I live in deep red rural Pa.

[orangecrush]

About 20 miles South of Erie, Pa..

I deal with locals on a daily basis, as part of my job, and I can tell you something.

They moved all the unionized industry out of here a while back.

All that's left are low paying retail and service jobs.

The heroin and meth have destroyed most of the community cohesiveness.

The right wing pastors play these people for suckers.

It is not safe for liberals to live in areas like this anymore.

If conservatives move into a blue area, they will be pretty much ignored and left alone, provided they don't make a pain of themselves.

The reverse is not true.

These people at this point literally see themselves at war with us, and are waiting for someone like Trump or some other authoritarian asshole to give them legal cover to physically do away with us, which they tried to do on January 6th.

I am hoping to be out of here before the midterms.

Along the main road running North and South through here, there is a flashing DOT sign someone bought somehow, that flashes anti Democratic messages. You can't avoid it if you drive through here. Presently, it says "Fauci is a fool, prove me wrong".

Before that, it was "FJB", and "Trump won".

These people are stupid, sociopathic, and dangerous.

There is no appealing to reason with them, compromise isn't in their wheelhouse.

The light sentences given to the January 6th insurrectionists has emboldened them, and next time will be worse.

I wonder if the Democratic leadership knows what is going on at this level, and has awakened to the fact that this is no longer politics as usual, and come up with a strategy that reflects this reality.

After January 6th, if eyes aren't open, the future looks grim

[Takket]

1. ug, any chance you can move?

I'd hate to live with that many right wingers around me all the time. there is one bozo on my drive home that still has a faded drumpf flag flying from a dead tree in his yard and every time i see it i want to shoot a flaming arrow out my window and watch the dead tree go up with the flag with it.

[orangecrush]

2. Not until summer.

Need to start saving and otherwise preparing.

[orleans]

44. my daughter was talking to her friend in carbon county (eastern side of pa i guess)

and she was saying she needs to get the fuck out of the area too -- she doesn't live with her father but i know he's a major trumper freak. i think she's feeling philly is her option.

a piece of advice my mom would say: the sooner the better

[orangecrush]

177. Agree.

[dchill]

10. Treason seems to be the hardest word.

[flying_wahini]

103. dchill

[orangecrush]

20. Great post, Chin

Yes, it does help to keep things in perspective.

And yes, the bad ones do stick out more, and unfortunately they know how I vote, and have been a real pain in my ass lately.

And I agree about the unity.

This is not a drill.

It's a shame, because I really have fallen in love with living on a dirt road, in the middle of all this natural beauty.

[orangecrush]

60. Thanks, Chin!

[certainot]

94. the dirt roads and natural beauty is blasted with RW radio saying unions are 'commie'

and spend more money in politics than corporations, etc. that's what happened, and Democratic , progressive leadership and orgs have done nothing to fix the problem. trump was a product of rw radio, the talk radio president, limbaugh with better hair.

now that he's croaked the dittoheads are flailing without a head, no longer able to rationalize how the republican sex on the wrong brain fear, ignorance, and lies and the actions of their leaders jive with the reality and daily events. in that sense limbaugh taught them how to 'own the libs' rather than kill them....

and in Pa, penn state has been helping attack unions, sell global warming and COVID denial, supports 11 x-Limbaugh stations...

PENNSYLVANIA 14 Penn St. 11, Pittsburgh 2, Temple 1

[Poiuyt]

124. I've never heard anyone say that Trump had better hair than anybody

[C Moon]

122. Why does this person always delete their messages?

[Joinfortmill]

3. Stay safe. Hope the FBI is listening

[orangecrush]

22. To them.

Thanks!

[elleng]

4. Thank you for writing.

Have you contacted your congressional representative, and/or any Dem politicians?

I'm afraid I agree: the future looks grim. (I DON'T live in such an area.)

[orangecrush]

24. The state rep is in this town.

Right winger, and was financed by some folks who have ties to the big gop money.

Not really much Dem reps can do around here.

The state rep here was, for decades, Democratic.

When the union jobs left, he was out not much later.

The people who held those jobs have mostly moved to find work elsewhere, except those with strong ties.

What remains are the dregs.

[2Gingersnaps]

160. In Ohio, right next door,

and ditto.

[brooklynite]

5. So, you're a Trump loving, gun holding, bible-thumping conservative?

Far too many people here think anyone from the rural districts is a hopeless cause.

[AJT]

8. He's kind of saying that himself

[Diablo del sol]

13. LOL

You are too polite, that seems to be EXACTLY what he is saying.

[orangecrush]

27. LOL

See ya.

[Diablo del sol]

47. to be clear

I wasn't laughing at your OP.

Can't say I can fully understand your pain and situation as I live in a purple 'burb in a very blue state.

Do agree that tRump supporters can't be trusted. My street is likely pretty close to 50/50 R/D. There is not one R that I would trust not to support a purge of liberals if given a chance or at most with a minimal amount of pressure.

