General Discussion

OnionPatch

(6,309 posts)

221. Better policies for small farms

Sat Jan 26, 2013, 11:54 AM

Jan 2013

I've read a lot of good ideas in this thread and find this interesting since I live rurally.

I'm not a farmer but talking to my rural neighbors and friends, I hear from them (even the more progressive ones) that many of our policies and regulations are extremely slanted toward big agriculture and really harm small farmers. (For example, a woman who used to sell pies from her farm stand would now have to invest ~$20,000 for an industrial grade kitchen, separate from her home to do this.) If Dems want to garner more votes from rural people, they could start by reviewing much of our farm regulations and policies and changing the way they apply to small farms and rural businesses. The rightwing meme "Dems are for over-regulation" rings true and gets a lot of mileage out here.

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If The Dems Made A Concerted Effort To Appeal To Rural Voters What Would You Recommend They Do?.... [View all] global1 Jan 2013 OP

Send them somewhere they can get a quality education? mmonk Jan 2013 #1

One can get a quality education in rural places. Yours is the kind of bias that hurts the party. Scuba Jan 2013 #3

Mine is the kind of bias that comes from getting screwed by them mmonk Jan 2013 #5

Who grows the food you eat? nt tama Jan 2013 #12

Thank you. Scuba Jan 2013 #19

Mexico. n/t Ian David Jan 2013 #29

That most important point has not been very much forgotten in these threads tama Jan 2013 #34

who SELLS the food we eat Trajan Jan 2013 #82

Some farm just for money tama Jan 2013 #155

Both good and bad people. mmonk Jan 2013 #142

OK tama Jan 2013 #156

tarring every rural voter with the broad brush won't help your war; you need allies & there are HiPointDem Jan 2013 #168

I don't cotton to death threats myself. That's a point I'm trying to make. mmonk Jan 2013 #299

Oh please treestar Jan 2013 #216

Then why are rural people in Minnesota, murielm99 Jan 2013 #228

Then I'd say study that treestar Jan 2013 #243

Minnesota has a large union presence in rural areas YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #248

I live in a rural area in NC that always votes Democratic Party. Jamastiene Jan 2013 #263

MN has the particular history of the DFL to thank for that, but don't fool yourself. JVS Jan 2013 #370

??? tama Jan 2013 #262

Who do you think? procon Jan 2013 #233

Exactly tama Jan 2013 #242

Urban school districts are the worse performing in RI while rural areas have excellent schools. hack89 Jan 2013 #4

I guess they just don't teach the research and critical thinking skills.. ananda Jan 2013 #16

Rural Rhode Island = oxymoron. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #48

I take it you are not familiar with western RI hack89 Jan 2013 #55

Rhode Island has 1000 residents per square mile!! lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #64

And you don't know RI hack89 Jan 2013 #70

Rhode island has half the area of my *county*, much higher incomes, and 15 times as many people. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #86

You = rather ignorant of RI Capt. Obvious Jan 2013 #77

With 1000 residents per square mile, there are no backwaters. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #80

You = ignorant of RI Capt. Obvious Jan 2013 #90

Did you learn math at a rural school? hack89 Jan 2013 #102

Yes, I did. You apparently didn't. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #126

King County has a average pop density of 908/sq mi hack89 Jan 2013 #133

"Areas"? Perhaps an occasional 50 acre gated estate. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #148

How about census tracts? hack89 Jan 2013 #153

good hint lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #244

Wow, that is a cool site. PotatoChip Jan 2013 #276

Looks like my kinda place. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #287

Well, I must admit that a common saying about this area PotatoChip Jan 2013 #303

I'm annoyed by people who extrapolate their own experience into whatever topic is current. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #320

Yes, I know what you mean. PotatoChip Jan 2013 #321

One more thing... PotatoChip Jan 2013 #312

Highest ACT Scores in the country (in order) Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #49

My daughter goes to college in the Midwest with a bunch of farm kids. hack89 Jan 2013 #56

I spent my first 7 years of education in a 1-room rural Wisconsin country school. Jackpine Radical Jan 2013 #57

Dat shud hep. Owteer inda stix Jackpine Radical Jan 2013 #52

I love language tama Jan 2013 #198

Thank you. n/t Jamastiene Jan 2013 #264

As a rural teacher, LWolf Jan 2013 #212

Give them a "DU" & then tighten rules about being polite & avoiding gratuitous insults. patrice Jan 2013 #2

