Comments on: The Rural Vote (Or Lack Thereof)

By: geoff rips

geoff rips — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:47:16 +0000

Calling the Farm Bureau a non-partisan outfit that happens to sell insurance is like saying Karl Rove just wants to see everybody get a fair shake. As the Texas Observer has doggedly pointed out since the 1970s, the Farm Bureau is the enemy of the family farmer, is an insurance company, dictates insurance-deregulating, family-farm killing legislation to every state legislature and to the Congress, and should not be the measure of any politician’s commitment to the family farm.

By: David Eager

David Eager — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:34:21 +0000

Ms. Farris’ perceptive description of the Rural Council Caucus revealed a sad and accurate picture of Democrats’ failure to reach what was once relied on as their base. Recalling the words of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., cited in Ms. Farris’ earlier post from Red Rocks, one wonders if lately Democrats have not been too “disciplined and restrained” in informing Americans of the depth of Republican failure, as we are all forced to share “the bitterest pill to swallow.”

By: Ilona Josephson

Ilona Josephson — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:39:52 +0000

Oh, does he have a message? Has he ever been on a farm other than maybe to get on TV?

By: Sharron Rush

Sharron Rush — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:57:12 +0000

“Democrats once dominated rural areas all through the South, the Midwest, and Texas. Those days are long gone…” Thanks for this post. As bleak as it is, it is so important for Democrats to recognize the loss of the rural base. While you suggest that, in terms of political power, it may not be a bad thing, I hope Dems begin to rethink this surrender of rural America. As energy (and transportation) costs skyrocket, perhaps there are additional reasons to nurture local farm communities. Your post was a strong illustration of the need to do so.

By: Mark Nye

Mark Nye — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:21:42 +0000

Rachel Farris’ comments are very perceptive and right on the mark. Thanks