1. The Collapse of Appalachia by 2040
Run for the Hills:
Appalachia’s Burning!!!

2. Table of Contents
Chapter One: Stereotypes and Poverty Chapter Six: Mountaintop Removal
by Amy Thompson by: Ashley Morgan
2999 words
3069 words
Chapter Seven: Clean Coal Technology
Chapter Two: Education and Economic
by Megan Kleinline
Development
3000 words
by John Chenault Chapter Eight: Energy
3100 words by Shea Sheppard
Chapter Three: Political Corruption 3100 words
Chapter Nine: Environmental
by Bethany Bargo
Legislation
3414 words
by Cullen Younger
Chapter Four: Illegal Drug Use 3688 words
by Steve Skinner Chapter Ten: Entrepreneurship
2973 words by Josh Tyree
2897 words
Chapter Five: Religion
Chapter Eleven: A Warning
by Matt Finley
by Blake Gerughty
3072 words 3100 words

3. How Stereotypes and Poverty will Affect
Appalachia
Chapter 1: Those Gosh Darn Hillbillies
BY: AMY THOMPSON

4. The Appalachian Stereotype “Oh, I don‟t know. How
about „Good
morning, Appalachia, I got
a mighty cute sister and an
Even if a stereotype generalizes good
extra set of toes.”
qualities, it is still damaging because it
–Gilmore Girls
classifies an entire community of people
before one can acknowledge the personal (Season 4, Episode 16)
differences that exist within such a
Stereotypical Appalachian Characteristics:
community.
1. Appalachians are
The Appalachian stereotype is devoid of any
unintelligent, uneducated, cannot read and have
qualities that could be labeled as good.
trouble understanding many situations.
Instead, it encompasses an array of negative
Shoes are not are a part of an Appalachian‘s
2.
attributes.
wardrobe.
3. Appalachians are weak, helpless, shiftless and
lazy.
4. That is why they are dirt poor.
5. And this leads them to be wholly unhealthy
(drugged up and drunk) and unhygienic.
Appalachians don‘t take care of their families;
6.
they are irresponsible.
7. But they do take care of their guns. They love
guns.
8. Marrying inside the family is not uncommon for
Appalachians.

5. Appalachian Stereotype
Even if the stereotype is
This stereotype is typically targeted toward
maintained only jokingly, its
the citizens of Kentucky, Tennessee and
persistence in the world can lead
West Virginia, the heart of Central
to many people believing it as the
Appalachia. It is one that, whether ultimate truth. Those who are
intending to or not, does not work to lift up geographically removed, say in
the Appalachian people. Unfortunately, it California, may never have the
demeans the people by painting them as opportunity to see Central
incapable human beings. Appalachia and thus, would take
what they hear as fact, especially
According to urbandictionary.com:
when those stereotypes are
Appalachian American [noun]
supported by members of the
A PC term for any number of Americans who by
news media like Bill O‘Reilly. On
region, decent or choice are hillbillies, hilljacks,
his show, The O‘Reilly Factor,
hilligans or carnival workers.
O‘Reilly claimed, for thousands
Appalachian Appellation [noun]
to hear, that Appalachia was
A name for a hillbilly, particularly ones from
―hopeless‖ and the best thing
mountain country. Examples include Clem,
Appalachians could do would be
Bocephus, and Zeke. Female Appalachian
to ―move to Miami.‖ These kinds
Appellations include Daisy & Ellie Mae. Of
of suggestions instill in his
course, hillbillies do not use the term
themselves, since they can't pronounce the viewers minds that it is time to
give up on the region (O‘Reilly).
word APPELLATION.

6. Appalachian In the 2008 American The media purported this
presidential election, this
Stereotype: vision of Palin as a
very incident occurred
bumbling,
with Sarah Palin. Palin is
real-life affects unsophisticated, incapable
governor of Alaska, a state
hillbilly. It does not matter
with which the majority of
whether this labeling was
those living in the
Figure 1.1
continental U.S. are based on truth or not.
unfamiliar. What is important is the
fact that America,
During the 2008 knowing very little about
election, members of the
this political newcomer,
media, inside the news
accepted the media‘s
business and out, took
reports as truth, without 1.2
facts about Palin like that Figure
imploring much
she enjoys hunting and
further(Olbermann).
had an 18-year-old, unwed
pregnant daughter, two
Appalachian stereotypical
characteristics, and
amplified them in order to
justify the renaming of her
family the ―Wasilla
Hillbillies.‖
http://media.photobucket.com/image/wasilla%20hillbil
http://blog.oregonlive.com/opinion_impact/2008/11/tt081029.jpg
lies/nonnie9999/tv%20shows/thebeverlyhillbillies2.jpg

7. Appalachian Stereotype:
origins Norma Myers, an archivist at the Archives for Appalachia
acknowledges that ―[t]here are little grains of truth in
some of these stereotypes.‖ Yes, some people own
Around the same time the United States
overalls and some people choose not to wear shoes when
entered the industrial revolution in the outside; the region does have high poverty rates; there are
late 19th and early 20th century, the drug problems and health problems, and yes some people
Appalachian stereotype was emerging. in Appalachia are lazy, just like some people are in New
Up until this time, the country‘s economy York and Detroit, L.A. and Hartford.
was agriculturally based, the culture was
heterogeneous, and communication was Seeing these grains of truth as the absolute picture of
more rudimentary. Appalachia is a mistake. It is necessary to ask why these
things are true and understand that they do not equate the
Appalachian people to hopelessness.
Once roads were developed and the
“[t]he stereotypes have
economy changed, so did the way people
saw each other, and the Appalachian been applied broadly to
stereotype prevailed. The country [all Appalachians], and
progressed: more roads, education was
it‟s been turned into a
modernized; farming turned into to
caricature.”
corporations and fast food chains began.
Central Appalachia‘s mountainous -Norma Myers
landscape made it hard to pave and
while, there is enough land for The biggest problem with the Appalachian stereotype is
individuals to keep gardens, agricultural that it is the only side displayed to people outside
on a massive scale is hard to sustain Appalachia. There is nothing wrong with walking around
there. Central Appalachia was left behind barefoot when you have soft, comforting land, like
as industry began to tighten its grasp on Bluegrass, to walk on, but when that plays into the
one, mass generalization that is widely known about
America.
Appalachia, it provokes people to accept the bad
attributes, like being lazy and uncaring, as true and
provides less motivation to care about the well-being of

8. According to the Collins Essential English
Appalachian Dictionary:
Hillbilly [noun]
Stereotype: Usually disparaging an
unsophisticated person from the
why it remains mountainous areas in the
southeastern U.S.
The Appalachian stereotype remains because
people, inside and outside of the region, refuse to
As a result of the stereotype‘s presence in
let it die. It spread like a virus from personal
highly watched shows like the O‘Reilly factor
perceptions of the region to bigger, more powerful
outlets. Entertainment industries, mostly and 20/20, the likelihood of people outside the
television, use the stereotype to amuse their region believing the stereotype as fact
viewers and make a profit, but even in this increases, making it harder to break, and it
seemingly innocent fashion it is damaging. leads to insiders embracing the things that they
are best known for: laziness and helplessness.
After decades of the stereotype‘s presence in
entertainment, it has crept into the news media Then, it becomes easier for elites to thrive
industry. It seems that the jokes have been around because it easier to enforce this stereotype. If
for enough voices in power say that the citizens of
such a substantial amount of time that those who Central Appalachia are unintelligent or
live unskilled, they can manipulate the Central
outside of the region believe that it is true. Now, it Appalachians into believing they deserve their
is poor quality of life. Furthermore, it limits
not unheard of for journalists and commentators to beneficial development, like better forms of

