Took a Trip Through the Appalachians This Weekend

[_Some Schmo]

I read an article recently about this little town in south east Kentucky that has become highly depressed with the disappearance of coal jobs, and how the majority of the roughly 2600 residents were largely on Medicaid. They had interviewed a few of the residents in this town that mostly went for Drumpf about the House and Senate bills, and they were bewildered to find out that not only was one of their senators trying to cut their health insurance, but that Drumpf wanted it as well. For some reason, I was fascinated by this little town, and since we were on a road trip and would be close by, I wanted to stop and see it.

It's the weirdest contrast to see this poor, dilapidated little town set in the most beautiful scenery this country has to offer. We passed by this huge coal site which looked new and modern, but the majority of the surrounding homes (mostly trailers and rundown shacks, with the occasional beautiful house up on a mountainside) looked like they hadn't been maintained in years. Even American flags (not to mention Confederate flags) hanging from electricity poles looked dingy and old.

I have to say, this had a profound effect on me. All I could think about was these poor people wondering what the hell had happened to their country. I guess I understand how the slogan Make America Great Again would appeal to folks like these. Love him or hate him, Michael Moore was right about rural America.

It's quite clear to me that these people don't really know what Drumpf is all about (which is why I blame ignorance for Drumpf more than any other factor). I could entirely imagine them hearing that he wasn't a typical politician, that he would go to Washington and "shake things up." If this was the life that the regular career politicians had given them, then sending in a flamethrower might be their best option. The place was economic pain writ large. What makes it especially sad is that they voted for their own decline and don't even know it.

I think they may tell themselves that they voted for Drumpf with the idea that he'd make their lives better, but it seems to me what they really wanted was for everyone else to feel their pain.

And let me tell you, it's working, at the expense of this once prosperous country for lower and middle income families.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Uh. Has the Appalachia ever been prosperous?

- Doc

[_Some Schmo]

Uh. Has the Appalachia ever been prosperous?

I'm not a historian, but I assume it's seen better days.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

I suppose one would have to define what the Appalachia means to them. If you're going to include metropolitan areas like Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Lexington (?), and Birmingham then their economies are pretty diversified. I think what you're witnessing, or witnessed, is a pretty historical narrative that's never really changed. Also, what is poverty? 1917 Appalachia is a world of difference from 2017 Appalachia. Anyway, if coals goes away all you're really going to see is an outflow of people to other areas to look for work.

- Doc

[_Some Schmo]

I suppose one would have to define what the Appalachia means to them. If you're going to include metropolitan areas like Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Lexington (?), and Birmingham then their economies are pretty diversified. I think what you're witnessing, or witnessed, is a pretty historical narrative that's never really changed. Also, what is poverty? 1917 Appalachia is a world of difference from 2017 Appalachia. Anyway, if coals goes away all you're really going to see is an outflow of people to other areas to look for work.

- Doc

As I mentioned in the OP, the town I was talking about was in south east Kentucky. We also drove through the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

We saw places that looked more vibrant, for sure, but it seemed to me there were plenty more like this one particular town.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Honestly, I don't if any President, Congress, or supercorporation would really have an answer for what ails the region. There's just no way to create an economic model that could keep all those little towns vibrant and alive. I'm not sure they'll ever really go away because Appalachians tend to be comfortable with their poverty and are pretty insular. They might've voted for Trump, but it's not like Obama did anything to lift them from their economic and social isolation. I will give it to you that voting for Trump is disastrous because the social programs that give them what little assistance they have are definitely on the chopping block.

- Doc

[_Some Schmo]

Honestly, I don't if any President, Congress, or supercorporation would really have an answer for what ails the region. There's just no way to create an economic model that could keep all those little towns vibrant and alive. I'm not sure they'll ever really go away because Appalachians tend to be comfortable with their poverty and are pretty insular. They might've voted for Trump, but it's not like Obama did anything to lift them from their economic and social isolation. I will give it to you that voting for Trump is disastrous because the social programs that give them what little assistance they have are definitely on the chopping block.

- Doc

I agree with you on this. I have no idea what the answer is for all those little towns, and I don't imagine Clinton had an answer either (and we certainly know Drumpf has all talk but no answers). Appalachian solar panels?

Maybe they should legalize moonshine. There seems to be a whole lot of breweries in the region (we tasted some wicked craft beers).

[_Gadianton]

Sounds like a fun trip. I'd love a drive like that. I'd have no problem living in one of those mountain towns so long as there was power and internet. It would be a good value and lots of freedom. I hate planned communities. It would drive me nuts to live next to semi-wealthy people congratulating each other on their high IQs and competing in terms of cars and expensive pre-school options. I'm not saying I necessarily want coal miners for neighbors, but I'd have the option of no neighbors. The richest of the rich understand that true isolation from others is the real power of wealth. For a person on a budget, snagging a mountain house in a depressed economy is a fantastic option as technology dissolves geographical barriers.

One day, I hope people who think like I do -- real value investors -- will move into towns like these as technology advances to allow it. This will drive property values up and give the folks on medicaid some options at least, and provide jobs in the service sector.

A larger problem to me is the inner city. I've only been to the east coast twice. One of the most surreal experiences I've had is taking a train to upstate New York from Grand Central, and seeing the extent of urban decay. It was mind-boggling how far these bland inner cities stretch. I have read recently about some venture capitalists investing in Detroit. That would be cool if it worked out. I hate the city. However, a good friend of mine who is smarter and more successful than I am, has passed up opportunities to live in a big fancy house for a small apartment so that he can be around people all the time. He was raised in DC, so hopefully more people think like him than me out of conditioning.

[_Jersey Girl]

I suppose one would have to define what the Appalachia means to them. If you're going to include metropolitan areas like Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Lexington (?), and Birmingham then their economies are pretty diversified. I think what you're witnessing, or witnessed, is a pretty historical narrative that's never really changed. Also, what is poverty? 1917 Appalachia is a world of difference from 2017 Appalachia. Anyway, if coals goes away all you're really going to see is an outflow of people to other areas to look for work.

- Doc

As I mentioned in the OP, the town I was talking about was in south east Kentucky. We also drove through the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

We saw places that looked more vibrant, for sure, but it seemed to me there were plenty more like this one particular town.

Go in fall when you get a chance. It's gorgeous.

[_Some Schmo]

It would be a good value and lots of freedom. I hate planned communities. It would drive me nuts to live next to semi-wealthy people congratulating each other on their high IQs and competing in terms of cars and expensive pre-school options. I'm not saying I necessarily want coal miners for neighbors, but I'd have the option of no neighbors.

I'm of the same mind, although the little towns we were running through were a little extreme in terms of isolation. I lived in a city my whole life before moving to where we live now, which is in the outskirts of a large town (it's just small enough to not be considered a city).

It's 20 minutes from our house to the nearest shopping and that suits me just fine. My wife and daughter, on the others hand...