[Hermann the Cherusker]

Pennsylvania had been described as a Republican "T" if you make a red county-blue county map. The northern tier counties and the midstate form the "T". Most times the "T" cannot quite make up for the RAT strongholds of Philly and Pittsburgh.

Not true at all. Most of the times, the "T" defeats the Rats. That's why we have more R's than D's in Congress and the Legislature, and why the RATs almost never win Senate and row office seats in the State. The only real competition is top of the ticket races (President and Governor), and that comes from ticket splitting RINO's in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh suburbs.

I know many people like those described from these areas (unskilled losers to put it bluntly). They are the people who live in those regions and vote Democrat. High School drop-outs, teenage mothers, heroin addicts, etc., etc., etc. They are the people who get jobs at Wal Mart, McDonalds, and the Prison when the local factory closes, simply because there is nothing else they are remotely qualified for. The Republicans, the majority of the people there, are small business owners, people in skilled services, farmers, shop keepers, skilled laborers, and the like. You know, folks with brains. As opposed to folks who think the rest of the world owes them a living.

You wouldn't know it from reading this article, but Mifflin County is actually a tidy and prosperous little place, as a drive down State Route 655 would reveal from the many bustling farms and businesses.

[lightman]

Been through Mifflin County many times. The back route from Rock Springs through Belleville is absolutely breathtaking. It's good to see that the Amish are finding a home there as well. The farmland will stay as active farms for generations to come.

[annyokie]

I have to agree with your assessment.

Most of my former in-laws live in Reading or the out-lying areas, Altoona, Huntingdon or the Amish type communities (where they don't vote.)

They are all card-carrying Unionists (firemen, truck drivers, telephone company). The idea that the middle of the state, where NO ONE lives will carry the state is such crap.

Pittsburgh is just as bad. Bitter Iron workers who are pissed that they aren't valued anymore. East, it's dumb-ass textile workers who Unioned themselves out of jobs and wonder why the knitting mills went to Georgia.

There ain't no one to vote Repub in Philly proper anymore.