9. Figure 1.3 Figure 1.4
CMT is currently on their third season of ―My Big Fat Redneck Go into any Halloween costume store or scroll
Wedding.‖ This particular wedding cake is for the union of through any costume website, and you will most
Carol and Carlis, a Waverly, Ohio couple (Season 3, Episode likely find some version of this costume. This one is
14). Carol and Carlis are entitled to a confederate themed specifically called the ―Hillbilly Bride Costume‖ and
wedding, but it does play into the stereotype by show in the it comes with an inflatable tummy, the essential
same side of Appalachia that is always shown. Those watching accessory to really perfect the stereotypical look.
this televised event, who are unfamiliar region, are once The Bride and Groom costume can be yours for a
again, only provided with a single picture of Appalachia. mere $67.99 at Costumesupercenter.com !
http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/my_big_redneck_wedding_3/151311/episode_photos.jh http://www.costumesupercenter.com/csc/prod/116591/i/1/product.web
tml

10. This picture is a still from the Looney Tunes
Figure 1.5
cartoon, ―Hillbilly Hare.‖ Similar to ―The
Beverly Hillbillies‖, ―Hillbilly Hare‖ feature
naïve, ignorant characters who loved their
guns. Also, their lack of shoes is very
noticeable. The difference between this
cartoon and the live-action T.V. show is that
this cartoon is targeted specifically to children.
This instills a generic image of Appalachians
at an early age.
http://yosemite-sam.net/Sam/Relatives/Hillbilly-Hare.JPG
From creative commons search
―The Beverly Hillbillies‖ was a television
comedy that aired from 1962-1971. It focused
on a country family‘s move from the holler to
L.A., after they accidentally struck oil. Each
week this was the version of ―hillbillies‖
America saw. These characters embodied
Figure 1.6
naïve, ignorant personalities for fans to laugh
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/beverly-hillbillies-2.jpg
at.
From creative commons search

11. Figure 1.7 Figure 1.8
Hillbilly Days is an annual event in
Jeff Foxworthy has made an entire career
Pikeville, Kentucky. While it provides an
preying off the redneck stereotype that is
opportunity for socializing and fun, it is a great
frequently associated with the people of Central
example of how some Appalachians embrace the
Appalachia (Kentucky, West
stereotype. Furthermore, Hillbilly Days also
Virginia, Tennessee). His most prolific
provides evidence of how the stereotype is not as
joke, ―You might be a redneck, if ________‖
prominent as some may think, considering that the
pokes fun at Appalachians, implying their
Appalachians who participate have to dress, on
stupidity. Since it is all a joke though, it seems
this special day, to specifically conform to the
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com
http://www.thefoxworthystore.com/images/medium/redneckdictio
to be nary3_MED.jpg fans.
okay with his
/
stereotype.
From creative commons search

12. Appalachian
Stereotype: The Appalachian stereotype cannot Native Americans, however, could
get any worse. If this stereotype not
problems continues it will build up the power to overcome the label that had been
drive Central Appalachia into a state bestowed upon them, and almost
of collapse. Stereotypes, this one entirely vanished.
especially, are more than just childish
The
name-calling. They are a Native Americans, blacks and
negative, Appalachian psychological force that frequently women have all provided examples
stereotype has many critiques the ability of an entire of the real danger involved in the
community of people.
adverse affects for the present Appalachian stereotype, an
example Central Appalachia must
Central Appalachian notice. By the stereotype‘s future
Region: When the Europeans arrived in North persistence, it will continue to
America, they stereotyped the Native shackle Central Appalachia and
1. Limits tourism American population as ―savage‖ and while Central Appalachians will not
2. Limits the appeal used that to justify their vicious be physically slaughtered by the
slaughter and oppression. Throughout rest of the United States, their
of colleges in the the United State‘s history, until the society and their place in it will be
area 20th century, blacks were stereotyped murdered. In order to avoid
as‖ less than human;‖ they were collapse, it is essential to remove
3. Weakens the consequently, enslaved and physically the oppressive shackles of the
morale of the and verbally abused. For the same Appalachian stereotype. If
span of time, women in the U.S.A. Appalachians cannot break through
citizens
were considered ―weak‖ and thus this stereotype, it will continue to
4. Paves the way for denied the same rights of their male persist and be amplified. The
the region‘s counterparts. stereotype will start to become true
and confine the majority of Central
communities to be Appalachians to a disenfranchising
manipulated and These historical examples provide label. And since people are not
two willing to help people who do not
mistreated, as seen
options of what one can do with a seem worth the time, this
in the logic behind stereotype. The American black and stereotype will threaten the

13. Figure 1.9
2020 2030 2040
The stereotype has now
All of the people living
The Appalachian
amplified all of the
outside the region are
stereotype prevails in all
economic problems in the
either apathetic toward or
forms of the media
region.
cruelly dismiss the
industry.
problems of Central No businesses are
Appalachians. interested in coming to
Stand-up comedians
Central Appalachia
have begun using
because they believe
Appalachian jokes to
there is no money, from
replace racial and gender
Medicare and Medicaid local taxes or on an
jokes. News
are cut to the region individual level to
commentators have
because Central support them. The
begun calling for the
Appalachians are all seen unfortunate aspect is that
United States
as substance abusers, and they are right. The
government to cut
the government has stereotype has
programs like
decided they will not progressed into such
welfare, Medicare and
support such a prominence that Central
Medicaid in Central
widespread drug Appalachians have
Appalachia because they
problem. nothing left but their
believe the people are
poverty.
using it for a free ride.

14. Poverty: introduction
The Appalachian Stereotype has prevailed for decades and
it is not showing any signs of demise. Because of this
stagnation it amplifies one of the most depreciating
problems in the regions, individual poverty. The poverty
experienced in Central Appalachia could get worse. In
third world countries, like Somalia and South Africa, the
people live in abject poverty. That is where they are so
poor that they are on the brink of death, where if
something bad happens, there is no back-up plan. Central
Appalachian poverty in 2009 has not reached such a low
level. However, if the current drivers of poverty do not
cease, there is a great probability that it will happen.

15. Poverty Trends
Figure 1.10
U.S.A. Kentucky Tenn. Virginia W.V.
90,000
80,000
Median-Income for Four-Person Families (in dollars)
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
1980 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2003 2005 2007
Year

16. Poverty Trends
In figure 1.11 (information homogenous industries. All
from the labor of bureau of these limit growth and
statistics) employment opportunities.
Kentucky‘s, Tennessee‘s and
West Virginia‘s median Virginia is the only Central
incomes are never once Appalachian state whose
above the median income as median income exceeds the
a whole. These three states United State‘s. This can be
make up the heaviest part linked to the fact that very
Central Appalachia and also little of Virginia is actually a
are the most deeply affected part of Central Appalachia
by coal mining. and the rest of the state is
Therefore, they are victims more economically
to such problems like diversified.
mechanization, environment
al degradation and

17. Figure 1.11
Environmental Degradation
Child Poverty
(Common, violent destruction of the
(When a child begins their land, mostly due to mountaintop
life in poverty, it is hard for removal, causes tax money to be diverted
them to come out of it, thus for fixing these environmental problems
keeping them in a cycle of instead funding education. It also
poor.) damages infrastructure, which limits the
growth/addition of new business in the
region.)
Power Inequalities
(occurs between elites-
Unemployment/Low
paying jobs upper class and
politicians-and the
Drivers of working class, who do
not have the same level
Central of financial power.
Appalachian
Poverty

