We have a big parade down Main Street on Labor Day, and on Memorial Day, the cemetery is wall to wall flags. We have a few whacked-out libs around, but we live and let live, and so far don't have any trouble. Kansas is a Republican State and being smack dab in the middle of fly-over country makes us the ultimate idiots to the elitist left. But we are happy, peaceful, accepting of all points of view (unless you have a terrorist bent) and we love God and Country. Pretty much in that order.
To give you an idea of how different we are from those in a big city, our pastor is from Chicago. He had friends visiting one Sunday, and they overheard a conversation we were having about hunting. They asked him "Do you mean they actually shoot animals and eat them?!!!" The way I see people is that they are different - just different. Not better or worse. I think people in the city see people as right and wrong - better and worse. Maybe people in the city all have to think alike or they wouldn't be able to live in such close proximity to each other.
My town, more correctly our town, is one of the tiniest in the USA. It is incorporated and has lost population due to loss of coal.
Though small and with a very, very small population (200), we have our own sanitation and water department. Our town council looks out for the population in general and though there are disagreements regarding specific items, I think most people would not move away due to lack of leadership or any other reason except jobs. I often wonder if we all are introverts, but basically I think we are happy within ourselves and with each other.
We have an incredible Council President who, when there is an altercation between family members for instance, will go and and quell the tantrum. He governs with an even hand and with considerable grace. He is our de facto Chief of Police. Our mayor wants all kinds of nice things for this town, but there is no way to achieve those things unless town members actually participate in the action. Mostly they don’t because they are busy with their own lives...and there are not enough of us for two teams of softball>
Most of the people here are older and have had their haydays. The younger people tend to not stay because we are miles away from any town with work, a minimum of 17 miles which has the closest full time store (Walmart, don’t you know) and Pittsburgh.
We do have a wonderful volunteer fire department ably led by our town council president. All members appear happy to risk their lives for us all. I do honor them.
The roads and verges are clean, the younger children are under control of their parents and the churches have services every Sunday.
I, being one who tends to meditate as I work, find the quietness essential for my well being. Once in a blue moon we might hear anger at night. In 17 years, no gun shots.
And it is beautiful here.