Inflation is crushing rural America

[Hermit For Peace]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

I wonder about this all the time. You put the question clearly.

[jojoju1998]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

I wonder about this all the time. You put the question clearly.

Republicans frame the tax cuts as tax cuts for the small business owner, which is a classic republican constituency.

Why need a college education when you can start your own business and not depend on Government or an employer to make a living ?

[Hermit For Peace]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

I wonder about this all the time. You put the question clearly.

Republicans frame the tax cuts as tax cuts for the small business owner, which is a classic republican constituency.

Why need a college education when you can start your own business and not depend on Government or an employer to make a living ?

Because it's not all about business. People matter just as much or more, than the business community. I believe the business sector should serve the people they get their money from, not just try to take the whole pie for themselves.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

The proliferation of very fuel inefficient $50k+ pickup trucks says that they could easily bring down their inflation exposure a large degree by not needing something to magnify the small peen.

Uhhhh it actually makes a ton of sense to own a pickup truck if you live in a rural area... especially if you own a lot of land that you maintain on your own, or if you have unmaintained roads near or on your property.

People living in suburbs or mid-size cities with pickups are the ones you should be making fun of here.
 

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

[Ferguson97]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

We know the answer to the question, we just don't believe that the concessions we would have to make to earn their vote are worth it.

[jojoju1998]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

I wonder about this all the time. You put the question clearly.

Republicans frame the tax cuts as tax cuts for the small business owner, which is a classic republican constituency.

Why need a college education when you can start your own business and not depend on Government or an employer to make a living ?

Because it's not all about business. People matter just as much or more, than the business community. I believe the business sector should serve the people they get their money from, not just take the whole pie for themselves.

You misunderstand me.

In the rural republican mindset, small business owners are the people. They make up probably 50 percent of the town. The small shops. The realtor. The self
Employed electricians. Main Street. Skilled tradesmen.

In Marxist theory, people call them the petty bourgeoise.

Compare these people to say the democratic base. White collar workers. Tech workers. Professionals. They are more cosmopolitan.

[Hermit For Peace]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

I wonder about this all the time. You put the question clearly.

Republicans frame the tax cuts as tax cuts for the small business owner, which is a classic republican constituency.

Why need a college education when you can start your own business and not depend on Government or an employer to make a living ?

Because it's not all about business. People matter just as much or more, than the business community. I believe the business sector should serve the people they get their money from, not just take the whole pie for themselves.

You misunderstand me.

In the rural republican mindset, small business owners are the people. They make up probably 50 percent of the town. The small shops. The realtor. The self
Employed electricians. Main Street. Skilled tradesmen.

In Marxist theory, people call them the petty bourgeoise.

Compare these people to say the democratic base. White collar workers. Tech workers. Professionals. They are more cosmopolitan.

OK. That's interesting. And who is the other 50%?

[GP270watch]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

[jojoju1998]

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

I wonder about this all the time. You put the question clearly.

Republicans frame the tax cuts as tax cuts for the small business owner, which is a classic republican constituency.

Why need a college education when you can start your own business and not depend on Government or an employer to make a living ?

Because it's not all about business. People matter just as much or more, than the business community. I believe the business sector should serve the people they get their money from, not just take the whole pie for themselves.

You misunderstand me.

In the rural republican mindset, small business owners are the people. They make up probably 50 percent of the town. The small shops. The realtor. The self
Employed electricians. Main Street. Skilled tradesmen.

In Marxist theory, people call them the petty bourgeoise.

Compare these people to say the democratic base. White collar workers. Tech workers. Professionals. They are more cosmopolitan.

OK. That's interesting. And who is the other 50%?

The rise of automation and off shoring in the late 1990s wiped out the least skilled of the “ petty “ bourgeoise aka the other 50 percent. Often times, in many small towns, you would only have one factory that becomes the main economic engine for the town, but once that factory  falls, everything else falls.

These people are highly resistant to change because it’s all they know. Their skilled job is all they know. The old economy IS the culture. It became the culture.

In many urban and suburban areas, the pressure from the public schools is so high because you’re being pushed to constantly update yourself, to
Constantly open your mind to meet the demands of the 21st century economy. Compare Austin Texas to Youngstown Ohio.

Two different economies. Two different cultures. One feeds the other.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

The problem with inflation is that they've been caused largely by too authoritarian covid measures that did both restrict 1. freedom of movement and people and 2. the economy.

And everyone used to be so much in favour of that, and it might literally be one of the most evil things done by politicians worldwide in the entire 21st century.

We now have a big economic crisis. Sure, inflation isn't Joe Biden's fault. But it was mostly liberals and left-wingers who pushed hard for authoritarian covid measures globally. In the USA the measures weren't as authoritarian because Trump and Republicans initially were very much against those, and Democrats weren't able to push their agenda on that matter.

