[PDF] Download Harvest the Vote: How Democrats Can Win Again in Rural America by Jane Kleeb | Free EBOOK PDF English

Book Details Title: Harvest the Vote: How Democrats Can Win Again in Rural America Author: Jane Kleeb Number of pages: Publisher: Ecco (January 21, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 0062960903 Rating: 5     3 reviews

Book Description Review [Kleeb’s] overarching message often transcends political party. . . The book contains twin delights: Kleeb’s sensible approaches to bridge building and a pleasing, conversational writing style. (Kirkus Reviews)&#8220Jane Kleeb sounds the alarm for national Democrats to wake up to rural issues: start with ‘the Farmers’ Bill of Rights,’ pay attention to rural health care, especially mental health services, as Republican policies have closed rural hospitals. ‘Show up with ears open and mouths closed.’  That’s the way to win and that’s the way to govern.&#8221 (Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator from Ohio)&#8220Deeply personal and persuasive, Harvest the Vote shows progressives that we don’t have to sacrifice our values to expand our coalition. Jane proves that rural issues aren’t any different from the issues confronting people all over the country, and require a national effort that includes Americans from every region and walk of life.&#8221  (Jon Favreau, co-host Pod Save America)Only Jane Kleeb could have written something so passionate, clear-eyed, and persuasive. The solutions are exactly what we must do to put the needs of all working families first as we reform the Democratic Party. As progressives, we need to show up and stand with them. ( Nina Turner, former state senator from Ohio, and co-founder of Our Revolution)“There is no finer rural political leader in America than Jane Kleeb, and this cogent and comprehensive volume distills the wisdom she’s won in one hard battle after another. I’ve spent most of my life living in rural America, often in very ‘red’ parts, and I share her sense that these can be sources of real power for a progressive realignment, if only we get to work!” (Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy and The End of Nature)&#8220Jane Kleeb knows Democrats have solutions that will help families no matter where they live. What I learned through organizing in Indian Country is that one-on-one conversations matter, and people in underrepresented communities need to know that our democracy includes them.&#8221 (Deb Haaland, U.S. Congresswoman from New Mexico) Read more About the Author Jane Kleeb is an experienced grassroots organizer, manager, political strategist and nonprofit entrepreneur. Recently profiled by PBS in a film called “Blue Wind on a Red Prairie,” Jane is currently the Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and founder of the grassroots group Bold Nebraska. Read more Customers Review: Timely advice on how Democrats can win in rural areas–just show up and talk with the people living there. They want the same things as those living in urban areas. The words used may be different but they mean the same things. I liked how the other side of the Keystone XL pipeline was presented. Mainstream media demonized the farmers, ranchers, and Native Americans for standing up to the Big Oil corporations but the urban dweller want the same things as the rural person–clean air, clean water, food without all the processing, raising their children to carry on the legacy passed down from generation to generation, dignity, a living wage, safety from the big corporations. This was easy to read and laid out in clear terms what needs to be done.I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway contest. This is a fair and honest review. This little gem of a book is a no-nonsense series of suggestions about how to re-empower Democrats in rural areas and/or Red States. Mrs. Kleeb, Chairperson of the Nebraska Democratic Party, does not waste the reader’s time, but quickly describes the problem, how it’s come about, and what to do about it. She should know: Nebraska Democrats are winning big in local and regional contests there and are well on the way to turning the state blue.The Democratic establishment has neglected rural America for far too long. It’s offensive to rural voters and has made positive change there very difficult. There are common sense political techniques for turning that around. This quick read will explain how to do that by (1) first, shutting up and actually listening to what rural voters want and what they have to say; and (2) figuring out ways to compromise goals to unite for common rural benefit that brings new or estranged voters back into the Democratic fold.Kleeb points out that it doesn’t mean betraying or disguising one’s own preferences, but admitting that there might be differences — it’s just that those differences are transcended by other ways that we can all come together and help one another. One example given is that just because you don’t eat meat doesn’t mean that you can’t unite with cattle ranchers to get better health care or other popular universal political goals. It’s all about the way you go about understanding each other and your common priorities.The DNC ignores this advice at their own peril. As an Ohioan, I grew up in a rural area of the state. I have watched Ohio morph into political extremism demarked by rural vs. urban standoffs further kneecapped by extreme GOP gerrymandering. It’s dismaying and frustrating. There’s no better time to reclaim Red States for positive, constructive change in America and Harvest the Vote is the way to get there! The reality of American politics is that the the electoral college and the U.S. Senate have a small state bias. That means that Democrats need to do better in rural areas. The author makes a persuasive case that progressive Democrats and rural voters have a lot in common. Residents of rural areas – like those in more urban communities – are also victims of today’s predatory capitalism. Kleeb correctly points out that farmers and residents of rural communities would benefit from expanded health care and education, as well as the break up of big corporations. I agree with her when she argues that the DNC and other big national Democratic actors need to invest more resources in red states. The book is well written and a pleasure to read.