Why some of America's poorest counties vote Republican

[Ghost in the Machine]

21. As a resident of a poor, white, rural Southern town, I have run across some of the exact things you

mention. My parents moved me to this town when I was 13 years old, during the summer between 7th and 8th grade. Back then, there were only 2 counties smaller than ours in the whole State. We moved here from Miami, Florida... talk about 'Culture Shock'! It seemed like they rolled up the sidewalks at 6pm!

I wasn't into State or National politics then, but local politics was a different animal altogether. I mean, hell, I went to school with the City and County Mayors' daughters! I might as well say I went to school with *everyone*. as our school taught from Kindergarten thru 12th grade, with a total of a little over 500 students in the whole school. Everyone knew everyone, and half of them were related. By 10th grade, I figured out I was still considered an 'outsider' here because I wasn't born here and I couldn't wait to graduate and move away! I moved back to Miami within a week after I graduated.

Flash forward 25 years, I had decided to get my small children out of Miami and wound up back up here because we still had property here. I got involved in canvassing for the 2006 elections, and all I heard was how "Democrats want to take our guns away!!!" I tried explaining the logistical impossibilities of a Nationwide ban and confiscation, I showed them where the Democratic Party Platform *supported* the 2nd Amendment and anything else I could do. Even showing them, in writing, how the Republicans wanted to do away with their Social Security, Welfare and foodstamps, I still couldn't get through.... and the worst part is that most of them are on welfare, foodstamps, disability, SSI and/or have our State provided medical benefits. Several even live in the Government housing projects.

My breaking point came when I had one guy tell me "my Grandpappy would come up out of his grave and get me if'n I ever voted for a Democrat!!" The fools will get what they deserve for voting against their own best interests, as far as I am concerned now. I won't waste any more of my time talking to a generation of ignorant fools who were raised by ignorant fools, who were also raised by ignorant fools. I hope the cycle breaks one day soon, but I have a low tolerance for ignorance and just can't subject myself to talking to these fools anymore. They make me want to smack some sense into them and I don't trust myself not to anymore. They piss me off that much!! I find it easier to just vote, then hang around with the few like-minded people I've met around here.

Good luck to the rest of you who find yourselves in a situation like mine, and may you be strong enough to handle it differently than I have. I'm permanently physically disabled, and also suffer from stress/anxiety, and these people can't be reached and just aren't worth the toll it takes on me mentally and physically.

Peace,

Ghost