Kentucky miners' struggle is that of many working Americans

[Bayard]

https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/455886-kentucky-miners-struggle-is-that-of-many-working-americans?amp=1&_recirculation=1

?itok=CxT4DxAA

(snip)
Many people in Harlan County, Ky., are poor but proud. The county has a storied history of militant labor action. The miners' protests reflect that history. These men have watched as some of their friends have been stiffed and their health benefits stolen by some coal companies that shift assets around various corporate entities. These miners feel they are not only demanding what they are owed but also demanding something better for their community from the powerful politicians representing them. On The Hill's "Rising," miner Collin Cornette said he expects McConnell will not intervene. "He's not pro-coal," Cornette said. "I don't even think he's pro-Kentucky." Ouch.

Now I suspect my progressive friends are thinking, "These people voted for Mitch and they voted for Trump, and they get what they deserve." What I'd say is this: Don't presume to know how and why and who people vote for. Condescending stereotypes are just as bad when they come from the left as when they come from the right. Secondly, the struggle of these men is the struggle of so many working people in this country who have no union to represent them. The minute we start picking and choosing the workers we care about is the moment we lose and allow the other side's divide-and-conquer tactics to succeed.

There's something stirring in Kentucky. The teacher's movement is still going strong there. The Republican governor, an ally of Trump, is unpopular and may lose his reelection bid this fall. McConnell isn't exactly Mr. Popular in the state, either. He consistently polls as one of the least popular senators in the country among his constituents. In fairness, last year he was ousted from last place by former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).