Yet some want to keep pushing the reach out to them, don't upset the status quo. Most of these people are old enough to be first hand witnesses to what Rs have done over the past 40 years, most are likely comfortable, paid off mortgage or close to it, have decent savings for retirement, etc.

We may have reached a point of no return. I was in the 'we need to fight harder' camp. Things are worth fighting for and if we ban together we can win. Issue is I see too many on the "D" side chide liberals, those fighting the hardest day to day are being told to be patient, on numerous issues. So I am now leaning towards a point of view that many are too afraid to fight. And like the Repubs who use the uneducated rural voters to fight the battles then ignore the same people, there seem to be a group of Ds who are more than happy to take votes from the hard working liberals but aren't ready to put anything at risk to help in saving this Democracy. Really sad!

With the SC decision yesterday, I have been pushed over the edge. Spent a couple hours today looking at what it takes to move to Canada, looking at housing in Canada, (more damn expensive than I thought) as a plan needs to be put together prior to next summer. Because I don't believe we can over estimate the depths your every day R will sink to, and I don't believe we have enough fighters on our side willing to fight what is the largest threat to our Democracy in almost 100 years.

[bamagal62]

70. In the past week, I've also done the

“How to move to Canada” search. I think we need to be ready. We’ve considered Thailand. But, Canada is closer to family.

[plimsoll]

16. Not anyone, but enough.

It's the belligerence, the author is correct it isn't safe to find out if they're hopeless or not. I have to drive through a heavily red part of my county to visit my MIL, I don't know if they're all ready to attack people who disagree with them but I am absolutely positive some of them are. The guys with the giant FJB stickers on their massive truck, I'm not sure he's hopeless but it's not worth my safety and wellbeing to find out.

[orangecrush]

25. Excuse me

But what are you talking about?

I think I mentioned there is a flashing road sign when you enter town that basically says "if you are a Democrat, get the hell out".

The Klan used to put similar billboards up at the edge of Southern towns, directed at blacks and Northerners.

If you are skeptical, I will take a picture of it and post it.

[ymetca]

28. Yep

Confirmation bias, perhaps.

Having said that, I think that's why many of us life-long Democrats keep hoping for a more FDR-like response, as in getting direct government employment jobs for these folks now. Like a new WPA. And a complete repudiation of Reaganomics.

I fear that once the BBB is whittled down into contractors, sub-contractors, etc., etc., very little will actually "trickle down" to where it should go --putting people to work, doing the right thing for themselves and their neighbors (and this country), and putting cash in their pockets. FDR understood the gravity of the situation. I'm not sure yet that Biden does.

If we could train folks to hang electrical wires we could surely train them to build a smart-grid, and put solar panels on everybody's roof-tops and windmills in their yards, both making money and saving money. A win-win for Democracy with a Capital 'D'.

It would turn things around.. just sayin'.

[orangecrush]

29. I agree with you 100%

What you describe would cut off the GOP poison vine that has grown over the empty factories.

Which is why organized money did everything in their power to make sure it didn't happen.

[GoneOffShore]

98. There was a Facebook post about the predjudice directed at the South and rural residents

I’m from the South and my mind is wide and open…. It doesn’t even make judgements based on geolocationist ideaology. (Yeah I made that word up).

[orangecrush]

130. See ya.

[UnderThisLaw]

181. I think far too many people here

use phrases like “far too many people here”

[MiniMe]

6. I live in a supposed blue state, Maryland

My next door neighbor is a total tRumper. They have a tRump 2024 flag out. I know they have guns, I don't poke my head out on their side of the yard any more.

[orangecrush]

31. Don't blame you.

When I see one of these whackjobs enter a store wearing a gun, I leave immediately.

Once saw a guy with an AR-15 slung over his shoulder walking around in Walmart.

These people are looking for an excuse to shoot someone.

[ebbie15644]

9. I'm south of you in Westmoreland

Same here

[jimfields33]

32. What happened there. My grandparents and father lived there

The great john murtha was a longtime democratic house member. I know he passed away. The place went from the best to MAGA? How on earth did that happen in such a short time?

[ebbie15644]

129. I don't really know or understand it myself

I do know evangelical churches are everywhere

[orangecrush]

34. That's a shame

Used to be blue, when the steel mills were still open,, iirc.

[LonePirate]

11. Ah yes, the party of personal responsibility is eager to blame anyone else for their sorry lives.

For some, yes they are in a bad situation not of their own doing. However, they are fixated on revenge and remedies aimed at the wrong people. Immigrants and minorities are not the cause of their problems. Nor are city dwellers or unions or most Democrats. Instead, they need to be casting their blame at Republicans, the ultra-wealthy, Wall Street, corporations and everyoneeverything else that has wrecked rural economies in this country in pursuit of profits, race wars and religious extremism.

Unfortunately they will never learn that lesson and instead they will double down on the nonstop propaganda flowing to them from Fox, similar media, their puppets along with racists and religious leaders who are anything but Christian.

Let's not kid ourselves, this country has a very bleak future on its horizon. There is no way to turn this ship around and avoid the dangers ahead. It's simply a matter of how high the body count will be along with who/what remains when it finally does end.

