When it comes to J.D. Vance, it’s easy to get lost in the details of his life, but to truly understand him, we need to examine his core values. And in doing so, it becomes clear that J.D. Vance is different from the people I know from my hometown.
Throughout rural Ohio during the 2022 midterm elections, when Vance was a candidate for an open U.S. Senate seat against Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan, I engaged in numerous conversations with members of my union, the Ohio Federation of Teachers. These conversations were with teachers, paraprofessionals, intervention specialists, guidance counselors, and other educators who are passionate about their schools. They were eager to elect candidates who would support real solutions in their school districts, such as career technical education improvement, healthcare resources in schools, and broadband access. Unfortunately, Vance’s campaign was focused on attacking teachers and promoting plans to reduce funding for public schools.
Vance has built his career on a false persona of being a representative for the poor, rural Appalachians, despite growing up in a middle-class family in Middletown, Ohio – a city that is home to around 50,000 people and lies between Cincinnati and Dayton. His book, Hillbilly Elegy, has been hailed as a guide to comprehending the Appalachian region, but I urge rural Americans to peruse its pages and determine if they see themselves reflected in it. Vance paints a picture of rural communities using derogatory stereotypes, without any understanding of the long-lasting effects of poverty that have been passed down through generations. Additionally, he lacks comprehension of the difficulties of residing in areas that lack good employment opportunities, quality public schools, reliable transportation systems, or affordable healthcare.
Voters from rural areas may find it difficult to overlook JD Vance’s lack of authenticity, particularly when it comes to his opportunism. Although some of his characterizations may be forgivable, Vance’s actions following the success of his book in 2016 are concerning. In a cynical move, he established a fake charity called Our Ohio Renewal, claiming to focus on issues such as opioid addiction, unemployment and family breakdown. However, the organization hardly did any work and ultimately failed, except for boosting Vance’s political career. One of its only achievements was to send an addiction specialist linked to Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, to the Appalachian region of Ohio.
When he was a firm critic of Donald Trump, Vance called him “noxious,” “reprehensible,” and even compared him to “America’s Hitler.” He even considered voting for Hillary Clinton. However, when he decided to run for U.S. Senate in Ohio as a Republican, he quickly changed his tune and became one of Trump’s biggest supporters and political beneficiaries. This kind of opportunism and lack of authenticity is evident to rural voters and is not a trait that is admired. Vance’s craven flip-flopping is a classic example of disingenuous self-promotion.
Vance’s failure to recognize the work ethic and love for hometowns of rural voters is apparent. Even though many rural individuals, including myself, have left our hometowns, we still hold a sentimental attachment to our rural roots and a deep respect for the hardworking people who keep our towns thriving. However, instead of acknowledging the challenges faced by poor and working-class families, Vance has built his political persona by scolding and shaming them. He places the blame of joblessness and related issues on the workers themselves, labeling them as “lazy” rather than holding accountable the manufacturers and businesses that have neglected or pulled out of rural communities.
During his campaign for the U.S. Senate, Vance ingratiated himself with billionaires like Peter Thiel and Donald Trump, which helped him gain an advantage. Despite his success, Vance has remained loyal to the billionaire class, consistently voting against the interests of working people, as evidenced by his 100% voting record against labor, according to the AFL-CIO. Additionally, Vance has strong connections to the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, even writing a favorable forward for the upcoming book by Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, and a key organizer of Project 2025. This extreme agenda proposes severe cuts to funding and staffing for essential government services, including education and healthcare, causing harmful effects on small towns and their inhabitants. Such policies run counter to the rural values of helping out our neighbors, regardless of who they are or what they look like.
In my hometown, it’s customary to respect people’s privacy and not interfere with their personal matters, including family planning and appearance. However, J.D. Vance seems to have a different perspective. He assumes that small towns are synonymous with narrow-mindedness, which is why he advocates for government intervention in our private lives. He seems to be motivated by his religious beliefs, which he wants to impose on everyone, even when it comes to sensitive issues like our medical appointments and choices.
J.D. Vance may be viewed favorably by Donald Trump as a relatable figure to rural, Appalachian, and Midwestern voters. However, those of us who actually reside in these areas do not share the same sentiment. Instead, we see Vance as a representation of the mine and factory owners who disregard the environment and the well-being of their workers. We see him as a symbol of the Big Ag executives who make it nearly impossible for small family farms to succeed. And, we see him as a reflection of the corrupt politicians who prioritize the interests of their billionaire donors over the needs of their constituents.
Melissa Cropper currently serves as the president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. As the head of this state federation, Cropper represents 20,000 members across Ohio’s 60 locals. These members include public school educators and support staff, higher education faculty and support staff, and public employees. Prior to her election as state federation president in 2012, Cropper worked as a library media specialist in Georgetown, Ohio and served as the president of the Georgetown Federation of Teachers.
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