Crossroads of America: Issues in the Rust Belt

The election of Donald J. Trump as the 45^th president of the United States led to the Rust Belt region gaining international media interest. While the region located in the north-east of the United States was formerly considered the American economy’s heartland and named “Manufacturing Belt”, it has now turned into an area dealing with massive problems. The lives of the locals differ strongly from the remain of the United States, mostly negative. Unemployment and a lack of opportunities create an environment which sees high rates of drug abuse and, in connection, low life expectancy.
This expresses itself in political and societal ways – the feeling of being ignored by the Washington elites and their equivalents in other coastal cities is prevalent. And those who were able to present themselves as outsiders received the decisive votes for their electoral victories – both Barack Obama and Donald Trump had the Rust Belt’s backing.

Discuss the Rust Belt’s Issues and Win a €250 Cash Prize! (Photo by „Thomas“)