18. Poverty: Unemployment/Low paying jobs
Central Appalachia does not stand alone in their amount of
chronic, rural poverty. South Africa faces an eerily miners employed in Central Appalachia. Most of
similar situation, that should serve as a forewarning this was
to the Central Appalachian region. due to the mechanization of surface mining.
Because of
Elizabeth Francis writes that one of the biggest the prominence of the mining industry
drivers of South Africa‘s poverty is ―historically though, there are not a lot of options for other
generated power inequalities.‖ In Central employment (Coal
Appalachia, power inequalities thrive. The coal Mining Productivity by State).
mines dominate much of the region; they hire
thousands, own much of the land, and support Once unemployment like this strike, it can fuel
many of the region‘s political candidates. The same other drivers that maintain unemployment and
circumstances occur in South Africa: the region ―is consequently, poverty. When one loses a job it
dominated by an alliance between can trigger depression and/or substance abuse.
industrial, financial and mining capital…with As these problems progress, it becomes less
landowners playing a less important role.‖ They likely that the individual find a new job because
too have an abundance of valuable resources; there is just not much a market for
South Africa‘s coal is platinum and mining has depressed, substance abusers. As Central
been a big industry there as well, especially Appalachia has little funds to rehabilitate
throughout the 1970‘s and 1980‘s.Its people, it can deepen this cycle (Bishop).
mechanization dominated the land, stole jobs from
the farmers, and squeezed the mineral rights out of
the landowners. Combined these situations reduce
the amount of jobs available in South Africa and
consequently, the amount of money the working
citizens make.
Since the 1977 signing of the Surface Mining
Control and
Reclamation Act (SMCRA), mountaintop removal

19. Unemployment Trends
Figure 1.12
USA Kentucky Tenn. Virginia W.V.
20
18
16
Annual Average Unemployment Percentage
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1980 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2008
Year

20. Poverty: additional drivers
As seen in figure 1.12 (information from the
the Bureau of Labor Statistics), until percent of adults with college degrees
2003,West Virginia, Kentucky and increased from 10.4% to 14.8%
Tennessee all have higher (Socioeconomic Data).
unemployment rates than the United
States‘ average. Virginia has a lower rate Even though West Virginia improved
than the country‘s average, but once their unemployment rate, their
again, it is important to remember how poverty still remains dismal, like the
little of Virginia actually makes up rest of the Central Appalachian
Central Appalachia, and region. This can be connected back
thus, suffers the same problems. to the problem of an undiversified
West Virginia manages to maintain business economy. Without
an unemployment rate lower than opportunities for high-paying
the United States‘ average in 2005. jobs, besides mining foreman, there
is little hope that Central
This improvement can be attributed to Appalachians can bring themselves
the increase of education attainment in out of poverty.
the state. From 1980 to 2000, the
percent of adults with high school
diplomas jumped from 56% to 75.2%;

21. Figure 1.13
2020 2030 2040
Central Appalachia has reached
Poverty rates continue to abject poverty. 1 in 4 children
increase for West are dying of starvation. A new
Virginia, Tennessee and It has become harder for global pandemic, Dinosaur
Kentucky, and people spend Central Appalachians to buy flu, spreads, but Central
less on medicine and health any food and starvation Appalachia does not have the
care, less on healthy foods rates increase. funds for proper medical care.
and their health declines. The people are so unhealthy
already that this flu wipes out
20% of the population.
The only people with
college degrees are
The tax base for Central teachers, mining engineers
The percent of adults with
and some of the town‘s
Appalachia declines and college degrees plummet.
more people apply for mayors. There is less
Higher education has
government funds, but do money coming into
become unaffordable for the
not get the money they need government than can go out
majority of families and
because there are so many to serve the community.
those who can finance
people who are demanding Roads go into disrepair and
college, move out of the
it. only a fraction of people
region.
can attain a basic level of
health care,.

22. Chapter One Works Cited
Bishop, Bill. quot;As Poverty Worsens in Appalachia, So Do Drug Abuse and Depression.quot; Dailly
Yonder.
Aug. 2008. 26 Apr. 2009 <http://www.dailyyonder.com/ poverty-worsens-appalachia-
so-do- drug-abuse-and-depression>.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.bls.gov/
lau/>.
Calhoun, Jennifer. quot;Archives dispel Appalachian stereotypes.quot; East Tenessean. Nov. 2004. 24 Apr.
2009<http://media.www.easttennessean.com/media/storage/paper203/news/2004/11/01/Li
festyle/ Archives.Dispel.Appalachian.Stereotypes-789117.shtml>.
quot;Coal Mining Productivity by State and Mine Type .quot; Energy Information Administration . Sept.
2008.
U.S. Government. 30 Apr. 2009
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/coal/page/acr/table21.html>.
Countdown with Keith Olberman. MSNBC. Nov. 2008. 30 Apr. 2009 <http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=JtelwDgX5Mc>.
Francis, Elizabeth. Poverty: Causes, Responses and Consequences in Rural South Africa.
Development Destin Studies Institue, 2006. 26 Apr. 2009 <http://www.chronicpoverty.org/pdfs/
60Francis.pdf>.
quot;Socioeconomic Data.quot; Appalachian Regional Commission. 2000. 21 Apr. 2009
<http://www.arc.gov/search>
The O'Reilly Factor. Fox News. New York. Feb. 2009. Transcript. 30 Apr. 2009

23. The Future of Education in
Appalachia
Chapter 2: We Don’t Need No Edumucation
BY: JOHN CHENAULT

24. Collapse: Education
The socioeconomic plight of Appalachia has
Explaining the regions difficulties as examined in
been well documented. As one of the
1960, Ronald Eller explains ―Per capita
Nation‘s poorest regions having many
assessments on property in the mountains
unemployed and struggling just to stay alive.
averaged 38 percent less than comparable national
Ron Eller, in his book Uneven Ground:
assessments. Per pupil expenditures for education
Appalachia Since 1945, articulates the cause
in Appalachia were about half those in the rest of
of many of the region‘s woes: ―Low per
the country‖ (Eller 31). Resulting education
capita incomes reflect[s] a labor force that is
reform focused on trying to bring more money to
largely uneducated‖ (Eller 31). Most
the schools of the region. Reform in the late 1980s
observers of the history of Appalachia point
and 90s equalized funding in many school districts
to education as a primary cause of many
and helps allocate money to install the
troubles in the region. These include
technologies necessary for schools of the
joblessness, poverty levels, drug
approaching decades after major education
Today, two 21st century.
addiction, and crime.
Attempts to reform the system in the 1960s reform in Appalachia, the region still lags
and, again, in the late 1980s and early 90s were nationally in many socioeconomic areas. Figure
aimed at the funding of the regions schools. The 1.1 is a graph showing the number of families
poorer school districts throughout in poverty by state. States of Central
Appalachia, lacking tax base and damaged by Appalachia are highlighted with red:
political patronage throughout the school Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. As of
system, have always trailed areas outside the 2007, these three Appalachian states rank
region. among the highest nationally and well above
the national average of 9.5 percent.

