Pondering

Red vs. Blue
Why is it that the service States tend to vote Republican? I call them service States because they service our country. I'm talking about farmers and coal miners and factory workers. They consistently get reamed by Republican party policy, yet they continue to vote for Republicans. It makes no sense. Then again, maybe it does make sense. Having been at the bottom of the food-chain myself, dismissed as "stupid and lazy" simply for being poor; being told "Ain't nobody gonna give you a loan for college" because I had nothing to trade with a bank, I think maybe I do understand after all. Republicans feed us sunshine and roses. They tell us things are improving. They offer hope. And when you have nothing, hope looks pretty darn good. The poor value their pride and faith above all else. These are the only things that cannot be taken from them. These are the only things the poor have power over. So they cling to their faith that life can be good; and they cling to their pride as their children fight for their country.
It's not that the poor can't handle bad news. I think the poor can handle it better than most. They're familiar with tragedy. They see it every day. It is a tragedy when you can't feed your child. It is a tragedy when you lose your job, and you're one paycheck away from eviction. Homelessness? Don't even go there. The poor only get a home if somebody dies and leaves it to them, or if the deceased was lucky enough to have life insurance.
If you've never been there, you wouldn't understand. I used to be glad that some people would never experience poverty... but now I think everyone should have a little taste of poverty. They might learn something.

And if this sounds bitter, you're right. I am bitter. I'm bitter for being told I'm worthless, and I get bitter when I catch myself looking down on the poor now. It shocks me when I see how far I've come, and then see how far I have to go before I stop connecting poor with worthless.