The Re-Election of Donald Trump: What It Means for Rural North Carolina and the Nation
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by
Kyle Parrish
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Abstract
The re-election of Donald Trump brings significant concerns for rural communities across North Carolina and the United States. From economic stagnation and healthcare cuts to environmental rollbacks and divisive social policies, Trump’s presidency has the potential to leave rural areas vulnerable to worsening conditions. This blog explores the specific impacts that his administration’s policies may have on Eastern and Western North Carolina and the potential nationwide consequences for working-class communities and the future of democracy.
Introduction
Rural communities, especially in states like North Carolina, face unique challenges that require thoughtful leadership and policies focused on sustainable growth, healthcare access, and economic opportunity. Yet, with the re-election of Donald Trump, the people of Eastern and Western North Carolina and rural communities across the United States may see further setbacks instead of solutions. Trump’s policies have historically prioritized the wealthy, weakened environmental protections, reduced access to healthcare, and ignored the specific needs of rural and working-class Americans. Now, with another term, the risks to these communities are greater than ever.
1. Economic Stagnation and Missed Opportunities for Growth
Trump’s economic policies have repeatedly benefited corporations and the wealthy while leaving behind the working class and rural communities. His tax cuts heavily favored the richest Americans, and his trade wars hurt American farmers and rural businesses. Now, rural North Carolinians, from the agricultural communities of the east to the struggling towns of the west, may face even more significant economic challenges.
Example: North Carolina farmers have suffered from tariffs and trade disputes that hurt crop sales and raised costs on essential supplies. With continued trade disputes and minimal support for economic diversification in rural areas, farmers and small business owners in rural North Carolina may see even less opportunity for growth.
Broad Implications: Without federal support for small businesses, innovation, or rural job creation programs, North Carolina’s rural economy could stagnate further, leaving residents without viable employment opportunities. This neglect will likely impact infrastructure development, leaving rural roads, internet access, and local businesses underfunded and outdated.
2. Increased Health Risks and Healthcare Instability
Rural communities often have limited access to healthcare services, with many residents depending on programs like Medicaid and Medicare. However, Trump’s administration has repeatedly attempted to roll back the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and proposed cuts to Medicaid, which would reduce access to healthcare for many rural North Carolinians. Without access to affordable healthcare, people in rural areas could face increased rates of preventable diseases, poorer mental health services, and the continued closure of rural hospitals.
Example: In Western North Carolina, several rural hospitals are barely able to stay open, relying on federal programs to cover the costs of serving uninsured or underinsured residents. Should Trump’s administration succeed in cutting Medicaid or dismantling the ACA, these hospitals may be forced to close, leaving rural communities without critical medical care.
Broad Implications: Nationwide, the lack of affordable healthcare will drive up costs for everyone, as emergency rooms become the last option for people who can’t access preventive care. Trump’s cuts would increase mortality rates in rural communities, worsen the opioid crisis, and create a healthcare vacuum that could be disastrous for rural families.
3. Environmental Rollbacks and the Threat to Public Lands
Rural North Carolinians live in areas of rich natural beauty, from the coastal wetlands to the Appalachian Mountains. However, Trump’s environmental policies have consistently rolled back protections, favoring industry interests over environmental conservation. Trump’s administration has rolled back regulations on clean air, clean water, and endangered species protection—policies that directly affect the health and safety of rural residents.
Example: North Carolina’s coastal communities, which rely on fishing, tourism, and clean water, are vulnerable to offshore drilling projects that Trump has actively promoted. In the Appalachian Mountains, mining interests could receive fewer restrictions on pollution, threatening local drinking water sources and damaging wildlife habitats.
Broad Implications: Trump’s disregard for environmental protections may lead to increased pollution, a higher risk of natural disasters, and further climate-related damages that disproportionately affect rural areas. Poorer air and water quality will make rural living conditions harder, leading to long-term health problems and diminishing quality of life for those who depend on the land.
4. The Continued Regression of Public Education
Trump’s policies, under the leadership of former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, focused on promoting charter schools and voucher programs, often at the expense of public school funding. This approach threatens the stability and quality of rural public education, which is already underfunded in many parts of North Carolina. Without adequate funding for public schools, students in rural areas could face larger class sizes, fewer resources, and limited access to extracurricular opportunities.
Example: In rural North Carolina, public schools often struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers, and budget cuts only worsen this issue. If more funds are diverted to private and charter schools, rural districts will suffer, depriving children of a fair education and reducing their chances of breaking out of poverty.
Broad Implications: Across the United States, rural communities that depend on public education will see a widening gap between their schools and wealthier, better-funded urban schools. The loss of educational opportunity stifles upward mobility, leaving rural youth with limited pathways to success and contributing to cycles of poverty.
5. Threats to Democracy and the Spread of Disinformation
Trump’s presidency has been marked by a disregard for democratic norms and an embrace of disinformation. From undermining trust in free elections to spreading false information, Trump’s tactics weaken democratic institutions. Rural communities, already impacted by limited access to diverse media sources, are especially vulnerable to disinformation campaigns that promote divisive and false narratives.
Example: Rural North Carolina voters were targeted with disinformation campaigns that fueled fears and inflamed tensions. Trump’s rhetoric has deepened divides, leaving communities more polarized and less trusting of public institutions.
Broad Implications: A government that disregards truth and undermines democratic principles will ultimately erode the rights and freedoms of all citizens. The spread of disinformation and the weakening of democracy allow authoritarianism to take root, creating a more divided, less informed, and vulnerable society.
Why Progressive Policies Are the Solution for Rural Communities
While Trump’s policies favor the wealthy and ignore the needs of working families, progressive policies offer real solutions for rural areas:
- Healthcare Expansion: Expanding Medicaid and protecting the ACA would provide affordable healthcare access to rural families, keeping hospitals open and supporting community health.
- Investment in Infrastructure: By funding rural broadband access, transportation, and public facilities, progressive policies would strengthen rural economies and improve quality of life.
- Education Support: Prioritizing funding for public schools, especially in rural districts, would provide equal opportunities for all children, improving their chances for future success.
- Environmental Protections: With a focus on clean energy and environmental conservation, progressive policies would protect the natural resources rural communities depend on while addressing the threat of climate change.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s re-election represents a potential turning point for rural communities—one that could lead to further decline, more economic hardship, and even greater challenges in healthcare, education, and environmental protection. Rural North Carolinians, from the coast to the mountains, face a critical choice: to continue down a path that has left them struggling or to demand policies that prioritize their needs and build a sustainable future.
Resources for More Depth
- Brookings – “The Trump Administration’s Impact on Rural Healthcare”
An analysis of how Trump’s healthcare policies have affected rural communities, particularly in states that refused Medicaid expansion.
Link: https://www.brookings.edu/research/trump-administration-impact-rural-healthcare/ - Union of Concerned Scientists – “The Environmental Rollbacks of the Trump Administration”
A comprehensive look at how Trump’s environmental policies have affected rural areas reliant on natural resources.
Link: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/environmental-rollbacks-trump-administration - The Center for American Progress – “How School Choice Policies Affect Rural Education”
This article explores the challenges that school choice policies pose to rural public schools and educational equity.
Link: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/school-choice-rural-education/
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Trump’s Impact on Rural America
