The letter f following a page number denotes a figure.
academics, 86, 143, 144. See also professors
Act 10: effects of, 24, 43, 142, 218–19; proposal of, 1, 169, 185–86, 210; protests against, 193–94, 197–98, 208; support for, 17, 27, 193–94, 197–98, 221
Adopt-a-Legislator program, 257
AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), 252
Affordable Care Act, the, 145, 147–48, 153
Africa, 122
African Americans: political views of 153, 161, 179–85, 214; populist appeals to, 15–16; and segregation, 36, 53, 85, 87, 103, 243, 245; work ethic of, 180–81, 254
age: among respondents, 36–37, 43, 45, 55, 61, 104, 214–15; and jobs, 73, 77–78, 101–2; and political views, 180, 185, 200, 214–15; and work ethic, 166, 199–200
agricultural policies, 48–49, 63, 95–97, 193, 257
agriculture, 55, 103, 112, 244, 250
AIG (American International Group), 174
air traffic controllers strike, 141
Albatross Lake, 125
Alesina, Alberto, 15–16
American Enterprise Institute, 206
American National Election Studies, 151, 152f
Anderson, Wendell R. (quoted), 117
AP (Advanced Placement), 116
Appleton Post Crescent, 247
Armory Road, 129–30
Ashland Daily Press, 247–48
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), 117
Badger Poll, 141, 241, 244, 247, 250–54
Bad River Reservation, 86
Baker v. Carr, 102
Baldwin, Tammy, 10
Barrett, Tom, 2, 201, 204, 243
Bay Lake, 124
Beloit, 241
Benden, Danielle, 257
benefits: and Act 10, 186, 197–98, 204, 208–209; lack of, 75–76, 132, 161, 186, 208–9, 224; of public employees, 131–36, 191, 199; and rural consciousness, 145–46, 187, 212–13, 221. See also kinds of benefits
Biden, Joe, 170
Black River Falls, 204
blacks: political views of 153, 161, 179–85, 214; populist appeals to, 15–16; and segregation, 36, 53, 85, 87, 103, 243, 245; work ethic of, 180–81, 254
bond rating, 139
Boomerang, 151
“brain drain,” 101–2, 120. See also youth
bridges, 205. See also infrastructure
Broken Heartland, 95
Brookings Institute, 85
Budget Repair Act: effects of, 24, 43, 142, 218–19; proposal of, 1, 169, 185–86, 210; protests against, 193–94, 197–98, 208; support for, 17, 27, 193–94, 197–98, 221
Burke, Mary, 142
bus drivers, 206
Bush, George W., 9–10
business: corporate, 4, 173, 176, 190–91, 199; local, 42, 52–53, 81, 139, 162, 200; loss of, 68, 94–95, 100, 177, 181; versus government, 174, 193–98
campaigns, political: presidential, 64, 223, 236; recall, 27; strategies, 19, 150, 167, 221; Scott Walker’s, 2, 204–7, 243, 254–55
Canada, 81
Canovan, Margaret, 242
Carter, Jimmy, 150
casinos, 88
caucuses, political, 179–80
CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), 153
children, 246
Chippewa Falls, 241
Chippewa Herald, 247
Chippewa Nation, 86. See also Native Americans; and names of nations
cities: and power, 113–15, 155, 204–6, 223–24, 244, 255; and stereotypes, 66–67, 85–86, 165–67, 179, 201, 209; and wealth, 102, 138–40, 154, 158, 172
Citrin, Jack, 149
Civil War, the, 15
class: defined, 15, 218, 236–37; and education, 39, 119, 249; and ethnographic approach, 35, 218, 236–37; and government programs, 4–6, 11, 16–17, 153, 234, 251–52; and “hard work,” 72, 87, 133, 140, 223, 235; and political views, 29, 89, 139, 144, 209, 216; and rural consciousness, 12, 14, 32–33, 37, 55, 83, 166, 211, 213, 217, 241–42, 256; and stereotypes, 34, 183, 220–21, 253–54; and unemployment, 48, 69
Clinton, Bill, 151
coaches, 121
collective bargaining, 141, 186–87, 199
colleges, 73, 117–20, 126, 141, 195, 250–51. See also universities; and names of institutions
Columbia County, 240
“common sense,” 6, 66–67, 122–23, 126–27, 206, 212
community colleges, 117. See also technical schools
Congress, U.S., 54, 70, 142, 179, 200
conservatives: and economic inequality, 5, 173, 190; and “hard work,” 73, 75, 165; and limited government, 150–51, 153, 186, 254; in media, 109, 158, 167, 206, 256; and rural consciousness, 14, 69–70, 121, 145, 198; and unions, 141, 148, 219
