As far as small towns, in the "heartland" and elsewhere, I grew up in one. I only go back now to see my family. As others have said, opinions are more diverse than might be imagined in such places. But in my opinion, in the absence of a vibrant labor movement, a lot of backward ideas inevitably take root as people, in their social isolation, have little of any progressive traditions to draw upon. As factories close and life gets tougher, people are as likely to turn to drugs and alcohol and religion as to anything progressive. Look at how Bush's support is rising in states like Pennsylvania, despite tremendous economic hardship. Of course, this happens in NYC too, but there, there are always vibrant movements in various stages of development.
One problem I did have with some New Yorkers is their mistaken belief that what they think is common elsewhere, or if it isn't it doesn't matter. In the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, some of my friends seemed really to believe that the massive urban demonstrations meant that the government wouldn't dare invade. I would point out the flags and declarations of support for war out in the "heartland," but they didn't seem to understand me.
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