25. Figure 2.1: Families in Poverty
Figure 2.2 is even more telling about the regions educational situation.
It graphs the percent of 18 to 64 year olds who have just a high school
diploma or less, and are living in families with incomes below a living
wage. Again, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee are highlighted
in red; they all rank among the top ten nationally.
Figure 1.2: Percent of 18 to 64 Year Olds Who Have Just a High School Diploma
or Less, and are Living in Families with Income Below a Living Wage
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

26. Education: shifting the burden
The numbers above may suggest that the schools systems reinforce the problem.
in Appalachian states continue to trail nationally. Some
might suggest legislation to inject more money into the First, as we modernize our school systems we alienate the
regions education systems. Appalachian school systems poorer, rural students who have less access to modern
may have needed more money allocated during the culture. Also, the consolidation of high schools has made
education reforms of the 20th century, but today education it harder for rural students to get to school activities
reform must be different. Leaders addressing problems in making them among the first students to drop out. These
education today continue to try to bring in more money for first two side effects show that many of the changes made
struggling school districts. More attempts to inject money in schools help those who least need it and harm those
into the education systems would fall under the ―Shifting who are already disadvantaged.
the Burden‖ archetype defined by Peter Senge in The Fifth
Discipline. Another side effect of past attempts to reform education is
the tendency for the most educated people to leave the
The ―Shifting the Burden‖ archetype holds that short-term region. Figure 2.3 shows the ―Shifting the Burden‖
archetype with Appalachia‘s traditional education reform
fixes hinder the solving of the fundamental (long-term)
model on top in the section labeled ―Symptomatic
problem. Legislators have fallen into a cycle by which
Solution.‖ A fundamental element of the ―Shifting the
they respond to the symptoms of a problem (low test
Burden‖ archetype is that symptomatic solutions reinforce
scores and low educational achievement) with a short-term
fix (the allocation of money to build school infrastructure further reliance. As schools receive more and more
and buy technology). When the government allocates updates and monies more and more successful students
money to education we see the results in the form of new move away and ever more troubled students continue to
schools and new stuff. This may be accompanied with struggle (including their children). Each year, as education
some short-term successes such as higher standardized test levels remain low, the school systems of Appalachia will
scores, more students with high school diplomas and more request more funding for more stuff—and the cycle
students in college but the fundamental problem continues indefinitely. The inability to retain the educated
resurfaces: Appalachian people remain among the least- is causing a net loss of people who live and are employed
educated citizens of the United States. This happens in the region with higher education.
because the solution offered creates some side effects that

27. Figure 2.3: Shifting the Burden

28. Jim Dator, of the Manoa School of Future Studies, defines a collapse scenario not only as an image where the world ends, but can be a
scenario where a system ceases to function as efficiently or as it was intended to function. Collapse can be complete nothingness and total loss
or, as Dator explains, it can be ―simply revert[ing] to a lower level of economic and social activity‖ (Dator Podcast). I will show that a collapse
scenario already exists when applied to Appalachia‘s education situation. Additionally, I will give a total collapse scenario in which the region
ceases to exist.
Current Collapse in the System
Defining collapse as when a system ceases to function as it should, Appalachia is experiencing collapse at this very moment. The
states of central Appalachia (defined in the portion as KY, WV and TN) have steadily educated more of their citizenry. A 2007 U.S. Census
Bureau survey shows that among folks aged 65 and older, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee rank in the bottom five nationally in attainment
of a high school diploma. Among people aged 44 to 65, the same three states improve, but still rank among the bottom ten nationally. More folks
in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee aged 25 to 34 attained a high school diploma. Kentucky and West Virginia both rank above the
national average in high school attainment rates for people aged 25 to 34. The numbers just discussed are shown below in figures 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6.
Relevant states are highlighted in red.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
(ACS)
Figure 2.4: Percent of Adults 65 and Older with a High School Diploma

29. Figure 2.5: Percent of Adults 45 to 64 with a High School Diploma Figure 2.6: Percent of Adults 25 to 34 with a High School
Diploma
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS)
(ACS)

30. Education
Figures 2.4,2.5, and 2.6 show that education reform As of now, states of central Appalachia
has led to the states of Appalachia educating more of (KY, WV, and TN) are educated people at higher
its population; the information shows education rates than ever. More people in the region are
attainment in a generational order. Using this attaining high school diplomas and are going to
information, I am assuming that the schools of the college. Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee
region are able to educate and prepare students for all rank above the national average in state and
higher education. But poverty local support for higher education. A State Higher
rates, joblessness, healthcare problems and lack of Education Executive Offices (SHEEO) survey
business still plague Appalachia. The answer can be shows that Kentucky provides $9.60 per $1,000 of
explained by the amount of jobs available in the personal income for higher education. West
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics Virginia offers $8.51 per $1,000 of personal
occupations. Jobs in these fields are most relevant and income; Tennessee provides $7.28 per $1,000 of
needed compete in the modern globalized economy. personal income for higher education. These
statistics help gauge the size and scope of a state‘s
Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee all rank in the
bottom ten nationally and well below the national effort to support higher education. The states
average in terms of percent of their population discussed are clearly doing so. What these states
employed in the science, technology, engineering, and are not doing is attracting modern businesses to
mathematics occupations. The data is shown below in retain the people that they educate (particularly in
figure 3.4. For the most part, jobs in these areas are the fields of science, technology, engineering, and
higher paying than other occupations and are mathematics). The net loss of people employed in
associated with a strong and vibrant high-technology occupations in these fields is a collapse scenario.
economy ready for business in the 21st century. States Figure 2.7 shows the percent of the workforce
that score high in this measure are those most likely to employed in science, technology, engineering, and
attract highly-skilled college-educated people; in-state mathematics. Kentucky, Tennessee, and West

31. Figure 2.7: Percent Employment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Occupations
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS)

32. Figure 2.8 is a diagram showing how the characteristics of a state‘s workforce and economy are made. The characteristics of the workforce, which
determines the economic conditions in the state, are determined by entrants into the workforce and the characteristics of the in-migrants. The
state‘s workforce loses the characteristics of the out-migrants. If the characteristics of the out-migrants include education in occupations that are
higher paying and relevant in the modern market (i.e. science, technology, etc.) and the in-migrants don‘t make up this difference, a collapse of
the system has occurred. Eventually, total collapse and destruction will occur.
Figure 2.8: A State‟s Workforce and Economy
Source: http://www.higheredinfo.org

33. Total Collapse: education
the ones who are unable to adapt to the
requirements of the new economy. The video clip
hyperlinked below was made for the ten year
As Appalachia loses more and more educated anniversary of postsecondary education reform in
citizens, the entire system will begin to suffer at an Kentucky. It offers insights into Kentucky‘s
increasing rate. Businesses in the region relevant education and workforce goals and explains the
and fit for survival in the modern, globalized value of higher education as it relates to jobs and
economy will decline until there are no more. Less business.
educated Appalachians will stay in Appalachia as •Video: 10 Year Anniversary of Kentucky
there aren‘t jobs appropriate for higher levels of Postsecondary Reform (view from 08:00-9:42)
education; this creates an exponential loss rate of •
educated people. Appalachia offers little in the way http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyPX_61yhNQ
of globalized businesses, thus, there are little
opportunities for the well-educated. ―Graduate and The states of Appalachia must strive to attract the
professional schools and institutions for scientific businesses necessary to retain the students it
and medical research [are] scarce in Appalachia, educates and, perhaps, attract educated people
leaving most of the region‘s professionals to be from out-of-state. Kentucky wants to double the
educated outside the mountains and denying number of people with bachelorette degrees by
localities the economic, (educational) and civic 2020. If Kentucky achieves this, experts predict
benefits that such institutions (and people) provide that state revenue will increase by $9 billion and
to dynamic communities‖ (Eller 111). per capita income will increase $140 billion.
Increasing the amount of students a state educates
Without the infrastructure and businesses is one way to increase the odds of retaining
necessary to attract and keep smart people, educated people, but there are other ways to
Appalachia will continue to lose the people it has compete with other states in the global economy.
strived so hard to educate and remain stuck with