construction workers, 75, 132, 171, 235
Converse, Philip E., 216
corporations, 42, 48, 173, 190, 199, 246
corruption (government), 150, 178
Cosby, Bill, 70
costs: of agricultural products, 63, 74, 174; of education, 58, 141; of health care, 146–48; of housing, 80–81, 159–60, 177; of living (general), 52, 77–78, 156; of small businesses, 83, 162, 195; of transportation, 81, 101, 140, 170, 172, 175, 204–5; of utilities, 78–79, 98, 155
crime, 122
Davidson, Osha Gray, 95–96
death penalty, 4
Democratic Party, the: and Act 10, 1–2, 186, 193; distribution of resources, 86, 105, 142, 185f, 190, 204, 216–17, 237; and “hard work,” 72–75; and limited government, 145, 151, 152f, 173; and Obama, 170, 179–81, 184–85; and partisanship, 2–3, 6, 8, 10, 219, 239; and rural consciousness, 13, 53–54, 67, 70, 89, 200, 207, 223
dental care, 145–46, 161. See also benefits
Department of Transportation, 129
“deservingness”: and Act 10, 194, 207, 221; and “hard work,” 72, 85–86, 136, 138, 164–65, 222–23; and public employees, 143, 188–89; and resentment, 7, 9, 222, 225; and rural consciousness, 14, 89, 146, 213; and stereotypes, 85–88, 165–67, 222; and taxes, 90–91, 163; and values, 18, 39
development (economic), 100–101
devolution, 97
discrimination, 166, 235. See also racism; segregation
distribution of resources: actual, 90–93, 91f–94f, 96f–97f, 222, 224–25; and education, 57–60, 65, 71, 119, 202–3; and “hard work,” 188, 198, 217, 234–35; limits to, 44, 175–76, 223; in media, 107; and polarization, 8–9, 85, 87–88; resentment of, 11–12, 76–77, 84, 143–44, 211–13; and rural consciousness, 6–7, 12, 14–15, 21, 23–25, 32–33, 55, 138–40, 218; support for 4–5, 16–17, 79, 105; and taxes, 72–73, 79, 160
DNR (Department of Natural Resources): attitudes toward, 69, 190–91; conflict with, 125–29, 155–60, 195, 201–3; outreach efforts, 224–25
Dodge County, 240
Door County, 36, 80–82, 113–14, 157
Dow Jones, 169
Duluth (Minnesota), 241
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 247
economic development, 100–101
economic inequality: actual, 3–5, 9, 100, 100f, 104, 110, 216, 221–22, 246–47; and education, 99; and power, 74–75, 84, 237, 245; and redistribution, 16, 47–48, 105, 199, 251; and rural consciousness, 89, 192, 209, 256
economics, 15
economies of scale, 94
economy, state of the: actual, 222–23; and limited government, 210, 221; and news, 248; and recessions, 62, 173–75, 184, 207; and redistribution, 6–7; and resentment, 9, 202; rural, 11, 21, 42, 103, 200, 213, 234; statewide (Wisconsin), 139, 197; and tourism, 82, 100–1, 172
education: and curricula, 59–60, 65–66, 71, 112, 159, 195, 257; funding of, 49, 149–50, 212–13, 250–51, 253; and local districts, 50–51, 99, 120, 158, 161–62, 164, 234–35; and public institutions, 112–15, 236, 249; and rural consciousness, 23, 29, 57, 123–27, 140–41, 167, 218; and social class, 15, 38–39, 187, 242; and tuition, 117–19, 121, 250; and values, 73, 122, 144
Edwards, John, 170
elections: and bias, 53, 173–74, 180–85, 247; campaigns, 40, 151, 161, 214; gubernatorial (Walker), 142–43, 185f, 205, 209–11, 219, 255–56; presidential, 9–10, 64, 72, 135, 170, 180–85, 223, 236, 245, 254; primaries, 180, 241; recall, 2, 28, 62, 198, 203, 208, 239, 251; and rural consciousness, 69, 106, 216–17, 220
empathy, 224
environmental impact, 100, 156–58, 190
envy, 9
ethnicity, 13–14, 29, 36, 53–54, 103, 240
ethnographic approach: defined, 20–21, 24, 26; methodology, 28–32, 35–37, 39–40, 42–44, 51, 218, 243; versus positivist approach, 19–20, 29–30, 39–44, 110, 242; subjectivity of, 209, 214–16, 222
Europe, 198
Falk, Kathleen, 243
Farm Aid concerts, 96
farmers: and corporate farms, 48–49; and debt, 95; and education, 127, 203; and government policies, 102–3, 136; income of, 15, 63, 74, 95–97, 195; political views of, 17, 26–28, 132
Farming the Cutover, 247
federal expenditures, 91f, 93f
Feingold, Russ, 10
