I read the new york times column in question. It was yet another in a long line of "if you live in a city, you aren't a real American" faux-thinkpiece.
Kinda like when they asked "where is the heartland" as if everywhere else were like the sphincterland or the assland or the toeland or something.
This sentiment got me booed off the stage at my local caucus in the 2008 campaign... and out of the republican party. The experience helped me realize that fiscal conservatism and other things I believe in politically have nothing to do with the republican party anymore... or maybe never really did.Why don't you explain that jobs are drying up and communities are dying not because of abortion and same-sex marriage but because of Republican economic policies that have favored the wealthy, most of whom live in cities, including a certain president-elect they voted for who took advantage of those very policies in order to stay rich?
This is exactly the wedge that has come between my mom and I. We were best friends before the election. I mean seriously, best friends. But she believes that this type of Republicanism actually existed at some point in the past. So I sat her down and said, "When?" Not during any of the three Bush administrations. Not during Reagan. Not during Ford... or Nixon... or... In fact, this Republican ideal has ONLY ever existed under one man: Bill Clinton. He took four of the Republican pet programs, gave them a new name, and pushed them through as "centrist Democratic policies." In our lifetime, there has not been a true Republican, who believes in fiscally conservative policies. They always fall apart when it gets to healthcare, women's choice, equal rights, or what people do in their bedrooms. The Republicans keep claiming to want smaller government and more fiscal responsibility, all while creating ridiculous, unsupportable, and overbroad legislation that is directly in contravention of sound fiscal policies. Take health care. A healthy populace goes to work more often, does more work, and doesn't place an unreasonable burden on the public infrastructure. So making sure people have good birth control, pre-natal care, cancer testing/prevention, health education, and nutritious meals at school are all fiscally responsible (read: conservative) policies! It's fucking annoying... my Mom - and this author - seem to believe a type of Republican has existed that is a complete fiction. A fantasy. Grr.
wait... we can't legislate other peoples sexuality (or lack thereof)? LA LA LA LA LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU - IT'S REAL CUZ HANNITY AND MURICA He took four of the Republican pet programs, gave them a new name, and pushed them through as "centrist Democratic policies." ok... sarcasm over - You got a solid belly-laugh out of this one.... I'm going steal this from you and use it at the next social gathering I attend that has anyone praising the republican party and/or trump. I can't stop grinning it actually... very well said.what people do in their bedrooms
a type of Republican has existed that is a complete fiction. A fantasy.
In fact, this Republican ideal has ONLY ever existed under one man: Bill Clinton.
That may be part of the problem but mostly its just that modern jobs and industry need density and a high degree of specialization. Businesses need access to high speed internet for example, they need to be near their clients, they need to be near airports, and near their contractors/suppliers. They isn't much reason to operate outside of rural areas therefore no jobs. If you want to see failed economic policies you need look no further than the liberal city of Chicago so its not like democrats are doing much better, its just that Chicago has the the density to support industries. Another interesting city to look at would be Vancover Canada. Its an infrastructure disaster, has astronomical house/real estate prices and not all that much for job/industry but for some reason it still is able to function.