34. Post, notes in her 2009 article ―Rural Riddle: Do Jobs Follow
Broadband Access: A Broadband Access‖ that ― residents with limited exposure to
technology and low education levels may struggle to meet the job
qualifications of tech-sector positions‖
Possible Leverage Point
(http://www.washingtonpost.com).
Providing high-Internet should be only one step (and a possible
leverage point) in an ongoing process aimed at attracted educated
Senge, in The Fifth Discipline, defines a leverage point as something
people. The Internet must be met with an increase in the educated
that requires little effort but produces a lot of action or results.
population of the region. Broadband can help jump-start an economy.
Kentucky, West Virginia, and the rest of Appalachia could help attract
Some promoters of increased broadband access cite the Appalachian
the needed workforce by making the environment right for educated
town of Lebanon, Virginia as an example of how broadband can
people. Any national or international business competitor must have
change an economy. Rep. Rick Boucher and then-Governor Mark R.
access to the Internet. Businesses must be connected to the world,
Warner helped get $2.3 million in grants to bring fiber-optic cables to
and doing that is much easier than in the past. Businesses in
home and businesses in the city. The defense contractor Northrop
Appalachia have historically followed the interstate highways and set
Grumman and software-maker CGI soon placed businesses there and
up close to them. Before the Internet it was much more necessary to
created jobs for around 700 people with an average salary of $50,000
be physically close to the market. Today, with speed and convenience
a year. ―It [also] helped that district planners at the same time
of the World Wide Web, businesses are less reliant on being
converted an old strip mall to a training center that allowed residents
physically close to important clients. While the internet may be a
to get their high school equivalency diplomas and prepare for jobs as
potential leverage point in the system, bringing high-speed Internet to
technicians and information technology workers‖
an under-educated region can be a complicated process. Some note
(http://www.washingtonpost.com). Attracted the right jobs and people
that the socioeconomic conditions don‘t always favor adding the
is a process that must be addressed at many levels; that is, many
Internet. For instance, some residents may not see the advantage of
factors must align for real progress to be made. Figure 4.1 below
Figure 2.9: Location of Lebanon be able to afford the subscription
being online and other may not
shows the location of Lebanon, the broadband success story.
required for service. Cecilia Kang, a staff writer for the Washington
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

35. Attracting the Creative Class: Other Factors innovation. The last ‗T‘ is tolerance. This is the most challenging
Discouraging Educated People from Staying in the issue to the Appalachia. The region has long been heralded as a
bastion of backwardness and limited tolerance. Florida contends that
Region the creative people needed to attract modern business prefer to work
in environments that are open to all. For example, Florida uses the
Richard Florida, in his book The Rise of the Creative Gay Index to measure an areas openness and level of diversity. With
Class, defines the people I have identified the people who work in the the logic that since integrating gays into mainstream society has been
occupations I defined as beneficial to the region (in science, so difficult, he assumes areas that welcome gays welcome all people.
technology, etc.) as members of the ―Creative Class.‖ He explains, Most educated people place value on this. For Appalachian towns and
―This book describes the emergence of a new social class. If you are a cities becoming more diverse would be nearly impossible. Low
scientist, an architect or designer…or if you use creativity as a key educational attainment rates and a high rate of Christian
factor in your work in business, education, health care, law or some fundamentalism discourage almost anyone who is different, much less
other profession, you are a member‖ (Florida xxvii). Florida contends homosexuals, from living in the region.
that these people are attracted to locations that offer similar things. A
Conclusion
number of the regions that attract the most creative people are those
that have major universities, research facilities and governments that
support attracting creative class businesses and, thus, more creative To compete and remain relevant in the global economy Appalachian
class people. These places are not necessarily the large cities. Areas leaders and citizens must strive to increase not only the amount of
like Gainesville, Florida and Hartford, Connecticut harbor some of people it educates, but must increase the amount of educated people
the largest concentrations of these people, so Appalachia is not out of that live and work in the region. Currently, a collapse scenario is
the running because of its location and lack of population. Creative taking place as Appalachia loses more educated folks than it gains
places are also not limited to established high-technology and cultural annually. An eventual total destruction scenario will occur if this
centers—so Appalachia can improve. Florida notes that significant trend continues. The availability of jobs in the region will shrink. As a
competitive advantage goes to areas that already have concentrations result, the tax base will decrease and infrastructure will suffer. Less
of the class. Additionally, regions that harbor large concentrations of businesses and educated people will inhabit the region. In an extreme
working and service class jobs are at a considerable disadvantage. If situation, without federal or state legislative interference, the region
Appalachia wishes to compete, the region must attract more creative could totally die. Downtown Detroit‘s infrastructure and business
people. Areas with high concentrations of creative class workers tend state can serve as a model for what happens in a total economic
to support high-tech businesses, so broadband access and the collapse. The area produced too many working class jobs and not
attraction of high-tech businesses is crucial to improving the enough jobs in creative areas such as science, technology, and
demographic. Florida contends that creative people are attracted to mathematics. This led to collapse of the system evidenced by
areas with high technology, talent and tolerance; what he labels the Detroit‘s crumbling infrastructure.
three ‗T‘s‘. High technology is present to harbor large, globalized

36. Chapter Two Works Cited
Eller, Ronald. Uneven Ground; The History of
Appalachia Since 1945. Lexington, KY:
University of Kentucky Press, 2008.
Florida, Richard. The Rise of the Creative Class.
New York: Basic Books, 2002.
Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline. New York:
Doubleday, 1990.

37. Politics and Collapse in
Appalachia
Chapter 3: Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
BY: BETHANY BARGO

38. Political Road to Collapse
worse, unnoticed because the symptoms
Peter Senge, in his book The Fifth
apparently clear up, and the system loses
Discipline, defines an archetype called
shifting the burden as ―an underlying whatever abilities it had to solve the
underlying problem‖ (Senge 103). Who is
problem that generates symptoms that
this someone that shifts the burden when
demand attention but the underlying
they ―fix‖ the problem? It is Appalachia‘s
problem is difficult for people to address so
people ‗shift the burden‘ of their problems to finest, political elites who will hinder an
entire region as long as they‘re in power.
other solutions-well intentioned, easy fixes
which seem extremely efficient‖ (103). The rest of the nation is moving forward
while this region is staying stagnant.
The residents of Appalachia have been
Political elites will personally drive the bus
surrounded by this archetype for most of
to the world of Appalachian collapse.
their lives. A problem presents
itself, someone tries to combat it by coming
up with quick fixes like trying to use gum to
stop a leak. On the surface it appears that
the problem is being addressed
however, ―the underlying problem grows

39. Political Road to Collapse: Vision 2040
• The political road to collapse leads to Appalachia in 2040. There are no
more mountains, only level reminders of where a mountain once stood. It‘s
beauty has been destroyed and can only be found in historical pictures
• The area is more similar to a third world country, with pockets of drug
abuse and 8th grade level education. The stereotypes are the same and no
one seems to care.
• The rest of the world is 100 steps ahead and Appalachia will never catch
up. Alternative energy has flooded the once coal enriched economy and the
skills of the coal mine have not been replaced.
• The federal government used to care however there are more important
issues on the agenda.
• However, one thing remains constant. One thing has not changed for 30
years or longer. The local and state political structures in Appalachia will
gain power at any cost. They live in the mansions up on the hill while their
voting base can not even afford to live in anything strong enough to support
insulation. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
• The political structure looks more like a dictatorship than a democracy.

