This entire gist of the discussion gets under my skin because Vance's story passes every smell test I have, because everything I know about his stated background is plausible.

First of all let's not generalize and hand wave. It's not that poor an area (Ohio). You see plenty of Teslas and monster F150 trucks on the roads and I saw an accident report that a McLaren rolled over in an accident locally.

Kentucky is poor. His family moved here in the 60s for work. Poor areas usually have massive social stress. That stress was transported to Ohio in many communities.

It's more like social mobility is extremely limited here and people are labeled. That was the main theme of his book.

What I'm stating is that I have extreme familiarity with the social environment here. I grew up here. I know how it's tough to get any momentum here. How you have to leave (move out of state, cut family connections) to have a basic fucking career. And like Vance, I was smart and tested high and got funding for college. You live in NJ, you are not aware of that, you have had a great university system and top notch companies close to you. Not here.

Vance has said that this area (rust belt Ohio) suffers from a "lack of agency". People here believe they have no ability to change things for themselves. He is 10000% spot on correct. And in fact this is something you will recall that I have bitched about for years.

I originally moved back here because my mother was suicidal. JD states similar about his mother being hooked on drugs. In both cases the parent drags you down and fucks your life. Parallel experiences.

Your opinion is your opinion. You sound like a never Trumper. I have facts and knowledge that support the assertion that Vance at least means well. Yeah, he may get co-opted. Anyone can.

OK. Not saying you are wrong at all. I dont believe the fairy tales they spin for us to believe in.

I dont like the Democrats nor the Republicans. I think both sides are full of shit and are in service to the elite.

I think Trump in particular is full of shit.