Why does Trump win over rural America? Why will the young take to the streets yet choose not to vote

[Mick Travis]

If we could figure out the answers to these two questions, Trump, The Turtle, and their followers would all be sent home crying, never to be seen again.

Trump, despite everything he's said and done, will once again destroy Biden/Harris in rural America. This even includes his dismantling of the USPS, which rural folks count on more than those in urban areas. Is it all about race? All about fear? What the hell is wrong with these people? As usual, they will once again vote against their interests. Do I need to reread Thomas Frank's "What’s the Matter with Kansas?"

Why are the youth of the nation so good at getting out into the streets to protest, yet they never show up at the polls? Do they really think their vote makes no difference? Do they really think both parties are the same? Do they believe the Party doesn't listen to them and continues to be centrist over progressive? I say, show up and help us beat Trump and your ideas will be fully listened to with many acted on. We old-timers have to know you're really out there and committed to change before you gain control of the party.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

[bluedye33139]

1. Many rural people resent the United States and hate cities and universities

It's as simple as that. The hatred is often racialized, but the basic trend is for rural people to believe that they are true Americans and that anyone who doesn't live on a farm in a rural area is suspect.

Identity politics governs rural thinking.

I live in the country, for a bunch of reasons. The main one was that we did not want to buy a $400,000 one-bedroom condo. Instead we moved to the city and found a $99,000 three bedroom house with an acre of property. We are so much happier.

One thing I've noticed about rural living is that even in the most Republican areas, Republicans have 60% of the vote. In rare districts it goes above 60%. 40% of voters are Democrats even in conservative rural areas.

The identity politics, however, is the ruling factor.

[Freddie]

3. They think rural life and/or farming

Is morally superior and therefore they should have a bigger say than us “city folk” in how the country is run. Apparently the Founding Fathers felt the same way, as the Senate and the EC give outsized power to rural areas.

[bluedye33139]

7. There's also a perception that their lives are emptier and poorer than people in the cities

And that feeds into racialized theories of Jewish control, people of color receiving automatic cash payments, and other thoughts.

Rural people actually live in pretty terrific poverty. The county I live in, the average income is a little over 1/3 of the state average.

[treestar]

22. True, though the Framers lived in a different time

Before the industrial revolution - they perhaps could not have even imagined it. But they did leave us a way to amend the Constitution.

[Freddie]

45. But given the outsized power of low population states

They will not sign on to any Constitutional amendment that would reduce that power.

[Johnny2X2X]

43. There are very few farmers left

There are roughly 2 million family farms left. Small town USA is not just about farming anymore. The poverty in small towns is quite severe.

I think the resentment of city living is real. But also living in the country provides insulation from others and you lose the ability to understand different people when you're not with them everyday. City living forces you to interact with people everyday, whether it's on the subway, in stores, or just waling, you're right next to others. People in the country can easily isolate themselves.

[Freddie]

44. Exactly

They have no exposure to anyone not like themselves. And they like it that way.

[smirkymonkey]

28. However, they are still a MINORITY of the overall US population.

And therefore there is no reason that they should have a bigger say than those of us who live in urban areas. Those huge swaths of red in the middle of the country are very sparsely populated. I really don't understand why they feel so entitled.

[jcgoldie]

2. racism.

Its not mysterious.

[world wide wally]

4. Voting

Try it, you'll like it

[Girard442]

5. For over a century, if you wanted to make something of yourself, you moved to The Big City.

This dynamic has played continuously over the generations. It's no wonder the ones who stayed down on the farm resent those who left.

[smirkymonkey]

29. This is really at the crux of it. Resentment and bitterness.

I came from a small village in upstate NY, however most of our families were above average in education and social status compared to surrounding areas, but we grew up with and went to school with people from all different backgrounds, although pretty much 99.5% white.

Most of my good friends and people from my village got out, went to good colleges/universities and moved to the cities and made something of themselves. The resentment when we go back to visit for holidays is palpable. Those who never left, even if they have become relatively successful treat us like we think we are better than they are, but it's really their own projection.

We are not the ones looking down on them, but they believe we are so it creates a lot of tension. Not everyone is this way, but it is the rule rather than the exception. And almost all of them are hard core republicans. As for most of us who have left, we tend to be liberal Democrats. A few are not, but they aren't the crazed cult member type of republican either.

[smirkymonkey]

31. This is really at the crux of it. Resentment and bitterness.

I came from a small village in upstate NY, however most of our families were above average in education and social status compared to surrounding areas, but we grew up with and went to school with people from all different backgrounds, although pretty much 99.5% white.

