Been kind of quiet here lately

[ashling]

As has been pointed out several times, rural America should logically be Democratic. There are many issues - not the least of which is the "cultural" thing which Frank speaks to so well in Whats the Matter With Kansas, but there are others as well, which are false or ghost issues - hot buttons which the Republicans push so well.

I am trying to write stuff for the local papers which may do some small part in turning the tide. Explaining to folks out here in a way that they can understand that backing the Republicans only hurts them and their families in the long run (and the short run, for that matter)

Lets keep this progressive "farm" machinery well oiled by coming up with constructive ways to get through out here in the rural areas.

[CatholicEdHead]

1. Social issues over econmic issues

are the largest reasons. Gay marriage (or lackthreof) is more important than being able to make bank payments or having to buy new seeds every year and not reuse some old ones (Monsanto).

[ashling]

2. Exactly

I referenced that issue in my original post.

The question is, how do we overcome that. What do we say to get through this minefield?

[mandyky]

3. I think we need to bring up the mercury in fish issue

since a lot of rural folks fish as recreation. Bring up the cuts in National Parks, etc.

[ashling]

4. True

and a lot of folks in the country fish to put food on the table.

[kineneb]

5. mercury- not just ag/rural issue, also tourism

Like all northern CA waters, Clear Lake has mine run-off and naturally-occuring mercury. And fishing here is a big tourist draw. We are very sensitive about this already.

[MrSandman]

6. Especially tourism...

Tourism is the one resource that many rural areas have that is able to actually bring $$$ into the local economy without depletion of the resource.

[MissMarple]

7. This is more of a question.

Or several.

How are the family farmers and ranchers doing as opposed to corporate agribusiness? How is "farm aid" working or not working, as well as Bush's past and proposed budgets?

Also, has the Internet been made more or less available under Republican administrations either national or at the state level?

How are the local school districts doing under No Child Left Behind? Has this helped, hindered, or been held neutral? Has it cost the districts money but not helped appreciatively, and not worth the time?

How are the county, state, and U.S. roads and highways? Any bridges crumbling?

What are the concerns of your county commissioners, town mayors, school superintendents, and organizations like Duck's Unlimited? What will clear cutting lumber do to fishing and hunting habitat? Colorado is experiencing some local problems with hazardous waste dumps in rural areas potentially being used for low level nuclear waste.

Do rural injured or ill veterans have to travel for care? How is healthcare availability in general? Are your doctor's happy, or do they come and then go?

These are just a few questions, but I would love it if someone could find the answers. Putting rural issues forward and explaining how things are going in the different sectors of rural life under this administration in one place would be quite helpful. For me, I just see it piecemeal, and it's hard to put the pieces together to understand the whole picture.

[Broca]

8. People don't vote based on logic.

Logically if you hunt or fish or farm you are shooting yourself in the foot by voting republican; unless you have somehow convinced yourself that you are going to have great opportunities doing these things in the parking lot of a walmart.

One of the greatest and premier supporters of the basis of hunting and fishing habitat and thus hunting and fishing is the Sierra Club. Yet due to right wing propaganda many hunters end up vilifying and attacking the very people that support them the most. The same with farmers. Why support a party that would rather confiscate your land and give it to a utility for a transmission line or a corporation for development or excelerate residential development over the top of it than allow you to make an honest living? Yet there you have it.

[Karthun]

10. :/

I just want to correct you realy quick. I am a avid archer, I hunt and shoot skeet, I see almost as many Sierra Club and stickers as I do "I <3 Bush" and "NRA 4 life". But I warn you, we are strange in central Minnesota...

[RiDuvessa]

9. Trying to stir up some conversation by kicking up posts.

You have some great ideas. I wish we could get some regular traffic by urban DUer's in this forum.

Getting good health care in rural areas can be difficult. Doctors are few and far between, and getting scarcer. Everyone worries about paying doctor bills and getting medicine.

Perhaps we can point out that healthcare reform might help bring doctors into small town areas.

[ashling]

11. I am putting together a list of issues

that might work here in Llano County, in the Texas Hill country.