Out in rural areas "DU" means Ducks Unlimited. Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #336

He, he, they'd probably like that!, but maybe we should make that a Rural Underground instead. patrice Jan 2013 #348

How far down the thread before FDR's name was used in vain?... Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #356

Not sure what you're referring to there, but I will try to check. & I was actually just thinking patrice Jan 2013 #357

FDR's alphabet agency approach was effective, but Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #371

It's a big thread and I don't see that FDR reference; it would be okay patrice Jan 2013 #358

I wasn't dissing FDR, I was being sarcastic about hiw long the Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #372

I didn't think you were. I thought you said you saw someone else do that. nt patrice Jan 2013 #375

No, no. Just bad conumijashun! Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #378

Show some respect loyalsister Jan 2013 #6

There is a chicken/egg element riqster Jan 2013 #15

Whether it's availability or preference loyalsister Jan 2013 #18

True enough riqster Jan 2013 #46

Good points. In many places in Colorado there is no cell phone service or cable. MissMarple Jan 2013 #138

There is an issue of infrastructure being in place for the type of communications you refer to Skidmore Jan 2013 #179

Iowa was incredibly strong for the Union during the U.S. Civil War. One of its coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #213

+1! uponit7771 Jan 2013 #194

I lived in Alaska for a time. Scootaloo Jan 2013 #204

In mid-Missouri loyalsister Jan 2013 #260

She's not trying to be condescending at all. xmas74 Jan 2013 #283

We won without them, though treestar Jan 2013 #217

You must think that rural people are interested only in guns and social conservatism if you say that Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #229

make sure they have internet 2pooped2pop Jan 2013 #7

This and it should be in 2013 a basic service like electricity libtodeath Jan 2013 #8

Shit - when you live rural ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #249

+1 gulliver Jan 2013 #226

Seriously? ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #326

yep in some areas, all is still true. 2pooped2pop Jan 2013 #364

they could get some tips from Oregon's Rural Organizing Project... Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #9

That looks like a great resource. HiPointDem Jan 2013 #175

Emphasize values like freedom, liberty, equality. Hammer hard about how Repubs are screwing them. LonePirate Jan 2013 #10

'emphasize' Single Payer National Healthcare, $20 an hour Minimum Wage n/t leftstreet Jan 2013 #26

A $20/hr minimum would appeal to people who hire much low-skill low cost labor? nt dmallind Jan 2013 #137

Land reform tama Jan 2013 #11

Promise them what? Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #21

Land reform tama Jan 2013 #27

What? Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #40

As you say tama Jan 2013 #47

OK Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #88

We didn't tama Jan 2013 #112

Did you know that the U.S. imposed land reform on Japan and Taiwan after World War II? Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #41

Now that you mention tama Jan 2013 #140

+1 HiPointDem Jan 2013 #171

A sad and Forgotten Time 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #201

Manual labor in the fields tama Jan 2013 #207

The Dem power structure is overwhelmingly urban and coastal, and too many of the Beltway types Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #225

Urban and commungardens are becoming increasingly common. There is a whole movement promoting them. MissMarple Jan 2013 #139

Point out the facts riqster Jan 2013 #13

IOW ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2013 #101

better access to health care WI_DEM Jan 2013 #14

Cooperatives exist that do that reteachinwi Jan 2013 #54

this is a great one. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #143

This is an excellent one Warpy Jan 2013 #265

Bank bailouts, "free trade" with Korea, mandatory insurance. Those would be my top priorities. nt Romulox Jan 2013 #17

Right-to-work, Chained CPI SS cuts, Jobless Recovery Program n/t leftstreet Jan 2013 #24

And if those ignorant racists don't like that, I don't know what to tell them? Romulox Jan 2013 #25

You need to show them, not just tell them. geomon666 Jan 2013 #20

This. theKed Jan 2013 #235

What does it mean to choose to be rural in the 21st Century? sadbear Jan 2013 #22

Think tama Jan 2013 #30

Not robbing? What do you mean? nt ZombieHorde Jan 2013 #83

History of civilization tama Jan 2013 #94

Red states take more welfare than blue stats. ZombieHorde Jan 2013 #98

Yeah tama Jan 2013 #110

That is a very interesting question ..... oldhippie Jan 2013 #35

I do believe it is a choice. sadbear Jan 2013 #45

My take. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #97

I grew up in the country too. OnionPatch Jan 2013 #215

some of us city dwellers have been country all along 2pooped2pop Jan 2013 #368

In that sense tama Jan 2013 #116

I choose to be rural because ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #322

