Back in 2004, journalist and historian Thomas Frank wrote the political book “What’s the Matter with Kansas?”
Frank explores a political landscape historically dominated by left-wing [opulist movements, until conservatives started using social issues like abortion and gay marriage to appeal to the working class.
In doing so, they were able to sway middle class and low-income citizens to vote against their own economic interests.
He argues the political discourse in America’s heartland has moved from discussion of economic mobility and opportunity to culture war issues, which are based in perceived anger towards “liberal elites.” Eleven years later, Kentucky has become the new face of this phenomenon.