On the eve of this election, there's something I need your help to understand

[TBF]

105. Define "the country" -

as in your statement "the country is much better off".

And you don't need to explain it in words I can understand - you need to explain it in words that make sense to that coal miner you mentioned in your 3rd line. That is the problem the democratic party is having right now. I lived inside the beltway for 10 years too and I remember all too well the intellectual snobbery and elitism that exist there. It may be a game (and a "long game" at that) for the players - ie the 1% and their pawns - but it is a life for everyone else. Foreclosures matter. Bankers getting off scot-free matter. NSA listening to every call - reading every forum post - that matters.

Right now you need to show Peoria why the hell they should vote for democrats. The republicans are going to throw everything out there that they think can stick - Ebola, guns, god etc ... Don't just say "hey we're not crazy". Explain how the democratic party is helping the average American - and I mean the ones making under $35K a year - not the investment bankers. They don't care that the stock market is up - they are lucky if there's more than $100 in their checking account much less investments. They don't care that Obamacare exists if they can't even make the co-pays. Give them a reason to vote and they'll do it. If they can afford the drive to the polling station.