Small Towns
Barack Obama’s much publicized bitter remark was preceded by: “these small towns... the jobs have been gone for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them--even though the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate. It’s not surprising then they get bitter. They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
I understand the reason Hillary Clinton and John McCain didn’t appreciate Obama pointing out that the “Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration” had provided nothing, but empty promises to small towns for the past 25 years.
Except for 3 years in the military and 2 years at Syracuse University, I’ve lived my entire life in small towns. We first moved to Delaware County in 1965 and I don’t find anything offensive or elitist about Obama’s remarks. In my opinion, he over generalized, but spoke the truth about small towns. Some of my neighbors, cling to guns, religion or distrust people who aren’t like them. I don't have a problem with guns and religion, because in most case small town folks have exercise their constitutional right in a respectful manner. Most of us find it difficult to trust people who are different and in today’s world it’s a wise thing to do.
I’m bitter that many intelligent and hard working people are struggling to support themselves in a rural communities, which have few opportunities for young people.
I’m especially bitter that military deaths from the small towns are proportionately double those from large cities due to economic conscription. Economic conscription is the lack of employment opportunities in civilian life, which frequently is the compelling reason in small towns for enlisting in the military.
Many small town youth join the military because basic pay for a private in the Army starts at $1,245.90 a month. Those paychecks aren’t very enticing for young men and women in large metropolitan areas, but stretches a lot further in economically depressed areas like Delaware County.
Our all-volunteer military traditionally attracts more rural enlistees. This is especially true in the National Guard, which now makes up nearly one-fourth of our Iraq servicemen and women.
I understand the reason Hillary Clinton and John McCain didn’t appreciate Obama pointing out that the “Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration” had provided nothing, but empty promises to small towns for the past 25 years.
Except for 3 years in the military and 2 years at Syracuse University, I’ve lived my entire life in small towns. We first moved to Delaware County in 1965 and I don’t find anything offensive or elitist about Obama’s remarks. In my opinion, he over generalized, but spoke the truth about small towns. Some of my neighbors, cling to guns, religion or distrust people who aren’t like them. I don't have a problem with guns and religion, because in most case small town folks have exercise their constitutional right in a respectful manner. Most of us find it difficult to trust people who are different and in today’s world it’s a wise thing to do.
I’m bitter that many intelligent and hard working people are struggling to support themselves in a rural communities, which have few opportunities for young people.
I’m especially bitter that military deaths from the small towns are proportionately double those from large cities due to economic conscription. Economic conscription is the lack of employment opportunities in civilian life, which frequently is the compelling reason in small towns for enlisting in the military.
Many small town youth join the military because basic pay for a private in the Army starts at $1,245.90 a month. Those paychecks aren’t very enticing for young men and women in large metropolitan areas, but stretches a lot further in economically depressed areas like Delaware County.
Our all-volunteer military traditionally attracts more rural enlistees. This is especially true in the National Guard, which now makes up nearly one-fourth of our Iraq servicemen and women.
posted by Jim O'Leary | 12:03 AM
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