Why do coal miners want to continue working such a horrible, dirty job?

[MadCrow]

96. Placing blame

I now live in WV. My husband was born in a coal camp. His family lived in a company house and were paid in scrip. He told me about the fight to get a union. How many people in the US ever heard of the Battle of Blair Mountain? Generations of coal miners fought for better working conditions and better pay. Many lost their lives trying to make things better for themselves and their children. Coal mining is a way of life in these hills.

When I first moved here in 1972, coal was booming. My husband even got a job in the coal mines for a while. The future looked good. But things slowly changed and in my county now there is only one large mine still in operation. Our county revenues are down and the future is not bright. The Republicans blamed President Obama for the downturn because of government regulation, when in fact , it was market forces that led to the present situation. WV turned from blue to red hoping the Republicans would bring about a change in their situation. Our state even passed right-to-work legislation. My husband would turn over in his grave seeing what has happened. As I ride around I see Trump signs everywhere, along with bumper stickers that say "Friends of Coal' and advocating 'clean coal' which is itself an oxymoron.

None of my children or grandchildren ever worked in the mines They all went to college and pursued other careers. However, as a retired high school teacher I know of many young men who didn't have the options that my children did. They usually had 3 major choices- mining, logging, or the military. It is a fact that percentage-wise WV has lost more men fighting for our country than any other state. These men and their family are trying to keep and maintain their proud heritage.

As a proud WV Democrat and Bernie supporter, I oppose everything that Trump stands for, but I can understand the appeal that his slogan "Make America Great Again" has for these Mountaineers.