The Great Divide: Retro vs. Metro America

[OneBlueSky]

a book, a newsletter, a "Have You Been Duped? test, and a chance to win a Prius . . . haven't read it, can't vouch for it, but it sure looks interesting . . .

The Great Divide offers a unique geopolitical view that explains both the origin and nature of the divide that characterizes contemporary America. The United States is in effect two nations divided by history, ethnicity, culture, religion, economics and finally, politics. The authors name these two nations “Retro” and “Metro” America.

http://www.retrovsmetro.org/

Retro America’s commonalities are religiosity; social conservatism; an economic base of extraction industries, agriculture, nondurable goods manufacturing, military installations; and a commitment to the Republican Party.

(snip)

On the Retro side of the cultural divide are those who, in response to their conservative religious beliefs, are pro-life and support prayer in the schools, the display of Christian symbols in public facilities, and publicly funded religious social services. The Republicans who represent them in Congress vote for constitutional amendments to ban flag burning, declare the U.S. a Christian nation, allow tax-exempt religious organizations (but not other nonprofits) to engage in partisan politics, and favor limitations on the First Amendment to combat speech and symbols they perceive as pornographic or unpatriotic. Retro Representatives support subsidies to oil, mining and agriculture, but they are anti-women’s rights, anti-gay and lesbian rights, anti-affirmative action, anti-welfare, anti-organized labor, and anti-taxes of any kind.

(snip)

Metro American states are loosely held together by common interests in promoting economic modernity and by shared cultural values marked by religious moderation; vibrant popular cultures; a tolerance of differences of class, ethnicity, tastes, and sexual orientation; and a tendency to vote Democratic.

(snip)

On the Metro side of the cultural divide are religious moderates and seculars, Democrats, and moderate Republicans who are committed to excellence in education and science, who want the arts to flourish; who are accepting of differences in ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation; and who want a clear division between church and state. These moderates are in favor of women’s gay, and workers’ rights. Their congressional representatives support affirmative action, public education, childcare, and other services needed by working parents, as well as progressive taxation. They oppose tax cuts for the wealthy that undercut progressive taxation, and they oppose subsidies and tax shelters favoring industry, especially the oil and extraction industries.

- more . . .

http://www.retrovsmetro.org/

EXTRA! EXTRA! . . . book available for free download in pdf . . .

http://www.retrovsmetro.org/book/

[Leilani]

1. That is really true...

I have lived all over the country...metro & retro...& there is a great divide.

The differences are stark.

[Sugarbleus]

2. What is non durable goods manufacturing?

Is there a "Good" manufacturing that fits the "beautiful" people in the Neo Liberal movement??

I'm an old school Dem. Some of the new ideologies of the "New Dems" today...freak me out.... There was no mention in the "Metro" side about helping the underpriviledged and the aging and poor and homeless.... I think the "New Dems" are just as "Success" hungry as the neo cons. Neither seem to ever stop to think about the trail of human beings they leave behind in their wake as they climb to the top of Nirvana hill... geeez

[Kinkistyle]

3. Napkins, Gasoline, Tissue

Are examples of non-durable goods. Also stuff like hot-dogs, cheese, and I believe clothing as well.

There is also a chapter in that book on Women, Children and the Poor.

[Sugarbleus]

4. Thanks for the reply.. I'll check it out. eom

[union_maid]

5. I don't know, but I've been told

Haven't read it yet, but have been told a bit about it by someone who has a pretty good understanding of these things. According to her, it outlines the way the divide mitigates against states that do have, or try to have, decent social welfare policies. The Retro states do better, get more federal aid per capita and pay less out in taxes vs. what they get back as compared with the Metro states.

[69KV]

7. Yep

Is there such a thing as a "retro" liberal Democrat? The essay never mentions such a thing but I AM one. Which is to say, pro-union, pro-working class, pro-middle class. I actually see things in terms of retro (small town and rural) and metro (urban working class and people of color) being natural allies, and my dislike is for suburban yuppiedom and the rich. That is where the real divide in this country is. Despite the Repukes being somewhat successful in swinging some "retro" people over to their side, that is not their natural base. It is, in fact, a travesty the Repukes have pulled using a "wedge issue" strategy, but it's BS and even the Repuke leadership knows it. The "retro vs metro" analysis seems to me to artifically divide the working class against itself, while giving the real Repuke base of suburban yuppiedom a free pass.

[sweetheart]

6. amazing the similarity to 1640's britain

during the civil war. The metro america would be like london and
the southeast, and ultimately oliver cromwell's forces. The retro
would be the royalists who supported queen and country..

I was just reading this before your post and could not help but
notice history repeating itself again.

The areas of Royalist support tended to be the North,
West and Wales. Parliament were supported by the richer
South and East, including London. Parliament also held
most of the ports, since the merchants that ran them saw
more profit in a parliament-lead country.

http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~crossby/ECW/history/index.html

By this chronologie, we've yet to become a parliament led society,
being rather led by "king" AWOL and his criminal crony court. Yet
the similarities between a king fighting for power against the people
and parliament is striking indeed.