Trump was ridiculed for covid handling, but his handling of covid in hindsight might be the best thing he has done in his first term.

He might be a failed president, and he is, but if we had to elect someone to be in charge of covid matters, i'd very likely vote for Trump as he's literally about the only one who's consistently pro-vaxx and anti-lockdown in the entire western world.

[jojoju1998]

The problem with inflation is that they've been caused largely by too authoritarian covid measures that did both restrict 1. freedom of movement and people and 2. the economy.

And everyone used to be so much in favour of that, and it might literally be one of the most evil things done by politicians worldwide in the entire 21st century.

We now have a big economic crisis. Sure, inflation isn't Joe Biden's fault. But it was mostly liberals and left-wingers who pushed hard for authoritarian covid measures globally. In the USA the measures weren't as authoritarian because Trump and Republicans initially were very much against those, and Democrats weren't able to push their agenda on that matter.

Trump was ridiculed for covid handling, but his handling of covid in hindsight might be the best thing he has done in his first term.

And Rural America and the “ old “ economy is more affected by lockdowns than well…/
The democratic base.


A sales manager can work at home. A Machinist well can’t. A factory has to deal with supply chains. Facebook doesn’t.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

The problem with inflation is that they've been caused largely by too authoritarian covid measures that did both restrict 1. freedom of movement and people and 2. the economy.

And everyone used to be so much in favour of that, and it might literally be one of the most evil things done by politicians worldwide in the entire 21st century.

We now have a big economic crisis. Sure, inflation isn't Joe Biden's fault. But it was mostly liberals and left-wingers who pushed hard for authoritarian covid measures globally. In the USA the measures weren't as authoritarian because Trump and Republicans initially were very much against those, and Democrats weren't able to push their agenda on that matter.

Trump was ridiculed for covid handling, but his handling of covid in hindsight might be the best thing he has done in his first term.

And Rural America and the “ old “ economy is more affected by lockdowns than well…/
The democratic base.


A sales manager can work at home. A Machinist well can’t. A factory has to deal with supply chains. Facebook doesn’t.

Yes that's also true. But people who live in cities are also impacted a lot, because you can't literally leave your home without risking to be prosecuted which is what happened here at the time, even for students. And they used to be more strict in urban regions (and students) here.

[jojoju1998]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

The old economy is their culture and it feeds into the cycle

We say “ Trump passes tax cuts for the rich “.

They think “ Trump passes tax cuts for skilled tradesmen and small business owners like me ! “

[LAKISYLVANIA]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

The old economy is their culture and it feeds into the cycle

We say “ Trump passes tax cuts for the rich “.

They think “ Trump passes tax cuts for skilled tradesmen and small business owners like me ! “

People don't care about tax cuts for the rich, or at least don't vote like they care. Isn't even something unique about the USA. If politicians propose that here, they're still very much popular. And if you criticize that, people call you communist and people have the idea that you're pro-russia and pro-china. End of the argument basically, because the discussion ends whenever someone is branded as a communist, regardless even of what they say.

Sometimes people have a defaitist attitude, like "we can't change it anyways" or idolize rich people because they want to be like rich people ("the american dream").

[jojoju1998]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

The old economy is their culture and it feeds into the cycle

We say “ Trump passes tax cuts for the rich “.

They think “ Trump passes tax cuts for skilled tradesmen and small business owners like me ! “

People don't care about tax cuts for the rich, or at least don't vote like they care. Isn't even something unique about the USA. If politicians propose that here, they're still very much popular. And if you criticize that, people call you communist and people have the idea that you're pro-russia and pro-china. End of the argument basically, because the discussion ends whenever someone is branded as a communist, regardless even of what they say.

Sometimes people have a defaitist attitude, like "we can't change it anyways" or idolize rich people because they want to be like rich people ("the american dream").

Well that plays into the Republican attitude as well.

Because their vision of  rich is Family owned business. A Factory or some type of traditional industry.

They equally detest however the tech companies, the ultra ultra rich.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

The old economy is their culture and it feeds into the cycle

We say “ Trump passes tax cuts for the rich “.

They think “ Trump passes tax cuts for skilled tradesmen and small business owners like me ! “

People don't care about tax cuts for the rich, or at least don't vote like they care. Isn't even something unique about the USA. If politicians propose that here, they're still very much popular. And if you criticize that, people call you communist and people have the idea that you're pro-russia and pro-china. End of the argument basically, because the discussion ends whenever someone is branded as a communist, regardless even of what they say.

Sometimes people have a defaitist attitude, like "we can't change it anyways" or idolize rich people because they want to be like rich people ("the american dream").

Well that plays into the Republican attitude as well.

Because their vision of  rich is Family owned business. A Factory or some type of traditional industry.

They equally detest however the tech companies, the ultra ultra rich.

