in an earlier era of my life I was a Wyoming homeowner and tax payer in Teton County. For more than a decade, I spent a portion of my annual professional activities there. No need for more of those deets about that but it does give me confidence to support your working theory and insights about the wisdom of reorganizing political strategies as you’re urging. Living in the heart of a blue blue blue state and congressional district, it’s feels rather pointless when I cast my vote. I’d feel a bit more encouraged if I felt like I’m supporting a political party that is working toward a greater good that recognizes the importance of our less blue states and has a mindset that is truly more inclusive of our fellow citizens in those rural communities — rather than writing them off as a political lost cause. Again, very impressive insights you’ve eloquently stated!
I looked it up once and I think you only have to physically be in Wyoming about 6 months a year to qualify as a resident. Rich Democrats in California should buy a small property in Wyoming and work the system. They're flying all over the place anyway. Also, Wyoming has some tax advantages. To be honest, the Republicans are probably already working the system in this way. It seems like it would be a good state for a solar farm. Green jobs bring in blue voters :) Thanks for your comment!
I think that it’s more appalling that our institutions: SCOTUS, DOJ, Secret Service, Banking , Media carry water for TFG.
Yeah, I agree.
You’re so right. I think of how news outlets like CNN, MSNBC and NPR are considered “liberal” and yet they typically discuss the news in an straightforward a manner as possible, while the conservative news machine invented by corporate interests spews hateful propaganda and a constant stream of divisive lies.
This “liberal elite” (according to my Alabama family) grew up in the 80’s in a rural town in Alabama dominated by evangelicalism. The smell of slavery still hung in the air and in the minds of many of my relatives. No blacks were allowed in my church. They had their own across the street. More importantly, not much has changed either.
Like you said, these towns and their citizens have been long forgotten and dismissed by the Democrats. People who have not lived in such places cannot comprehend or understand the mindset of such people here. Unlike many, I got a college education, lived in blue communities, and shed my cultish religion. I’ve been back in Alabama for about 11 years, and it is astounding to see the absolute power the Republican Party has on my state. They have played the long game and they have played it very well. Most Republicans run unopposed in Alabama, because Democrats do not see any point in throwing money at elections they are almost guaranteed to lose. There have been a few exceptions recently, like Marilyn Lands, a Democrat who ran on a pro-abortion platform and won her district this year. This gives me some hope that the tide may be turning at least in the minds of the people.
However, voter suppression and gerrymandering still play a huge role in keeping Dems out of elected offices. The Republicans have infected the churches and their power is almost limitless now. Pastors stump for Trump every Sunday from their pulpits yelling that you cannot be both Christian and Democrat. This is how the zombie virus has spread through my state, and I’m not sure at this point any inoculation will cure it. Democrats are as much to blame too. What did they think would happen if they left the rural towns of our country? These places only became more isolated and fascist-forward to the extent that some say only a civil war will fix it. I certainly hope it never comes to that point, but as the saying goes, history often repeats itself to those who are ignorant of the past. Will willful ignorance be the downfall of our democracy?
I wrote a post not too long ago about the John Lewis act. When that gets passed, it will be the end of the GOP as we know it, and it can't come a moment too soon!
I live in a red area. I’m off to get a Harris sign to stick in my yard today to show like-minded others they aren’t alone.
Do you read Jess Piper’s Substack? You’d like it. She has a lot to say about making inroads with conservative neighbors.
Yes! I’ve seen her stuff, she does good work. I have been doing two things to support Harris, I have my T-shirts and hats, and I also go to the gym. In my area, my wife and kids don’t feel safe expressing their support. I really dislike conservatives.
Lmao Jess Piper is a fraud and a nobody. She got her butt so thoroughly kicked in the MO 2nd she didn’t bother running again in 2024. She’s made no inroads with anyone and is now simply grifting on Substack.
Walter, You hit it out of park with this essay! Absolutely correct. Here in Missouri the state has been a super majority of Republican control for 20 years. Any complaints about the way government works or in this case doesn't work to the advantage of the people should be laid at the feet of the Republican party. That's not what happens. There is hope though. Your column today and Jess Piper's, (she is a national treasure as are you) are both spot on. Here's the link.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jesspiper/p/blue-races-in-rural-spaces?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4xah8
Thank you Jeff! Thanks for sharing Jess's post!
I don't think it's POSSIBLE to wake these people up. They've been raised on Rush Limpdick and Faux Newz for so long you can't tell them ANYTHING.
I know, I work with them.
We've got to educate their children. That's the only chance.
Your children will rebel against the faggot system and want to join the farmers.
You seem to really want to hang out with children Walter. Why is that?
Something tells me you should be kept as far children as possible.
The only place disgusting things are taught are at home and at the church.
I’m from rural/small town Midwest. It breaks my heart that these areas are now associated with Trump.
At my in-laws for the weekend. Small bedroom community for Chicago.
There are ppl who are&have always been racist. Conservative on abortion. Not sure about a woman as president. But still like/love the ppl.
We all went to the Labor Day Parade. The oldest in IN.
Though I like to think living in a city, believe I have a veneer of sophistication, I love this parade. My husband’s 94 year old father set lawn chairs out in a prime location days ago. Keeps checking.
My husband sees ppl with whom he grew up.
There were Labor Unions marching. School bands.
The family who own a good Mexican restaurant rode their beautiful horses.
My point finally is there were very few Trump signs. Few if any political signs.
I understand this blog&even agree, but being a country gal&a Democrat, I find mostly compatible.
There are some rural places that are kind, and some that are very, very hostile. I'm glad you're in one of the kind places!
Rural areas used to be progressive by nature. They believed in helping their neighbor and establishing good schools and that medicine saved lives.
Over the span of 30+ years, Fox News, hate radio (which includes religious stations) and Rush Limbaugh have groomed this set of people to put their brains on hold and turn their hearts against ‘the others’. Who ‘the others’ are changes as need be by Fox News, hate radio and the new Rush Limbaughs and made it possible for them to vote against their own self-interest and be proud to do it. And they begat miniature copies of themselves and spewed the decades-long vomit into the hearts of those they begat.
And until the Fairness Doctrine is restored, this cycle will continue. Or maybe until the big city absorbs the rural area and changes hearts.
There is so much to process in this post. And I think there is more working here than just liberal and conservative (though that certainly is a reality). People overall are terrified of change. And people who are terrified of change will gravitate to conservatism (Hence conserve is in its name). Most large organizations, government being one, cannot institute immediate change. As the express goes, you cannot make a U-turn in a battleship. Thus, we wallow in incrementalism. It's not that AOC isn't liberal, she has run into the organizational juggernaut of incrementalism. I personally love change. It can be difficult to deal with but so refreshing to come out the other side of. Well done post.
I don't think we should assume that the government cannot institute immediate change. That's a common misconception, but I think it's a deliberate deceit. Thanks for the comment!
I like reading Walter. His writings are always thought provoking. What he writes here causes me to recall an argument I engaged in with a politically right-wing acquaintance. He was talking about the extreme left and I countered that the extreme right had been dragging the political landscape rightward to the point that they were clinging to the starboard edge of a flat earth while the extreme left was wandering somewhere in a moderate no-man's land. That was George Bush days, and I still feel that way.
It's the rage that a brown person might get a free bandaid. Ignorance really isn't all that blissful after all.