[orangecrush]

35. Let's hope not

But be awake.

[CrispyQ]

99. I wish I shared your optimism.

I think too many feel "it can't happen here" & that the guardrails of democracy held. We'll find out next November if our side is taking the threat seriously enough.

[CrispyQ]

102. We'll need more numbers in the senate to get that passed. And we have to keep the house.

So much depends on 2022. GOTV has always given us an advantage, but with the new suppression laws even that may not be enough. Also, enthusiasm on our side is pretty low right now. Hopefully there will be some indictments/arrests after the first of the year to rev up our base cuz the other side is totally ready to do whatever they have to, to win.

[oldsoftie]

117. Unless a few major things change, the House is likely gone.

The GOP only needs 5-6 seats. If gas is still as high as it is now, things are still out of stock; and inflation hasnt eased, the party in power will get them blame. Doesnt matter if its legit or not thats usually how it goes
But if we see definite improvement on those things, especially gas prices, things may be better.
The Senate is also scary. Here in GA, herschel Walker is seen as a God and has a decent chance at taking out Warnock. Not sure how the other races look

[orangecrush]

147. I agree

With your assessment.

Joe needs to do some serious flexing.

[smirkymonkey]

86. Unfortunately, I agree 100% with you.

[dwayneb]

89. LonePirate always has it right

Unfortunately you and I see what is coming very clearly, and I agree with everything you say here. Anyone that really has been paying attention could see this coming 50 years ago. It didn't begin with Trump.

There are all sorts of reasons why we got into this situation, but I would say that one element is the fact the Greatest Generation is pretty much dead and gone at this point. They had the full and immediate understanding of the danger of fascism, after all thousands of them died trying to prevent it from reaching our shores.

A second reason is technology. During the rise of Nazism in Germany, propaganda could only be spread by word of mouth and by printed media, to a lesser extent by radio. Today with the Internet and television, the power of lies and fascistic propaganda can be amplified literally millions of times compared to the old days.

Thirdly, Americans have lost their critical thinking skills. In a way we set ourselves up for this during the commercialization of the American mind, which began in earnest back in the 60's and 70's. Peddlers understood well that a thoughtful rational inquiring mind was far less likely to be swayed by their advertising. And the neo-fascists took advantage of the mush-brained populace to spread their simple minded populist swill.

[orangecrush]

131. Excellent post

We used to have elected reps that were wounded and saw their friends die, fighting nazis.

Our democracy was, to them, sanctified with blood.

Not anymore.

[Justice matters.]

104. Yep. And either China will take care of it, or...

... it will be a long 'Nuclear Winter'(tm) for a long time.

[SheltieLover]

12. K&R!

[orangecrush]

36. Thanks!

[JoeOtterbein]

14. Not much better here in York, PA just across the line from Baltimore County, MD

I used to write letters to the editors of the local papers. Not since Trump's first run. I can't even fly the "Trump Lost LOL" flag my daughter bought for me. It's too risky.

[orangecrush]

37. ....

I love your flag!

[JoeOtterbein]

41. There is a guy who flies a "*rump won" flag on a high pole nearby...

...I want to switch it with mine one night!

[orangecrush]

42. Don't tempt me

To indulge in some street art!

[JoeOtterbein]

43. Like they say on the tv...

..."come on down!"

[orangecrush]

170. ...

[calimary]

109. Or, sneak up with a paint gun under cover of night, and "shoot out" the "T".

Leave it “rump won” and the statement is made. (That their “precious” is nothing but an ASS.)



Tempting to imagine making a game of it.

[orangecrush]

172. It is.

[Farmer-Rick]

15. I use to live in central PA, before all the factories moved out of the country

And those people were really mean and nasty back then. I think they were worse than the red neck, gun loving, Trump humpers down South. I never understood why they tended to vote democratic.

[orangecrush]

38. If they were millworkers

They voted Democratic for self interest.


Unfortunately, the right wing propaganda machine has somehow convinced impoverished rural Americans working 2 or 3 shit jobs that voting for the party of billionaires is in their best interest.

[Hortensis]

17. Grim. They know of course. Up close and personal.

Full-time Capitol Police protection has been added or increased for top leaders. Many other Democrats in government are forced to hire private security and restructure their work and personal lives to hopefully keep themselves and their families safer. Many don't feel safe in government buildings where Republican colleagues also work.

Scary times.

[orangecrush]

45. This cannot continue

Sometimes things only change when they have to change, or else.

It is up to those Democrats with the power of office to provide the "or else"..

[Hortensis]

18. Grim. They know of course. Up close and personal.

Full-time Capitol Police protection has been added or increased for top leaders. Many other Democrats in government are forced to hire private security and restructure their work and personal lives to hopefully keep themselves and their families safer. Many don't feel safe in government buildings where Republican colleagues also work.

Scary times.

[orangecrush]

46. I think you accidentall

Double posted.