Like I said, there are exceptions. sadbear Jan 2013 #323

I really do think ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #324

I don't understand how that explains the overwhelming number sadbear Jan 2013 #331

As someone pointed out in another post, ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #333

So most rural voters are so stupid that they think sadbear Jan 2013 #334

No we aren't stupid and Republicans don't make the disdain so obvious. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #335

C'mon now, that's just silly. sadbear Jan 2013 #337

No, what you said is silly. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #339

The answer is silly. sadbear Jan 2013 #340

It's a matter of perspective and opinion. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #342

No, I'm suggesting that Democrats are ALWAYS better than republicans. sadbear Jan 2013 #343

And that is your opinion from your perspective. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #349

Yes, other people have different perspective. They're called republicans. sadbear Jan 2013 #353

LOL... ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #362

"Republicans don't make the disdain so obvious." Home run. Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #346

You live on an acre and a half 2pooped2pop Jan 2013 #366

Stop making assuptions is the main thing. Brickbat Jan 2013 #23

Tell them the truth in a way they understand it. butterflygirl Jan 2013 #28

We do speak English... ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #325

Start kicking republicon asses up one side of the back forty and down the other madokie Jan 2013 #31

Send out activists to just LISTEN to rural people Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #32

You can't have it both ways Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #43

Maybe they care about guns so much because their other needs are not being met Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #44

It's not about needs, it's about culture SpartanDem Jan 2013 #59

One thing the Dems need to make clear is that no one is talking about hunting rifles. Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #66

Making a semi-automatic rifle sound like a minigun isn't going to help derby378 Jan 2013 #95

Saying you are not talking about hunting rifles is not enough thetonka Jan 2013 #100

And yet, almost all the school and other mass shootings have taken place in rural or suburban areas Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #114

It's not that simple thetonka Jan 2013 #122

+1000 forthemiddle Jan 2013 #202

Except variants of those have been used for hunting for decades SpartanDem Jan 2013 #106

There are companies that sell 30 round clips for the M1 Carbine thetonka Jan 2013 #123

I think he meant the Garand gejohnston Jan 2013 #149

The Beltway yuppies and Wall Street types are big reasons why so many rural people... YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #290

"Rural voters do not have a good choice in today's political world." JVS Jan 2013 #365

Could start by regjoe Jan 2013 #33

For starters, drop many gun-control proposals derby378 Jan 2013 #36

There really are Two America's on this subject... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #67

From what I've seen in the executive orders, they're fine derby378 Jan 2013 #92

If I were Obama's principle political advisor... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #108

I think you nailed it on the head derby378 Jan 2013 #113

And as soon as you say "gun nut" you lose the vote and the attention thetonka Jan 2013 #124

As with the term "gun grabber" Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #150

Exactly, and the conversation quickly degrades and ends. thetonka Jan 2013 #374

devote resources to rural areas dembotoz Jan 2013 #37

Make 1894 Winchester standard on every pickup One_Life_To_Give Jan 2013 #38

Single-payer healthcare. JVS Jan 2013 #39

K&R! patrice Jan 2013 #72

Pocketbook issues... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #42

Bonus question for all you high information voters; What is the state motto of Wyoming? lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #50

Looked it up reteachinwi Jan 2013 #60

Does Wyoming offer civil marriage for GLBTQ citizens? geek tragedy Jan 2013 #73

Much like Rhode Island in this regard. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #91

Rhode Island offers civil unions for same sex couples, explicitly geek tragedy Jan 2013 #93

I'd recommend they not. Robb Jan 2013 #51

How cynical is that? "Southern strategy" 2014. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #71

"Rural" is not "the south." Robb Jan 2013 #99

Many rural districts are evenly divided. reteachinwi Jan 2013 #84

JOBS! hedgehog Jan 2013 #53

I think we should start with suburbs and small towns LeftInTX Jan 2013 #58

It is all about economics with rural voters thevoiceofreason Jan 2013 #61

My take on this... logosoco Jan 2013 #62

Guns are marketed as a wedge issue reteachinwi Jan 2013 #78

#1 Ask rural people themselves what they want & need. #2 Use the 50-state strategy. Hekate Jan 2013 #63

