Tuesday, February 17, 2009

An Applachian Perspective

I follow a website that is rooted in Appalachia in one of the poorest parts of the country, Bristol, VA/Bristol, TN or Sullivan County. I had the distinct "pleasure" to drive through Bristol and stay not too far away in Hazard, TN once...an equally prosperous community. "Okay, so why do you follow the musings of this part of the country?" you ask. Well let me tell you...there are two reasons.

#1 The web-site created by Lewis Loflin that posts such quirky local commentary also hosts some web articles that are chock full of Applachian scholarship regarding the reformation, gnosticism, anabaptists, Martin Luther and all kinds of crazy stuff on religions. It contains some of the most rediculous religious scholarship I have ever heard, but it makes for interesting reading hearing what some may think. Mr. Loflin is a self proclaimed skeptic and makes no apologies for it. I'll give him that.

#2 The commentary portion of the website is filled with the postings of a working class conservative living in a unique area of the country. He describes himself this way:

"Make no mistake, I'm no liberal or socialist. I'd like to see a massive reduction in government meddling and limit the welfare state. It's a failure here and there's no accountability to anyone. It's time to end this self perpetuating welfare industry and close down these legions of useless non-profits for profit. I'm presenting the plight of the working class (in this area mostly working poor) and believe in self-sufficiency and independence. I want to see an end to this corrupt relationship between business and local government. " - Lewis Loflin

I have to admit it is interesting to read a perspective from a person in one of the poorest parts of our country that basically survives off of government welfare talk about how government meddling in Appalachia has only made it worse. Of course that is an obvious outcome of Government welfare but he digs up lots of interesting facts and figures.

It's clear he has a certain bias and overlooks the big picture and facts that don't support him. I hate to slam a conservative anytime but that bias just permeates throughout and discredits him. He reminds me of the commentator from "Area 51" that I have discussed before. Enthusiastic, opinionated, has some truth here and there but whose desire to shock and awe outweigh the good he could do with some thughtful scholarship.

The site: http://www.sullivan-county.com/ the religion slamming area is at the bottom of the home page.

Here is a link from the homepage. I thought it was funny considering the location of the country it came from. Of course that whole buying American thing doesn't sit well with me. That would give validation to the rape of American industry by unions etc.. and the denial of a global economy is about as backwards as Appalachia itself.

From Lewis Loflin:

Economic stimulus payments explained

This year (2009?), taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.

Q: What about the people who didn't work and pay taxes? What will they get?
A: They'll get a smidgen of the taxes you paid as well, maybe even more than you, so don't worry about them.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:
  • If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
  • If you spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs.
  • If you purchase a computer, it will go to India.
  • If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
  • If you buy a car, it will probably go to Japan.
  • If you purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan.

And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America.

You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer (domestic ONLY) or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.

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