[littlemissmartypants]

81. It's a system glitch. ❤

[orangecrush]

132. Thanks!

[AverageOldGuy]

19. You want to see deep, rural read . . . and batshit crazy?

First -- check out a map of Virginia. Note the Potomac River that separates VA from MD. Note where the Potomac joins the Chesapeake Bay.

Now, go south, overland, from the Potomac river to the Rappahannock River. The peninsula that is bounded on the north by the Potomac, south by the Rappahannock, east by the Bay, and west by the mainland is the Northern Neck -- it's as red and rural as you can get.

Want to see what we live with?
-- Local guy who operates a mom-and-pop auto and tire service garage rented a 40- passenger bus and took it FULL to the Jan 6 riot.
-- Local Republicans erect their tents at local farmers' markets festooned with "Vote Republican, Defeat communism" banners.
-- And this is our free monthly "newspaper":
https://nnsentinel.com/

Click on the little broken square in the bottom right corner to enlarge to full page and flip through it. That's a sample of what my neighbors believe.

I removed all bumper stickers from my truck that identify me as a Democrat after having pistols pulled on me twice.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. John Wilkes Booth country

[Bobstandard]

26. We've got to get used to this, prepare for it

I think there will be places where Dems will be targeted, harassed, and assaulted. Literally

If I was Rachel I’d have my go bag ready

[orangecrush]

39. Rachel packs heat

And knows how to use it.

[orangecrush]

155. She looks ready to me

[orangecrush]

49. Wow

You ain't just whistling dixie!

[progressoid]

59. JFC. That "newspaper" is chock full of frightening shit.

[mahina]

79. They "love America" but they hate Americans

[Celerity]

63. that RW rag of a 'newspaper' is bananas!!!

hopefully a lot of assholes from that bus are arrested (if they stormed the Capitol)

[orangecrush]

148. Very possible

Notice that most of their sentences have them free before the midterms?

[NJCher]

72. I flipped through it

as annoying as the SFX were.

Will the elites survive "the great awakening." Demonizing the vaccines, and declaring that fear is more dangerous than a virus.

What an ignorant audience they must have. So sorry you have to live around that.

At least around here I see yard signs reflecting Democratic values: there are these green signs about climate change, lots and lots of rainbow signs, "stop Asian hate" signs, skazillions of BLM signs, and signs that protest the assault on democracy. There are probably many more, but these are the ones I can recall off the top of my head.

There was one house in an adjoining town that had a huge trump sign draped across the front of the house but then next time I went by that house the sign was gone. That sign was square in the middle of one of the most leftie towns in NJ. Wonder why it was so short lived.

[orangecrush]

149. Thanks for sharing

This light un the night.

[58Sunliner]

74. That area would be scary in a civil war. Been there.

[The Jungle 1]

21. Which is why they still think the election was stolen

They all agree with each other and don't understand where all these Democrats come from. Which is why we must push back. A friend of my in his 80 just snapped out on a man picking on him for using a mask. No more free passes. This clown was not expecting any response. Our nation is at risk and we cannot allow them any freebies.

Let's go SCOTUS! Put up some signs with this on them.

[orangecrush]

50. Sounds like what I'm seeing here.

Their "culture" is Fox news, and now online conspiracy websites.

[oldsoftie]

118. Here in Ga, they dont understand the number of people who've moved in the state

Over a million since last census i think. And where did they come from? Mostly the West & Northeast.

[Martin68]

30. Yup, we are engaged in a Civil War. I'm not looking forward to what's next.

[orangecrush]

52. A civil cold war

At least so far.

With occasional flare ups.

Putin is LOLing his ass off.

[Martin68]

186. I'm not sure how "cold" this civil war is considering the amount of gerrymandering, vote suppression

and moves to enable state legislatures to override the results of elections as determined by their own election commissions going on.

[doc03]

33. Eastern Ohio is the same nt

[orangecrush]

53. I know.

[OnionPatch]

93. Yep. I'm staying with family here this winter.

I grew up here but haven't spent much time here in the last few decades. It's shocking to me how homogenized their political views have become. I truly don't think any of them EVER hear our POV or even just simple facts from neutral sources, only warped and horribly exaggerated versions of everything. The brainwashing is almost complete here. Trump signs everywhere, including ones that say "Fuck your feelings", and they think they're good Christians. It's really scary and even scarier for me is I'm having a house built in rural Virginia right now. I'm actually having second thoughts about it. I've been living in the suburbs for a long time and haven't realized how just how bad it is in rural areas until recently. I never minded having neighbors with opposing POVs but these people truly seem to want to cause us harm and it's scary. My land is not too far from Charlottesville, so hopefully I won't be the only Democrat in the region.

[doc03]

120. Hey wasn't you the person that worked in the

Follesbee coke plant? I think people here in Ohio are worse than down south. I was in Ashville NC this summer I saw far less flags and such down there.

[OnionPatch]

184. Yep, that was me!

We talked a little several years ago. You worked there too, didn't you?

Each time I come back here it seems worse and worse. It makes me sad.

