Why Liberal Elites Need to Make Things Easier for Rural Liberals

There are valiant people in battleground states who need more support

Image by Walter Rhein

Sometimes you get an attack comment that reveals more than the author might have intended. I recently wrote a story about what it was like to grow up as a liberal in an extremely conservative rural area.

“There’s nothing more pathetic than a rural liberal,” somebody wrote. “No matter what you do, the city will always smell the rube on you. Try as you might, you’ll never fit in. Both sides will reject you. There’s no pathway to success.”

My initial response was to reject the comment and hit the block button. After all, I’ve managed to carve out my place in a liberal space. Haven’t I?

However, the words hung around long after I’d shut off my computer and I found myself reflecting on them.

Although it’s true that I did manage to go to college and get a degree, it was a constant struggle for me. My first attempt was an absolute disaster. I only managed to stay at school for about two weeks before going home with my tail between my legs.

Back at my small rural town, everybody was so understanding. “Don’t worry, we all knew you would fail. We tried to tell you, but now you know. This is where you’re…