This is a false battle. The industrialization of agriculture erased as much `culture' as there ever was in non-urban America and enriched the country side elite who in turn now sell their political services to the same financial sector as the urbanized elites. The difference is the `heartland' votes are cheaper and easier to get. That's why most of the tea party come from these outlands where the state legislatures in obscure districts can be had for pennies per the hundred dollars in urban graft.
Just run the numbers and see where the reactionary votes come from and track that back through the layers of political corruption on everything from mining and oil to GMO soybeans and HFCS, the next chicken or pig rendition plant or whatever nightmare goes on in windowless complexes with parking lots off the interstate.
Really, look up Canned Dreams which is the Euro version and think about what you are watching.
CG