I grew up in a rural community, began my career as an organizer in small towns, and now lead one of the largest efforts to rebuild pro-democracy, pro-worker civic capacity in rural America. So I can speak with some authority when I say that President Biden, somewhat surprisingly, has ushered in a new economic paradigm that can radically transform the lives of rural people and build a more politically and economically secure future for all Americans.

He calls his agenda “Bidenomics,” a term that will be hotly debated in the months ahead. But what does it mean? And what’s its significance for rural people?

In simplest terms, Bidenomics arguably is the most significant departure in 40 years from the “free market revolution” that rose to dominance in the 1980s — a dramatic alteration to our country’s economic trajectory.

The combination of executive and congressional action since Biden took office — from the American Rescue Plan, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to the CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act and key executive action promoting competition and protecting workers — presents greater potential for revitalizing rural communities than anything since the New Deal. These were huge steps in the right direction, and yet rural people are still struggling. The updated Rural Policy Action Report offers a continued roadmap for how to help rural communities, protect the environment and core freedoms, and renew shared prosperity across geographic divides.

  • I guess the point of your post is basically “haha rural America”. And yet, after living in several cities one of my biggest goals is to get the fuck out of urban America.

    • As someone who’s done it I’ll tell you it’s worth it. Sure, you get some real bumpkins out there. They can be rough but they’re mostly friendly. Some of them are stupid, but that’s anywhere. They’re usually simpler for sure, and the pace is slower, and the rules are more lax, and that can be hard getting used to, but once you’re used to it, no traffic and your amazon packages are still on your doorstep waiting for you.

      Just avoid tweaker towns, which is harder than it sounds.

    • Zorque
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      fedilink
      -11 year ago

      I think the point is that they consistently vote against their own interests, then fall for the demonization of those trying to help them.

      Then when modern convenience falls in their lap because it’s just too economically unfeasible to not bring it to them… they fall over themselves wondering at the minor upgrade in their living conditions.

      I’m under no illusion that urban (or even suburban) living doesn’t have downsides… but they pale in comparison to the shit-sandwich that people in rural areas continue to serve themselves.