40. Political trends that lead to the collapse of
Appalachia in the year 2040

41. Political Road to Collapse
• The History of the (ARC) Appalachian Regional Commission
– According to the commission‘s website, ―In 1960, the Region's governors
formed the Conference of Appalachian Governors to develop a regional
approach to resolving these problems. In 1961, they took their case to
newly elected President John F. Kennedy, who had been deeply moved by
the poverty he saw during campaign trips to West Virginia.‖
– The website also states that ―in 1963 Kennedy formed a federal-state
committee that came to be known as the President's Appalachian Regional
Commission (PARC), and directed it to draw up quot;a comprehensive program
for the economic development of the Appalachian Region‖
• Some conditions that were facing the Appalachian region at that time were
―One of every three Appalachians lived in poverty, per capita income was 23
percent lower than the U.S. average, and high unemployment and harsh living
conditions had, in the 1950s, forced more than 2 million Appalachians to leave
their homes and seek work in other regions.‖ (arc.gov)

42. Political Road to Collapse
The conditions facing the
Appalachian region in 1963, the year According to the ARC, ―While
the ARC was created, are the same significant strides have been made
conditions facing Appalachia today. since the mid 1960s, one fifth of the
46 years later, no change, what gives? counties in Appalachia are still
The programs enacted by the ARC considered distressed. Figure 3.1 on
were not bad, however the region has the next slide shows the geographic
been left in the wrong hands. locations of these 82 counties, and an
apparent pattern does seem to exist in
their location and concentration south
According to Dr. Ronald Eller in his
and west in the region.‖
book titled Uneven Ground ―five
years after the ARC creation, low-
income people in the sixty poorest
counties in central Appalachia
remained almost untouched by the
commission‘s programs‖ (191)

43. Political Road to Collapse
Figure 3.1
In 2040 the
entire region
http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=2321 will be
distressed.

44. Political Road to Collapse:
history of political efforts
For years politicians have tried the area, President Johnson
their best to donate the best known demanded a war on poverty during
efforts to alleviate the problems in the State of the Union address on
Appalachia. It dates as far back as January 8, 1964. (npr.org)
President John F. Kennedy who
personally ―telephoned the newly See President Johnsons Special
elected governor of Message to Congress about the War
Kentucky, Edward ―Ned‖ on Poverty
Breathitt, and assured him that the
White House would follow through
on its commitment to Appalachia‖ According to Dr. Ronald Eller in
(Eller 75). his book titled Uneven
Ground, ―Johnson understood the
political benefits of government
The commitment from President investment in local poverty
Kennedy never reached it programs, especially in the
fulfillment due to his assassination South, where white leaders were
in November 1963, however Vice resisting federal civil rights
President Lyndon B. Johnson was pressures‖ (76).
right behind him to follow his lead.
Perhaps setting the tone for
politicians and motivations toward

45. Political Road to Collapse:
history of political efforts
domino effect that is still in place in
The War on Poverty was a quick fix
Appalachia today. According to Kent
for the problems in Appalachia. In
Germany of the University of Virginia
January 1968, Appalachia was still
President Nixon ―endorsed a ‗New
termed as a ―forgotten land‖ (Eller
Federalism‘ in which the federal
154). According to reporter Peter
Schrag, ―in the seven years since John governments shifted more authority
over social welfare enterprises to state
F. Kennedy had drawn national
and local government‖ and thus the
attention to the region, grand solutions
problem worsens (2). Once the power
have soured into new problems, the
over social welfare enterprises was
exploitation of land and people
turned over to the state and local
continues, and even the best and most
governments of Appalachia, the area
hopeful efforts are jeopardized by
was controlled on every level by
ugly political machines all too close to
home‖ (Eller 154). Where did the political powerhouses. For Kentucky
Governor Breathitt, ―the War on
political machines come from?
Poverty was dead‖ (Eller 156).
When Richard Nixon took over the
Presidency, he continued the
movement and perhaps set off the

46. Political Road to Collapse
• What are social welfare enterprises?
– According to Dr. Ronald Eller, ―not only had government programs
enlarged the number of politically dependent jobs, but Medicare and
Medicaid had proven to be a boon for local druggists and physicians‖
(157).
– ―Grocers welcomed expanding food stamp programs and checks for
welfare, disability, and retirement flooded into county banks each month‖
(Eller 157)
• The political elites of Appalachia benefited from the social welfare enterprise more than
anyone, even those the programs were ―supposed‖ to help.
– Doctors make a lot of money and reelection campaigns cost a lot of money.
Dr. Eller writes how ―mountain physicians had long held influential
positions in local politics and often were among the principal investors in
local land development efforts.‖ (35)
– The creation of such an enterprise is the quick fix made by political elites
to make it appear as though Appalachia is making strides when really all
that is happening is the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting
poorer.

47. Political Road to Collapse
• ―The seeds of change and resistance had been planted‖ by the War on Poverty
―and even as government-sponsored funds for fighting poverty began to
tighten, a wave of dissent washed across the mountains that would dramatize
the depth of the region‘s problems and reframe the debate over regional
disparity for years to come‖ (Eller 132).
• ―For some Appalachian elites, managing poverty was more acceptable than
fighting it and sometimes more rewarding‖ (Eller 157)
• The regional disparity mentioned by Dr. Eller above continued to plague the
Appalachian region through the course of 2010, 2020, 2030, and eventually
lead to the ultimate collapse in 2040. It turned out to be true that managing
poverty was definitely more acceptable and rewarding, but it also proved to be
the easiest way too. When the region can no longer lean on coal, the political
elites stand by and watch their own wealth grow as the region digresses
because no one will pay to educate the unemployed.

48. Political Road to Collapse: State and
Local Government in Appalachia
(2009)The nation is coming off of a historical
political turning point however Appalachia may be
more concerned at the moment with the upcoming
local elections. One would think that maybe the
mayor or state representative would be of great
importance to a local in the elections. Think again.
It seems that ―County Judge Executive [is] easily
the most important political office to most voters in
the region‖ (cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com).

49. Political Road to Collapse
• Judge executives control many jobs throughout a
community. They also control the improvement
and/or construction of local roads.
• Robert Ireland referred to Kentucky‘s 120
counties as ―little kingdoms‖
(cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com). The elected
officials are the kings and queens while the
citizens remain in the working class. The money
they earn goes towards making ―improvements‖
in the officials popularity, not in the area itself.
• The office of judge executive is in control of
millions of county dollars.

50. Political Road to Collapse
• John Gaventa had a way of describing power in his book Power and
Powerlessness which is described below.
• The elite versus the non-elite equals power versus powerlessness.
• In this case, the elite (A) determines/influences what the non-elite (B) want.
The elite County Judge Executive has a job opening. The
non-elite, out of work citizen needs the job, however their family was on
the opposite end of the voting spectrum during the last election. ―A‖ has the
ability to determine what ―B‖ wants when re-election rolls around.

