Reply #12: The Post is inspiring ...

[Horseradish]

... though, it should be known that mutually supportive communities and networks do exist in the nether regions (even if most within them either don't vote at all or currently vote republican ... sad, but true). I have witnessed the most neighborly, community-spirited dependability here in rural Minnesota - political parties aside - that almost seem competitive about how many things you can do for free to help somebody in your community; I was actually a part of a discussion among rural community acquaintances where the common theme was "Can you believe that he wanted to actually pay me for helping him fix his leaky basement?!!!" It's out there, but most of those good people do not vote, or if they do, they may be (I say this tongue in cheek somewhat) "taken by the Git 'R Done model of the rural right".

My point is that it's almost depressing to see how much good-will and unpaid "community service" is done unofficially by folks who just don't know what's going on in this country right now. When all is said and done -- even if America were to become some shadowy fascist nation, which were incubating right now with the current administration's B.S. -- these folks will still be driving a 100 mph to help someone they know through someone they know despite how the political climate has unfolded. Humans will always help each other, doesn't matter if you're a republican, democrat, or non-voter. Real communities survive - it's human nature. It's one thing we can count on.

Problem is: those of us tracking all of the shit that could make the lives of these non-voters/common-folk harder and harder are currently seen in the rural/conservative view as underdogs and weak. I think Bill Maher may have said it best recently when he said: "The next Democratic candidate for president must not wait until after the election to show us his balls".

That's all ... great post and thank you ninkasi!