What we who live in or near blue cities need to do it to respond to all of this bull with facts - the fact that blue cities in blue states, and blue cities in red states provide the economic engine that allows the red areas of blue states and the red areas of red states to survive as the parasites that they are. I feel much safer in NYC at 2AM than I do in any rural MAGA loving area at any time of day. Why? Because my chances of being shot by some hare brained MAGA with an AR-15 in Iowa is much higher than my chance of being shot by anyone in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Outstanding clarity and analysis. As others have stated, he behaves like a domestic abuser: "if I can't have what/whom I want above all, I will crush you -- so no one can." He [apparently] could not have [the adulation of] Manhattan, nor [the adulation of] the overall US. So his drive is to crush Manhattan and the US. Chechnya? Ukraine...and more?
The use of the term "real America" in politics has been intentionally divisive, and people act like it has always been a part of the discussion. It Really hasn't. It was weaponized against the campaign of Barack Obama, by the McCain/Palin ticket. Trump hopped on the horse that the Republicans have saddled, and he whips it crazy. But don't let the Republican Party convince you that it's just Trump. This has been a strategy of division intentionally nurtured by the Republican messaging machine.
According to Googles AI:
"While Sarah Palin's use of "real America" in 2008 brought the phrase into widespread attention, the concept itself has been reflected in Fox News' rhetoric from its earlier days, particularly through the ideas and approach of its founder, Roger Ailes.
Ailes' vision for Fox News was rooted in the perception that conservatives were under siege, with coastal elites and mainstream media seen as antagonistic towards those in the heartland. This framework created a space where the idea of a "real America" in contrast to these perceived liberal centers could resonate.
For example, a Vox article mentions how Ailes, who was born in Ohio, felt that coastal elites were sneering at the honest folk of the heartland and that "real" America was crumbling. This sentiment, emphasizing the heartland as a bastion of authentic American values, aligns with the concept of "real America" as it's often used.
Therefore, while a precise first usage date on Fox News is difficult to pinpoint, the idea of "real America" in the context of conservative messaging has been a consistent theme within the network's discourse, predating its specific popularization in the 2008 election. "
Paul, you're making a solid point. Many Americans believe that the vast plains and rural areas are the real America. Once, long ago, that was true. But 85% of Americans live in Metro counties and the rural vision of the US is just a dream now.
I worked on rural issues for decades and once went to a conference organized by USDA, which is sort of the de facto rural Cabinet department. They had invited guests from Italy and the UK to attend as well. Somewhat to my surprise, the Italians and the British had the same myths about their countries. The real Italy, the real Britain is in the small country towns, not the big cities. France has the same idea with its "France profonde," deep France where the real soul of the country resides.
That's a nice vision, but it's not reality. People voted with their feet long ago and urban areas are where the jobs are now.
Thanks Paul. We needed that. Too bad no one will read it except us. Cities are inevitable. A force of history (economic development), and cities have different problems than "country."
Even most city dwellers would rather live in the country of their imagination, but they don't. Meanwhile country dwellers, in my experience, turn out to be just as dishonest-greedy as city dwellers, but they have different opportunities. None of this will change anyone's minds. Only, if things were different, the politicians lies would be different.
Our problem today is we have given power to a criminal and his friends, with no "Constitutional" way to stop him. And it troubles me that apparently half the country believes Fox News lies which are preposterous to the point of insanity.
We should be talking about the rural areas of America as what they are: The Old Country. The hollowed out place you have to leave to find opportunity, acceptance, and personal freedom--unless, of course, what you want is food stamps, fentanyl and finding reasons to hate, then stay.
Also, if I were Mayor of NY, the first thing I'd do is put the Statue of Liberty on a turntable, so it could be made to face inland, welcoming these tired, huddled and poor Red State refugees too.
good for you. not everyone is so lucky; not even everyone who lives in the country. but you know what poor people do when they can't make a living in the country? they move to the city.
do you have any ability to imagine what it's like to be the other guy?
Sure, and I’m very lucky in multiple ways. But I was responding to someone who seemed to see no value in rural areas and thinks they are places people only leave.
thanks for clarification. you are right that some on the left, and some whose politics are unknown to me seem to think that hating on people in rural areas makes them smart.
