Trump seeks to axe Appalachia social programs, causing worry in coal country

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



16 MAR 2017 AT 16:35 ET

President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating funding for social programs supporting laid-off coal miners and others in Appalachia, stirring fears in a region that supported him of another letdown on the heels of the coal industry’s collapse.

The 2018 budget proposal submitted to Congress by the White House on Thursday would cut funds to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The Washington-based organizations are charged with diversifying the economies of states like West Virginia and Kentucky to help them recover from coal’s decline.

The proposed cuts would save the federal government $340 million and come as the Republican president seeks to slash a wide array of federal programs and regulations to make way for increased military spending.

But they are perceived by some in Appalachia as a betrayal of his promises to help coal miners.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2017/03/trump-seeks-to-axe-appalachia-social-programs-causing-worry-in-coal-country/

[Botany]

1. But somehow the people feeding the coal people their lies will find a way to blame Obama ....

.... or "the liberals" for Trump/Bannon's actions.

No health care, no social safety net, acid mine drainage back into their streams,
and zero new coal jobs oh well I guess they can chant "lock her up, lock her up."

http://wvpublic.org/post/trump-digs-coal-charleston-rally#stream/0

[Hortensis]

20. Hill and the Democrats intended a giant development

program for coal country, mutifocused the way the Tennessee Valley Authority was, to attack all problems at once.

So a majority chose Rump. Those who claimed, "Aha! she admitted she intended to destroy jobs!" can go eat worms. Their children...

[Botany]

31. But Trump, their pastors, right wing radio, and their TV machines tell 'em what they want to hear

but deep down many of the coal miners know that they produce a toxic product and that
natural gas is cheaper and cleaner for power plants. However selling hate, lies, and stupidity
in coal country is very easy.

Besides to many of them and their kin they really do think that Hillary Clinton is a dyke b***h
that had to be stopped because she wanted to take away their guns and let gays get married
and that is wrong because my pastor told me so.

[Hortensis]

36. But most live this and ultimately just vote their jerseys.

Their opportunistic adoption of lies to oppose one side is balanced by the same adoption of lies to support the other.

We knew before that the Republican leadership had been effectively entirely corrupted. Now we know beyond any doubt that the real, dangerous corruption threatening to destroy our republic lies with conservative voters.

[joshcryer]

98. I cheered when she said she was going to kill coal jobs.

An extremely brave position that few politicians in the future will take.

[Hortensis]

99. Yes, in her commitment to renewable energy.

I don't think she thought she was being all that brave, though, Josh, just honest about the obvious. A "let's face it" and big promise for the future to people who'd been and were living the death of coal culture in stages over decades.

[joshcryer]

100. Coal's going away whether coal country likes it or not.

Due to efficiency in plants and the cheapness of renewables.

I know she said she was going to retrain those people to work in renewable energy, but it was still brave with how she said it. She blatantly said she was going to kill those jobs.

[Hortensis]

108. Well, they're huge fools. Their children will suffer

for their stupidity, and for them it will just continue as the inevitable brain and energy drain leaves them to spend their elder years alone. It's very pretty country, it's projected to experience far less climate change than much of the nation, it has its old families and culture... Such a shame.

[DK504]

68. JUST saw this on Chris Hayes.

So when they try to rip this country to shreds by bankrupting the country, we need to be out there beating the drums.

Just heard Perez saying for every dollar we spend on these programs we get $27 back. DAMN!!!! That's a hell of return on investment.

Trump really is trying to run the country like his casinos. We will go belly up before 4 years...holy moly.

[pangaia]

77. " We will go belly up before 4 years...holy moly."

yup. That's the plan...

[geek tragedy]

2. ha ha chumps nt

[Zorro]

69. Let them eat coal!

[geek tragedy]

74. Guns and bibles aren't much more nutritious nt

[NastyRiffraff]

3. So much for his promise to help coal country

You are screwed, Appalachia, by the monster most of you voted for.

[rtracey]

76. and

Hey don't forget the fat fuckers who stayed on their couch and didnt vote democrat, or the idiots who voted Jill stein... they are just as much to blame. I hope their grandmothers don't count on meals on wheels, or i hope their kids don't want to become an artist

[cstanleytech]

4. Anyone that voted for Trump that is impacted negatively by "his" and the other Repugnants

decisions deserves zero sympathy.

[muntrv]

5. So how's that makey Amurka greatey thingey workin' out for you Trumpistas?

[tenorly]

6. Appalachian voters turned their backs on the one party that did anything for them. Big mistake.

[jberryhill]

7. As if he ever gave a shit about coal miners

Yeah guys, the guy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and values only money was really, really concerned about you.

