I was born and raised in rural Oklahoma. Most of my family is still there or in Texas. Most of them fit the stereotypes of ignorant rural conservatives. They are angry at their lack of "success" at life and blame it on everyone they can. They are absolutely malicious in this regard.

https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/jonathan-m-metzl-dying...

> Even on death’s doorstep, Trevor was not angry. In fact, he staunchly supported the stance promoted by his elected officials. “Ain’t no way I would ever support Obamacare or sign up for it,” he told me. “I would rather die.” When I asked him why he felt this way even as he faced severe illness, he explained: “We don’t need any more government in our lives. And in any case, no way I want my tax dollars paying for Mexicans or welfare queens.”

People like this exist in significant numbers. I know because I'm related to and grew up around way too many of them.

Unfortunately a lot of US politics has become more about hurting your opponents rather than uplifting your own. Not saying everyone in the South is like this but it is a growing attitude. “He’s not hurting the people he needs to be hurting.”[1]

1: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/8/18173678/tr...