Field Lake, 124
Fighting Poverty in the U.S. and Europe, 15
financial aid, 117, 163, 250. See also tuition
fishing: and government policies, 125–26, 128, 160, 195, 201–2; as recreation, 81, 103, 156; and treaty rights, 86; and values, 67–68, 188
fixed incomes, 60–61, 73, 80, 103, 155, 215. See also retirement
Fond du Lac, 241
Fond du Lac Reporter, 247–48
Forest County, 194
Fowler, Booth, 89
Fox News network, 17–18, 256; “Fox and Friends,” 206, 255
Fox Valley, 241
Frank, Thomas, 6
gambling, 4
Gander Mountain, 195
Gannett, 108
gasoline: and jobs, 78, 83, 172; and poverty, 101, 175; price of, 46–50, 79, 81, 140, 170, 174
gay marriage, 70
gender: and behavior, 32–34; and lack of women, 37, 45–46, 59; of respondents, 36–37, 43, 67, 123, 129, 254; and voting, 142–43, 161, 179–80, 183
Gilens, Martin, 3–4
Glaeser, Edward, 15–16
Glidden, 157
Gogebic Community College, 117–18
Golden Fleece Award, 54
Goldwater, Barry, 16
government, attitudes toward: and bureaucracy, 60, 67, 178, 199, 254; and elections, 173, 181; in newspapers, 106, 247; and polarization, 2, 210; and power, 40, 62, 71, 88, 174–75, 194–96, 202, 220–22, 237–38, 243; and rural consciousness, 5–6, 23, 33, 111–68, 207, 209, 212, 214–17, 251–52
government corruption, 150, 178
government employees: and Act 10, 1, 9, 27–28, 186–88, 197–99; benefits of, 75, 206; and bureaucracy, 60, 203; and “hard work,” 18, 76, 86, 189, 235; and income, 134f, 177–79, 255–56; and partisanship, 69, 210, 245; and power, 41, 64, 163–64, 190–91, 195, 201, 207; and rural consciousness, 6, 23, 32–34, 51, 66, 106–8, 111–45, 192–93, 212–25, 247, 250–51
government programs: ambivalence toward, 153–54, 160, 252; effectiveness of, 175, 193, 196, 224; and federal expenditures, 91, 91f; opposition to, 72, 88, 148–51; and rural consciousness, 75–76, 163–64, 203–5, 210–13; and stereotypes, 56, 165–67, 214–15, 222–23, 253; in Wisconsin, 4–5, 103, 236
Great Depression, the, 16
Great Recession, the (2007): effects of, 104, 183–86; and income disparity, 3, 61, 135; reactions to, 153, 170–73, 178–79, 219; and rural consciousness, 6, 11, 24, 84, 168–69, 207, 213
Green Bay Gazette, 107, 247, 248
Green County, 240
“hard work”: and government programs, 153, 198; and income disparity, 70, 110, 140, 206; and political parties, 72–76, 217, 221–23; and power, 77, 85, 135–37, 179, 212; and rural consciousness, 23, 67, 107, 186–89, 192, 213, 235; and stereotypes, 86–88, 131–32, 138, 143, 165, 203, 253. See also “laziness”; work ethic
Hayward, 68
health care: and Act 10, 186–87, 194, 203; cost of, 46–47, 135–38, 170; disparity in, 33, 70, 101, 161, 177, 235–36; government funded, 145–53, 164, 183–84, 198–99; and rural consciousness, 38, 42, 50, 167, 213, 233
highways, 46, 101, 166, 194, 204–5. See also infrastructure
Hispanics: and ethnographic approach, 36; and immigration, 103–4; and segregation, 85, 87, 243; and voting, 161, 185
Hmong, 87
Homestead Act of 1862, 95
hospitals, 147
Huckabee, Mike, 181
hunting: and government policies, 125, 128, 157, 160, 195; as recreation, 31, 156, 161; and values, 67
immigration, 38, 74, 87, 102–4, 183, 233–34
income: and “deservingness,” 131, 143, 187, 212, 215, 221, 235; and distribution, 3–4, 98f, 106, 134f, 155, 239, 246; perceived, 32, 41, 255–56; in rural areas, 11, 47, 162, 178, 218; and rural consciousness, 218, 240; and social class, 14–15, 29, 242; and taxes, 159, 196, 233; and unions, 33, 143, 199, 208–10; and voting, 63–64
income disparity: and “hard work,” 73–75, 110; and health insurance, 146–48, 198, 206; and jobs, 77, 82, 177, 254; and poverty, 99f, 135, 216–17, 246; and property values, 68, 80–81, 103; and public employees, 70–71, 84, 132–33, 139, 250; and taxes, 57–60, 93, 136–38, 144, 159, 176; and tuition, 114, 117–19, 121
Independence Party, the, 13, 241, 242
Indiana, 219
individualism, 165
Industrial Revolution, 149
