Disgust with 'real America'

I read this column by conservative writer Kathleen Parker which illustrates one of the more insidious aspects of the US political scene of the last 7 or 8 years.

If you don't live in a rural, small town, you are not part of "real America."

So-called Middle America contains the only Americans that matter.

If you live in big cities or on either coast, you are a fake American.

I live in a small town. I live in a small town by choice. The reason for this because there are certain characteristics of big cities and the mentality there which I don't like. While the pros of small town life appeal more to me, I do not remain blind to the cons.

People complain about the arrogance of Washington and Hollywood types. But claiming that people who live in rural areas or small tones hold a monopoly on true American values, claiming that they and they alone love their country, is just as pompous.

I would never claim that bigots, nativists and the inward looking and highly parochial are any less American than I. Neither they nor any subgroup of Americans gets to singlehandedly define American values.

Contrary to the politically correct dogma, Middle America is not the only America.

I realize that progressives aren't as good at pandering to such people and that's why they have so much trouble in national elections. But we're all Americans. We're all real Americans, flawed as we each may be. You're a real American because of the country you live in, not the state.