Rural Issues Platform

The Virginia Young Democrats recognizes that ours is a party that represents all Virginians, and that we must work to build our rural communities into vibrant places where young people in our generation and the next can live, work, and play. We recognize that the challenges facing rural communities are unique, but that standing up for our rural communities is vital to the continued prosperity of our commonwealth.

We acknowledge that breathing new life into rural Virginias requires a comprehensive approach, the most important component of which is economic development. To that end, we support the development of those small businesses best able to serve the needs of rural communities. We believe that expanding broadband Internet access will help bridge the digital divide and attract young professionals to raise families, as well as business investment to create more economic opportunity for rural Virginians.

We recognize that the culture and character of rural communities is worthy of respect, and in danger of slipping away if we do not act to preserve it. We support measures to protect the unique character of rural communities, including smart growth policies that preserve farmland and open space, balanced with expanding economic opportunities for community residents. We respect the right of every citizen to own guns for hunting and sport. We recognize the need to forcefully advocate for policies that protect the ability of family farms to make a living off the land, and successfully compete with larger agribusiness corporations.

We understand that rural communities often lack the resources to provide the same quality of services enjoyed by more affluent areas, with a direct impact on both the quality of life and opportunities available to rural Virginians. To that end, we support the development of medical services and urgent care in rural areas so needed medical care is available as quickly as possible. We recognize the ongoing shortage of quality teachers for rural schools, and advocate strongly for policies that help to retain teachers in rural, economically-distressed areas by providing full and fair compensation for their efforts. We also support the development of arts and culture programs for students in rural communities, to further enrich the educational opportunities available to the young people who live there. We believe that rural police forces should have access to the latest technologies and tools to more effectively fight the corrosive effect of drugs in rural Virginia.

Do you agree? If so, join the Rural Caucus and Pledge to Vote for Democrats on November 4!