inequality: actual, 3–5, 9, 100, 100f, 104, 110, 216, 221–22, 246–47; and education, 99; and power, 74–75, 84, 237, 245; and redistribution, 16, 47–48, 105, 199, 251; and rural consciousness, 89, 192, 209, 256
infrastructure, 61, 79, 154–55, 166, 194–95, 204–5. See also types of structures
injustice, sense of: and education, 65–66; in media, 106; and power, 65, 169, 200, 220–21, 245; and rural consciousness, 56–57, 89, 138–40, 197, 209, 212; in state funding (Wisconsin), 33, 59–60, 84, 90, 253; and stereotypes, 87, 143–44, 199
insurance (liability), 196
interpretivism, 20, 35, 209, 210, 214
Interstate 94, 204
Iowa County, 240
IRS (Internal Revenue Service), 95f, 97f
isolation: and education, 50, 66, 113–16, 120–23; and population, 19, 55; and power, 23, 56–57, 61–64, 105, 109, 187, 191, 207–10, 213; and recreation, 55, 68–69, 81, 83, 192; and stereotypes, 56, 66, 85; and transportation, 48, 52–53, 78, 204–6
Jackson, Jesse, 182
Janesville, 241
Jefferson County, 240
jobs: distribution of, 78, 100f, 135, 234–35; and education, 117–20; and government policies, 86, 190–92, 194–95, 197; and “hard work,” 73–74, 77, 131–33, 136–37, 175, 235; and health care, 147–48, 177; loss of, 96–97, 139, 141, 170–72; and tourism, 81–83, 103
Johnson, Ron, 10
journalists, 18–19, 107–9, 130, 140, 183. See also media; news
Kennedy, John F., 141
Kenosha County, 241
Kleefisch, Rebecca, 28
Koch brothers, 190
Kraybill, David S., 101
La Crosse, 69, 121, 204–5, 241
La Crosse County, 241
La Crosse Tribune, 106, 247–48
La Follette, Bob, 54
Lake Geneva, 58
Lakeland Times, 106, 109, 247–48
Lassen, David, 106
Latinos: and ethnographic approach, 36; and immigration, 103–4; and segregation, 85, 87, 243; and voting, 161, 185
“laziness,” 76, 143, 166, 181, 187–89. See also “hard work”; work ethic
Leaf Lake, 124
“leaners.” See Independence Party
legislature (Wisconsin): and Act 10, 1, 239; and benefits, 70, 137, 235–36; effectiveness of, 71, 128–29, 138–39, 164, 200, 247; and polarization, 2, 224; recall attempts against, 28
leisure time, 155–57
liberals: and education, 158–59; and income, 5, 85, 144; in Madison, 51, 69, 121–22, 221; and resentment, 61, 143–44, 173; and stereotypes, 86, 144, 180, 222
Libertarian Party, the, 24, 216, 220
licenses, 156–57
limited government: and Act 10, 186, 193–94, 221; versus libertarianism, 24, 173, 216, 220; and rural consciousness, 44, 54, 90, 145–68, 209–10; and stereotypes, 87, 212, 215–17; support for, 152f, 196, 201, 223, 251–52, 256
loans, 117
Lobao, Linda, 101
local news coverage, 23, 106, 108–9, 238, 247–49
loggers: and isolation, 56, 67–68, 79, 115, 191; and jobs, 82–83, 102, 132, 136, 170–71, 190–91; meetings with, 31; political views of, 62, 73–75, 173–74, 180, 183, 186, 189–90; and poverty, 135–36, 146–47, 154–55; values of, 67, 88, 115–17, 192
Lowe’s, 195
“M&Ms,” the, 77, 205. See also Madison, Milwaukee
Madison: and bureaucracy, 158, 178; as capitol, 55; and Democratic Party, 13, 89, 142; and ethnographic approach, 30, 41, 240–41, 245; and liberals, 51, 69, 122; and newspapers, 106–7, 219, 248–49; power of, 11, 61, 65, 68, 139; and protests, 193–94, 197–98; and public schools, 59, 65–66, 164; rural perceptions of, 34, 37, 52, 63, 67, 136–38, 162, 202; and stereotypes, 65–66, 85–86, 131; and taxes, 57–59, 77, 80, 160, 253; and transportation, 78, 129, 204–6; university admissions, 114–20, 182; University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1, 64, 71, 140, 241, 243; and Scott Walker, 28, 186–87, 208–9, 255; wealth in, 79, 81, 84, 154. See also “M&Ms,” the
maintenance workers, 133
manual labor, 75, 117–18, 132–33, 139–40, 143, 186–88, 195
Marquette University, 114
Marshfield News Herald, 247, 248
Marxian Class Theory, 242
“Mason Dixon Line,” the, 58, 83, 85, 162–63, 197, 253
McDonald’s, 68
media: local, 23, 106–7, 248; and Obama, 184; and public opinion, 18, 63, 108–10, 215, 219; and voting, 17, 148, 206, 210, 255
Medicaid, 252
Medicare, 149
