Reply #73: That perspective is also stereotypical and counterproductive [View All]

[pmbryant]

Claiming this is a "urbal versus rural" divide is somewhat more accurate, but also does us no good electorally. Demonizing those on "the other side", when they are in the larger half, is not going to help us win elections.

This is not helpful!

Citizens of the Urban Archipelago reject heartland "values" like xenophobia, sexism, racism, and homophobia, as well as the more intolerant strains of Christianity that have taken root in this country. And we are the real Americans. They--rural, red-state voters, the denizens of the exurbs--are not real Americans. They are rubes, fools, and hate-mongers.

This pisses me off, and I'm not even the target.

There is a hell of a lot more BS in that article as well. It's argument that the Dems should focus on "urban values" is just an entrenchment of this divide. In fact, they are celebrating the divide. They want it to grow.

And what narrow, closeted sense of politics gives the authors that mass transit is an "urban value" upon which is built an electoral majority? The vast majorities of cities I've ever lived in are in total love with the automobile. Los Angeles? Mass transit? Laughable.

--Peter