Free guns and bibles jpak Jan 2013 #65

Tom Harkin reteachinwi Jan 2013 #68

Run an old, white candidate who loves guns and hates abortion and teh gay. geek tragedy Jan 2013 #69

Posts like this are one of the biggest reasons Democrats lose rural America YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #291

Have you looked at who rural America sends to Congress? geek tragedy Jan 2013 #313

I lived in rural CA for a long time. One thing upaloopa Jan 2013 #74

Excellent points Hekate Jan 2013 #96

Yes, and above all, don't ridicule them Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #117

"Those stupid, inbred hicks! How come they don't vote for us?" YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #292

First: build an infrastructure there Capt. Obvious Jan 2013 #75

Go Truman. nyquil_man Jan 2013 #76

tell them to wise up quinnox Jan 2013 #79

Passenger rail service. nt patrice Jan 2013 #81

I live in rural PA. The only thing that would work is change party. Rural would vote for a skunk appleannie1 Jan 2013 #85

Yep Cosmocat Jan 2013 #104

As a Liberal and Progressive rural Voter I say give the people a clear choice Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #87

Yes, if Democrats think they have to act like Republicans to get elected, they'll lose, Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #115

It only takes one bad apple and sadly there are too many with D's after their name Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #145

+1! uponit7771 Jan 2013 #196

Get them turned onto alternative energy rightsideout Jan 2013 #89

For real. I've actually witnessed climate change changing rural voters. raouldukelives Jan 2013 #373

Promote a 21st century version of the TVA (from the 1930's) DinahMoeHum Jan 2013 #103

HIGH SPEED INTERNET B Calm Jan 2013 #105

Better cell coverage would probably be a bigger seller than fast internet Xithras Jan 2013 #169

The first thing this old truck driver B Calm Jan 2013 #173

Yes! Access to lots of diverse information. OnionPatch Jan 2013 #218

Massive reform in agricultural subsidies, or even better, free farmers to farm. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #107

Reading this thread Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #109

Sure! There can be alt energy in rural areas. Part of my friend's solar array in Roanoke VA rightsideout Jan 2013 #129

Guess that is a definition Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #134

To be frank tama Jan 2013 #158

Most of the Roanoke, VA area isn't exactly rural. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #252

"no government intervention" except cities like NY are subsidizing their way of life. bettyellen Jan 2013 #174

If there is no homeless population in Cattaraugus County, you should inform these services that Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #208

My question is the cultural divide just too much? SpartanDem Jan 2013 #111

Values change tama Jan 2013 #160

Being a rural progressive OnionPatch Jan 2013 #219

Or take them to the world SpartanDem Jan 2013 #223

It would be more helpful Abq_Sarah Jan 2013 #295

Packer ban. Packer ban. Packer ban. Packer ban. Recursion Jan 2013 #118

Focus on economics, stop trying to ban guns, cease supporting controlling individual behavior, TheKentuckian Jan 2013 #119

Ask Bernie Sanders! Wind Dancer Jan 2013 #120

good one. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #144

+1! uponit7771 Jan 2013 #197

Can't write them off, but they (in general) are the GOP target Spike89 Jan 2013 #121

So, same thing. Lurker Deluxe Jan 2013 #125

Wasn't talking about quality of education at all Spike89 Jan 2013 #136

It requires different education tama Jan 2013 #159

remind them that the democrats are the only party to guarantee social security spanone Jan 2013 #127

That won't work tama Jan 2013 #157

why are they in such denial about all the government handouts they get? bettyellen Jan 2013 #177

Are they? nt tama Jan 2013 #180

over and over again the myth of "self sufficiency" and concern about taxes, when blue cities pay bettyellen Jan 2013 #181

There may be tama Jan 2013 #184

their big concerns are about the govt taking their taxes, but they're actually getting handouts bettyellen Jan 2013 #188

I don't tama Jan 2013 #190

Social security is popular because it's not a handout, but insurance. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #220

Tama said something about SS not being something we shld bother talking about. bettyellen Jan 2013 #224

Rural folks understand the distinction between "handouts" and "insurance". n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #245

those obsessed with "redistubution of wealth" in the US are the largest beneficiaries bettyellen Jan 2013 #301

Frankly, I'm not even sure that's true YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #251

