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.

  • iknowitwheniseeit@lemmynsfw.com
    231·
    8 months ago

    Voting booths exist for a reason. They are to ensure the privacy of the person voting.

    Otherwise all sorts of overbearing people can force others to vote per their direction.

    Consider an abusive partner, or a extremist pastor, or a factory manager. In all cases they have power over others, and voting may be one of the few places where individuals can express their choices.

    • anticolonialist@lemmy.world
      411·
      8 months ago

      Voting booths are an outdated relic. We live in the most technologically advanced age ever and we should still rely on methods from the 1800s? What would be more convenient than pulling out your phone, wherever you are, being able to pull up details and platform of every candidate, make selections, then cast your ballot? Force people to vote on policies, not parties.

      • jj4211@lemmy.world
        5·
        8 months ago

        You missed their point.

        It’s so convenient, you have no excuse when your boss demands to watch you vote or you’re fired. Your abusive spouse or parent demands your phone to use your vote. Someone manages to identify unregistered voters and register on their behalf and get massive votes because of flaws in the electronic system.

        Which is also a potential issue for mail in ballots.

        In the in person scenario, you aren’t allowed to have anyone with you, to talk to anyone, or take pictures of videos that could be used as proof of who you did and did not vote for. This means you know that no matter what threats have been made against you, you can’t prove which way you vote at you can vote however you like without fear.

      • braxy29@lemmy.world
        4·
        8 months ago

        i like the idea of voting by encrypted app as an option, but lots of disenfranchised/disempowered folks can’t rely on that. by which i mean there are homeless folks without phones, and people with abusive families who lack privacy/safety to really utilize it the way we night intend.