In today's times, and post nationwide 2016 election, we've learned the disconnect, separations, differences, and perhaps even disgust between city living residents versus rural America is quite strong. Do we hate each other? No, not yet, as hate is a strong word. But the distance and worry are getting worse. America's cities are becoming increasingly politically blue, as rural America is remaining less educated and Republican red. It has become the city slicker residents versus the conservative, less government country folks. A burgeoning new-age political civil war. It's like 2 different worlds are simultaneously jarring against the other.
How about we examine the stark differences between rural and city living America. City dwellers represent a diverse, evolving rocky road type of edible pie, while rural America seems stuck in their monolithic, bland, stagnant and traditional apple pie. Which pie would you eat? Would you eat them both?
Personally, I can only truly write and resonate within the city, urban dweller mindest. I've never lived in the country and have almost zero ranch hand country living experience. Back when I was a kid, I did go deer hunting once around the age of 12 at my friend's ranch. Once there, I successfully shot and killed a "spike" deer with a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. Afterward, my hunting host family splashed the dead spike's blood on my face, thus christening my virgin hunting experience. At the time, the deathly spike shotgun hunter shot was actually kind of cool! My host hunting family did turn the venison meat into a very tasty and yummy sausage. Would I ever go wildlife hunting again? Maybe, but it wouldn't be my first recreational weekend activity of choice.
Moving forward, here is why I think, America's urban metropolis living residents voted democrat and lean progressive.
City and urban dwellers live and are constantly surrounded by people, the government, municipalities, diversity, and various human sexualities all the time. When? All the damn time. We're numb to it. City residents live, breather, work, converse and dine with tons of random people constantly. It takes an absurdly crazy hairstyle to catch our attention. The majority of us work in human service type industries, such as restaurants, real estate, law, health care, education, and retail. All of the aforementioned industries require social interaction and friendly people skills. In the city, you may be able to temporarily escape other people, but human social interaction is inevitable. Personally, I often love being around people and attending mass populated events. For example, sold-out concerts, comedy showcases, sporting events, outdoor festivals and more. For urban dwellers, we live the conversational life. We accept and enjoy diversity, and we earn our income from professional services performed amongst other humans. Actual physical labor has been outsourced to immigrants and machines. Immigrants are usually rare humans who are willing to actually work back-bending and sweat-inducing labor. Have you walked past an ongoing constructions site lately? Why do America's cities vote Democratic? It is because we more often engage with government as it directly affects our lives. Will, the government improve our neighborhood city roads and parks? We, like rural America, prefer fewer taxes, yet if more taxes can cure affordable housing, homelessness or transportation, then we don't mind shelling out a couple of bucks to enhance society. If our taxes can assist in curing the mentally challenged person, which then allows them to get the help and resources to recover and rejoin with income earning, then we say vote yes!
Here is my attempt to explain rural America's fondness for Republicans and Donald Trump. I loathe our president's divisive words. I shall assume that country and rural residents are of the conservative and less government mindset. This makes sense. I can understand this less is more sentiment. Less government, more freedom, and fewer taxes. Trump's tariff wars do NOT resemble the republican less government philosophy. Trump who made fun of President Obama for bailing out Detroit Michigan's auto plants, recently just bailed out the Midwest Farmers due to his China tariffs.
Economically, how often do farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists have to engage with actual people? Is it when they drive into town that 1 afternoon? Is it possible that people who choose to live in rural America prefer a hermit-lifestyle and withdraw from social interaction? Does rural America prefer to simply live in nature while inhibiting their own land and keeping to themselves? Thus prioritizing a simple and calm life. I personally would get completely bored out of my mind, after probably 48 to 72 hours of country living. I can't fathom an entire year of living in perpetual quiet boredom out in the middle of the country with nothing to do. What does rural America do for entertainment? Do they drink out on the porch and drive their trucks, while listening to country music? In an interesting twist, I've recently picked up an avid fondness and joy for country music! Maybe it's so I can learn how other folks chose to live. Maybe listening to country music is the relatable cure and common bond between the city and rural folks? I prefer country music to rap music myself.
In my home state of Texas, during the most recent 2018 midterm election, all of the major city residents predominantly voted for Democrats and turned Blue. Yep. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin all side with the Democrats. Rural America voted and stayed GOP red in the 2018 election. There is a massive political divide between city residents and rural residents. How can we agree and live together? We don't. Lately, AM talk radio and social media prominently display and airs the cultural differences of opinion between the city and rural residents. From what I can tell, this healthy talking has improved relations or changed opinions. This airy of grievances and opinions has driven each sector further aways from each other. Nowadays in 2019, It's the Civil War of Blue City Politics versus the Red , G.O.P loving rural country folk. Will these feelings and trend change? Time will tell.
At the end of the day, the entire lifestyle and income earning regime of the city dweller versus the country folk is so blatantly different. They are very opposite lifestyles. Let's be honest, despite sharing the same human genes, each faction in this Civil War of politics thinks about life, morals and government's role on earth extremely different. I don't want to judge and wish to remain "open-mindful" to the different human viewpoints. Yet, I wonder how this massive cultural divide will ever end? Is there a solution? I don't have the answers, and the rural to city disconnect is getting worse.
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