In that regard, i'm not even that different of that republican attitude. My target isn't family owned businesses, but these exact kind of ultra ultra rich tech companies. During covid, i've even said that contrary to the liberal government, i would do more to protect small businesses from covid losses, and that those small businesses owners vote against their own interests, literally for the same people who requested they shut down their businesses and don't get much government support. And if you're a small business, it's harder to get back from such a loss (for instance: the hospitality industry).

[jojoju1998]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

The old economy is their culture and it feeds into the cycle

We say “ Trump passes tax cuts for the rich “.

They think “ Trump passes tax cuts for skilled tradesmen and small business owners like me ! “

People don't care about tax cuts for the rich, or at least don't vote like they care. Isn't even something unique about the USA. If politicians propose that here, they're still very much popular. And if you criticize that, people call you communist and people have the idea that you're pro-russia and pro-china. End of the argument basically, because the discussion ends whenever someone is branded as a communist, regardless even of what they say.

Sometimes people have a defaitist attitude, like "we can't change it anyways" or idolize rich people because they want to be like rich people ("the american dream").

Well that plays into the Republican attitude as well.

Because their vision of  rich is Family owned business. A Factory or some type of traditional industry.

They equally detest however the tech companies, the ultra ultra rich.

In that regard, i'm not even that different of that republican attitude. My target isn't family owned businesses, but these exact kind of ultra ultra rich tech companies.

See ? We’re all more similar than we think.

We equally hate The Jeff Bezos of the world, but for different reasons.

Democrats hate the ultra rich because they hold too much of our wealth and mistreat workers.

Republicans hate the ultra rich because they swept away the Main Street economy.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

The old economy is their culture and it feeds into the cycle

We say “ Trump passes tax cuts for the rich “.

They think “ Trump passes tax cuts for skilled tradesmen and small business owners like me ! “

People don't care about tax cuts for the rich, or at least don't vote like they care. Isn't even something unique about the USA. If politicians propose that here, they're still very much popular. And if you criticize that, people call you communist and people have the idea that you're pro-russia and pro-china. End of the argument basically, because the discussion ends whenever someone is branded as a communist, regardless even of what they say.

Sometimes people have a defaitist attitude, like "we can't change it anyways" or idolize rich people because they want to be like rich people ("the american dream").

Well that plays into the Republican attitude as well.

Because their vision of  rich is Family owned business. A Factory or some type of traditional industry.

They equally detest however the tech companies, the ultra ultra rich.

In that regard, i'm not even that different of that republican attitude. My target isn't family owned businesses, but these exact kind of ultra ultra rich tech companies.

See ? We’re all more similar than we think.

We equally hate The Jeff Bezos of the world, but for different reasons.

Democrats hate the ultra rich because they hold too much of our wealth and mistreat workers.

Republicans hate the ultra rich because they swept away the Main Street economy.

The problem is that the politicians don't reflect these views or ignore them - on both sides. Like Obama also pardonned Wall Street bankers basically.

It's exactly that kind of behaviour that leads to "the rise of extremism", and that same kind of extremism is used to deviate attention from issues that matter, by talking about intolerance about the other side or dividing society in arbitrary groups.

[GeneralMacArthur]

Iowa State University professor Dave Peters has been studying the effect of inflation on people in rural communities as part of the school's Small Town Project. He found that this year alone, expenses for rural Americans had increased by 9.2%, but their earnings only increased by 2.6%.

And Peters has pinpointed where it's hurting most.

"Mainly, fuel prices, particularly among the farmer and agricultural community," he said. "They really are worried about the price of gas and diesel."

Inflation soared to a 40-year high in June, and is affecting all American households. But Peters said travel was one of the main reasons it was hitting harder in rural areas.

"Rural people have to drive long distances for work, for school, for health care, just to get the daily necessities of life like groceries ... there is no public transportation," he said.

I'm sure they're graciously thanking Biden for the price of gas going down 40 days in a row now.  Down 70 cents on average across the country, with a majority of states now having average prices below $4.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Iowa State University professor Dave Peters has been studying the effect of inflation on people in rural communities as part of the school's Small Town Project. He found that this year alone, expenses for rural Americans had increased by 9.2%, but their earnings only increased by 2.6%.

And Peters has pinpointed where it's hurting most.

"Mainly, fuel prices, particularly among the farmer and agricultural community," he said. "They really are worried about the price of gas and diesel."

Inflation soared to a 40-year high in June, and is affecting all American households. But Peters said travel was one of the main reasons it was hitting harder in rural areas.

"Rural people have to drive long distances for work, for school, for health care, just to get the daily necessities of life like groceries ... there is no public transportation," he said.

