So am I. We're going to need plenty of *stuff* built, so a new version of the TVA would spur a lot of demand. Most of those small towns can and should be connected to their local cities with fast electric trains, which would let them become bedroom communities if that suits them.
It's a lot easier to get the new generation to stay (or move back) when they're only an hour and a half from a town or city with some opportunities in it. And the small towns can then draw city people out to touch grass, providing tourism money too.
I agree completely, but these communities are full of people who will reject anything to do with it. Anything short of turning the clock backwards, which isn’t happening, they will rally against. I don’t know how to fix that.
We outnumber them and can outspend them. We can improve their lives whether or not they want to admit they need it. If we (nebulous) were in charge, they'd all have free* healthcare and education and transportation options and good union jobs and so on and so forth.
A proper propaganda effort incorporating all the right elements, including describing it as not being charity, working to support the "traditional American way of life" etc etc should be able to lubricate society enough to prevent the system from seizing up. This can be done, we just need to do it.
Comments
Connectivity is freedom.