[IronLionZion]

40. I peaced out 20 years ago and never looked back

it was a conservative shithole back then too

Racists harassed PA's second lady recently for being an immigrant.

[orangecrush]

54. Right behind you.

[John1956PA]

48. Forty miles north of Pittsburgh here. It is a tough area where you live, indeed.

It does not seem bad here. But, as you indicate, there may be a dangerous, silent undercurrent almost everywhere.

[orangecrush]

55. It probably isn't bad there

Part of the problem here is there are a handful of right wingers with a lot of money to throw around.

[Deep State Witch]

128. I grew up near Wexford

I grew up off of Rt. 19 between Perrysville and Wexford. North Pittsburgh was really conservative even back in the 80's, when I left.

I hope that Fetterman can get through to those people. Because they'll be snowed by Dr. Oz and his BS otherwise.

[orangecrush]

178. Grew up on Rt. 28

Northern Allegheny Valley was solid blue until Reagan suckered them out of their jobs.

[Deep State Witch]

179. I have Cousins Up That Way!

My cousin Mike is in the Harmarville area. I also have family in Freeport, although I haven't talked to them in a while. We used to go to my aunt's place in Freeport every Thanksgiving.

Yeah. Ronnie Raygun suckered a lot of people, but really, they were kind of primed for it. They blamed the steel mills closing on the labor unions, environmentalists and government pushing pollution regulations, when it was really cheap steel from Asia flooding the markets, and the beginning of outsourcing. Oh, and "minorities" taking their jobs. Don't forget that.

[raising2moredems]

51. You can't fix stupid

How many union members voted for raygun despite that fact raygun was union buster? How many continue to vote for what passes for the republican party despite it was that party that passed the tax law changes that made it lucrative to ship US jobs overseas? There is no reasoning with those who have to blame someone else for the (usually not smart) choices or their inability to change.
Best we can now hope for is that COVID-19, meth, and/or heroin take them out of the gene pool.

[orangecrush]

56. I can't go that far

I've seen a number of very young men and women, often with small children, die from overdoses.

Their politics consisted of doing whatever they had to do to keep from getting sick.

I work at a drug rehab/halfway house.

We are always full down here.

On the bright side, some of the worst dimwit Trump humpers that come through here (yes, we do get them) generally don't vote, they just like bullying people, and have a hilarious habit of getting themselves arrested regularly, which both gets them off drugs and makes it so I don't have to listen to their bullshit.

[whathehell]

76. Me either..Wishing death on people is not a Democratic value.

[Land Shark]

119. Agree. Wishing death on others is not a democratic value.

[Texaswitchy]

57. You are correct.

These people are dangerous.

Before the virus hit I was driving around with my grandkids.

They are mix race.

We are were at at red light and some billy bob types started to yell at us, ugly language.

They tried to run off the road after the light turned green.

I got away from them and pulled into a public place.

They followed.

The kids were a little upset.

These guys pulled into the parking lot and started walking over.

I have a concealed gun permit and the gun was under seat.

I took it out and just showed it, they split.


They are cowards.

They are getting worse I think.

Be careful.

[orangecrush]

61. Wow, that's horrible

Very sorry the kids had to experience that.

And I'm glad you knew what to do.


Happy holidays!

[Texaswitchy]

67. Thank you.

The kids were about 10 and 8.

Watch your backs.

I didn't carry my handgun around but we had gone to the gun range. I do practice.

These guys were just ugly.

[Celerity]

64. wow, so sorry that happened

It may well get worse from here on in, so be so very careful!

[Texaswitchy]

69. We had a long talk with the kids.

They were ok.

[GP6971]

68. Welcome Back!!

Express pizza delivery on it's way.

Bye.

[JI7]

66. Most of those Rioters came from California and other Blue Areas

While the people you speak about may have lack of outrage because of their own issues the people who were doing this were not mostly the types you mention.

[58Sunliner]

75. They had multiple buses from Pa and Fla, just to name a few.

[58Sunliner]

73. Sorry, I know it must be stressful.

"These people are stupid, sociopathic, and dangerous."
Yes they are. They are mentally ill and our dem leaders have to pivot from this point when addressing them politically. No more denial, no more sugar coating it.

[UTUSN]

77. You warn us

[samplegirl]

78. My hometown of Trumbull County

Is much the same!
Our Headquarters proudly displays the let’s Go Brandon sign.
The town dinner is full of Trump flags and Fuck Biden stuff.
Our politicians are Republicans that claim to be Democrats. Mostly all of them.
The gerrymandering is the final mail in the coffin!

I hate it here!!!

[Ziggysmom]

82. Gerrymandering ruined Wisconsin, too. I used to live in liberal Madison WI, which is one of the

most educated cities in the US. I miss living with people who wanted to leave the world a better place than they had found it. I miss talking with people who had the ability to step outside their own experiences and prejudices. I hope to move back there when (or if I can ever afford to) retire.

[samplegirl]

90. I'd go about anywhere

that wasn’t all Republican.

