[raw_anon_1111]

I grew up in South GA and my family still lives there. I got the hell out of dodge the week after graduating from college in 1996.

I said in another reply, I’m all for the state and the federal government helping rural America where their own tax base isn’t strong enough. I’m also for universal health care that would help rural areas far more than me. I wouldn’t complain about my taxes paying for it.

It’s rural America that keeps voting for local, state, and federal politicians that put them in this place.

[gottorf]

> It’s rural America that keeps voting for local, state, and federal politicians that put them in this place.

In my experience, not everyone's primary policy goal is to ensure that as much taxpayer money as possible gets redistributed in their favor.

Of course, this isn't to say that the problem you described (of people wanting government services but not wanting to pay for it) does not exist, but I find that to be applicable broadly, not just to rural America.

[SoftTalker]

Agree, I live in (fairly) rural area and most of the people out here don't want much more from the government but maybe roads to drive on, and to be left alone.

[nullocator]

Counter-point: I live in a kinda rural area and the people out here want the government to enforce their religious, cultural, and misinformed beliefs on everyone else everywhere else, this is typically a higher priority than roads or public safety.

[dearing]

This is my experience as well. Local issues, local gossip and local struggles.

[raw_anon_1111]

Are you saying they are going to refuse Trump’s bailouts for farmers?

Are you saying they don’t want hospitals near by because that means they would have to accept government help? I’m sure even providing basic infrastructure is coming from funding from sources outside of their community

[SoftTalker]

I don't know any real farmers. Have a few neighbors with small herds of cows but that's not their only or even primary source of income. I try not to talk politics much.

People live out here knowing full well that the nearest hospital is 30 minutes away and if they need to call an ambulance it's probably going to be at least 15-30 minutes, maybe longer, before it shows up.

[raw_anon_1111]

But you do know human nature. Do you think conservative farmers who are struggling are going to refuse to take government funds?

If someone is having a heart attack are they going to refuse to go to hospital that is backed by the federal government?

[SoftTalker]

I doubt they would refuse government money, IDK.

It's kind of how I feel about Social Security. I'm not going to refuse it, especially since I have paid into it my entire working life. But I'd rather it didn't exist, and I know it isn't sustainable.

[raw_anon_1111]

Yes it’s not there goal until they go hungry and they are homeless.

Then they beg the president for handouts because they can’t sell their food they are producing.

It’s only socialism when it helps someone else.

[pessimizer]

Their choice is between two private clubs who both cut services when in power, and are both taking huge amounts of money from private equity.

The Democrats spent the beginning of the 2016 cycle all pretending to be for universal health care (literally the only reason why Buttigieg and Harris got on stage), then spent the rest of the cycle dishonestly campaigning against it while fixing a primary. As soon as Bernie lost, health insurance and healthcare stocks had their highest stock price bump in history.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politic...

I agree with your opinions on government funding, I just find it gross when it's used as an excuse to put the blame on the powerless. The powerless are not powerless because they choose to be, they're powerless because they are restrained by the powerful. Not only is the information they receive about the world restricted and their educations propagandistic, but if they voted for what the powerful didn't want, their vote would be ignored.

On the other hand, you've been convinced to blame the powerless for the crimes of the powerful, so I don't know how you're any less of a sucker. I guess you're wealthier than they are, so maybe you're a support system for the people doing the suckering.

edit: I had to add the last, because this type of argument is something I consistently hear from people who are paid to do the exploiting. If you're a thief, you figure out a way to blame the people you steal from.

[raw_anon_1111]

Yes because in 2020 when middle of the road Biden barely eked out a win against Trump, I’m sure Bernie would have won.

Bernie’s ideas were way too left field for me and I consider myself to be a bleeding heart capitalist pig - ie let companies make money, tax them and use the money to provide a safety net. Also take away the idea of your insurance being tied to your employment