We asked readers the following questions: What do you think? What is the state of the rural-urban divide? Are things better or worse?

It’s clear that readers put a lot of thought into it. Here is a sample of your comments:

The rural-urban divide is real and it is worse than it has ever been. This should be a symbiotic relationship as each group can enhance the other but we have allowed a divide driven by politics that cater to the urban values/lifestyles and forgotten about the rural communities that are doing the work to provide the Oregon experience that brings in tourism dollars and exports our goods and services across the country and internationally. — Brenda

The divide is growing wider as urban issues get more serious and remain unresolved. Urbanites love to ‘travel east’ and use rural resources for their entertainment and sustenance . Then they return to the inner city and feel emboldened to tell the rural population what they should do, how they should do it and that they should pay for it. — Gloria

I think the divide is growing. It seems to me that our State government is run from Portland. Our new Governor programs basically focus on urban areas and urban problems. It is nice that she tours around the State but is the result, listening with no accountability? — Jan

Between Portland, Salem, and Eugene with the VERY liberal voters there is not much room left for the rest of us. — George

We have a special state that both communities rely upon each other for economic and recreational opportunities that need to be emphasized for a sustainable future. — Hank

Yes unfortunately the divide has worsened. Urban dwellers have been fortified by the political power wielded by their representatives in Salem. — Fred

I believe the divide has worsened in five years. The greater Idaho movement is fanning the flames in my opinion. Both Rural and Urban folks used to sit down and discuss issues and come up with solutions. That is how a democracy functions. — Kevin

We’ve all got problems. Bad actors live everywhere. But if we put politics aside – I mean really – and talk face to face about what we love about Oregon, I honestly believe we have more in common than we may think. — Charlotte

Now that I am living in the heart of rural Oregon, I am sad to say that the divide seems worse to me than it did when I was living in the city. I think when you’re living in the city you’re in the majority lifestyle and you don’t realize that there are a lot of other people out there who don’t really respect who you are or what you’re doing. In the city it would seem that there’s a certain disregard for county folk because you don’t really need to pay much attention to them. — Debora

When politicians in both parties move to extreme positions-like allowing 10-year-olds access to gender counseling without parent involvement; or push toward Greater Idaho or Never Gun Control, both refusing to discuss or compromise…the conversation ends, and we are a much poorer state and democracy as a result. — Andrew

I would state that sometimes, majority rule is NOT inclusive when the majority of the population is centered in any one area. Suburbanites and urbanites may have little awareness of issues of impact to the rural minority, nor for the ways that certain legislations, controls, or programs hamper or impede success for those in large swaths of varying landscape. — Tammi

The divide is growing and while urban areas have played a part, the rural areas share a majority of the blame. As their political power has dwindled in the state, their representatives use more subversive tactics to derail progress. One only needs to look at the behavior in Salem of the rural politicians over the last few weeks. — James