The poor whites of Appalachia have an image problem. It’s not so much how the rest of America feels about them, but how they feel about themselves. Of course, they can’t go anywhere without hearing about "Deliverance," "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "The Dukes of Hazard."
Probably being poor doesn’t help their self image either.
In such a condition, they are anxious to assure themselves that they are not at the bottom of the social order. For many years, blacks have played that role, allowing poor whites to feel they are better than somebody.
But now, with a black man on target to become president, they won’t be able to look at him with his good-paying job, nice clothes, free board in the White House and his picture in the paper, and feel superior.
Over time, we will have to bring these people up, so they are less threatened by the success of others. But that will take time.
The immediate need is to find someone to whom the poor of Appalachia can feel superior. What better group to fill the new bottom rung of society than disgraced Republicans?
What’s the difference between a hillbilly and a Republican?
--A hillbilly don’t go a countin’ in an airport restroom.
--A hillbilly don’t have incestuous relationships with lobbyists.
--When hillbillies get pulled over for driving under the influence of white lightning, they don't babble on about their illegitimate children.
--Hillbillies lost their jobs when the mines closed. Republicans will lose their jobs when the people wise up.