Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Guest Bloggers are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Democratic Party of Valencia County.
I grew up in a small town in rural Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, that is famous for being the hometown of the beloved actor Jimmy Stewart. It had all the hallmarks of the quintessential “Small Town USA” in the colonial states, with friendly neighbors that everyone knew and a reputation for being kind and friendly to everyone. Although I moved to another small town in New Mexico when I was 15 years old (Bosque Farms, NM) where I live to this day, I stay in touch with the community I knew as a child with many lifelong friends.
Last week, the Indiana, PA Facebook Group I enjoy posted an article from Yahoo! News that was titled, “‘The brand is so toxic’: Dems fear extinction in rural US”. (See link below.) Although the article referred to a small town just a couple of miles from where I was raised, it could have been referring to any small town in rural America, including my town of Bosque Farms, NM.
It is so sad to see my own hometown pictured in this category in rural NW Pennsylvania, but not so surprising from what I have witnessed on social media. This divisive attitude started escalating in 2009 with the advent of the Tea Party. I have been fighting my battles on many of these local sites and discussion groups to advocate and promote the truth and facts, and I have lost many close friends and family in the process. I’ve seen the local newspaper, The Indiana Gazette, get hammered by Republicans and by people who were not even political by nature for simply reporting the truth.
I believe the author draws the wrong conclusion in this article. The problem is not with the Democratic brand, nor is it anything the Democratic party can solve. In fact, Democrats have a popular and thoughtful platform that benefits both rural and urban Americans. Democrats are being vilified by their very own family, friends, and neighbors. On the other hand, the Republican Party does not have a winning platform for rural Americans and they often dismiss urban residents as outsiders and grifters. As a result, the Republican Party has resorted to a long-term campaign of lies and deceit. They frequently cast aspersions against all Democrats, turning Americans against one another.
The Republican Party has built up a deep well of hatred and ill-will because of the ceaseless rhetoric and reckless behavior of Donald Trump. They have gone so far with their disdain of Democrats and hunger for power that they are even willing to sacrifice the founding principles of democracy. They have even tried to overthrow a free and fair election with violence and insurrection. Now, Republicans across the country are changing and manipulating laws so that the next time they lost an election, they might successfully overturn the will of the people and kill democracy itself.
Modern Republicans have embraced the worst elements of our society: bullies, white nationalists, misogynists, racists, liars, and thieves. These bad actors have always lived among us, but now the Republican Party has given them permission to act out their aggression and to be proud of themselves when instead they should be ashamed. How does this attitude support family values in rural America? How does it support law in order? How is this a reflection of the Christian faith? How does it reflect these elements that they are so fond of declaring as the building blocks of their party? It makes no sense. In fact, it’s all hypocrisy at best.
The truth is that we are not enemies at all. Yet, our “tribal politics” of the modern age have turned siblings against each other. Conservatives, who hold majorities in much of rural America, need a wake-up call to realize that their Republican leaders have led them astray. The GOP desperately needs a reservoir of strong moral leaders that will remind their constituents that Americans can agree to disagree and still enjoy our lives together, breaking bread and being proud that we live in a country where we not only have the freedom to express our beliefs, but we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This may sound like a cliché, but it is how we have lived peacefully with each other’s differences for most of our history.
We can make a difference in our own communities by not tolerating hatred, prejudice and division, but rather by offering each other the sign of peace by simply being a good neighbor.
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‘The brand is so toxic’: Dems fear extinction in rural US
Yahoo! News – Steve People
Wed, February 16, 2022, 10:24 PM
SMETHPORT, Pa. (AP) — Some Democrats in rural Pennsylvania are afraid to tell you they’re Democrats.
The party’s brand is so toxic in the small towns 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh that some liberals have removed bumper stickers and yard signs and refuse to acknowledge publicly their party affiliation. These Democrats are used to being outnumbered by the local Republican majority, but as their numbers continue to dwindle, those who remain are feeling increasingly isolated and unwelcome in their own communities.
“The hatred for Democrats is just unbelievable,” said Tim Holohan, an accountant based in rural McKean County who recently encouraged his daughter to get rid of a pro-Joe Biden bumper sticker. “I feel like we’re on the run.”
