skayote asked:
I was along the Ohio River for a job a while back and stayed overnight in an airbnb hotel that was run down. It was really sad what the state of disrepair was, but I was woken up at 2am by a CSX train hauling coal or something. What do you propose is done with this area, or the entire state of WV since it's mostly unusable land as the coal industry falls off
amtrak-official answered:
Um, I don’t know what the solution to the poverty of Appalachia is, but I do know it involves treating the people there like humans
I hope that didn't come across as arrogant on my part, I did make a connection with the area while I was there. The landscape and cities were beautiful despite their neglect. I don't put any blame on those who live there and I'm not super familiar with the history or the politics of the area, I was simply shocked that things were allowed to get to where they are now. I want to help, I just don't know how.
Oh no I understand, I just don’t have any solutions