Most of my good friends and people from my village got out, went to good colleges/universities and moved to the cities and made something of themselves. The resentment when we go back to visit for holidays is palpable. Those who never left, even if they have become relatively successful treat us like we think we are better than they are, but it's really their own projection.

We are not the ones looking down on them, but they believe we are so it creates a lot of tension. Not everyone is this way, but it is the rule rather than the exception. And almost all of them are hard core republicans. As for most of us who have left, we tend to be liberal Democrats. A few are not, but they aren't the crazed cult member type of republican either.

[RazzleCat]

6. some ideas

Why does rural America vote for Trump. My ideas with no facts to back.

1. Anger, farmers are getting hurt, and have been for a long time. There are multiple reasons for the destruction of farming communities. Commercial agriculture, climate change, imported foods. Pick one. No matter what, it just does not work the way it did, so a "screw it" try this guy, if I am going down so are you.

2. Abortion, I can think of no other single issue that people will over look everything else. You say your the spawn of Satan, but you will stop abortions, well then your my guy.

3. Projection, many rural people have a I can fix it, use your common sense, so Trumps, I alone can fix it, I am the outsider, I know how the system works, works for them.

4. Tradition, my family has been Republican for my whole life.

Why does the youth of the nation not show up?

1. Protesting is "cool and fun". Don't hate, we have all been locked down, no school, no work, no bars, no restaurants, even in many case no work to varying degrees in different regions of the county. Protest is one of the few "acceptable" activities, plus you don't have a job to go to so you can do it every day. Think back to your youth (I am in my 60's) the idea of just staying home is just a huge no, but you have nothing else to do, and no social interaction. l I know BLM is important, and justified, I am pro BLM, but I also believe that the movement would not have been able to sustain this continuous protesting with out the asset of Covid, shutting down the economy giving so many lots of time to do this.

2. My candidate did not win. I wanted Bernie or Warren or Yang. Biden is not going to make change we need a revolution. So why bother.

3. Voting does not make a difference/generational learning. Something like only 60% of eligible voters voted in 2016, some new voters come from a family that did not vote, or only voted in "big elections". Not sure how to say this, I can remember as a child (kindergartner age), going to the booth with my mom, voting was something I aspired todo because it was what mom and dad did. Voting was as adult as drinking or driving. Voting was one of those adult privileges that I wanted to do.

None of the above is an excuse for either rural or youth, just some thoughts. Nor is any of it fact checked

[Mick Travis]

18. Some excellent thoughts.

Thanks to all who have responded. Many great responses!

It's just damned frustrating, because we should have this in the bag. I am not looking forward to the immediate future. I think the ugliness is going to get worse every day.

I think rural voters are really scared of people different than themselves, and it takes real guts to go against the grain. They want a return to the "Leave it to Beaver" days. The land of white heterosexual Christian males is the only acceptable one to them. I lost a progressive brother to cancer last year who drove me nuts because he voted for Jill Stein, and I have a living Trump supporter brother who recently moved to rural Colorado. (this brother was once a Jesse Jackson delegate and knocked on doors for him...what happened is Clinton declared new wilderness areas, and this brother was no longer able to access via 4-wheeling what he had in the past...instant Republican, who now looks at GWB as a "damned libtard&quot Based upon a recent visit, I think Trump will carry rural America by a lot more than 60/40...more like 85/15. It's racism and fear and "traditional values" if nobody looks too closely.

The young need to get over themselves per only voting for perfection. I am a progressive myself and I know I'll never get everything I want, so I/we deal with it, and vote out the orange monster. Register and vote. ASAP.

Go Joe/Kamala and all Democrat senate candidates ! We must turn around this (now) f'd up country before it's too late. There's still hope, but it's not going to be a smooth transition even if we win. If we lose, here comes 1938 Germany, I hate to say.

[coti]

20. You can't fuck in a voting booth.

That's why young people don't vote.

[JI7]

8. Lots of right wing bigots in rural areas. Not all people who go to protests care about issues

for many it's just about being out there and whatever excitement it brings. Including getting selfies for their social media.

[Ilsa]

9. There were two young women, 20-something,

Working with my son for over six months. One was black, the other white, both have young daughters. I mentioned that I believe this will be the most important election in my long lifetime. I asked if either was registered to vote. Both said "No," and changed the subject to some stupid reality show. They really are that disinterested, and don't see the connection between their difficulties in getting ahead and the leadership of our nation.

[In It to Win It]

10. With regard to the youth not voting but going out to protest

Protesting is all of a sudden the cool thing to do. Protesting has become a trend.

