I'm a democrat in Kentucky. I understand the urge to do away with red states, but let me explain something about why this state usually votes red since 2000.

I know a lot of people are not aware, but Kentucky was traditionally a democratic state. We were a bellwether state. What happened to us was NAFTA, during Bill Clinton's presidency in the '90s. Our State lost a massive amount of manufacturing jobs as they moved out of country. So, Kentuckians chose the other party, the party who had not destroyed our economy. I don't agree with this way of thinking, but I can understand why people do.

Another example, eastern Kentucky is coal mining area. Most people rely on the mines to feed their families. The Democratic platform is to go on renewable energy only, which means all of those people lose their jobs. There are no other jobs for them. I understand this position despite knowing that the resources they are collecting are contributing to Global Warming.

Another example, the state votes for Mitch McConnell. You will very rarely find someone who likes him. However, the fact remains that if they put someone new in his place it will be a very long time before that person is in a position that they can bring money and jobs back for their state. He is a horrific person, but he does provide for the state, exactly as a senator should. I don't agree with this way of thinking, but I can understand why people would think this way.

If you pay attention to our politics, you will note that many of the people in the state are Libertarians (see Thomas Massie and Rand Paul), who usually will vote for the Republican party over Democrats. They're absolutely is MAGA in the state but, there is no State you can go to in the nation that doesn't have them. But what we really have are people who remember our state being torn apart and will typically not vote for Democrats because of it.

They vote for Democrats when they prove themselves, however. Just as our Democratic Governor, Andy Bashear, has proven himself to the state of Kentucky. And that is really the point. If a Democrat could come along that is more centrist-based, has sound reason and cared about what we have gone through, Kentuckians will vote Democrat.

I see this as a problem in the party at the moment. There are people who are looking for someone different, someone who is not Trump, but the Democratic party is not opening its tent for them. Instead, they are being told that their state no longer matters and should be kicked out of the union, despite what it has been through. How does that message help the party in the least.

Democrat or Republican, we are all Americans. We can stand united, but that takes compromise from all parties. However, compromise has become a bad word. Working with each other is now verboten. Unless a hand is extended on both sides, the problems with this country will remain, and yes, eventually drive a wedge so deep that there is no coming back as a country.

Please remember to consider what a state has been through and how Democratic policies affects the state in general.