Chumps.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Suckers voted for him and couldn't see shit like this coming. And no new coal jobs anytime. . . nt

[Zambero]

9. When Trump talks about bringing coal back

he's referring to Christmas baskets.

[orangecrush]

10. ...

[Angry Dragon]

12. ................

[lunatica]

22. And dumped back into rivers

[Bengus81]

65. Gosh...he LIED even MORE to those FOOLS?? Who'd a thunk it??!!? nt

[Angry Dragon]

11. They expected something different??

The mine execs will get a pay increase through tax cuts

[mtngirl47]

25. and the mine execs will get a reduction in costs

because of the reduced regulations that Trump has already accomplished by executive order.

[ladjf]

13. ... and the Republicans failed to mention that a lion's share of the benefits cuts

will be conveyed to the top 2% wealthiest Americans. nt

[nycbos]

14. They voted for Trump they knew what they were getting into...

... I say let em crash.

[Doreen]

80. You forgot the part with his Russian buddies. You know

the part that will happen to us in the future? I love that show.

[Vinca]

15. So far he's allowed coal companies to pollute the water and done nothing about all the mining

jobs he promised (lied) to bring back. Now he's cutting food aid, heating aid and healthcare. Those people should be firing up a bonfire of MAGA hats.

[mopinko]

16. all these little things. this is the leadership vacuum i was most afraid of.

all these little petty interest. the wet dreams of some asshole who is probably on cheetos buddy list because they took a bribe.
or bribed him.

to gas wolf pups in their dens and to bring back brutal traps.
and to take away school lunches.
and meals on wheels.

who does that?

[WinkyDink]

40. WHO? In a word: REPUBLICANS.

[Aristus]

17. You got played, hillbillies...

[NewRedDawn]

18. Manchin

Maybe now bootlicker Manchin will start to show some balls.

[hollowdweller]

75. I just got back from a Manchin town hall in South Charleston

He went on about how these cuts will kill us in WV.

Best comment by far from the audience which was probably 90% liberal was (from memory)

"Why is 1 coal miner count more than ten children in WV"

He also caught hell for supporting Tom Price and was severely harangued by pro marijuana people which actually were an overwhelming majority in the audience, and also for his support of Sessions. Of the people who spoke and asked questions for 2 and a half hours only about 4 were conservative and they had to quiet he crowd for them to finish. This is WV.

[NurseJackie]

19. He can just blame Obama, and those goobs and hayseeds will believe him.

[bucolic_frolic]

21. He's alienating the whole country except hard right conservatives

What's next to axe? Children's meals?

It's like he's putting America on hospice

[mtngirl47]

26. Children's meals already on the chopping block

Big cuts to WIC and school lunch programs in the Trump Budget.

We will have charity food lines to photograph pretty soon if Trump and Ryan have their way.

[Renew Deal]

23. This is what they voted for

[iluvtennis]

24. Hate to say it, but Hillary told them so. This is so fkn disgusting...losing my mind w/Dumpty

[BumRushDaShow]

27. They did their little "whitelash" against Obama

and everything he stood for despite his efforts to help those areas, so hope they enjoy their reality show leader while watching the multi-millionaires "Fake America Great Again" in Duck Dynasty re-runs.

[NBachers]

28. "Democrats try, the Republicans lie." Next time elect Democrats.

"We shoulda voted for Hillary."

[Coventina]

29. Never fear, Trumpies, you won't need those commie-pinko programs when the coal jobs return!!

Why, you're all going to live like KINGS!!!

KINGS! Like Trump with his gold toilet!

So have no fear, it's all just around the corner.....

[WinkyDink]

45. And your grand-kids can get Black-Lung disease, TOO! But this time, no benefits!

[Coventina]

48. Who needs benefits when you have buckets of cash rolling in? Trump is making America Great Again!

[WinkyDink]

49. smacks forehead--- But of course!

[Coventina]

84. No worries, you've just been living under the oppressive Obama regime for too long!

[Lanius]

30. I know Trump filed to run again in 2020, but does anyone get the feeling that he knows he's a

one-term president and is going "slash and burn" to push his pro-rich agenda? It seems that way to me. He also doesn't seem too happy to be president and he'll be 74 (and not in the best of health) in 2020.

[SharonAnn]

92. he just did this to take campaign money to fly around and do "campaign events".

[hatrack]

32. But her emails! But Benghazi! HITLERY!!!!

[liquid diamond]

87. Goldman Sachs!

[bora13]

33. they'll gladly pay $2

tomorrow for a "fake news moment" today.