The most common responses I’ve gotten as to why young people don’t vote is that they believe government does nothing for them. They don’t believe that their vote will change their lives in any meaningful way. They don’t believe their one vote really matters.

In 2018, I went on a massive drive get people my age registered to vote and if they registered, show up to actually vote. If I got pushback, I let them know that voting can be convenient for you as you can also register to vote by mail. In Florida, you can register to vote by mail online and don’t need a reason or excuse for needing or wanting to vote by mail.

[DSandra]

11. Do you want an honest answer?

First, I’m pretty much a creature of the coastal left, am from the San Francisco Bay Area, am biracial and in the lgbt community. Having that said...

They see us as snobby elites that look them down, think that they are stupid, and that think that we know what’s best for them. Republicans love to use that to sow division, putting them as the protector from the coastal liberal elite snobs that impose their foreign values. In that way, because liberals are so unfriendly to them, that’s why they are much less likely to vote for Dems.

Just look how Obama was portrayed:

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/96898/amp

And, if you dare, read this article to get more of a sense of how they see us: https://www.vox.com/2016/4/21/11451378/smug-american-liberalism


And, as someone who did live in a small town for a while, rural people hate cities and are scared of them due to their perceptions of how full of crime big cities are and how dirty they can be.

[radius777]

34. Then why do black/brown working class vote Dem?

The 'liberal elite' narrative is bullshit when we consider that Dem voters have a lower avg income than Repub.

Rural whites (and conservative whites in general) don't like to be called out on their retrograde views on race/gender/etc - hence 'snobby liberals telling me what to do'. Too bad - they've been coddled for hundreds of years.

[DSandra]

42. I'm not being an apologist for them...

In fact, i already have a counter to it, especially given that they want respect when they do everything to not earn it.

But we live in a Democratic republic, and circumstance has it that we are at the mercy of the interior states when it comes to control of the federal government, which has immense influence on our lives.

So it’s a better idea to be more friendly to them rather than keep pushing them away with making it clear that we are smarter and better humans than them.

And btw, I’m talking about communicating to rural voters, I’m not talking about dealing with Republicans.

[Amishman]

12. Incompatible culture, they don't want what we offer

I see it all the time living where I do.

Guns and God.

The EPA / DEP viewed as an obstacle and an intrusion.

Skepticism of benefits received vs taxes paid.

Distain for city life in general (though i admit to feeling this myself)

Much more positive attitude towards law enforcement and the military

Complete rejection of any sexual orientation or identity other than heterosexual with genetically determined binary gender definitions.

[Mariana]

13. Rural Republican voters are not voting against their interests.

Their interests clearly aren't what you think they are.

When it comes to rural voters, don't neglect to consider religion as a factor. Much of the support for Trump is frankly religious in nature.. A very high percentage of people in rural areas are Christian, and many Christian churches are preaching that support for Trump is essentially a tenet of their Christian faith.

Young people have always voted in lower numbers than older people, and that's not likely to change. It might be a better use of time and effort to try to figure out why the majority of older people vote Republican.

[beachbumbob]

14. rural america is home to not so smart people and racists

and that is a bad mix

[Bayard]

15. And that's why they think Dem's are a bunch of snobby elites

"not so smart people and racists", proves their point.

[beachbumbob]

16. sometimes it is what it is but to say folks in rural alabama have same exposure to life, education

and jobs with those people in urban areas would be disingenuous and a lie.

[Bayard]

32. Its not better experience

Its just different experience. I've lived all over the place.....Minneapolis, Cincinnati, California. I have more, "life experience" than most people, a lot of it bad. I chose to come back home to quiet, rural Kentucky.

Not all rural dwellers are hicks. I, and plenty of other DU'ers, will take exception to that.

[msongs]

17. protests are parties, voting is work? nt

[LeftInTX]

33. Yep!!

[denem]

49. Because you don't have to register to protest?

[Jamaal510]

19. Young people

didn't even show up to vote in the primaries when there was someone on the ballot who was known for having broad youth support. I have voted in every election since 2008, and even I'm saying that people in my age group can't be depended on. Throughout history, youth turnout has always been low in contrast to older Americans, though.

[JonLP24]

37. There were longer lines for voting in areas where young people vote

This had more of an impact on Super Tuesday in states like Texas. There was also a strong negative campaign against that same candidate as well.

I voted in every election since 2008 as well. Obama was my first vote for President. Obama also had a way of reaching young people most politicians don't.

[roamer65]

21. They are generally pretty stupid.

They are the reason the founders concocted the EC in the first place. They didn’t trust direct election of a president to such an ignorant batch of people.

