What motivates rural people to choose to be a Democrat or a Republican? Is it based on their beliefs, values and attitudes that formed primarily by family, friends, culture, and life experiences? Beliefs are ideas that we accept as true without any supporting facts. Values are a set of principles, which each of us consider of great importance. Attitudes regarding someone or something are based on core beliefs and values (owlcation.com).
We all have social identities which develop and change from childhood to adulthood, with our beliefs, values and attitudes changing as well. Social identity allows us to be part of groups and gain a sense of belonging, which shapes our self-image. Our social identity can be shaped by our gender, sexual orientation, race, age group, religion, profession, economic status, where we live, politics, clubs and sports.
These social identities bring us together with other people sharing these same identities. In these groups we feel safe, share the same feelings and concerns. We get positive support in these groups. For many of us, our religion, friends and where we live are strong factors determining our political party affiliation.
Data from the 2020 Cooperative Election Study (CES), revealed that urban and rural social identities have significantly different attitudes about each of the following: faith, gun ownership and race. These attitudes are major factors determining our political party affiliation.
CES data showed that 48% of rural voters identify as evangelical Christians, while only 30% of urban voters did. About 75% of white evangelicals identify as Republicans.
Rural and urban voters also differ on “gun culture.” In the CES study, 61% of rural voters said there was at least one gun in their household. By contrast, only about 25% of urban Americans own a gun. The 2018 Pew Research data showed that gun ownership among Republicans (44%) is more than double the gun ownership rate among Democrats (20%).
Views on race relations and systemic racism also distinguish urban and rural America. Racial attitudes can be measured using a scale called racism denial, which is asking respondents whether they agree or disagree that white people have certain advantages in our white dominated society. In recent elections, the levels of racism denial have been shown to strongly predict voter choice. The 2018 Pew Research report found that a majority of rural Americans deny that white people have advantages denied to people of color. A 2020 CES study asked the same question as the Pew study and showed that 45% of rural Americans and 20% of urban Americans denied that whites have advantages that people of color didn’t. This data shows that racism plays a strong role in determining which political party rural people choose.
Politics becomes an expression of group identity, rural vs urban. Nothing brings a group together like a common enemy. Rural areas resent being controlled by the more populated urban areas. Urban dominance tries to force rural areas to live by urban rules pertaining to guns, hunting, and social issues. It comes down to whether the urban group is gaining the power to threaten rural values, the safety, and prosperity of rural areas. It’s rural vs urban. Rural people can experience feelings of cultural decline, marginalization, and being disrespected. These ideas align closely with the left-behind hypothesis; those that are poorly prepared to compete in an increasingly globalized world feel left behind by it.
Rural people’s feelings of resentment play a major role in the voting choices they make. Other issues, such as, the role of the government, illegal immigration, and religion also effect how people vote. These issues all closely mirror the Republican platform and political rhetoric of untrustworthy, over-reaching government that is too lenient and lacks morals. The fact that many rural respondents who hold these ideas would vote for Republicans is completely rational and to be expected, as it reflects their expressed opinions.
- K9 Unit Assists in Large Fentanyl Seizure Near Mount ShastaThe Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office noted that the amount of fentanyl seized could potentially be lethal to over 1.8 million people, based on current estimates of fentanyl potency. A traffic stop near Mount Shasta, California, on September 4, 2024, led to the seizure of over 8 pounds of fentanyl with the assistance of a K9… Read more: K9 Unit Assists in Large Fentanyl Seizure Near Mount Shasta
- the Obituary of John J. BrowerThis past Saturday,on August 31, 2024 John Brower unexpectedly passed away while in Long Beach Island, New Jersey for the weekend. He was a loving dad, husband, son, brother, uncle and so much more to all who knew him. We are deeply saddened by his loss. John and Debbie shared 30 years of marriage together… Read more: the Obituary of John J. Brower
- PUBLIC NOTICE: PROPOSED RENEWAL OF TITLE V OPERATING PERMIT TO ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS CO.Public notice information ID#4679 PROPOSED RENEWAL OF TITLE V OPERATING PERMIT TO ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS CO.Pursuant to Rule 2.13 of the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District (District) Rules and Regulations, the Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) has made a preliminary decision to renew an Operating Permit under Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act… Read more: PUBLIC NOTICE: PROPOSED RENEWAL OF TITLE V OPERATING PERMIT TO ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS CO.
- Local Car Wash Boosts Area SchoolsSplash & Dash Carwash in Yreka is making a splash with its “School A Rama” fundraiser. The Walmart Center-based business is supporting local education by dedicating each Sunday to a different school. “We wanted to give back to our community and support local education,” said John Richter, the initiative’s organizer. The program has been a… Read more: Local Car Wash Boosts Area Schools
- Rotary Club Launches Monthly Pancake BreakfastThe smell of pancakes on the crisp morning air brought locals to the Methodist church for the first inaugural “First Saturday of the Month” pancake feed. Neighbors & Scott Valley residents gathered to enjoy pancakes, eggs, and sausage while supporting Rotary Club’s community projects. The event highlighted community spirit, with attendees sharing fellowship over their… Read more: Rotary Club Launches Monthly Pancake Breakfast
Very well written and said! The last two paragraphs is something people need to be aware of. From my experience, people vote conservative/republican not because of that that side can do or bring for them but because of what the party does: Which is to discriminate, hate, marginalize and internationalize “minorities” by any means to preserve “white” America and keep outsiders out whether on a regional or national level. In addition, fueling and helping corporate greed.
The only people laughing? The ones at the very top and the same ones laughing all the way to the bank. The way I see it? There’s very very very very little incentive to vote for one side more than the other.
American has become the new rule of Theocracy by a corrupt system and “Supreme Court Justice”.
Appreciate you sharing, great blog post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Very neat blog.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.