JD Vance is no hillbilly – and knows nothing about real conservative values
Vance is no hillbilly. He's no conservative.
Donald Trump has picked fake hillbilly and former "vulture" capitalist, Ohio U.S. Sen.JD Vance as his running mate.
Vance first gained public attention with his 2016 book "Hillbilly Elegy," a simplistic and self-aggrandizing account of his early life.
In that memoir, Vance attempts (unsuccessfully) to explain Appalachian culture, values and challenges in a way that fits into a standard conservative narrative.
Vance oversimplifies and even misrepresents the Appalachian experience; that allows him to blame the suffering of poverty and addiction on moral and cultural failings, rather than placing the blame where it belongs: economic dislocation and the wide availability of opioids, both caused by unregulated corporate greed.
CARTOONS: From 'America's Hitler' to a 'great president': JD Vance VP nomination in 11 cartoons
In his own words: What has JD Vance written about state, national issues?
With the announcement of Vance's candidacy for vice president, we have now learned that Vance is not a conservative.
By embracing Trump, Vance has adopted a political philosophy of protectionism, xenophobia, and unrestrained executive power in government.
Those are hardly conservative values. They are Authoritarian values.
Brent Taggart, Upper Arlington
This was one kid
While I agree wholeheartedly with the need to tamper down the rhetoric, vitriol and hate between the two major political parties, much of it driven by the propaganda machines posing as political news shows and podcasts, let's pump the breaks a bit on this narrative of out-of-control political violence.
This was just one kid, and we still don't know the motive.
Donald Trump rally shooting is tragic. This is not what America stands for.
It's my guess that this was just some boy, a loner who was bullied, had no friends, certainly never had a girlfriend, who wanted to prove something or wanted to be famous, just like all the school shooters.
Oh, and one last thing, Secret Service: do better.
Dave Howell, Columbus
Sleep wouldn't help Trump
Joe Biden has been a fantastic president. Just look at his record, look at what he’s accomplished in his life of public service and the last three years as president.
Everyone is worried about the implications of Joe Biden‘s performance in the first presidential debate.
Could it indicate that he won’t be quite as vigorous as he was his first term?
His performance since the debate suggests that with more sleep and fewer scheduled events, he would continue to be the excellent leader he has been.
Joe Biden's warts are showing. We are starting to see his true condition. It isn't pretty.
Do you think that more sleep would eliminate Trump’s behavior that has resulted in multiple bankruptcies, two impeachments, adjudicated sexual assault, business fraud and criminal felonies?
Would he quit hanging out with fascists and authoritarian despots? Would he become more sensitive to other people's feelings and needs? Would it make him dial back his vicious rhetoric?
Would he be less of a liar? Of course not.
In November reject all that he and his MAGA party stand for.
Richard D Back, New Albany
"Taking our country back" will lead to Hitler's Germany
The 1965 hit “Eve of Destruction” prophetically describes the dire straits currently confronting the United States.
A diabolical, morally bankrupt manipulator has successfully engineered a hostile takeover of a political party. He has brainwashed large swaths of the population while creating an impenetrable cult comprised of the gullible, dim witted and hypocritical among us.
The carnage includes the souls of mainstream Republicans, notwithstanding a brave few, who have capitulated to this convicted felon like helpless sea turtles to a killer shark.
The Constitution established the separation of powers, thereby preventing the concentration of power within one individual or facet of government. That guiding principle is currently in grave danger of being obliterated in favor of a mafia-like horde operating under the misplaced guise of “taking our country back.”
If American voters remain in denial of the threats proposed by Project 2025 as we approach less than 120 days to a landmark election, it is my realistic fear that a totalitarian state, tantamount to that of the demented Hitler Germany will repeat itself.
The fallout is destruction of the precious freedoms, equality and due process so embedded within the lives of our citizens and their ancestors.
Jonathan G. Gurian, Columbus
What do you think?
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: JD Vance is no hillbilly. Trump picked a self-serving phony
