The Hard Truths of Trying to 'Save' the Rural Economy

[SallyHemmings]

3. I grew up in a small town in SE Pennsylvania

In the late 70's, the men worked at the steel mill, mushroom farms or a major chemical company. The women who worked outside of the home were in education or healthcare. Most managed their homes.

Long term employees were given packages when the steel mill and the chemical companies were acquired in the 90s. Both companies are owned by international companies.

My Dad was 58 years old and made decisions expecting to retire at 65 when he got his package.

It was brutal. He could not afford to retire. So he ended up working at another job making less money. He at least has a pension.

The mushroom workers were first replaced by women then Mexicans. No such packages.

Whether it was college, trade school, the military or getting a job, we knew leaving was the made sense.

Migrating to areas for work used to happen. It wasn't always comfortable but the move occurred. Waiting for the manufacturing jobs to return is tragic at this point.

Attending Trump rallies doesn't seem to provide networking opportunites for meaning work.