---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Somewhere in between are the rest of us…"
description: "\"“Somewhere in between are the rest of us natives, in whom such change revives long-buried anger at those faraway people who seem to govern the world: c..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/joe-bageant-25954_boot-camp_somewhere-in-between-are-the-rest-of-us_1021579.jpg"
---

#  Somewhere in between are the rest of us natives, in whom…

![“Somewhere in between are the rest of us natives, in whom such change revives long-buried anger at those faraway people who seem to govern the world: city people, educated city people who win and control while the rest of us work and lose. Snort at the proposition if you want, but that was the view…” quote by Joe Bageant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/joe-bageant-25954_boot-camp_somewhere-in-between-are-the-rest-of-us_1021579.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/joe-bageant-25954_boot-camp_somewhere-in-between-are-the-rest-of-us_1021579.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/joe-bageant-25954_boot-camp_somewhere-in-between-are-the-rest-of-us_1021579.jpg)

> ““Somewhere in between are the rest of us natives, in whom such change revives long-buried anger at those faraway people who seem to govern the world: city people, educated city people who win and control while the rest of us work and lose. Snort at the proposition if you want, but that was the view I grew up with, and it still is quite prevalent, though not so open as in those days. These are the sentiments the fearful rich and the Republicans capitalize on in order to kick liberal asses in elections. The Democrats' 2006 midterm gains should not fool anyone into thinking that these feelings are not still out here in this heartland that has so rapidly become suburbanized. It is still politically profitable to cast matters as a battle between the slick people, liberals all, and the regular Joes, people who like white bread and Hamburger Helper and "normal" beer. When you are looking around you in the big cities at all those people, it's hard to understand that there are just as many out here who never will taste sushi or, in all likelihood, fly on an airplane other than when we are flown to boot camp, compliments of Uncle Sam. Only 20 percent of Americans have ever owned a passport. To the working people I grew up with, sophistication of any and all types, and especially urbanity, is suspect. Hell, those city people have never even fired a gun. Then again, who would ever trust Jerry Seinfeld or Dennis Kucinich or Hillary Clinton with a gun? At least Dick Cheney hunts, even if he ain't safe to hunt with. George W. Bush probably knows a good goose gun when he sees one. Guns are everyday tools, like Skil saws and barbecue grills. So when the left began to demonize gun owners in the 1960s, they not only were arrogant and insulting because they associated all gun owners with criminals but also were politically stupid. It made perfect sense to middle America that the gun control movement was centered in large urban areas, the home to everything against which middle America tries to protect itself—gangbangers, queer bars, dope-fiend burglars, swarthy people jabbering in strange languages. From the perspective of small and medium-size towns all over the country, antigun activists are an overwrought bunch.””

[Joe Bageant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bageant/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Rural resentment toward urban elites fuels political division and scapegoating.

**In simple terms:** Rural people feel ignored by city elites, leading to politics.

Key Takeaway

Bridge understanding between rural and urban communities.

Themes

politics class urban‑rural divide media identity

Mood

skeptical reflective critical

Type

analytical political observational

When to use this quote

- campaign speeches
- town hall meetings
- media commentary

Key Concepts

populism economic disparity cultural alienation

Questions to Reflect On

- What narratives reinforce rural‑urban tension?
- How can policy address both perspectives?

A Different Perspective

Urban elites may not fully grasp rural concerns.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Boot camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boot-camp/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Country Antigun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-antigun-2281446/) [George w](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/george-w/) [Gun control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-control/) [Gun owners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-owners/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jerry-seinfeld/) [Liberal Asses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal-asses-2281447/) [Looking Around](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-around/) [People Liberals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-liberals-826224/) [Uncle sam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncle-sam/) [Working people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-people/)

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