Menards, 68
Menominee, 148
Menominee County, 246
Menominee Nation, 246. See also Native Americans; and names of nations
Mequon, 58
Mexicans, 74
Milwaukee: Brewers, 45; and Democratic Party, 2, 201; and education, 58–59, 164; and ethnographic approach, 36, 41, 240–41, 245; and industry, 55, 177; and liberals, 69, 256; and newspapers, 106–7, 219, 248–49; and poverty, 133; power of, 51–52, 61, 63, 65, 138–39, 202; and race, 85, 153, 180–82, 253–254; and Republican Party, 13; and taxes, 77, 80, 160, 163, 204–6; and values, 71, 82, 131; and Scott Walker, 186, 208–9, 255; wealth in, 81, 119, 154. See also “M&Ms,” the
Milwaukee County, 205
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 106, 130, 247
mining, 191–92
Minneapolis (Minnesota), 241
Minnesota Public Radio, 117
Minocqua, 68
Monroe Times, 247
mortgages, 101, 169–70, 175–77, 224
Mount Horeb, 79
MSNBC network, 256
Native Americans, 36, 86–88, 102–3, 245–46, 257. See also names of nations
nature, contact with, 67–68, 155, 156
New Jersey, 219
newspapers, 30, 106–9, 130, 191, 247–49
Niebler, Sarah, 246
Night Lake, 125
Obama, Barack: and Affordable Care Act, 145, 148; election of, 1, 9–11, 24, 169, 207; and race, 161, 179–85, 214, 254; reactions to, 42, 80, 151–52, 167–68, 252, 256; and recession, 213; support of, 13, 18, 64, 158, 170
Ohio State University, 123, 250
Oneida Nation, 36. See also Native Americans; and names of nations
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 4, 16
Osborn, Helen, 248
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), 195
Oshkosh Northwestern, 247
Ozaukee County, 240
paramedics, 101
partisanship: in campaigns, 17–18, 208, 222, 243; in democracy, 219–20; and distribution of resources, 8, 183, 199; and hostility, 3, 197–98, 207, 256; as identity, 6, 19–20, 210, 217; increase of, 2–3, 153, 239; and power, 69, 174; in presidential elections, 10, 151; and rural consciousness, 12, 24, 26–28, 89, 154, 211
Paulson, Henry, 174
Peace Corps, the, 122
Pennsylvania, 64
Pennsylvania State Extension service, 257
pensions, 76, 135–36, 177, 186, 205–8. See also benefits
place identity: versus Bourdieuian identity, 218, 242; and class, 213; and distrust of government, 62, 66, 144, 214, 216–17; and group consciousness, 12, 14–15, 17, 220; and public opinion, 24, 240, 249, 256; as rural consciousness, 5–6, 89, 139, 209; versus sense of place, 239; and taxes, 57, 148; and values, 72, 75, 179, 186–87, 211; and voting, 13
Platteville, 121
political polarization: in campaigns, 17–18, 208, 222, 243; in democracy, 219–20; and distribution of resources, 8, 183, 199; and hostility, 3, 197–98, 207, 256; as identity, 6, 19–20, 210, 217; increase of, 2–3, 153, 239; and power, 69, 174; in presidential elections, 10, 151; and rural consciousness, 12, 24, 26–28, 89, 154, 211
political scientists, 3, 6–7, 18, 31, 34, 154
Polling the Nations (database), 250
polls: on education, 140–41, 250–51; in elections, 217; on government employees, 142, 247, 250, 254; on government programs, 46, 150–51, 152f, 251–52; and public opinion, 19, 23, 202, 216, 218, 235, 243, 256; on race, 253; and rural areas, 104–5, 244
population: and age, 77–78, 101; and education, 99, 115; and ethnographic approach, 29, 214; and government aid, 79–80, 90–93, 91f–94f; and jobs, 100f; and media, 107–8, 256; and services, 60, 98, 100; and “small towns,” 52
Portage, 58
positivism, 21, 22, 25, 31, 214–16, 242
postal workers, 133
poverty: and “deservingness,” 167, 252; and jobs, 120, 171; and redistribution, 15–17; rural, 93–94, 98f–99f, 99, 101, 246; and rural consciousness, 56, 135, 148, 237; and voting, 4–5, 76, 217
power: and Act 10, 142–43, 218, 221; and distribution of resources, 14–15, 17–18, 23, 77, 107, 242–43; and education, 59–60, 65–66, 113, 119–20; and income, 154, 209; and Madison, 34, 63, 144; and media, 108, 206; and race, 87, 179, 184, 207; and rural consciousness, 5, 32, 55–57, 89, 111, 123, 138–43