[vercetti2021]

80. Never knew why we need to try and appeal to these people

These people are not ever EVER going to vote for democrats ever. EVER. These people rather kill us, tear the fucking US apart just to own us. Rural voters at least the good majority rather see it burn than to ever vote for progress.

[machoneman]

83. Darwinian law will soon relieve us of many trumper meth heads. No vaccine, no mask, no brains!

This in reply to our original poster. However, those of us who live in blue areas where trumpers don't do meth had better watch out.

[Oppaloopa]

84. Thank you so much . I live in Fla which I hate and was thinking about moving back to that area

seen many many cheap homes in Johnstown area some cheaper than buying a car actually liveable at 20,000 I do know about the bad job situation. I just felt with all the good work at home jobs ,U hall Marriott etc. Plus with climate change and global warming This will be the place to be. Florida will not even exist.

[gfwzig]

85. Locally a "preferred insurance " garage had a flashing lets go b------n sign posted

I called the "Nation-ally recognized" insurance company hot-line and complained (even had to tell the rep what it meant) ,, took about a week but the sign has been changed to "Happy Holidays" ---- not even "Merry Christmas"

[orangecrush]

154. Good job!

[twodogsbarking]

87. They aren't vaxed and the hospitals are out of beds.

Ignorance is not always bliss.

[OneGrassRoot]

88. Every single bit of this. Yes. n/t

[DownriverDem]

92. How sad

My Mom was from PA (Bethlehem/Reading) and this makes me sad.

[orangecrush]

153. Yes

It is sad.

For them as well.

[Botany]

95. Are you in Crawford or Erie County? .... I lived in Meadville years ago

Not that it matters much but Trump lost Erie County in 20202 .. but that was from the city
vote but the rural voters in both counties are toxic. But generations of hate radio, a hate filled
Je ZUHUS God, stupidity, bigotry, anti intellectualism, and poverty have hurt much of rural PA.


Talk fishing, snow, grass cutting, looking forward to warm weather. and be kind to your
neighbors. Then GET OUT!

[orangecrush]

152. Technically Crawford

But yeah, you are spot on.

[Botany]

163. The loss of good union jobs and the decline of Alleghaney College has hurt that area but ..

.... it* has been a hot spot of right wing hate for years. For me as a boy part of it was wonderful
the outdoors, the fishing, my neighborhood in Meadville with its kids, was great but it was also
home of John Birchers (QAnon now) and dumb fucks too. And the public school system sucked!

BTW Meadville PA produced one of the finest men you would ever meet. Gov. Ray Shafer. His brother
was the county D.A. and lived next door.

Some of the people might be convinced to vote blue but far to many of them are infected with a right
wing bile that death alone can cure. I was there as child before hate talk radio/tv/internet came along
I shudder to think what the mindset is there now.

BTW One of the reasons Trump lost Erie county was he showed up for a rally one damp and cold night
in Oct. and complained about the weather (gee, Don I could have told you that Erie Pa gets nasty in the
late fall/winter/early spring) and insulted the people standing in the weather to hear him.

Again be as nice as you can be, DO NOT TALK POLITICS OR HAVE SIGNS, and when you get a chance
GET OUT.


* As so has much of rural PA now.

[orangecrush]

166. Thanks so much

As much as I love the outdoors, it's just to the point where it's not worth it.

[bucolic_frolic]

96. So what are we to expect?

Rural encampments, marauding ragtag regiments of Neo's attacking cities and burbs and carrying the loot back to wooden Forts? We lack the personnel to root out such militia.

[orangecrush]

157. Starting in Florida

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editorials/os-op-desantis-florida-militia-editorial-20211209-wgbfunwskbholk6zezylbsmvli-story.html


"Some have suggested the governor might consider deploying armed, uniformed members of a new Florida State Guard to strategic polling places during upcoming elections as an intimidation tactic. Others posit that DeSantis intends the new unit to stand against federal troops, though it’s hard to imagine the circumstances under which such a defense might be needed. The most extreme theories claim that DeSantis is prepping for a violent secession in Florida, in response to polling that shows growing Republican support in several Southern states for the concept of leaving the union and establishing a new, presumably ultraconservative nation."

I, for one, am not amused.

[lambchopp59]

97. Not exclusively in red 'Murica

I got into a "stop, we're at work, we can't do this" moment with a new temp co-worker. I'm in a very, very "blue" area, and this guy has made it obvious he wants to impose his pseudo Christian, Trumpian, simpleton views on everyone he meets here.
Oh did one thing hit me right in the PTSD zone: hinting that his "Christian control freak" syndrome he's subjecting his wife and kids is absolute. I have to keep directing this person back to the tasks at hand, and it's none of my damn business. He fails to understand why his "Christian crusade" doesn't stand a chance with me.
"Good Christians" like this are the reason I was a teen runaway. Same brings out the frightened child in me cringing in my room as my father beat up my mom. Even covered with bruises, Mom would not leave him. Ultimately she took the abuse for over half a decade because of the same pseudo-Christian, misogynistic bullshit that Ultimately resulted in putting him into a lock down nursing facility to stop physically abusing my 88 year old mom.
My older brothers didn't see what I did, or just gloss it over if they did. He had a "proper" burial at Arlington Cemetery.
But frankly, my dear, I'd have flushed his ashes down the toilet.
As I'm beginning to want to do with this co-worker.
Fuck that religious misogyny and double fuck Trump.

