"Nobody Really Cares": The Rural Voter Problem

[theglammistress]

38. I went to college in Wilmington (featured in article)

Really interesting that they didn't interview anyone from the college, one of the most liberal in the state - hell probably entire region. It's Quaker, so very anti-war, pro-progressive movements, pro-choice, pro-women, VERY pro-LBGT, etc.


Wilmington (all of Clinton County) is Republican redneck county. I was born one county over (as was my husband) and it's even more country:

1) My parents are liberals
2) My inlaws are liberals
3) My husband and I have always been liberals

By and large, the people there are not educated. They just aren't. They do not watch the news, they do not travel to places other than Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach. They do not have passports. They have a bunch of kids, ride ATVs, build decks and drink beer for fun. That is life there, they like it and can't imagine living "close to other people in a dirty city."

These towns are also poor - small government coffers. Like everywhere else, the rich, "liberal elite" cities pay for everything.

I had a blast at college but I graduated and that was that. I couldn't wait to get out of rural America. Neither my husband or I even like to go back to visit our parents. We love seeing them, but we feel like fish out of water in the town where we grew up. We don't fit it and we know it - we have nothing in common with anyone there anymore.

I just don't believe a Democrat is ever going to win Clinton or Highland or Fayette of Adams county ever again. When the electorate is uninformed and proud of it, there's no fight there.

Now all this said, I went to graduate school at a MUCH larger and very conservative religious university in a city and that was something else too...