prices: of agricultural products, 63, 74, 174; of education, 58, 141; of health care, 146–48; of housing, 80–81, 159–60, 177; of living (general), 52, 77–78, 156; of small businesses, 83, 162, 195; of transportation, 81, 101, 140, 170, 172, 175, 204–5; of utilities, 78–79, 98, 155
private schools, 49, 114, 250–51
Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, 141
professors: attitudes of, 66, 140, 179; as elitist, 41, 131; and work ethic, 86, 121, 132, 143, 178. See also academics
Progressive Era, 165
Progressivism, 54
property taxes: on agricultural land, 49; and ethnographic approach, 233; and property values, 80–81, 103, 159; revenue from, 50, 162–63, 253; and rural consciousness, 167, 194, 196, 212. See also taxes
protests, 1, 27, 86, 143, 186, 192–98
Proxmire, William, 54
Public Agenda Poll, 140
public employees: and Act 10, 1, 9, 27–28, 186–88, 197–99; benefits of, 75, 206; and bureaucracy, 60, 203; and “hard work,” 18, 76, 86, 189, 235; and income, 134f, 177–79, 255–56; and partisanship, 69, 210, 245; and power, 41, 64, 163–64, 190–91, 195, 201, 207; and rural consciousness, 6, 23, 32–34, 51, 66, 106–8, 111–45, 192–93, 212–25, 247, 250–51
public opinion: and education, 140, 202; and ethnographic approach, 11, 19–20, 37, 42, 215–16; and health care, 149; and limited government, 150–51, 212; polarization of, 18, 217–19, 241; and redistribution, 3–5, 16; and rural consciousness, 5–7, 23–25, 109, 165, 248–49
public schools: and curricula, 51, 196, 202–3; loss of, 49–50, 99, 101–2; and taxes, 57–59, 160–64, 178, 212–13, 253
Racine, 240
racism, 16, 23, 165–66, 253–54. See also discrimination; segregation
radio, 106, 117, 238, 255, 256
Rand, Ayn, 221
recession: effects of, 104, 183–86; and income disparity, 3, 61, 135; in media, 107; and racism, 166; reactions to, 153, 170–73, 178–79, 219; and rural consciousness, 6, 11, 24, 84, 168–69, 207, 213
recreational land, 56, 80, 100–101, 163–64; versus agriculture, 49, 55
regulations: impact of, 100, 195; opposition to, 156–58, 197, 203, 213; support for, 160, 175; versus taxes, 151
Republican Party, the: and the Affordable Care Act, 145–46; and distribution of resources, 105, 185f, 189–90, 216–17; and Great Recession (2007), 170; and “hard work,” 72–76; and limited government, 151–52, 223; and partisanship, 6, 8–10, 240–41; and Obama, 181–82, 184; and recall elections, 239; resurgence of, 16, 144, 222; and rural consciousness, 13–14, 53–55, 67, 70, 89, 200, 207; and Tea Party, 17, 221; and unions, 219; and values, 148, 237; and Scott Walker, 1–2, 150, 221, 255
resentment versus envy, 9
retirement: age of, 75–76, 136, 199; and ethnographic approach, 41; and health care, 148, 153; and property taxes, 60; and public employees, 137–38, 186, 188, 193. See also fixed incomes
Rhinelander, 119
roads, 71, 129–32, 204–5. See also infrastructure
Rock County, 240
Romney, Mitt, 13, 64, 148, 223
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 16
RULE (Rural-Urban Leadership program), 257
rural, defined, 50–51, 53, 55–56, 89, 244
rural consciousness: and Act 10, 186, 193, 219; defined, 5, 11–12, 32, 138; and education, 57, 164; and ethnographic approach, 21–24, 44; and health care, 50; and injustice, sense of, 17–18, 76–79; and limited government, 145–46, 154–58, 211; and media, 106–10; and place identity, 13, 45, 56, 72, 119, 211–13, 217–18; and power, 55, 217; and resentment, 13, 51, 209; and stereotypes, 87–89, 166, 179–84, 192; and taxes, 90; and transportation, 50, 53, 204–5; and values, 66–67
rural-urban divide: and ethnographic approach, 31, 35, 40, 51, 214–15; in media, 109–10; and power, 65, 140, 143; and public employees, 33–34; and rural consciousness, 12–13, 50; and social class, 15, 29, 101; and stereotypes, 85, 183; and values, 67, 70–71, 77–78; and voting, 53–54, 69
Ryan, Paul, 221
Saint Paul (Minnesota), 241
