It's important to note that there is no liberal or progressive side to the political spectrum in the US. It's all conservative. Even the politicians who are labeled progressive are really just center right when compared to the politics of the rest of the world. Eisenhower would have been called a radical progressive today. What that tells us is the conservative belief system is responsible for EVERY problem in our country because we've never tried anything else. Rural communities are what keep us in the past. I think you're right to be wary of them. Best to you and thanks for the thoughtful comment!