Serious question. Do you write off the opinions of all those small towns? Is it not within reason to consider their life experiences and points of view help form their political views? Do others know what’s best for them?
Some of the smartest most self sufficient people I’ve ever met live in Trinidad and the surrounding areas. There is a sense of community in trade and services that exists outside the taxable economy I don’t experience where I live currently.
Some opinions are worth writing off, flat earth, qanon, Trump's big lie, lizard people, J6 was just a tourist visit and Trump's treason is no big deal, are among them. Being in a minority means having your opinion written off in a democracy, at least one that is functional and not overwhelmed by fanatics, fascists and fools cheating their heads off and rigging who can vote. Structural issues are at play here too and while close America does not meet the standards of a modern liberal democracy. The senate represents geography not people and has the filibuster, the president is not elected by a majority, the house is gerrymandered.
These people are most often told what to think and how by Foxnews and the likes of Tucker Carlson among other psychos. How come there are so many criminals and psychopaths among republican politicians? Could it be that there is a larger "cause" that makes them think character doesn't count for someone elected to an office that is most often unaccountable?