What we who live in or near blue cities need to do it to respond to all of this bull with facts - the fact that blue cities in blue states, and blue cities in red states provide the economic engine that allows the red areas of blue states and the red areas of red states to survive as the parasites that they are. I feel much safer in NYC at 2AM than I do in any rural MAGA loving area at any time of day. Why? Because my chances of being shot by some hare brained MAGA with an AR-15 in Iowa is much higher than my chance of being shot by anyone in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Outstanding clarity and analysis. As others have stated, he behaves like a domestic abuser: "if I can't have what/whom I want above all, I will crush you -- so no one can." He [apparently] could not have [the adulation of] Manhattan, nor [the adulation of] the overall US. So his drive is to crush Manhattan and the US. Chechnya? Ukraine...and more?
Great piece, Paul. Couldn’t agree more. Good point about rural areas actually being “Third World.“
The use of the term "real America" in politics has been intentionally divisive, and people act like it has always been a part of the discussion. It Really hasn't. It was weaponized against the campaign of Barack Obama, by the McCain/Palin ticket. Trump hopped on the horse that the Republicans have saddled, and he whips it crazy. But don't let the Republican Party convince you that it's just Trump. This has been a strategy of division intentionally nurtured by the Republican messaging machine.
According to Googles AI:
"While Sarah Palin's use of "real America" in 2008 brought the phrase into widespread attention, the concept itself has been reflected in Fox News' rhetoric from its earlier days, particularly through the ideas and approach of its founder, Roger Ailes.
Ailes' vision for Fox News was rooted in the perception that conservatives were under siege, with coastal elites and mainstream media seen as antagonistic towards those in the heartland. This framework created a space where the idea of a "real America" in contrast to these perceived liberal centers could resonate.
For example, a Vox article mentions how Ailes, who was born in Ohio, felt that coastal elites were sneering at the honest folk of the heartland and that "real" America was crumbling. This sentiment, emphasizing the heartland as a bastion of authentic American values, aligns with the concept of "real America" as it's often used.
Therefore, while a precise first usage date on Fox News is difficult to pinpoint, the idea of "real America" in the context of conservative messaging has been a consistent theme within the network's discourse, predating its specific popularization in the 2008 election. "
Paul, you're making a solid point. Many Americans believe that the vast plains and rural areas are the real America. Once, long ago, that was true. But 85% of Americans live in Metro counties and the rural vision of the US is just a dream now.
I worked on rural issues for decades and once went to a conference organized by USDA, which is sort of the de facto rural Cabinet department. They had invited guests from Italy and the UK to attend as well. Somewhat to my surprise, the Italians and the British had the same myths about their countries. The real Italy, the real Britain is in the small country towns, not the big cities. France has the same idea with its "France profonde," deep France where the real soul of the country resides.
That's a nice vision, but it's not reality. People voted with their feet long ago and urban areas are where the jobs are now.
Thanks Paul. We needed that. Too bad no one will read it except us. Cities are inevitable. A force of history (economic development), and cities have different problems than "country."
Even most city dwellers would rather live in the country of their imagination, but they don't. Meanwhile country dwellers, in my experience, turn out to be just as dishonest-greedy as city dwellers, but they have different opportunities. None of this will change anyone's minds. Only, if things were different, the politicians lies would be different.
Our problem today is we have given power to a criminal and his friends, with no "Constitutional" way to stop him. And it troubles me that apparently half the country believes Fox News lies which are preposterous to the point of insanity.
We should be talking about the rural areas of America as what they are: The Old Country. The hollowed out place you have to leave to find opportunity, acceptance, and personal freedom--unless, of course, what you want is food stamps, fentanyl and finding reasons to hate, then stay.
Also, if I were Mayor of NY, the first thing I'd do is put the Statue of Liberty on a turntable, so it could be made to face inland, welcoming these tired, huddled and poor Red State refugees too.
I’m retired and live in a rural area of north Georgia— and love it.
Ken
good for you. not everyone is so lucky; not even everyone who lives in the country. but you know what poor people do when they can't make a living in the country? they move to the city.
do you have any ability to imagine what it's like to be the other guy?
Sure, and I’m very lucky in multiple ways. But I was responding to someone who seemed to see no value in rural areas and thinks they are places people only leave.
Ken
thanks for clarification. you are right that some on the left, and some whose politics are unknown to me seem to think that hating on people in rural areas makes them smart.