The myth of Small Town America...

This election, the candidates are going out of their way to play to the sentiments of "small town America" without specifically addressing any of the needs of those in urban and suburban areas. This is part of their appeal to the "average American."

The irony is that "small town America" comprises only 20% of our population. 80% of us live in urban or suburban areas. That's where the jobs are, that's where the housing is, so that's where we live. The vision of America the heartland full of average Joes (like Joe the plumber) who watch baseball, eat apple pie, and buy and drive American is a myth. If you want to see an average American, look at the person parked next to you in the suburban strip mall parking lot, on the train in the seat next to you on your way to work, or standing in line at McDonald's. THAT is what America looks like. And they have become the under served majority in this campaign.

Urban and suburban renewal and reform are topics that address the concerns of the majority of Americans, because they either live or work there; therefore our cities' health is of vital interest to them. But what have the candidates said about the fact that the tax base has shrunk in many of our cities, that the loss of jobs and property value in our cities have created an economic crisis in others, and that these difficulties have forced local governments to cut back on many vital services that directly contribute to the safety and quality of life of the people who live there. People who because of the lack of jobs in small towns do not have the luxury of living there? Not much.

People have the idea that cities are for the very wealthy or the very poor to live in, and that a city's health is only important to those who live in it. That is not so- today's cities are as diverse economically and socially as they have ever been. A city's perceived desirability affects the value of all the property surrounding it and the amount of attraction businesses have toward setting up shop there. While vast areas of this country are rural, that's not where the money is and that's not where you see businesses clamoring to be. Out in the middle of nowhere is still out in the middle of nowhere. Money and industry is found where the people are, and that's cities and their outlying areas.

We need to change our perceptions of what the average American looks like, so that policies meant to benefit the average American truly benefit the average American. We need to make sure that the money spent to make positive change in this country is spent effectively, wisely, and in the correct places. This is a democracy, which means it is our job to do so.