I'm sure they're graciously thanking Biden for the price of gas going down 40 days in a row now.  Down 70 cents on average across the country, with a majority of states now having average prices below $4.
[/quote]

In France they're also going rapidly down i've heard.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

]

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

 It's not a gotcha because we know the answer. Too many of these voters vote their cultural biases and prejudices as study after study shows. Why they do that is a different question.

 When the other half of the GOP "tax cuts for the rich" platform is a constant fearmongering about nonsense "threats" like CRT, Sharia Law, LGBT, Trans bathrooms bills, anti-Feminism, criminalizing Abortion, or whatever their latest boogeyman is you can't say it's liberals faults for not having better messaging. These rural voters are adults and this is what they choose to support.

Gotcha... seems like the only reason people may not vote for your preferred candidate is due to their own personal moral failings and lack of intelligence (thankfully this is not a problem you need to deal with!).

Is the only answer to this to... do absolutely nothing? After all, why negotiate with bigots? Seems very convenient that the nature of the problem means that you are not only the righteous one, but that the best strategy is of course to continue doing what all empirical evidence suggests fails to reach your strategic goals.

[MasterJedi]

The proliferation of very fuel inefficient $50k+ pickup trucks says that they could easily bring down their inflation exposure a large degree by not needing something to magnify the small peen.

Uhhhh it actually makes a ton of sense to own a pickup truck if you live in a rural area... especially if you own a lot of land that you maintain on your own, or if you have unmaintained roads near or on your property.

People living in suburbs or mid-size cities with pickups are the ones you should be making fun of here.
 

Those same rural voters will deliver a GOP Congress that will immediately pass tax cuts for the rich. So why is there such a huge disconnect between what their reality is and and what their politcal action and advocacy is?

This is posted like it's some sort of "gotcha" that owns the dumb rubes but, really, if the liberal movement in this country had any sort of non-braindead answer to this question they'd probably be able to consistently hold federal or even statewide power.

You’re acting like most people own and work land that are rural. Most live in small towns or small property and work factory/machine shop jobs and have no need for that type of truck. Plus, what you’ll buy today will break down like crazy and is a vastly inflated price for what you’d actually need. There’s a reason why they make the most profit off of a truck.

[Cashew]

I see the rural understanders have logged on. If y'all want mass farmer protests like what we're seeing in the Netherlands, you're doing everything right, so for your own sake thank God none of you have actual positions of influence. Don't piss off the people who grow your food and produce your energy.

Umm yes? Rural people taking matters into their own hands and protesting with a list of demands rather than constantly voting Republican and then getting angry that nothing happens would be beneficial for democracy.

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

I do believe many left-wing voters (around the world, but especially in this country) secretly hold serious contempt for rural areas, their lifestyles, and their values, and therefore see any sort of negative development in rural America that pushes it’s populace to urban areas as a good thing, where they can accept urban, progressive values.

Sure, but that contempt goes both ways, as another poster pointed out. And whereas Progressives want to see a society where everyone, including rural areas, ultimately prosper while the GOP and Conservatives sue culture war issues to divide us and win votes.

My best friend growing up, his entire family was on Oregon Health Plan (Medicare) and got food stamps that allowed them to survive. They still voted GOP cause of guns and the wall, despite neither issue resulting in policy beneficial to them in any way.

[Benjamin Frank]

This migration towards cities is hardly surprising. There's a reason why huge quarters of Spain and France lay empty, and most of the population is concentrated in towns. The marginal cost to support an additional town-dweller is minimal, because most of the infrastructure needed to support them is already built and paid for.

The American workforce, by and large, is not one concentrated in agriculture or manufacturing, but in services. A huge rural population in an environment where most commercial agriculture operations can be done by only a few workers with advanced machinery actually imposes huge opportunity costs.

On the first part, I know at least one city councilor who disagrees with you.

I can't find any quote, but local city councilor Harold Steves has argued that the incremental cost of population growth is greater than the increase to the tax base.

I don't know if he's correct, but an increase in city population can mean having to build new schools, upgrade the water and sewage, add new streets and upgrade them more frequently...

If anything, I think this argues that if population is going to increase in a city, then it should be done with as great a density as can be handled and not some kind of urban sprawl. Greater density can actually decrease traffic and probably does not require as high other incremental costs.

Seems to me that "density" is an anathema to the rural dweller.

I'm sure that is true, but the comment was about urban areas and not rural areas.

Purely coincidental, here is a second politician who made the same type of comment just yesterday. Andrea Horwath, the outgoing leader of the Ontario NDP who was a Hamilton City Councilor from 1997-2004 and is now running for mayor of Hamilton.

"Development doesn't pay for itself and we also know we have a significant infrastructure deficit in our city and the more you expand ... you're just adding more and more to that infrastructure deficit," she said.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/horwath-mayor-hamilton-1.6530984

Again, I don't know if that's true or not, but certainly there are municipal politicians who believe that the costs of urban population growth outweigh the benefits from the increased tax base.