[WinkyDink]

46. Love the allusion!

[HopeAgain]

34. Democratic Leaders need to stand up for them!

Go on TV and talk about they will be hurt...not as rueful trump voters, but as hurting Americans. I'll take their votes in 2018, and I'll take their votes in 2020.

If we don't, they will go back to just not voting, assuming nobody has their interests in mind.

[OldRedneck]

35. Would this be . . .

. . . the same coal country that got a huge erection when Trump visited then voted overwhelmingly for him?

[RKP5637]

37. Trump considered them losers from day one. They put blinders on, listened to none, now they've

gotten what they voted for. I have a very hard time find any sympathy for them, because they've dragged millions and millions down with them. In short, F them, I just don't care!

[Binkie The Clown]

38. I'm going to resist telling them "I told you so."

Like hell I am!

[WinkyDink]

39. "LOCK HER UP! BENGHAZI! 33,000 E-MAILS!" NEVER FORGET.

[Nitram]

41. They voted for him.

[MontanaMama]

42. Looks like these brainiacs

Are getting what they paid for and then some. Shameful that so many innocents will go down with them.

[sarcasmo]

43. Wow, King Dick really screwing the Rubes.

[tomp]

44. oops!

guess he really doesn't care about those coal mining folks like they thought he did.

[SayItLoud]

47. They ain't seen nothin Yet!

Wait till their families drop from Black Lung cause tRUMPcare doesn't cover it and a host of other miner related problems.

[maxsolomon]

50. Elections have consequences.

WTFU, coal country. You were Dems when you were in Unions. There was a reason.

[Achilleaze]

51. republican Comrade Pee45 to voters: "Ha ha, suckers."

[mountain grammy]

52. Why would anyone need social programs?

Aren't they all getting their jobs back? Everyone will be working and fat and happy! Got rid of those pesky pollution regulations, bringing back all the mining jobs..

[The Sand Reckoner]

59. Social programs

are for welfare queens, illegal immigrants and other parasites on society, right?? So of course none of these hard-workin', god-fearin' good ol' white 'muricans will need them.

[keithbvadu2]

72. OUCH!

[ffr]

53. LOL. That'll Make America Great Again. Distribute the suffering.

Hey, maybe we can eat this.



or this.

[Marthe48]

54. Appalachia, the old, the young, the poor, NOT Mexico,

are going to pay dearly for the wall.

[underpants]

55. Hold on Pa, you mean the rich guy from the big city done taken us for rubes?

[GoldenMezzoDiva]

63. Ma Kettle to Paw quote -- Great dinner reading

Thanks for the laugh, UP. Good to giggle while eating dinner, while
trying not to burst n2 tears...

[underpants]

71. :-)

[Cary]

56. Geez, who would have thought a con man would have lied to them?

"Stupid is as stupid does." Vote Democratic!

[Permanut]

57. Our President? Betray a promise?

Unlikely. Next you'll be be trying to convince me that climate change is accelerated by human activity. Then you'll be asking me to believe that the earth is more than six thousand years old.

I can't speak for others, but I'm not that stupid. I'm going to go check my microwave oven recordings just to be sure, though.

[n2doc]

58. I'm sure they expect all those coal mining jobs to come back real soon now

And will still be waiting 10 years from now.

[kacekwl]

60. What me worry ?

Too late to wake up now .

[larry budwell]

61. You get what you deserve

You get what u vote for......too bad, so sad.

[0rganism]

62. enjoy your shit sandwich, Trump voters

unfortunately you've roped the rest of us into sharing your picnic

[BobTheSubgenius]

64. ... perceived by some in Appalachia as a betrayal..."

Oh, do ya THINK SO???

They were all kinds of stupid to believe such a lame fairy tale to begin with, but FFS, they're still people. I have a more than adequate amount of schadenfreude for the average Trumpista who is going to feel some pain, but Appalachia? The area's been a basket case forever, and could use a break.

I just can't find the cynicism to kick someone who's already that down.

[world wide wally]

66. Two words;

Stupid fucks

[Bengus81]

67. We done been had by some city slicker ma!!! n/t

[erpowers]

70. No Worries

There is no need to worry because coal jobs will be coming back.

[IronLionZion]

73. Somehow this is all Obama's fault, and immigrants,

and probably the gays and feminists too. Because they hate coal miners and look down on Appalachian-Americans. Liberals are the real racists don't you know?

[workinclasszero]

78. No worries coal miners

Your god emperor Adolf Dump is gonna help you into an early grave.....SUCKERS!!!!

[Cha]

79. All you trump voters asked for this.. and you got it. And

the world has to deal with this dumb, vicious greedy asshole in charge.