The thing that Democrats can do to appeal to rural voters is wilsonbooks Jan 2013 #128

democrats are seen as the party for colored folk, gay folk and feminists La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2013 #130

Even more tama Jan 2013 #162

we're actually pretty accepting of "brown immigrant workers" here in the big cities, but thanks! bettyellen Jan 2013 #178

Capitalist profit logic tama Jan 2013 #182

or just the reality of being a melting pot. we actually take meetings with brown people here!!! bettyellen Jan 2013 #183

Many kinds of meetings tama Jan 2013 #189

well, i wasn't talking about nationwide institutional racism in the prisons, but rather diversity bettyellen Jan 2013 #230

Stop and Frisk is not a 'meeting'...NYPD practices: Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #210

Bloomberg has had an awful effect on the NYPD, I agree. But I'm sorry- rural cops would likely bettyellen Jan 2013 #227

Trying to bring the assault weapons ban back has kind of killed that idea n/t doc03 Jan 2013 #131

Start with reminding them that the GOP congress left town without passing a farm bill OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #132

Please don't tama Jan 2013 #163

My response is to cite many other responses I've made OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #281

Yup tama Jan 2013 #298

Make rural schools better. Zoeisright Jan 2013 #135

Rural schools are pretty good, as far as I know. Better than many urban schools. nt Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #154

Your insight is amazing. LWolf Jan 2013 #304

Populism annabanana Jan 2013 #141

They need to read "Deer Hunting with Jesus" Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #146

The problem tama Jan 2013 #164

I don't know how much I qualify as an expert on the rural mindset, but....... socialist_n_TN Jan 2013 #147

Yup tama Jan 2013 #166

Women. I think there's a shot at getting some of the rural female vote. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #151

Real Simple... Shade7M Jan 2013 #152

Dude...seriously, they are never going to vote Dem as long as threaten to take their guns away davidn3600 Jan 2013 #161

Democratic Party sponsoring rodeos Pretzel_Warrior Jan 2013 #165

By the way, at most larger state and county fairs, the local Democratic party generally does have a OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #284

In my experience, two things would swing rural voters left: Xithras Jan 2013 #167

+1. I don't think so many urban dwellers really get how 'nightmarish' some of this stuff can be. HiPointDem Jan 2013 #172

Ouch. Xithras Jan 2013 #185

Not just perception of government tama Jan 2013 #192

Talk to the average urban resident and see if their contacts with the government are so positive Fumesucker Jan 2013 #205

But urban residents depend more on public goods SpartanDem Jan 2013 #214

Right. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #253

Thanks tama Jan 2013 #191

^^^ and this one OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #314

(1) Quit bashing rural people & rural culture (2) Listen to the issues that are important to rural HiPointDem Jan 2013 #170

yes, there's cultural considerations, but access to factual information is the biggie procon Jan 2013 #240

that's not the case in all rural areas. nd the fact remains, even if there were a 'liberal fox,' HiPointDem Jan 2013 #241

Steps nobody_special Jan 2013 #176

Being from a rural state and having grown up in a small town here I have some insights for you: RBInMaine Jan 2013 #186

^^^ This one OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #282

I've now read this entire thread Fumesucker Jan 2013 #187

Easy tama Jan 2013 #193

Simple... WiffenPoof Jan 2013 #195

Doesn't that work both ways? tama Jan 2013 #200

If I Understand... WiffenPoof Jan 2013 #203

There's revealing article (and book) tama Jan 2013 #206

How Intreging WiffenPoof Jan 2013 #234

Belief systems tama Jan 2013 #258

Water. Clean drinking water. postulater Jan 2013 #199

Be way more 2A friendly. ileus Jan 2013 #209

These things: LWolf Jan 2013 #211

Exactly! ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #255

Better policies for small farms OnionPatch Jan 2013 #221

Three Short Answers: Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #222

It's what the blue dog Dems do, and DU despises them. Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #231

No, we're not talking about being a corporate lapdog Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #236

It seems that there is more than one definition of blue dog Democrats. Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #237

Max Baucus? Come on! Corporate shill all the way Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #238

Ok. Let's look at our common ground, define terms, and see where it goes. Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #239

Kerry and H. Clinton only managed to look stupid trying to be "just plain folks" Lydia Leftcoast Jan 2013 #271

Democrats don't need to do anything jeff47 Jan 2013 #232

LOL ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #327

K, please name the liberal counterpart on satellite TV to Fox News. jeff47 Jan 2013 #328