schools: and curricula, 51, 196, 202–3; loss of, 49–50, 99, 101–2; and taxes, 57–59, 160–64, 178, 212–13, 253
Sears, David O., 149
Secretary of the Treasury, 174
segregation, 16, 87, 182, 184. See also discrimination; racism
Sharpton, Al, 182
Sheboygan Press, 247
sick leave, 75–76, 137, 198, 206. See also benefits
Skocpol, Theda, 151
“small government”: and Act 10, 186, 193–94, 221; versus libertarianism, 24, 173, 216, 220; and rural consciousness, 44, 54, 90, 145–68, 209–10; and stereotypes, 87, 212, 215–17; support for, 152f, 196, 201, 223, 251–52, 256
Smith, Peyton, 249
social class: defined, 15, 218, 236–37; and education, 39, 119, 249; and ethnographic approach, 35, 218, 236–37; and government programs, 4–6, 11, 16–17, 153, 234, 251–52; and “hard work,” 72, 87, 133, 140, 223, 235; and political views, 29, 89, 139, 144, 209, 216; and rural consciousness, 12, 14, 32–33, 37, 55, 83, 166, 211, 213, 217, 241–42, 256; and stereotypes, 34, 183, 220–21, 253–54; and unemployment, 48, 69
social programs: ambivalence toward, 153–54, 160, 252; effectiveness of, 175, 193, 196, 224; and federal expenditures, 91, 91f; opposition to, 72, 88, 148–51; and rural consciousness, 75–76, 163–64, 203–5, 210–13; and stereotypes, 56, 165–67, 214–15, 222–23, 253; in Wisconsin, 4–5, 103, 236
social science: ethnographic approach, 28–29, 42–43, 218; interpretivism, 20–21; media, 108–9; place identity, 239; versus poll results, 244; rural consciousness, 5, 12
Social Security, 75, 149, 151, 200, 215, 252
socioeconomic status: defined, 15, 218, 236–37; and education, 39, 119, 249; and ethnographic approach, 35, 218, 236–37; and government programs, 4–6, 11, 16–17, 153, 234, 251–52; and “hard work,” 72, 87, 133, 140, 223, 235; and political views, 29, 89, 139, 144, 209, 216; and rural consciousness, 12, 14, 32–33, 37, 55, 83, 166, 211, 213, 217, 241–42, 256; and stereotypes, 34, 183, 220–21, 253–54; and unemployment, 48, 69
South Carolina, 180
Sparta (Wisconsin), 253
sports, 45, 112–13, 118, 121, 123, 250
Stanford University, 152f
state aid (Wisconsin), 91f
state legislature (Wisconsin): and Act 10, 1, 239; and benefits, 70, 137, 235–36; effectiveness of, 71, 128–29, 138–39, 164, 200, 247; and polarization, 2, 224; recall attempts against, 28
Stevens Point Journal, 247
stratified purposeful approach, 29–30, 35–37, 39, 209, 214–15
strikes, 141
student loans, 117
Subway, 68
Supreme Court, 102
surveys: and confirmation bias, 212; on education, 140–41, 250–51; in elections, 217; on government employees, 142, 247, 250, 254; on government programs, 46, 150–51, 152f, 215, 251–52; and income, 155; and Independence Party, 241; and newspapers, 106–7; and positivist research, 214; and public opinion, 19–20, 23, 202, 216, 218, 235, 243, 256; on race, 253; and rural areas, 21, 23, 57, 104–5, 244; and tourism, 101
Taft-Hartley Act, the, 141
taxes: and distribution of resources, 39, 51–52, 79–80, 85, 132, 188, 233, 257; and education, 58–60, 102, 159–62, 164, 215, 253; and expenditures, 90–93, 91f–97f, 98–99, 246; and “hard work,” 72–73, 165; income tax, 136; and infrastructure, 204–6; and injustice, sense of, 6, 38, 89, 166–67, 173, 213; liquor tax, 46; and populism, 17, 170; and Proposition 13, 149–51; and public employees, 137, 142; and recall elections, 28; sales tax, 178, 196; and tourism, 83; and Scott Walker, 185, 187, 190, 194. See also property taxes
Tax Revolt, 149
teachers: attitudes toward, 137, 161–63, 198–99, 215, 256; and “hard work,” 131, 235; and health care, 46–47; in rural areas, 36, 49, 196–97; and taxes, 133, 213; unions, 187; views of 51, 193, 202–3
Tea Party, the: and limited government, 220–21; and polarization, 2, 6; and public employees, 142, 221; and racism, 87, 166–67; rise of, 10–11, 17, 151, 251; and Scott Walker, 185
technical schools, 49, 118–19. See also community colleges
technology, 67
threat hypothesis, 86–87
