Posted on 03/20/2014 9:30:16 PM PDT by Theoria
Differences Between Rural and Urban America Are Underappreciated Factor in Political Split
EL DORADO SPRINGS, Mo.—The owner of the nicest restaurant in town doesn't serve alcohol, worried that his pastor would be disappointed if he did. Public schools try to avoid scheduling events on Wednesday evenings, when churches hold Bible study. And Democrats here are a rare and lonely breed.
Older, nearly 100% white and overwhelmingly Republican, El Dorado Springs is typical of what is now small-town America. Coffee costs 90 cents at the diner, with free refills. Two hours north and a world away in Kansas City, Starbucks charges twice that, and voters routinely elect Democrats.
There have always been differences between rural and urban America, but they have grown vast and deep, and now are an underappreciated factor in dividing the U.S. political system, say politicians and academicians.
Polling, consumer data and demographic profiles paint a picture of two Americas—not just with differing proclivities but different life experiences. People in cities are more likely to be tethered to a smartphone, buy a foreign-made car and read a fashion magazine. Those in small towns are more likely to go to church, own a gun, support the military and value community ties.
In many ways, the split between red Republican regions and blue Democratic ones—and their opposing views about the role of government—is an extension of the cultural divide between rural Americans and those living in cities and suburbs.
As Democrats have come to dominate U.S. cities, it is Republican strength in rural areas that allows the party to hold control of the House and remain competitive in presidential elections.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
You and me both, ma'am !
.. keep Manhattan, just gimme that countryside .. d:^)
Interesting reference on Ohio history I was not aware of, sounds similar to hear in California
1st the Indians, then Spanish /Mexicans, miners, then farmers all the while San Francisco, Hollywood and other cities were growing.
Each group for their own idea of what their life was.
It’s the mentality of “One size fits All” solutions that irks me. cities and rural areas have different problems therefore different solutions but governance is reduced to ramming either liberalism or conservatism down each others throats. s\
Sure makes for a lot of anger that could be avoided.
I don’t think the Census is even taken in the rural parts of America anymore, at least the ones that don’t vote Democrat. During the supposed 2010 Census, I was not even asked once, nor was anyone in my house, and we live in a small town outside the Raleigh NC metro area.
Meckler is a known liberal
She leaves out the fact that in many cities its due to racial demographics or the divide is narrow...say 55/45
She is basically just looking at big coastal cities and a couple of Yankee towns
Many sunbelt cities if blacks or Latinos not figured would be fairly conservative
Its not as simple as rural versus city....and what about suburbs.... most are GOP
Wondering how the two regions compare in crime rates.
Most suburbs surrounding 8 of the 10 largest cities are not Republican either, unfortunately.
The internet brings many city advantages to the country such as extensive shopping and ways to socialize with anyone else in the world. Self-driving cars with sleeping quarters will enable people to live much farther from their city jobs. Factories have always avoided ultra high density high rise cities but these semi-rural jobs have been lost China, which is a big unmentioned part of the migration away of young people. The coming robotics wave may bring some high pay manufacturing jobs back to semi-rural areas. The article neglected to mention that much of the city population growth is from massive immigration from third world countries, needed because Democrat city voters don't reproduce at replacement levels. Trends go in cycles and it may soon be trendy again to move away from the polluted and overpopulated concrete and steel communist insane asylums. The first terrorist nuclear attack may set that migration off. Enjoy the peace and solitude of the countryside while it lasts.
Take race out of this and see results
Why do you think we got the Heck out of Memphis/Shelby County. DEM controlled.
Just moved 22 miles into Tipton county, car ins dropped 40%. We are in the process of selling the other house. Worth much more than we will get out of it, even in a decent neighborhood were there are semi professionals or retired, it is to CLOSE to FRAISER a big crime area. Memphis City schools SUCK!
We have both black and white neighbors, every one is friendly out this way, and it is Conservative, people help each other.
You forgot the factor if they are all black controlled they usually end up with corrupt politicians that rob the small cities blind. Ditto goes for the Latinos.
We get the AR and MS news besides the Memphis news. All those small black control towns are in hot water for political criminals theft of tax funds.
Well the stats prove it - we can safely blame all our problems on country music and Cracker Barrel ;’)
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