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RE: Why I’m quitting teaching part 11/11: Five ways in which mainstream education doesn't 'fit' society
That sounds scandalous, and I had no idea there was a rural-urban divide in Oregon. Is that all those 'socialists' in Portland?
Yes, the rural-urban divide is actually quite strong - though the coast is being gradually taken over by city-slickers wishing to retire nearer the beaches - locals are having trouble trying to afford to live there. I grew up on the north Oregon coast, and I have to realize now that barring some financial miracle, we will not be able to afford to retire there ourselves - despite the fact that I have deeper roots there than any other place.
I won't place labels on the people who make the decision (I hate politics) - but the main urban (and very liberal) area is down the Willamette (will-AM-ette) Valley - Portland down to Salem and on to Eugene, primarily (Corvallis, is more conservative as the ag and tech college.)
East of the Cascades, with the notable exception of Bend and Prineville (Facebook HQ now), is all very agricultural wherever it's possible to farm, anyway, it's also one of the most severe rain shadows in the world. A lot of ranching country over there - and therefore quite conservative as well. They even have a different accent than those west of the Cascades!