A new book shows how many supposed “elitist stereotypes” of rural MAGA voters are true—and backed by hard data.

In the popular imagination of many Americans, particularly those on the left side of the political spectrum, the typical MAGA supporter is a rural resident who hates Black and Brown people, loathes liberals, loves gods and guns, believes in myriad conspiracy theories, has little faith in democracy, and is willing to use violence to achieve their goals, as thousands did on Jan. 6.

According to a new book, White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy, these aren’t hurtful, elitist stereotypes by Acela Corridor denizens and bubble-dwelling liberals… they’re facts.

The authors, Tom Schaller, a professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Paul Waldman, a former columnist at The Washington Post, persuasively argue that most of the negative stereotypes liberals hold about rural Americans are actually true.

  • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
    666·
    10 months ago

    Yeah I know they’re facts. I spend far too much time as a semi-passing trans woman in rural America. I think a lot of people overestimate the proportions of these people, I’ve met so many thoughtful, kind, and progressive hicks, hillbillies, and other rural sorts.

    But the fact is I’ve never seen passive aggressive Bible verses on mailboxes in cities. I’ve never heard an educated urban coworker rant and rave about how blm protesters are funded by George soros. I’ve never seen city folk wear a mask that says “government control device” on it or carry a Bible with them onto a factory floor or put newsmax on the company share point.

    And the armed city folk I know are far more likely to be responsible gun owners and not have a couch gun. Jesus fucking shit so many people talk about their fucking couch gun and they always act like it’s reasonable and normal and every gun owner has one instead of the reality that that’s not a safe place to have a gun. They also don’t realize that you shouldn’t advertise owning the only thing that gets more valuable when stolen, especially not by putting a bumper sticker saying one is in the fucking car.

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
        7·
        10 months ago

        I couldn’t tell you. It boggles the mind in fact. This is so normal to these people that no explanation is necessary

      • Schadrach@lemmy.sdf.org
        2·
        10 months ago

        I’m sorry… couch gun??? Like they just shove a gun into the couch cushions?

        Usually this means one accessible while sitting on the couch. Not necessarily in the couch cushions.

        What the hell kind of purpose would that serve?

        Home invasion. Exceedingly unlikely but some folks are paranoid. Same basic logic as having a gun in a bedside table, but for when you aren’t in bed.

    • Clent@lemmy.world
      31·
      10 months ago

      The funny part is if one ever did want to attack these rural folks, the logical method would be use literal fire. A drone would prevent having to risk their weapons. Then let their ammo hoards do the work. Use the drone against anyone who flees.

      They seem to think people want to break in and rape and pillage but they’re so over invested in fire power there is nothing much to steal and rape is more their thing than the left’s.

      They are not ready for a real apocalypse scenario or an invading force because as you’ve noted, we all assume they are heavily armed and their defense begins and ends with their gun fantasies.

      • daltotron@lemmy.world
        31·
        10 months ago

        Then let their ammo hoards do the work.

        Minor correction to your relatively insane post, but rounds that cook off generally don’t have enough velocity to really do any significant damage, especially when they’re not exposed out in the open.

    • PugJesus@kbin.social
      11·
      10 months ago

      Holy shit, the couch gun is normal? Here I thought I was just seeing some weird and rare manifestation of growing up in a rural area as a kid.

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
        3·
        10 months ago

        It is only in rural areas that I see this shit. Maybe in some of the type of suburbs where people daily drive a pickup truck