This is what the average tRump fan is thinking.

[BigmanPigman]

Last edited Mon Jul 23, 2018, 04:57 AM - Edit history (1)

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/02/insider-explains-rural-christian-white-america-dark-terrifying-underbelly/
A common theme keeps cropping up from all sides: “Democrats failed to understand white, working-class, fly-over America.”

Trump supporters are saying this. Progressive pundits are saying this. Talking heads across all forms of the media are saying this. Even some Democratic leaders are saying this. It doesn’t matter how many people say it, it is complete BS. It is an intellectual/linguistic sleight of hand meant to draw attention away from the real problem. The real problem isn’t East Coast elites who don’t understand or care about rural America. The real problem is that rural Americans don’t understand the causes of their own situations and fears and they have shown no interest in finding out. They don’t want to know why they feel the way they do or why they are struggling because they don’t want to admit it is in large part because of the choices they’ve made and the horrible things they’ve allowed themselves to believe.

[thbobby]

1. I agree with your post

and liked it very much.

I do believe the problem is not all due to religious fundamentalism. People have a natural inclination to live in their comfort zone. The internet and FOX TV have exasperated this. Parenting and education need to teach the value of expanding one's comfort zone. Don't like gay people? Get to know some gay people. Afraid of Muslims? Go to a Mosque and learn about them. I could go on and on.

I live in a small town in North Texas and have seen many people who fit into what you describe. And I do not know the answer either. But encouraging people to think about and experience what is outside of their comfort zone is a necessary step. But how to do this, I do not know. It will take a generation being raised and educated with the idea that expanding their comfort zone improves their life.

[oxbow]

2. K&R

& commenting so I can finish reading later!

[rusty quoin]

3. Yeah, but is the worst it's been in my lifetime.

I went into the military in the early 80s, and though the prejudice was there, people from all over the country were cool together.

In fact, the white Christians thing was just starting to gain ground in the Air Force. Us young people were mostly about getting along and having a good time. They were friends too, but kind of freaks.

Racism was frowned upon, though, but I think we have a new America thanks to the elections of both Obama and Trump. One of them is brilliant, gracious, loved, and who cares about America more than himself.

One is the result of racism.

[bluestateboomer]

4. It's not all rural.

I run into the same attitudes from city dwellers here in blue California. It's almost impossible to reason with them. If I tried to debunk every crazy idea and assertion that is made, there would be no time left in the day. And in the end, no minds are changed. Our only recourse is to overwhelmingly vote all "R"s out of office. But even then I could imagine our ignorant countrymen opting for Civil War 2.0. I would gladly be wrong about this, but the thought is scary.

[gordianot]

5. This is it

Totally nails it. Fundamentalist quasi religious belief systems will do this if Christian, Jewish, Communist, Fascist, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, (insert your religious poison). The lack or profusion of melanin in the skin, type of sexual gonads, willingness to assert or fall for alpha Hominid displays also should be considered as factors.

[Chiquitita]

6. Excellent post

I'm from rural Wisconsin and this rings so true.

[MFM008]

7. Thoughtful

I believe its fear of others.
Anyone darker or foreign
or hell, even from another state.
Taking what they feel they deserve.
maggot feels he deserves respect because
Of his illegitimate job, merely because he has it.
Same idea. Anything out of the norm....
Forget it.

[raccoon]

8. "Deeply held beliefs are usually only altered, replaced under catastrophic circumstances

that are personal."

Ain't that the truth?

Great article.

[madaboutharry]

9. Excellent article.

Anyone who has ever lived in a small town in rural America can tell you that they have met all the people described in this article.

[Martin Eden]

10. Excellent essay! n/t

[LakeArenal]

11. Great post. Also from rural WI. Lots of truth.

[SWBTATTReg]

12. Excellent article/post...I really liked one particular part that stated...

"They don’t want to know why they feel the way they do or why they are struggling because they don’t want to admit it is in large part because of the choices they’ve made and the horrible things they’ve allowed themselves to believe."

My note: They already know why they are struggling, they just ignore it and hope it goes away, or they hope that someone else comes in and fixes it. As long as they don't have to get up off the couch...

[Kind of Blue]

13. Wow! The author has certainly moved way past denial

and to acceptance of Supremacy, Stupid.

[Puzzler]

14. Fantastic post! Bravo! Brava!

-Puzzler

[cachukis]

15. Well written. Needs to be shared.

[BigmanPigman]

16. It is sort of "old" (last Feb) but it certainly is still valid.

I know it is long and I have shared it with my sister and posted it a few times before now, but as part of a reference to back up another post.

As usual, it is from an article originally posted here on DU and I saved it. DU has so much info from so many sources it has filled up 20 of my "save to home screen" pages over the past 15 months. Thank you DU!!!!! I am always asked, "How did you already know this, it just came out?". I have the posts about the female Russian spy with The NRA and with fundamentalists in Moscow from 6 months ago. We DUers knew all the players, dates, names etc. before this week. Thanks DU!!! I wish more people were aware of the timely and important issues that are routinely addressed and shared here.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/the-trump-russia-nra-connection-heres-what-you-need-to-know-205458/
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/01/the-nra-is-part-of-the-trumprussia-scandal-now.html
http://reverbpress.com/politics/nra-pays-senators-millions/
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210231989