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.

  • Joncash2@lemmy.ml
    61·
    10 months ago

    The funny thing is the electoral college was designed to counter exactly this event. In the case an absolute tyrant is going to get voted in, the electoral college is supposed to be the last chance to challenge it. But with the way the GOP is going, ain’t no one gonna challenge anything.

    As they say, the devil will come bearing a cross wrapped in the American flag.

    • CosmicTurtle@lemmy.worldEnglish
      39·
      10 months ago

      The GOP has shown, and proven, they will use any and all means necessary, including violence, to gain power. This isn’t theoretical anymore.

      I’m so tired of my family members and other people that identify as “centralist” saying that both sides are bad.

      No…only one side has used violence to overthrow an election. And that side’s political leadership said it was “normal political discourse”.

      If both sides are the same, then you should be upset that “both sides” are violent.

      • Joncash2@lemmy.ml
        3·
        10 months ago

        Well, both sides are bad. Your argument is Trump is far worse. Which as an American you should feel that way. Because Trump would be fucking horrible for America. But if you were Palestinian, you’d definitely prefer Trump as he might pull support from Israel.

        Thus, the problem today isn’t that there is a good guy, it’s choosing which genocide you support. Do you support the genocide of Palestinians or Ukrainians. Either way, you get to vote for genocide. Clearly the US is a shining example of democracy.

        *Edit: Those who are wondering why Trump would support Palestine, it’s simple, he’s a Russian puppet. It serves him to switch sides to get more money from Russia. Obviously, Trump wouldn’t do something that doesn’t benefit him, but when you’re half a billion dollars in the hole, uncle Putin is going to come to save the day. If Trump wins of course.

        • AbidanYre@lemmy.worldEnglish
          38·
          10 months ago

          Half the GOP wants to turn Gaza to glass. You can’t seriously think Trump would be better for Palestinians.

        • MegaUltraChicken@lemmy.world
          30·
          10 months ago

          I would like to know what DC Elseworlds dimension you’re talking about when you say Trump and the GOP would be an improvement or preferable to the Palestinians. There’s literally no evidence of that and decades of evidence, statements, and policies to the contrary.

          Biden is trying to play politics, sidestep dealing with a genocide, and avoid trying to change the US stance with Israel. It’s a shit position he needs to change. He’s also receiving a ton of push back from within his own party and base.

          Trump fully supports the genocide, the entire party he represents supports it, and would be glad to have Palestine wiped from the map. How anyone can say that Trump could be perceived as an improvement in any way is beyond me.

          • bababatman@lemmy.world
            3·
            10 months ago

            He’s just stirring. Everyone knows Trump doesn’t give a damn about the Palestanis. And that bullshit about him being on the take from Russia. These are all neocon talking points. Maybe he’s saying Trump would be pro Pal to chip away at him with the pro Israel nutters who are practically the most lowerful lobby in Washington.

        • michaelmrose@lemmy.world
          14·
          10 months ago

          Firstly who cares who a Palestinian thinks about an American presidential election? Next Why on earth would you imagine that Trump would withdraw “support” from Israel. Our support is mostly selling them arms. He supports Israel. He supports their actions.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
      15·
      10 months ago

      That was the story, but the real reason was the existing tyrants didn’t want to be overthrown either.

      You have to have a realistic view of what we started out with to understand why 99% of the people in politics don’t want to change it.

      At the end of the day, America has never really been a democracy. And the people who can change that just don’t want to.

      It’s just easiest to hold onto that power when we think change is just an election away. It’s a lot of elections away, we can’t just win one and go home. It’s a war not a battle.