Replies to post #392005 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[SoxFan]

I wouldn't say critical thinking is the problem but the solution. The Republicans that are comprised partially of tea party folks and MAGA folks and large swarths of rural folks appear to lack critical thinking. Critical thinkers aren't a class of people and it transcends politics but the ability to look at an issue and come to a well thought out solution. Take WV for example - the use to be very democratic but our now very red? Why? Per capita they get more on SS disability than any other state and that was because of Ted Kennedy and the dems fighting for it? How about the safety net that the Dems fought for and the Republicans opposed. Where would the elderly in WV be without SS or Medicare (Reagan opposed it and said it was socialized medicine). The people of WV have been voting against their own interests for awhile now and that's lacking critical thinking. Infrastructure bill will help if they spend it wisely. The BBB bill would even give them more help but it seems your elected representatives need the people of WV to have less of a safety net than they need.

[brooklyn13]

Thanks, I did, hope you did as well.

My understanding is that Friedman led what is actually called the Chicago School of Economic Whatever. And I agree with you completely that it's been a disaster all over the world wherever it's been implemented.

It's sad that there is an urban / rural divide when actually that's a bit of an artificial construct foisted on us to divide us and win political power.

I'd say 90% of the people I know in NYC, including my wife and me, are from other, at least somewhat, rural areas of the country. As you mentioned earlier, we all want, basically, the same thing - we are being polarized by 1%-ers, like the Koch Brothers and Murdoch, who all profit handsomely from wedge issues.

As far as right to work laws, my grandfather's brother started a union and my wife was in one, so I've always been very pro-union. Having lived in rural NC for 10 years, I saw first hand how the local manufacturing owners were able to convince their workers that unions were bad and they'd be better off working for a pittance with minimal workplace rights. Go figure!