There isn't a liberal equivalent ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #329

Urban dwellers are getting information from sources other that TV and Radio jeff47 Jan 2013 #330

Like what? ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #332

Alternative newspapers, gatherings of various types jeff47 Jan 2013 #344

There is delivery of magazines and newspapers. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #347

I'm not talking about a one-on-one conversation jeff47 Jan 2013 #351

So, getting together weekly with a group of people is the only acceptable way ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #354

Do I have to link the definition of "example"? jeff47 Jan 2013 #355

How many conservatives in your ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #360

Could you possibly be more condescending? cordelia Jan 2013 #341

Reality has an urban bias, apparently. jeff47 Jan 2013 #345

" Dial-up only access tends to limit using the Internet as an information source." ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #350

Your telephone use is a one-on-one conversation. jeff47 Jan 2013 #352

We find liberal contact through ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #361

I can't use one because of my location. Not everyone has one. 2pooped2pop Jan 2013 #367

Yes there is one thing. And it is a worthy endeavor. Herlong Jan 2013 #246

JOBS JOBS JOBS Jamastiene Jan 2013 #247

Jobs Herlong Jan 2013 #254

Rented labor tama Jan 2013 #261

Drop the poisonous alliance with Wall Street and other corporate interest groups YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #250

Start by making sure they graduate from high school, a mind is a terrible thing to waste & hatred mother earth Jan 2013 #256

About the fear.... OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #270

Do you have some statistics LWolf Jan 2013 #305

I'm not making that claim, just that it all begins with education, city & rural folk alike. :) mother earth Jan 2013 #315

Okay. LWolf Jan 2013 #317

True. Though I'm thinking the OP was about reaching over to the other side, probably more geared to mother earth Jan 2013 #319

Stop going after guns kudzu22 Jan 2013 #257

There's a huge disconnect between the urban and rural views of firearms OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #269

How do they feel about Big Agra gulliver Jan 2013 #259

My experience is that they like Big Agra OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #267

Wow. Great post! gulliver Jan 2013 #274

Thanks! OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #279

I also agree great post LeftInTX Jan 2013 #316

The idea that all rural people are stupid ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #266

I've met many very smart people in Ag OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #268

I completely agree, you can't change people's minds by yelling hughee99 Jan 2013 #285

Yep. The idea that all rural people are rightwing Republicans is wrong, too. OnionPatch Jan 2013 #297

If you live in a rural area, be out Nikia Jan 2013 #272

The yard signs and bumper stickers are a good way ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #273

I'm sorry if that happened to you Nikia Jan 2013 #275

I'm not silent but I don't ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #277

My view is that if there are no or much fewer D yard signs/bumper stickers Nikia Jan 2013 #306

We have Democratic offices for counties. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #338

To greatly improve how we fare with rural voters Still Sensible Jan 2013 #278

as a rural, liberal voter... mike_c Jan 2013 #280

Democrats should stay Democratic. JDPriestly Jan 2013 #286

Maybe Democrats don't really "stand for" many or all of those things, in practice? YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #288

It's a matter of "compared to what"? JDPriestly Jan 2013 #294

If the dems got the rural voters Trascoli Jan 2013 #289

Start with the statement: Volaris Jan 2013 #293

Eat more fried food. Kablooie Jan 2013 #296

Encourage more democrats to move Shankapotomus Jan 2013 #300

Remind them that the things they care about randr Jan 2013 #302

microtarget rural households with messages that educate them about arely staircase Jan 2013 #307

Do an all black, gay, Muslim, Latino revival of HEE HAW yurbud Jan 2013 #308

Is Otis as exotic as the Somali workers that are working in the processing plants in Tennesse? SQUEE Jan 2013 #318

health care and education support samsingh Jan 2013 #309

take progressive positions on farm issues that the GOP can't and won't like taking on big AG yurbud Jan 2013 #310

OK, I've lived in rural areas all my life. Many folks in rural areas Zorra Jan 2013 #311

Interesting responses. jonthebru Jan 2013 #359

Only 16% of the US population lives in rural areas frazzled Jan 2013 #363

Uhh...no. Census numbers are horribly misleading. Xithras Jan 2013 #377

Push the idea of less government 2pooped2pop Jan 2013 #369

1. Know rural, as many "city foks" are buying up farmland, big time. Frustratedlady Jan 2013 #376