Politics in West Virginia are very strange. Strictly speaking, we are a republican state; that is, we have a record for voting republican in federal elections. However, we seem to always vote democratic in state elections. So which party do we support; are we red or blue? Why would a state choose to have democrats so close to home, in charge of the more intimate matters, but then place a republican in the oval office? Perhaps this discrepancy is a result of the “War on Coal”. Republicans in the big league are friendly to the coal mines, not forcing expensive regulations upon them, whereas democrats have a vendetta against them. During Obama’s presidency thousands of jobs have been lost as coal mines shut their doors to avoid the debt that would be created by the new policy. Not just in West Virginia, but in Ohio, Pennsylvania and other Appalachian states as well. This struggle between political loyalties and employment greatly complicates the choices voters have to make.
It is interesting that politicians so take for granted their actions. In this time of economic stress jobs must be created, that is what the politicians have been singing, and yet their actions are destroying jobs; the jobs of the people who need them most. For many people, coal is their life, their sustenance. It’s how they provide for their families. In many parts of Appalachia mining is the family business…the only job around. Is it fair for men in comfy offices with enough dough to retire tomorrow, to put hard working men covered in coal dust out of work?
I suppose West Virginia is purple then. We are what we have to be to survive. Voting should be about which candidate the voter thinks would best run the country, which candidate agrees and supports the morals the voter holds dear, and yet these people are forced to put all that aside and vote on who is going to keep them employed. Our homes are lit and warm because of hardworking Appalachian men, putting them out of work is not a proper thank you.
-C
3 comments:
I agree that coal is important to not just West Virginia's economy, but also to the entire United States who depend on the energy we create, but I disagree that democrats have a "vendetta" against coal. It is possible to be environmentally friendly, as democrats tend to be, and coal friendly. The issue arises when coal company owners choose to shut down coal mines rather than make the changes to create an environmentally sound mine. Making these changes wouldn't put the mines into debt, but it would cut into the owners' profits, at least for a short time, and they're not willing to lose even a penny.
But I also have to say that this is a well written piece. You make a good argument and I greatly admire your use of pathos. Excellent work.
I agree how our state is undecided between political parties. I think more factors than just coal should effect how people vote because even though jobs are one of the important factors, there are still others. -M
I really liked reading about the political views of West Virginia. I've never really cared about politics, but this year I'm really getting into it. I feel like every state is kind of mixed with their views, but that maybe West Virginia is one of the extremes. That's not a bad thing though. Great job!
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