51. Political Road to Collapse
• Just how much power do they have?
• According to the website cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com, Judge Executives control
jobs such as ―receptionists, solid waste management, 911 directors, Deputy Judge
Executive, economic development positions.‖
• Jobs such as these are definitely important in small counties in Appalachia. They
could very well determine whether someone has to rely on the social welfare
enterprises or if they will earn themselves the food they put on the table for dinner.
Those in power tend to offer the jobs up to a friend of a friend-someone they owe a
favor to because they helped them out during campaign season. Citizens of
Appalachia can not catch up to the rest of the nation when their own political
authorities dictate whether they will have a job or rely on food stamps and a
medical card.
• In fact, ―the combination of a good word from the county judge executive and a
certification of disability from the local doctor was almost certain to convince the
Department of Social Welfare to approve a monthly check and to obligate the
claimant to the local political machine as well‖ (Eller 35).

52. Political Road to Collapse
• Did you know:
– ―Four serving or former Eastern Kentucky County Judge
Executives over the past few years have gone to prison-two from
Knott County, one from Knox County, and one from Perry
County‖ (cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com)
– ―Five Clay County Kentucky officials, including the circuit court
judge, the country clerk, and election officers were arrested
Thursday after they were indicted on federal charges accusing
them of using corrupt tactics to obtain political power and
personal gain‖ (schneir.com)
– The lack of trust in the political structure leads to collapse of the
political democracy (if one can even call it that) into a complete
political dictatorship. Incomes, employment, land
ownership, road improvement, clean water, etc is all
predetermined by the powerful.

53. Political Road to Collapse
• During the tough economic times, many elected officials, including President
Obama tried to show support for the country by decreasing the amount of bonuses
or raises received. This seems to show the country trending away from the trickle
down affect that has plagued the Appalachian area for so many decades which
creates an even wider gap between Appalachia and the rest of the world.
• Dr. Eller wrote of this in his book which was published in 2008 before the elections
were even over. It appears that Appalachians have dealt with this political gap
more than once. Dr. Eller says ―mountain residents had always felt a sense of
separateness from mainstream society that reinforced their passion for freedom and
independence‖ and he attributes the reinforced ―pride in things local and familiar‖
from political elites as a ―pretext to resist change and eventually it was utilized by
mountain elites to maintain long, established political dynasties‖ (245).
• It isn‘t that Appalachians do not want change, it is that they are told that change is
not what they want. Political elites seem to use the motto ―if it ain‘t broke don‘t fix
it.‖ In their world, Appalachia is not broken-they thrive although the area is
collapsing.

54. Political Road to Collapse
• A prime example of a political elite in Appalachia is the Governor of West Virginia Joe
Manchin.
– Manchin was recently re-elected to his second term in 2008.
• Here is what Governor Manchin had to say when he addressed the West Virginia Public
Employees Union UE Local 170 who were rallying for a pay raise:
– ―I would think they would be tickled to death to have a job, to have a good
paycheck, and a benefits package‖ (appalachiangreens.blogspot.com).
• In an economy like that of 2009, that seems to be a pretty logical statement. If you were to
ask someone who was just laid off from their job, they would probably be content to just have
a job, much less a raise.
• According to the Charleston Gazette, ―Manchin said he respects the right of public employees
to rally for a pay raise, says it is all part of the legislative process, but that state employees
should be consider themselves lucky at the moment to have a secure job‖
(appalachingreens.blogspot.com).
– Manchin also stated that ―many private-sector workers and public employees in other
states are ‗scared to death‘ that they may lose their job‖
(appalachingreens.blogspot.com).
• Again, this is a prime example of an elite determining what a non-elite wants.

55. Political Road to Collapse
• Here was Governor Manchin‘s response to his executive staff‟s, as well as his own
pay raise:
– According to the Charleston Gazette ―Manchin said he was justified in giving
seven members of his executive staff pay raises of 12% or more, because of
additional responsibilities they are taking on in the second term of his
administration‖ (appalachiangreens.blogspot.com)
– Governor Manchin increased his own salary by $55,000, from $95,000 to
$150,000 a year. (appalachiangreens.blogspot.com)
– Who exactly needs that much of a raise? Maybe a governor who owns a $2
million dollar private plane!
• Appalachians are partially responsible for electing Governor
Manchin not once but twice. The lack of education, especially in the
political arena would explain this. Most Appalachians grow up and
vote a certain way because it is how their father or mother voted. As
the area becomes even less educated in 2040, Appalachian states all
acquire governors like this.

56. Political Road to Collapse
• National Politics Leaving Appalachia Behind
– In the 21st century as the rest of the world focuses on clean coal, alternative
energy, mass technology, and the outsourcing of jobs, the gap between Appalachia
and the rest of America widens.
– It is no surprise that coal is a big economic crutch in the Appalachian region
however changes in energy capabilities are hindering the region. Dr. Eller stated
that ―changes in the coal industry had been at the core of central Appalachia‘s
economic distress since WWII. The introduction of new technologies had given
rise to massive unemployment in the underground mines and to the emergence of
surface mining practices that left the landscape scarred and degraded‖ (144).
– As the nation moves toward an alternative energy approach, Appalachia will move
closer to collapse. According to the website publicintegrity.org, the ―earnings of
the top five U.S. coal producers more than doubled in 2008.‖
– According to Marianne Lavelle‘s article on the website publicintegrity.org, the top
5 coal producers in the U.S. are Peabody Energy (1), Arch Coal (2), Rio Tinto
Energy America (3), Foundation Coal (4), and CONSOL Energy (5). The
following graph shows their record profits for 2008. Figure 3.2

57. Political Road to Collapse
Coal Mining Record Profits 2008
350000
300000
Profits received in 2008
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
1 2 3 4 5
Top 5 Coal Producers in U.S.
Figure 3.2
Money in the bank while
http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/climate_change/articles/entry/1280
the region suffers

58. Political Road to Collapse
• The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity
(ACCCE) is ―a collection of 48
mining, rail, manufacturing, and power companies with an
annual budget of over $45 million which is three times
larger than the coal industry‘s previous lobby and PR
groups‖ (Lavelle). (See Figure 3.3)
• If history serves us right, politicians will follow the money
trail, which apparently leads to the American Coalition for
Clean Coal Electricity. With further support from politicians
on a local level, the practice of producing clean coal could
set the Appalachian region even further back. There is not
anything wrong will trying to produce a more
environmentally friendly type of energy, however political
elites will not spend the time nor money to retrain so many
Appalachians who know only the traditional skill of coal
mining by mountain top removal.

59. Political Road to Collapse
Clean Coal Campaign Funding
350000
300000
250000
Amount Donated
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Figure 3.3
Recipients
A trend that will
change the nation
http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/climate_change/assets/pdf/Mining_
Record_Profits.pdf

60. Political Road to Collapse
• Beginning in 2009, President Obama has taken steps to move away from
old policies on mountain top removal.
– President Obama made ―a decision to suspend and review permits for two mountaintop
removal mining operations, an action that effectively suspends more than 100 additional
valley fill permits that threaten to bury hundreds more miles of headwater streams and
destroy dozens more Appalachian mountains‖ (ilovemountains.org). This is good for the
environment but bad for the job market in Appalachia. Political elites will find another
way to increase their fortune, however Appalachians will continue to rely on social
welfare enterprises.
• ―The National Mine Association is already issuing sky-is-falling
predictions of job losses if permits to stop mountain top removal are not
issued immediately‖ (ilovemountains.org).
• ―The Department of Energy projects Central Appalachia coal production
will decline 25% in the next decade, and it is common knowledge that the
Appalachian coal industry is undergoing a steep decline simply because the
highest quality and easiest access to coal seams have long since been mined
out‖ (ilovemountains.org).

