I can never get anything but irreverent about the lauded experiences of people who spend months or a year or two in Appalachia. Theirs are the descriptions people use to "appreciate the wonderful but impoverished people" there.

I grew up middle-class in Appalachia since my Dad worked for a coal company. He was a master electrician and at that time could have found work anywhere and I've always begrudged the fact that when I was three they left civilized Ohio to return "home" to the mountains because they thought growing up there would be better for me. It wasn't. The isolated society, entrenched social norms, and archaic views were suffocating and harmful.

The desire to always be "home" makes poverty dig in its heels as the coal companies mine out and move on, leaving the people in their broken down cars sporting black oval "Friends of Coal" bumper stickers. People either get drugs or religion, sometimes both. They vote against their own interests because of fear of outsiders. What's not to love about these folks?

I have gotten in a lot of trouble for expressing how I see Appalachia from people who revel in the fact that their privileged asses spent a month or two in this "wonderful down to earth culture". I have a privileged ass myself, but I lived there for 18 years. Appalachia is a place to escape, it cannot be considered a success until there isn't anyone left who calls those forsaken hills home. Just my intensely nasty, prejudiced opinion.

I'm also sure there are plenty of born-and-bred folks who share your perspective. There is no single Appalachian voice but many, each bringing their own experience to the dialogue. Please feel free to participate here and if you have any ideas as to how the political winds can be made to turn, I for one would welcome them.