[mschip]

> Many of those who would receive help are most concerned in making sure there's still someone else in a worse situation than themselves.

This sums up the majority of rural republicans in my area. It's a sad realization that people so often put not being at the bottom above their own best interests.

[subpixel]

It's not essentially rural, it's ingrained into the American psyche (along with the belief that what's good for the rich is good for me, because I'm gonna be rich!).

[ryandrake]

Story from 2003: 39% of Americans believe they either are or will one day be among the top 1% of earners [1].

1: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/12/opinion/the-triumph-of-hop...

[mschip]

I don't disagree that its a feeling not limited to rural republicans but they are the ones I see voting in direct conflicts with their best interest. I don't buy that its because they're voting for their "future rich self" but rather that they're voting to keep other people beneath them.