61. Political Road to Collapse
• Although President Obama has set the reverse of mountain top removal in
motion, local political elites will not give up that easily.
– ―A controversial mountain top removal mine in Eastern Kentucky was approved the day after the
Environmental Protection Agency said it was going to review such permits‖ (kentucky.com). The tug
of war between local government in Appalachia and the federal government in Washington D.C. will
continue while the Appalachian citizens pay the price.
• The choice Appalachians have is to A.)comply with President Obama, forgo
mountain top removal, and lose thousands of jobs without receiving any training in
any other fields or B.) continue mountain top removal and forsake their land and
environment, as well as their health and well being. That is not much choice to
have.
• Figure 3.4 on the following page showed ―that the region where mountain top
removal occurs scored the lowest of any region in the nation for their ‗Index of
Well Being.‘ Three Congressional Districts in Southwest Virginia, Eastern
Kentucky, and Southern West Virginia where more than 90% of mountain top
removal operations are located were all among the bottom 2% of districts in the
Gallup Survey‖ (ilovemountains.org).

62. Political Road to Collapse
According to the website ilovemountains.org, West
Virginia, Kentucky, and Mississippi are ranked as the
48th, 49th, and 50th lowest well being states. Well
being is ―the index score for the nation and for each
state is an average of six sub-indexes, which
individually examine life evaluation, healthy
behaviors, work environment, physical
health, emotional health, and access to basic
necessities. The questions in each sub-index are asked
nightly of 1,000 national adults, aged 18 and older.‖
The political elite are definitely not listed in this
group. In fact, in 2040 the well-being will be worse
and the political elites will be as powerful as ever.
Figure 3.4
http://www.ilovemountains.org/news/493

63. Political Road to Collapse
In summary, by 2040 the political structure in
Appalachia will be a complete dictatorship.
Some would argue that is no different from
today. However, what will have changed is the
type of people under their rule. Due to
political corruption, the only individuals left in
the area will be uneducated, untrained, out of
work citizens who will make whatever living
they can off of social welfare enterprises, that
keep them forever chained to the political
hierarchy that exists.

64. Chapter Three Works Cited
quot;ARC | History.quot; ARC | Appalachian Regional Commission. 27 Apr. 2009 <http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=7>.
quot;Election Fraud in Kentucky.quot; Schneirer on Security. 24 Mar. 2009
<http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/03/election_fraud.html>.
quot;Election 2010: Appalachian Kentucky County Judge Executive Roundup.quot; Cyberhillbilly. 07 Apr. 2009
<http://cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com/2009/04/election-2010-appalachian-kentucky.html>.
Eller, Ronald D. Uneven ground Appalachia since 1945. Lexington: University P of Kentucky, 2008.
Faculty Web Sites at the University of Virginia. 25 Apr. 2009
<http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/sixties/readings/War%20on%20Poverty%20entry%20Poverty%20Encyclopedia.pd
f>.
Gaventa, John. Power and Powerlessness Quiescence & Rebellion in an Appalachian Valley. New York: University of
Illinois P, 1982.
quot;Governor Joe Manchin is Lucky to Have a Job (And a New Airplane).quot; 17 Feb. 2009
<http://appalachiangreens.blogspot.com/2009/02/governor-joe-manchin-is-lucky-to-have.html>.
Halsall, Paul. quot;Modern History Sourcebook: President Lyndon B. Johnson: The War on Poverty, March 1964.quot; 29 Apr.
2009 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1964johnson-warpoverty.html>.
quot;Hope Is Alive in Appalachia: President Obama breaks with the Bush Administration policy on mountaintop removal
coal mining.quot; 24 Mar. 2009 <http://www.ilovemountains.org/news/493>.
Lavelle, Marianne. quot;The 'Clean Coal' Lobbying Blitz.quot; 20 Apr. 2009
<http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/climate_change/articles/entry/1280>.
Mead, Andy. quot;Leslie County mine permit approved; environmentalists appeal to Obama.quot; 28 Mar. 2009
<http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/741568.html>.
Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization. New York: Currency, 2006.
Siegel, Robert. quot;Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty.quot; NPR. 29 Apr. 2009
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1589660>.

65. The Future of Drugs in Appalachia
Chapter 4: A Burger With a Side of Xanex
BY: STEVE SKINNER

66. Drug Abuse
Appalachian is one of the most diverse and beautiful
mountain ranges in the word. Underneath the beauty
lies a very dark side, derived from greed and power.
Appalachia has struggled with economic and social
distress for over a century. The region has been
plagued with the rampant demand for cheep energy;
along with the overexpansion of mines during the
industrialization, and war efforts leaving an instable
market where only the large companies could survive
(1). This and other factors such as; out
migration, welfare programs, the war on poverty during
the 70‘s, concentration of political power, increased
infrastructure in the outer regions, have all contributed
to the overall poverty in the area especially with in the
central hart of the region.

67. Drug Abuse
With the high poverty rates, lack of moonshine and marijuana, to the much
economic opportunity, and education; more addictive, and dangerous forms of
the Appalachia region has long abuse. Today the region suffers from
struggled with substance abuse. The an epidemic of prescription painkiller.
early mountaineers did not look at it as The epidemic has touched all most
substance abuse, but more like self everyone in the Appalachia region. As
Doctor Eller points out in ―Uneven
medicating. The rough conditions in
Ground‖ from 2000 to 2002 there were
the mines, low economic level, and
high unemployment in the region, led more than 1300 drug related deaths
many to self medicate with moonshine occurred in the mountains of the blue
and marijuana. They also granted light grass state. It is clear there is a very big
on an economic opportunity, for anyone problem in the Appalachia region and
willing to break the law, and many growing. In a resent ARC report
jumped on the lucrative band wagon. released showed a nation wide increase
Moonshine and Marijuana helped ease in prescription painkillers among
the pain, as well as the feelings of adolescents, and even a higher increase
inadequacy from lack of in the Appalachian region among
employment, as well as the pain the one adolescents. (2)
endures while working in the mine.
Though now days the illegal drug use in
Appalachia has evolved from

68. Figure 1 abuse with opiates

69. Drug Abuse
• The question is how can we fix
this, and if not soon what will the
future hold for Appalachia? When
looking at the illegal drug use in
Appalachia it is easy to generalize the
problem with a stereotype, and blame
it on those suffering with addiction.
But it is much more complex than
that; the low socioeconomic levels of
the central areas of the region are
being reinforced with new policy
decisions. The education
system, health care, and the political
figures in the region have all played
roles in the use of illegal drugs in the
region. The central region of
Appalachia, consist of Eastern
Kentucky, West
Virginia, Virginia, and East
Tennessee.

70. You can also see that the central part of Appalachia
has the worst economic levels in the region.

71. Drug Abuse
This is important because the blunt of the illegal
drug use is focused in this area, and has a
direct link to the lack of economic opportunity.
This is also where the majority of the mining is
done. The socioeconomic conditions have
tried to be combated on many different
levels, in many areas but we tend to see the
same result. The political elites become more
concentrated with power, while the division
grows stacking the odds even higher against
the worst off.