Letters to the Editor
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@ joan
You see how all this is going, right?
This whole Appalachia problem thingy is being trumpeted by Hillary and her supporters (yourself included) and that is the problem, Obama is not the problem. I'll ask you once more to please stop doing the dirty work of the RNC and o-so-self-absorbed-Hillary-the-power-hungry, and please remember what you, as a Democrat, are supposed to stand for. Obama is the embodiment of so many things that the Democratic Party has been working for for many years and all that is now standing in his (our) way is camp Hillary and her rabid propagandists. Have you, Joan, yet suggested to Hillary that she get out of this race and start supporting the Democratic Party that she is currently attempting to rip to threads for her own self-aggrandizement? If not please do so right away, then you can get back to being a voice in the Democratic Party instead of a merciless Hillary partisan (and RNC appeaser).
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Appalachia bashing
I moved to Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 65 miles from the Beltway, with my partner, from downtown Washington, DC, about 7 years ago. This is technically the Shenandoah River Valley, not Appalachia, per se. When we moved to this beautiful place across the Potomac River from the C&O Canal towpath and Maryland, we were charmed by the locals and found them mostly low key and friendly. We marveled that drivers stop at stop signs. Eventually we began to meet some who have been here for many generations.
As we got to know the region better, we discovered that at the elite level, local professionals, well-to-do farmers and politicans tend to be related, if not by blood, then marriage. Surprise: Prominent families tend to dominate local politics. (This might be true everywhere!)
There isn't much in the way of industry, or infrastructure to support industry, with the exception of our excellent roads (thanks to Senator Byrd). More important, there isn't a will here for change here. People like their rural way of life.
The country set's resistance to change is not so much due to poverty or racism, but willful ignorance. This has a big cost. West Virginia teacher salaries are set at the state level where our local teachers earn 1/3 less than their colleagues across the Potomac River in Maryland or on our southern border in Loudoun County, Virginia.
For many years The University of Maryland had a mediocre reputation. Education was not highly valued in the state and money and power didn't flow to it. With the continual growth of the Washington suburbs, and against the traditioal power base of blue collar Baltimore, this has started to change for the better and now the university's reputation is climbing along with it.
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people don't vote for those who disrespect them
90% of African-Americans vote Democrat!
Is there any coastal liberal stupid enough to believe 90% of African-Americans are pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-big taxes, pro-gun control etc.
Of course not! Many African-Americans are pro-life religious conservatives, free-market entrepreneurs, hunters, etc. But many African-Americans in those categories don't vote Republicans, despite their agreement on those issues!
It's because many African-Americans view Republicans as the party that panders to European-American bigots!
Economic Liberalism is popular among rural European-Americans in Appalachia and the Rust Belt. But many wont vote Democrat because they view that party as one that panders to coastal eltist bigots!
Yet, many coastal elitist bigots demand rural whites to vote for those who disrespect their culture?
Both the Democrats and Republicans have viscious bigots among their fans. If they want to win, they need to respect ALL Americans
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people don't vote for those who disrespect them
90% of African-Americans vote Democrat!
Is there any coastal liberal stupid enough to believe 90% of African-Americans are pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-big taxes, pro-gun control etc.
Of course not! Many African-Americans are pro-life religious conservatives, free-market entrepreneurs, hunters, etc. But many African-Americans in those categories don't vote Republicans, despite their agreement on those issues!
It's because many African-Americans view Republicans as the party that panders to European-American bigots!
Economic Liberalism is popular among rural European-Americans in Appalachia and the Rust Belt. But many wont vote Democrat because they view that party as one that panders to coastal eltist bigots!
Yet, many coastal elitist bigots demand rural whites to vote for those who disrespect their culture?
Both the Democrats and Republicans have viscious bigots among their fans. If they want to win, they need to respect ALL Americans
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WELL SAID PATRICK
rATHER THAN POINTING THE FINGER AND BLAMING US. Joan and those like her need to look in the mirror and make a choice. Obama and his supproters are what they are and who they are. People like joan want something from him or us. It is on them to list their demands, if that's what it takes for their vote.
make a choice clinton supporters. Are you real or are you liars. Are you democrats or republcains, or not going to vote. It is on you, not me or obama. make yoru choice. Are you with bush or with us. We have to do nothing. mccain already lost the general. "Are you with us or against us"? remember that? the gop declared war on america/the democrats liberals the world. Are you with the gop or with us, clinton supporters. WE must do nothing. YOU must choose. Stop blaming us or obama for what you want or your choices. you have a choice, make it. If you won't vote for a black man, don't. But don't blame obama or his supporters for yoru choice. i can just do me. Obama can just be him. the president of france can just be him. Stop being republcain dittohead sheep and think fo ryoruselves clinton supproters. Pick a side. the gop fascist traitors or america and it's freedom's and ideals?
Are you going to be with those trying to put the criminals in jail for their past actions, or are you going to enable those keeping them out of jail? The gop has sacraficed their party to keep their leaders out of jail. WE will not allow you to scarofce both parties AND america. Choose clinton supporters. And don't whine cry complain and blame for yoru choice.Think for yoruselves for once.