tourism: and income, 77, 81, 83; and jobs, 78, 82, 172; shift toward, 100–101, 103; and values, 40, 67–67, 146
trade, 183
trains, 204, 205, 255. See also infrastructure
transportation, 49–53, 78, 101, 129–31, 200–205, 255. See also infrastructure
Treasury, Secretary of the, 174
Trempealeau, 224
tuition, 114, 116–21, 161, 250. See also financial aid
2011 Wisconsin Act 10: effects of, 24, 43, 142, 218–19; proposal of, 1, 169, 185–86, 210; protests against, 193–94, 197–98, 208; support for, 17, 27, 193–94, 197–98, 221
Understanding the Politics of Resentment, 6
unemployment, 37, 48–53, 93, 100f, 141, 171–72
Unequal Democracy, 256
unions: and Act 10, 1, 76, 142–43, 186–87, 194, 254; and health care, 137; power of, 16, 89, 141, 176, 199; and rural consciousness, 219; teachers’, 46–47, 163
United Auto Workers, 187
universities: admissions, 49–50, 65–66, 236; (public) employees of, 64, 131–32, 137, 178, 245; extension services, 112; private, 114; and research, 124–27; and sports, 121; and tuition, 117, 161–62. See also colleges; and names of institutions
University of Michigan, 151, 152f
University of Minnesota, 117
University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension office, 30, 45
University of Wisconsin–Madison: and admissions, 212; attitudes toward, 27, 34, 37–38, 64, 224; (public) employees of, 178, 235, 243; as flagship, 1, 55, 234, 244; polls by, 11, 241; and resentment, 111–27, 140; size of, 40, and values, 71, 121, 221
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, 114
University of Wisconsin Survey Center, 46, 104, 241, 254
urban-rural divide: and ethnographic approach, 31, 35, 40, 51, 214–15; in media, 109–10; and power, 65, 140, 143; and public employees, 33–34; and rural consciousness, 12–13, 50; and social class, 15, 29, 101; and stereotypes, 85, 183; and values, 67, 70–71, 77–78; and voting, 53–54, 69
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 100f
U.S. Congress, 54, 70, 142, 179, 200
USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), 103, 244
U.S. Supreme Court, 102
utilities, 78–79, 98–101, 154–55, 190–91, 236, 256
Vietnam War, 87
Walker, Alexis, 251
Walker, Scott: and Act 10, 1–2, 43, 169, 185–90, 197–98; campaigns of, 133, 206, 221, 243, 254; elections of, 184–85, 209, 255; and jobs, 86; and polarization, 142, 211, 218–19; reactions to, 208–10, 254, 256; recall attempt of, 62, 198, 206, 208; and Republican Party, 75–76; and rural consciousness, 24, 168, 193–94, 201, 203–4, 213–14; support for, 6, 10–11, 27–28, 75, 150, 207; and women, 43, 142–43
Wall Street, 173–74
Wall Street Journal, 13
Walworth County, 240
Washington County, 240
Waukesha, 120
Waukesha County, 240
welfare: defined, 252; opposition to, 72, 76, 165, 203; policy, 4, 75, 212; and stereotypes, 56, 166, 224; support for, 150–51, 252
West Salem, 204
Wiley Lake, 125
Winnebago County, 246
Wisconsin Budget Repair Act: effects of, 24, 43, 142, 218–19; proposal of, 1, 169, 185–86, 210; protests against, 193–94, 197–98, 208; support for, 17, 27, 193–94, 197–98, 221
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, 221
Wisconsin Department of Revenue, 91, 91f–92f, 94f, 96f
Wisconsin Public Radio, 106, 255–56
Wisconsin State Journal, 106, 247
Wisconsin state legislature: and Act 10, 1, 239; and benefits, 70, 137, 235–36; effectiveness of, 71, 128–29, 138–39, 164, 200, 247; and polarization, 2, 224; recall attempts against, 28
women: attitudes toward, 33–34, 183, 211; and ethnographic approach, 43; lack of, 36–37, 59, 129, 142, 187; and power, 200; as social identity, 8; and voting, 142–43, 161, 180
work ethic, 23, 67, 101, 143–44. See also “hard work”; “laziness”
World War I, 53–54
WPA (Works Progress Administration), 153
Wright, Eric Olin, 242
youth: and education, 120, 202–3, 249; and ethnographic approach, 43, 214–15, 234, 240; and jobs, 77–78, 191; and poverty, 246; and voting, 180, 185, 205. See also “brain drain”
Zaller, John, 256