[Tree Lady]

111. I totally get it my first husband got physical

With me for first time besides emotional abuse he had been doing for years, I left and went to my dads house with 2 young kids. Church I was going to talked me into going back because my ex went off drinking and back to church he had quit going years before.

I went back thinking I was doing the right thing spiritually by forgiving him. Made marriage last longer than it should have and next time he got into heavy drugs behind my back and got real crazy when I left for good when I found out. He never touched me physically again.

Few years later I left church for good, that was when I was 35, now 65 I look back and realize how much danger these churches and what they preach do to hurting innocent fragile people.

One thing I will say is I do have compassion and empathy for the brainwashed because I was one of them for many years when young. I see people even here judge them and think they should just listen to the truth or walk away. Their beliefs are strong and it takes a lot to get past that. I changed because I finally saw religion was telling me to do things my gut told me were wrong, like staying in marriage.

[orangecrush]

151. Very sorry

To hear your Mom had to deal with that.

If your supervisor is approachable, I would alert them, or maybe HR.

[halfulglas]

100. Put some of that blame on Sinclair, too.

When people don't even have basic cable (so no Fox), but they rely on OTA and their local radio and TV stations are Sinclair, they get a lot of toxic crap pushed insidiously as fact. The federal regulators should take a look at some of that stuff since the non-cable is allowed to be regulated, but when you're surrounded by that propaganda as news some believe that stuff pushed by "Dr. Gorka."

[orangecrush]

146. Agree totally

They made a serious mistake in dropping the Fairness Doctrine.

[Pepsidog]

105. My son is doing an orthopedic surgery rotation around Hershey Pa and

he has seen some strange stuff roadside stands selling all kinds of Trump gear. I told him to keep his mouth closed as he is being evaluated. So far he has been able to laugh or avoid uncomfortable questions from the residents and attending docs regarding politics.

[orangecrush]

145. Smart way to handle it

Too late for that in my case.

[jayschool2013]

106. I live in Iowa City, Iowa

IC is by far the most liberal town in Iowa. The University of Iowa helps.

But yesterday I spotted a car with personalized licensed plates with the "Iowa Hawkeyes" theme (black and yellow).

The plate read: "DJT WON"

I shit you not.

Oy.

[orangecrush]

144. At least

It wasn't a flashing DOT sign!



The pickups with the trump flags and insane bumper stickers and window decals are the scary ones, as they are generally armed, and batshit crazy.

[cab67]

162. UI faculty here.

You’d be surprised at the number of students I taught this year who took some sort of pride in ‘resisting liberal indoctrination.’

[orangecrush]

176. I wouldn't be

It's called willful ignorance by sane people.

[ananda]

107. Those poor people. They have literally lost everything..

all because of Republicans, including losing their minds.

They are hating the people who want to help them,
and voting for the people who have harmed them, and
will continue harming.

[orangecrush]

143. Someone put it well

When they said, they don't vote republican because republicans help them.

They vote for republicans because republicans hurt the people right wing propaganda tells them are the cause of their problems, i.e. immigrants, people of color, etc..

[Glaisne]

108. Boy, the right-wing sure played

these guys for fools.
"They moved all the unionized industry out of here a while back."
Which was primarily a conservative project, which the Democrats mostly went along with. The result was the utter destruction of lives and communities. Thanks to non-stop right-wing propaganda, conservative, hate radio, it was liberals, democrats, the "left" and unions who got the blame for the devastation they are living through. It's ironic, because it was unions who were primarily responsible for the relatively good lives they once had. The other irony is that the inner cities filled with the "other" that they hate so much have basically the same issues and problems they do, caused by the same conservative policies. The conservative movement had hoodwinked the working class of America and successfully deflected the blame. It's the greatest con in history and it's destroying the country and leading to a full autocratic state. Good luck everyone.

[orangecrush]

142. Excellent, excellent post.

They are playing a very long game of chess against democracy.

As I see it, this started with Reagan.

He ran on racism.

[Snackshack]

112. No- I doubt Dem Leadership

Has a clue just how pervasive this is or how deep it goes. They certainly didn’t understand it in 2016 and still don’t judging by their actions. They seem to think it is just a small outlier and that somehow magically this hate will disappear and people will suddenly realize that we need to compromise and come together to overcome the difficulties we face.

[durablend]

115. It's the same with some voters

And some people here. "Just talk to them nice and it'll just go away".

[orangecrush]

141. EXACTLY!!!

But they know now.

January 6th did that.

Question is, do they have the courage and the juice to reign in the right wing propaganda machine?

[UCmeNdc]

113. Trump is firing these people up.

They believe his every word. Trump is their God!

