Ed Kilgore in a recent post makes some good points ("Do Coastal Elites Hate Middle America"). There is a narrative among conservative circles that the liberal elites care more about minorities and the environment, etc., than working class people. Is this really true?
I can go into a long essay on the subject but how about a few factoids? Let's go with the new Trump budget. This budget calls for major cuts in programs that affect the heartland. Included are eliminating the Rural and Business Cooperative Service that helps rural business in Trump states, the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program, and the Rural Economic Development Program, all suported by urban liberal elites.
Then there is the elimination of Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority, the Denali Commission, and the Northern Border Regional Commission, all serving the heartland, Trump country, and all supported by the liberal elites.
The fact is that the liberals in the coastal states looked upon in such disdain by the heartland tend to be the groups fighting to keep the programs that help them. None more so than Medicaid and funding for opiod addiction, a major problem in Trump country. It is Trump and the conservative Republicans that want to cut or eliminate this aid.
Let us not forget that the liberal coastal states like New York and California pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits. If we liberal elites were more self-interested, we would support the Trump budget since our taxes would go down more. That we think the Trump budget is an abomination should say something about our "disdain" for Middle America.
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