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re: Why was coal country still democratic well into the 1990s and early 2000s?
Posted on 12/5/16 at 9:41 pm to cameronml
Posted on 12/5/16 at 9:41 pm to cameronml
quote:regulations raise the marginal cost of producing to the point where the coal companies lose money when they are forced to sell at the market price in the energy market.
What killed their way of life was an unwillingness to change or retrain themselves in the face of free markets and technological innovation. Trump isn't bringing those jobs back.
0
Posted on 12/6/16 at 6:58 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
I think people are being a little simplistic about this. I've spent a lot of time in Appalachia and specifically WV.
Yes mining unions and the terrible history of labor relations in that state were a major reason why it continued to vote democrat. But another reason is that WV is one of the biggest "winners" when it comes to federal funding. As a state with really tough terrain and almost no money, WV has always been very reliant on the Feds to provide for infrastructure, jobs and services. For a long time Robert C Byrd was able to deliver huge infrastructure projects that not only improved the state but provided jobs. Seriously, drive around the state and see how many bridges and highways are named after him.
Democratic Presidents have spent the last 80 years going into WV and Eastern Kentucky to launch New Deals and Wars on Poverty. The populace believed it and some of them did actually benefit. Political inertia took over from there.
They continued to vote for the Dems long after it was in their self interest, but I was in WV in 2008-09. The switch when Obama won was almost instant. It also coincided with the death of Byrd. Life long Dems when flying to the right.
Yes mining unions and the terrible history of labor relations in that state were a major reason why it continued to vote democrat. But another reason is that WV is one of the biggest "winners" when it comes to federal funding. As a state with really tough terrain and almost no money, WV has always been very reliant on the Feds to provide for infrastructure, jobs and services. For a long time Robert C Byrd was able to deliver huge infrastructure projects that not only improved the state but provided jobs. Seriously, drive around the state and see how many bridges and highways are named after him.
Democratic Presidents have spent the last 80 years going into WV and Eastern Kentucky to launch New Deals and Wars on Poverty. The populace believed it and some of them did actually benefit. Political inertia took over from there.
They continued to vote for the Dems long after it was in their self interest, but I was in WV in 2008-09. The switch when Obama won was almost instant. It also coincided with the death of Byrd. Life long Dems when flying to the right.
This post was edited on 12/6/16 at 7:30 am
Posted on 12/6/16 at 7:28 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
I'm going to guess it's like the Brexit vote.
The people who voted to leave the European Union were the people who had to live close to the muslims. Scotland and Northern Ireland predominately voted to stay. They didn't have to feel the pain of being in the EU. Same with coal country. All the same type of people doing the same type of thing so they don't notice the effects much.
The people who voted to leave the European Union were the people who had to live close to the muslims. Scotland and Northern Ireland predominately voted to stay. They didn't have to feel the pain of being in the EU. Same with coal country. All the same type of people doing the same type of thing so they don't notice the effects much.
Posted on 12/6/16 at 7:31 am to HailHailtoMichigan!
Two things - Unions and fake news. The media has had the low information voter duped for a long time.
Posted on 12/6/16 at 7:34 am to cameronml
quote:
What killed their way of life was an unwillingness to change
What killed their way of life was heavy handed regulations that destroyed their industry and hurt a huge portion of their customers.
This post was edited on 12/6/16 at 7:35 am
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