[orangecrush]

140. The god of losers.

[duhneece]

114. I live in deep red rural cowboy country

I would never suggest nor advise what anyone else should do but I won’t back down.

[orangecrush]

139. Good luck

I sympathize.

[Cha]

116. I hope you get out and

move someplace sane and healthy!

[orangecrush]

138. Back to Erie, most likely

Better than here.

Thanks!

[Cha]

158. You're Welcome!

Go West Young Man!

[lunatica]

121. I hope you find a blue area to move to

Here in New Mexico I live in Santa Fe. Very blue. Masks everywhere. Haven’t seen a gun ever. People here are nice. Friendly, helpful and polite. Very polite.

[orangecrush]

137. Sounds like a great place to live!

You are most fortunate!

[LAS14]

123. Thanks for sharing, but sorry, so sorry for your predicament. nt

[orangecrush]

133. Thanks!

I'm holding my own.

[prodigitalson]

125. I live in red rural east texas

and while it doesn't feel like 1920s Bavaria or late 80s Bosnia yet, it is getting a real late 60s Ulster vibe.

[orangecrush]

135. Pretty much the same here.

[BadGimp]

126. re: "to physically do away with us, which they tried to do on January 6th."

Not even close. We have not yet begun to see what they will do in order to try to "do away with us", yet!

They do not care about Democracy. They don't care about right or wrong. All they care about is what they want and will not tolerate at the same time. They are prepared to justify any damage they must do in pursuit of their objectives.

Jan 6th was not even the beginning. We have not seen the beginning yet. But I suspect we will and soon.

[orangecrush]

136. Bullies are generally cowardly

They bully to compensate for their insecurity.

One of them got shot at the Capitol, the rest ran like rabbits.

[orangecrush]

134. ....

Just like we brought them electricity.

[Richard58]

150. I live in Cumberland county Pennsylvania.

I am about 10 miles outside of Harrisburg. The county I live in is very red. My representative is Scott Perry who is a Trump-loving POS. A couple months ago he was meeting with some of his Republican constituents and he said that the Democrats are not the loyal opposition and that we are in fact traitors. This was reported on the news but it made barely a ripple. I was outraged! I wrote to him and expressed my displeasure but the coward never responded to me. I feel he is trying to get us killed!
There are a lot of Trump signs in the area which I live and many "Fuck Joe Biden" bumper stickers on cars. With the right wing media constantly advocating for a civil war I do not feel safe. It's like these lunatics are itching to go kill a bunch of Democrats. All they need is an excuse. When Rittenhouse was found not guilty I fear this has emboldened them. I expect them to show up at any liberal rallies or gatherings, being fully armed and looking for a reason to shoot someone. We are in for some very scary times. I feel like a Jew in 1930s Germany. In the past I used to have liberal bumper stickers on my car but I took them off for fear of my car being vandalized. This is no way to live. I feel that this country is going mad. But I don't know what we can do about it.

[orangecrush]

156. Thanks, Richard

As I said, the good news is bullies are cowards.

It's not going to be easy as they've been led to believe.

[keithbvadu2]

159. Probably stole that flashing DOT sign.

'Entitled' to it because his taxes paid for it.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

161. They've probably heard almost nothing but...

... demonization of liberals and Democrats since Rush Limbaugh was first on the airwaves.

Similar propaganda happened against the Jews in Germany, for years before Hitler was even publicly known.

[orangecrush]

167. The Fairness Doctrine

Should apply to any broadcast medium, cable or not.

[róisín_dubh]

164. I live in West Virginia.

I can’t wait to leave.

[orangecrush]

168. Don't blame you.

A real shame, that people could forget so quickly how the companies treated them.

[Peregrine Took]

165. Can you tell me about "84" a town in Pa?

I have a friend who lives there and I was wondering if she is in a deep red area, too.


Thanks.

[orangecrush]

169. Heard of it by name

But otherwise am unfamiliar.

[Wingus Dingus]

182. In Washington County, PA--

yep, it's red. (My family is from SW PA).

[Evolve Dammit]

171. I don't think MSM, Dems or "guardrails" are ready. Your post nailed it with the following:

The light sentences given to the January 6th insurrectionists has emboldened them, and next time will be worse.

I wonder if the Democratic leadership knows what is going on at this level, and has awakened to the fact that this is no longer politics as usual, and come up with a strategy that reflects this reality.

After January 6th, if eyes aren't open, the future looks grim

[orangecrush]

173. Those light sentences

Make sure that most of them will be walking free before the mid terms.

And thank you.

[Evolve Dammit]

174. And almost zero deterrent as you state

[orangecrush]

175. That all depends

On how deep the crazy has infected.

A lot of those people probably went thinking there would be zero consequences, it would be fun and exciting, etc..

Even a short stay in jail and getting a record is not a fun experience.

I'd venture to guess about half would not risk it again.

Which leaves the dangerous ones.

[BeckyDem]

183. Thank you, this is important to share, I so appreciate that you did.

There is a value to hearing the scope of the sense of a place....no doubt about it.

[orangecrush]

185. Thanks for reading it!