This article was absolutely phenomenal. I shared on my Facebook and I truly CONNECTED with what you were saying as someone who grew up in rural, central Wisconsin in the 2000s....Thank you so much for writing this thoughtful, meaningful piece.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Grayson. This was definitely a cathartic piece to write, as I've been trying to make sense of the sweeping changes I witnessed for over thirty years now. Glad others are connecting with it.
Fantastic piece! Being from Cincinnati and working in and around Dayton this rings true for much of the Midwest. This article is the conversation we should be having everyday politically and with our neighbor's. It's not a "right or left" issue because it affects all middle and lower class Americans. Unfortunately most of the media today is more concerned with culture wars and virtue signaling than what is causing the rich and powerful to become more rich and powerful. Keep up the good fight!
Thanks, Dan. You're right, it's about class. Crucially, the same concentration of power has taken place across all media as well, and class often gets left out of the conversation altogether.
I had nearly put this melancholy to bed myself, but it all came rushing back recently when I learned about the actual policy decisions that created it. The fact that it was never inevitable makes it even harder to think about.
Stellar! Yes, the white supremacists voted for Trump. They are, however, a fraction of a percent of the 75M Trump voters. This captures many more of them very well. My grandfathers had a 6th grade education and an 8th grade education; but, both were able to work, pay their bills and raise their families without government assistance. Not many could do the same today. It’s stunning that so many are like Biden, and don’t see it at all.
Super important summary and thinking. Very much appreciate you putting this together here. Fantastic. Will share as much as possible. Just read for the second time coming across it again this morning. Hope you are doing very well since writing. You for one can't say you didn't try to help us. Keep up the worthy struggle, my friend!
P.S., I'll be at Trader Joes (Town & County) to pick me up some stuff later. Not sure if that was around when you lived here? ✌️
Thanks, McLovin. I appreciate you reading it. I know that Trader Joe's very well. Used to live within walking distance from it and my brother worked there for a time.
Great piece. I'll be sharing.
Thanks, John.
This article was absolutely phenomenal. I shared on my Facebook and I truly CONNECTED with what you were saying as someone who grew up in rural, central Wisconsin in the 2000s....Thank you so much for writing this thoughtful, meaningful piece.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Grayson. This was definitely a cathartic piece to write, as I've been trying to make sense of the sweeping changes I witnessed for over thirty years now. Glad others are connecting with it.
Fantastic piece! Being from Cincinnati and working in and around Dayton this rings true for much of the Midwest. This article is the conversation we should be having everyday politically and with our neighbor's. It's not a "right or left" issue because it affects all middle and lower class Americans. Unfortunately most of the media today is more concerned with culture wars and virtue signaling than what is causing the rich and powerful to become more rich and powerful. Keep up the good fight!
Thanks, Dan. You're right, it's about class. Crucially, the same concentration of power has taken place across all media as well, and class often gets left out of the conversation altogether.
Although this is written with an American perspective, it describes a global phenomon. Substitute Brexit for Trump....
Reading your piece woke up memories of melancholy while observing this growing, box store Americana.
I had nearly put this melancholy to bed myself, but it all came rushing back recently when I learned about the actual policy decisions that created it. The fact that it was never inevitable makes it even harder to think about.
Agree, it was never inevitable. Insatiable cost arbitrage was always in direct competition with marginal human happiness.
Go Elks
Comment of the century right here.
Stellar! Yes, the white supremacists voted for Trump. They are, however, a fraction of a percent of the 75M Trump voters. This captures many more of them very well. My grandfathers had a 6th grade education and an 8th grade education; but, both were able to work, pay their bills and raise their families without government assistance. Not many could do the same today. It’s stunning that so many are like Biden, and don’t see it at all.
Thanks, Diane. Yeah, even a graduate or post-grad degree these days is hardly a sure path to a reasonable income and way of life.
Super important summary and thinking. Very much appreciate you putting this together here. Fantastic. Will share as much as possible. Just read for the second time coming across it again this morning. Hope you are doing very well since writing. You for one can't say you didn't try to help us. Keep up the worthy struggle, my friend!
P.S., I'll be at Trader Joes (Town & County) to pick me up some stuff later. Not sure if that was around when you lived here? ✌️
Thanks, McLovin. I appreciate you reading it. I know that Trader Joe's very well. Used to live within walking distance from it and my brother worked there for a time.