You get nothing.. he says increased military spending but I bet he gives to himself and his donors.

Or maybe he'll purchase more nukes.. so he can blow up the fucking planet.

Happy now?

[Crash2Parties]

81. "I cannot believe Trump & the GOP would do that to them" - said no one awake, ever...

[HAB911]

82. those of us who empathize, but who do not sympathize

say tough shitsky

[obamanut2012]

83. Good nt

[liquid diamond]

85. These are the dumb fucks

we're supposed to reach out too?

[jetcat]

91. And you'll undoubtedly sway a great many voters with that approach.

The "dumb fucks" are your fellow citizens, and in my experience here in North Georgia, many of them are pretty embarrassed at falling for the big con. They're within a hair's breadth turning solidly democratic, and a sure-fire way to stop that progress is, well . . .

[liquid diamond]

94. Fuck them. I don't want their votes.

Either those cousin fuckers are white racists or they voted KNOWING their candidate is a racist. There is no place for such people in our party.

[jetcat]

97. I know you don't want their votes. But I do. And we're getting more of them.

And by the way, it's not your party.

[liquid diamond]

104. "My" is in

reference to those who do not want racists in our party. If you've been paying attention, there are many on this forum who agree. If white democrats or our future candidates pander to those racist shitheads, they WILL lose votes from minority democrats and rightfully so. We cannot coexist with lifelong racists. That is contrary to the Democratic Party's values.

The answer is to pursue apathetic voters who did not vote. There are tens of millions of them.

Fuck trump voters.

[hatrack]

95. Who cares? If they can't smell the smoke from a haystack fire phony like Trump . . . .

A reeking fraud, a charlatan and a moronic con-man, and obviously so to anybody who's been paying attention for the past 30 years, then they deserve whatever comes their way.

They voted for vengeance, red in tooth and claw, and now they're all shocked to find that the very same tiger is heading their way, dressed up as "budget priorities" and "healthcare access" and "tax reform". "But . . . but . . . .but!!!! . . . "

Part The Second: They're about as likely to turn solidly Democratic as I am to turn solidly Southern Baptist, or Amish, or Chinese. But please, keep on telling yourself that if it makes you happy.

[jetcat]

96. 45.6% of the vote in Georgia went to Hillary. My county now has a democratic commissioner.

Those of us who aren't smug little pricks lodged securely in our solidly blue enclaves have been working hard to bring states like Georgia into the democratic fold. It's working. Keep pissing on your fellow country-men, if it makes you happy.

[hatrack]

101. I will, and will do so with pleasure . . . .

Last edited Sat Mar 18, 2017, 12:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Per your account, north Georgia voters are having second thoughts, and a permanent Democratic shift is on its way. (On Edit - you said "solid" - so "solidly Democratic shift" would be a far more accurate description - my apologies!) Let's take a look at 2016's general election results from north Georgia counties, shall we? Going across the top of the map from west to east:

Dade: Trump 80.9%
Walker - Trump 79.1%
Catoosa - Trump 78.7%
Whitfield - Trump 70.9%
Murray - Trump 83.2%
Fannin - Trump 81.8%
Union - Trump 81.8%
Towns - Trump 79.9%
Rabun - Trump 79.1%
Chatooga - Trump 78.3%
Gordon - Trump 80.5%
Gilmer - Trump 80.3%
Pickens - Trump 83.3%
Lumpkin - Trump 78%
White - Trump 82.8%
Habersham - Trump 81.7%
Stephens - Trump 78.7%
Floyd - Trump 70.2%
Bartow - Trump 76.1%
Cherokee - Trump 72.7%
Dawson - Trump 84.6%
Forsyth - Trump 71.7%
Hall - Trump 73.7%
Banks - Trump 88.3% (Woo-hoo! I can feel the Democratic wave!!)
Stephens - Trump 73.8%
Franklin - Trump 83.2%
Hart - Trump 72.3%
Polk - Trump 77.7%
Paulding - Trump 69.1% (Woo-hoo! Hillary almost broke 30%!!)
Haralson - Trump 84.6%
Carroll - Trump 68.5%
Jackson - Trump 80.4%
Barrow - Trump 73.2%
Walton - Trump 76.9%
Oconee - Trump 67.7%
Morgan - Trump 69.5%
Oglethorpe - Trump 69.5%
Greene - Trump 62.1% (Woo-hoo! Hillary actually did break 30%!!)
Wilkes - Trump 57.5% (Woo-hoo! Hillary breaks 40%!!)
Lincoln - Trump 67.3% (Woo-hoo! Hillary back down to 31% - oh well . . . )

So, 40 north Georgia counties, and Trump only polled under 70% in eight of them.

