No surprise, I do not show any pitty on them either. They supported a person that ignores and trashes them, and this is what they get. Not only will they lose their retirement benefits, but they will eventually lose their farms to big, greedy factory farms. Their homes will become part of a filthy community, were the rivers are contaminated, the air is dirty, and the schools their children are underfunded and ignored by the state. Social Secutiry is an essential program of any civilized country. This program is essential to many people who already suffer the burden of this capitalist society.

Emmm...wrong link previous post. No URL

I think its great that rural alliances are being made to help with the fight to save Social Security. Further, Democracy Bonds are also a good idea, however, until legislation is passed to ensure that fair elections happen, we can raise all the money we want, but we won't have a chance of electing anyone. Bush and the Rove Republicans will hang themselves, but unless Americans ensure fair elections, no matter what the people want, they will continue to steal elections by hook or crook as they did in 2000 and 2004.

Finally, Compromise! I'm glad to see that some of the people that supported Bush see that his plan for Social Security, well, isn't much of a plan

Won't work. When it comes back to election season, these farmers will be brainwashed with some other 'morals' crap and vote Republican. Ignorance is Strength.

Christopher-
While I understand the emotions behind your reaction to rural voters, wouldn't it much more effective if we figured out WHY they voted against their self-interest? We need to be able to clearly lay out our values to rural voters, and we didn't do that at all in 2004.

Frontier PAC is working to build rural coalitions with hunters, fishers, farmers and ranchers--the kinds of coalitions that won election for Democrats like Brian Schweitzer and Mark Warner. If we hit the right issues, use the right language, and draw a clear distinction, we can win.

The bottom line is that the GOP stands for multinational corporations, and Democrat stand for American families. Now that we've got bold leadership in the party (like Howard Dean), we'll be able to make that case effectively. Check out Frontier PAC if you want to get involved.

Christopher BB,

You are right. The farmers will be brainwashed again, and it is primarly due to Southern Baptist preachers who encourage their flocks to support the party they think shares their values. These are good people who used to be solid Dems, but now just can't seem to indentify with our party. These hard working people have been misled and truly believe that the Dems are just about supporting welfare and gays, and are against prayer and all the things they hold dear. Also, they fell hook, line and sinker for the "Death Tax" scam that only benfited multi-millionairs, not the the small family farmers. Many agriculture organizations like NCBA and Farm Bureau also sold the family farmers down the river. The "Death Tax" has now been permanantly repealed and every family farm heir is born owing at leat $150,000 thanks to our national debt. Oh well, at least we don't have to worry about the heirs of multi-million dollar farming enterprises getting hit with unfair estate taxes....And, praise the Lord, we are safe from gays getting married.

For starters--

If they vote Republican, it is your doing. Look at the words and conclusions you've chosen. Look at them! They're speculative and condescending!

What farmers and ranchers have is a virtue you may never in your life experience: Will!

Do you realize the ceaseless toil involved?

It is not religion that sways them, as a great rancher told me: "The pasture is my church."

Pick up Whitman or Powys and you will come to understand the enduring tribulations these people face and the joy that sustains their courage.