Posted on 12/30/2004 12:54:13 AM PST by cfhBAMA
The town of Greenville is fast becoming an unlikely source of political debate. After returning from a golf trip to the city, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin criticized the city in an article on-line.
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold wrote that the city made the wrong choice for president based on its economic troubles. "I wonder why people sometimes don't vote on the basis of that issue as opposed to issues that might divide us - issues like abortion and gay marriage, which I'm told some people made the basis of their decision for president."
Of course, the senator's sentiments aren't going over well in the conservative south. While he was in Greenville, he ate at Bates House of Turkey. Employees remember his visit.
"They made a couple comments about our stickers and our republican stuff hanging up," said employee Michelle Sloane.
Sloane says she was offended by the senator's article, which she felt criticized her decision to vote republican. "He basically said we were rednecks - that we can't think for ourselves or we've been brainwashed by these people."
In his article, Senator Feingold wrote, "I'm tired of seeing the power-hungry persuade the hardworking people of this country that the only way to preserve important values is to vote against their own families' basic interests."
Feingold told WSFA 12 News he was inspired by Greenville's republican headquarters, with its 'Hallelujah' sign, celebrating President Bush's November victory.
The senator also pointed to things like used car lots and trailer parks as signs of Greenville's sluggish economy - another reason he believes the town should have voted Democratic.
"He didn't see the Greenville that I know and love," said Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon, who called the senator after reading the article. Mayor McLendon told the senator about the city's new $18 million high school and other economic success stories like Hyundai.
"After talking to the senator, I feel like he's going to come back and take a look at Greenville," McLendon said.
If he does make a return visit, employees at Bates House of Turkey say they would welcome him back. But they don't want to talk politics. "He can come back and eat, you know, but we can think for ourselves," said Sloane.
Feingold agreed to return to Greenville to see more of the city and play a round of golf with the mayor. The two say they'll set a date in the next couple of months.
What a putz! Leave it to a lib to think that temporary economic swings should hold more sway in the minds of voters than lasting values.
I wish Congress was in session. Senator Sessions would take the floor and eat his lunch.
Good post, btw.
'Nother Democrat lost in Flyover Country!
That's totally typical of Rats like Feingold. This is exactly how Daschle thought. The Rats cannot understand how we can place values over handouts.
Leni
Then he is a nutcase. I have seen trailer homes featured on television in very expensive locales and I bet even big cities like NYC and LA have used car lots, I bet Beverly Hills has places selling used Bently's and Jaguars.
He also doesn't understand that the super-rich are mostly Democrats these days and those are welfare... but the middle class and a large and growing portion of the working 'poor' are moving more and more to conservatism, because it makes sense.
Translation: Red State voters are just cigar chewin', jeans wearin', Confederate Flag decal in the rear pickup truck window with the shotgun rack, Christian fundamentalist, racist, sexist and homophobe right-wing bigots. What a way to make friends down in Flyover Country!
And they're trailer park white trash too!
OMG< this cannot possibly be true. OMG. I am just rolling in the floor here.
Forgot the CB radio, with booster.
Senator, that is a great admission, with which I heartily agree. I look forward in the coming days to hearing of your announcement to switch parties. Welcome aboard!
Or, did I misunderstand that he seems to be saying he hates seeing Labor, minorities, women, and small business being shafted by DNC lies and maniplation?
Just like a damn Democrat; always wanting to tell us what's in OUR best interest.
The Democrats have become true materialists. I was nearly afraid they might get it. Then I saw from Russ Feingold wrote and I was greatly relieved. Liberals have no idea what people in Red State America think and believe.
Its all about the economy? The country hasn't voted pocketbook issues for the last several years.
FYI.
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold wrote that the city made the wrong choice for president based on its economic troubles. "I wonder why people sometimes don't vote on the basis of that issue as opposed to issues that might divide us - issues like abortion and gay marriage, which I'm told some people made the basis of their decision for president."
He doesn't have a clue.
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