No, I'm not including the Atlanta metro counties where Clinton won, though she barely won Newton, Henry and Cobb. Her only blowouts were Fulton, Rockdale, Clarke, DeKalb and Clayton. Besides, when you get to south metro Atlanta, I'd say you've pretty much left north Georgia behind, and that's the area you were discussing in your posts.

http://www.politico.com/2016-election/results/map/president/georgia/

These smug little Dixie swastika-waving pricks have been voting God, Gunz, Gayz for freaking decades now. They've been told by politicians, and many of them now believe, that they're "Real Americans", and that the rest of us are suspect, or heathens, or hate freedom and are not to be trusted or even tolerated.

In county after county in your state, they racked up 30- and 40-and 50-point margins for the most unqualified, venal and dangerously stupid presidential candidate in history. In terms of the damage they've done to this country with their stupid, fucked-up choice for president, they're the party guest who arrives with a concealed weapon, gets drunk, breaks the TV and accidentally shoots the hostess, 'cuz they "didn't know the gun was loaded!!"

But now they're going to swing left in 2018 and 2020 because you elected A Democratic county commissioner?

Whatever.

[jetcat]

103. I guess this site really isn't for democrats like me.

I'm an old guy now, and I just can't drum up the apparently requisite vitriol for the people I've lived with all my life. That, and I'm a bit worn out with the derogatory Appalachian stereotypes. We've weathered them for generations, and it's just not a fight worth having anymore.

In parting, I will note that there's a flip side to those numbers in your post. It's the approximately 30% of voters who are democrats. My county isn't very populous, and if we can change the minds of about 3,500 young folks, we'll have a solid democratic majority. We're a bit lucky here in the sense that young folks aren't anxious to leave, and I've seen the attitude changes in young farmers at watershed, FSA and FFA meetings. We did it with county commissioner, and I remain optimistic.

In the meantime, I guess we'll go it alone. Pretty much always have.

But you're welcome to visit. The tomatoes, peaches and pies are pretty tasty.

[hatrack]

105. If you're not pissed off, you're not paying attention . . .

But good luck. Coming from a similarly rural background (though Midwestern rather than Southern) I can say you're going to need it.

Trying to talk politics to people I've know for decades in a similarly conservative environment has degenerated to the point where it's like trying to play pinochle with a bowl of goldfish - beyond pointless.

I don't have time for those who have willingly removed themselves from objective reality because it makes them feel good, and because it gives them someone to hate and blame. I'm all out of patience and time for those who wish me ill because I don't think as they do.

[dalton99a]

86. And the chickens voted for Colonel Sanders

[Progressive dog]

88. It's too bad that the fools who fell

for the psychopathic conman's pitch are dragging their children and neighbors down too. I feel no sympathy for the coal miners who thought it was a good idea to help coal companies destroy the environment as fast as possible.

[Blue_Tires]

89. Fuckin' serves them right

[jetcat]

90. Setting aside the cracks about hillbillies and rubes, and setting aside the "they deserve it" stuff,

there are a great many people who are going to be hurt by this administration.

I live in North Georgia, and there is a pretty deep dependence on the insurance exchanges (a great many people are self-employed), and there is a pretty deep dependence on small farm assistance (agriculture is a principal economic driver, and it isn't "big ag&quot .

Amongst the people who did vote for Trump, there is a sense of not only betrayal, but anger at what is increasingly viewed as a bait and switch. There's a curious silence about politics in general, and a fairly obvious sense of embarrassment setting in.

Georgia is on the cusp of becoming a blue state (45.6 % of the vote went to Hillary), and in my county, people are pretty practical when it comes to politics (we have a democratic county commissioner; I think mainly because the overwhelming sentiment is that the republican candidates are more interested in grandstanding than in a functioning county government).

Before you get carried away with the derogatory cracks about ignorant hillbillies, stop and think about how close we are to turning places like my home into democratic strongholds. It may be hard for some to believe, but we're not stupid here. Gullible at times, but not stupid.

[not fooled]

102. Your post is heartening

Hearing that at least some dump voters are figuring out what happened is the first step towards political realignment. Sure, some are unreachable but not all and your post indicates that those in your area might be starting to come around.

[Kimchijeon]

93. LOL did anyone think he gave a shit about those coal miners?

Nope, didn't think so.

[riversedge]

106. It is betrayal. simple as that.

[LisaL]

107. What exactly in Trump's history made these people think he is

actually going to help them?

[Beacool]

109. You reap what you sow.

The vast majority of them voted for Trump.