This book was actually finished at end of Feb but just now logging it in. The author is a researcher at Vanderbilt Univ but grew up in Kansas City. These are the areas he looks at. First is MO and the states gun laws, laws that have made it easier to get and carry guns in MO have also shown an increase in suicides by gun in MO. It is mostly by white people here. He has focus groups in all areas & in MO they discuss the people with real attachment to their guns--scary and kinda crazy to me all at once. Next he looks at healthcare in TN. TN does not expand medicare and a whole discussion of ACA. Again with focus groups he finds that white men don't want to expand the healthcare because minorities or illegals would abuse it. One guy he finds and talks to, has health issues that could be addressed in a neighboring state but doesn't want the health issues addressed because ACA and cost--again just craziness. Finally he goes to KS and looks at their schools. The tea party/MAGA groups there cut taxes for rich and doing so cut money to public schools. He discusses how KS public schools were always very good, mostly top 10 in nation before this period. Once the money cuts came there was a quick drop off. The drop off not only affected the more minority districts but also the majority white districts.
Really good research but was a little much on the details for my taste. Also the font was too small for my enjoyment--I guess I am getting older and like a larger font.
There are 12 WL for this book on PBS but have plenty of credits so no hurry to post and ship off at this point.