I grew up in rural America and left it for university. Now when I go back to take care of an aging parent, I see a much more ignorant bunch. It is also depopulating quite fast, as most their children have left for the urban areas. No jobs, no money and no hope.

[DSandra]

23. They are generally pretty stupid because they and their families did not have the same privileges...

Of access to education, genetics, experiences, resources, opportunities, connections, etc... as people in big cities and the coasts do. It’s their fault that they are stupid. I see...

[roamer65]

25. Generally means not all.

There are enlightened people there, just not as many.

There are definitely more who willfully stay ignorant.

[DSandra]

26. They can choose to believe something to keep harmony with the community...

Or believe against it and be shunned.

[roamer65]

27. Mmmmm...I don't see that there. It's very polarized.

They are either D or Trumpist, or apolitical.

The area I speak of in MI went barely Obama in 2008 and 2012, then for Dump in 2016.

It’s not as extremist as say...rural Idaho.

[radius777]

35. Most city voters are working class folks - many poc, immigrant, etc

and not 'elites' - this is the biggest bullshit/racist narrative pushed by whites, including some whites on the left.

[DSandra]

40. As a child of two immigrants, immigrants have certain advantages

I’ll give you some examples:

Mexicans help each other get jobs, this they have connections

Same with East Asians, they help each other get jobs, as well as educational resources.

Many immigrant groups in America are successful because they help each other out.

And this helps them get into cities, with far more resources than rural areas.

Rural white people dont have these advantages, and thus are stuck unless they are smart enough to get into college.

[Lock him up.]

30. Tell all rural seniors tRump secretly plans to cut Social Security down to zero.

Tell all rural seniors tRump secretly plans to cut Social Security down to zero...

Tell them of course he will deny it before they'll vote, but once he's re-elected, he will just do it because his $4 Trillion deficits must be paid back.

TELL ALL THESE SENIORS RELYING ON SS TO BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET WILL SEE THEIR MONTHLY CHECKS DISAPPEAR AND NEVER COME BACK IF THEY KEEP VOTING FOR THE MOBSTERS.

That sums up what Senator Kamala Harris said in her acceptance speech.

They should really think about it twice before voting against their own interests AGAIN.

[Mick Travis]

46. SSI, Medicare, and USPS - Are gone if Trump is re-elected. This message must be hammered home.

You would think this would immediately end Trump's rule.

We must hammer this message home every day until the election. The young don't care much because SSI and Medicare might very well be gone before they can ever use them, but the elderly and those near retirement age in rural America...in ALL America... need to hear this. The Trump supporters out there think he's so perfect he'd never do that. After all, he's one of them. They think. If they knew these things might be in danger and it actually got through the web of cult propaganda, they'd finally wake up and vote the useless fucker out. Out on his ear, where the good guys would be waiting with handcuffs to take the crime family away for good.

[radius777]

36. Dems need to pitch a liberal version of white identity politics.

The GOP scoops them up because they play to white identity and make the Dems out to be only for PoC, women etc and not for them.

We need to speak directly to them - not in a race neutral sense - but specifically about issues (jobs, healthcare, drug addiction, mental health, etc) affecting whites and be clear about it being a 'white working class agenda'. Same goes for young voters, speak directly to their issues and be clear it's 'for them'. IOW, we need to add identities to our list of groups we fight for.

As a gen-x aged PoC, I can tell you that many gen-x (middle aged) and younger whites are not really conservative, and can be reached by speaking directly to them. They complain about identity politics but really only because they don't feel included or that a message is tailored 'for them only' the way we message to blacks/latinos/women/gays etc.

[UCmeNdc]

38. Guide young people toward the voting booth

[Fyrefox]

39. The dark rigidity of much ruralism...

Rural voters and Trumpers generally have claimed him as one of their own, even though ironically he doesn't and never has represented their interests, and hasn't lived their lifestyle. They are useful fools to him. Trump loves the poorly educated, who in turn feel you don't need education or expertise, but only "common sense," which they fancy themselves to possess in abundance unlike "college boys." Politics is seen as a dirty and corrupt business, so an outsider with the least experience and poorest qualifications becomes to them the best candidate of all. It just remains to be seen whether you can fool (or intimidate) enough of the people enough of the time to win a second term for Trump...

[lagomorph777]

41. Why are you assuming the young won't vote?

It seems unlikely they'd go to all the trouble to protest, but can't take the time to drop off a ballot.

[Mick Travis]

47. They never have before, at least in recent elections.

I sincerely hope they show up in droves this time. It is their future which is most at risk.

[lagomorph777]

48. Exactly - they could face an entire lifetime under authoritarian rule.

Me, maybe a couple of decades more if I'm (un)lucky.