Because it’s more polite (or rather, less provocative) than using the more acurate term ‘White Trash’.

Well said, Scott, you Screech-drinking Newfie you. (Newfies all look alike to me).

Just like you, I’d like to see the American working poor thrive. But it must be done in a way that does not freeload off of other economies in the manner the European welfare economy does. How that could be accomplished is still quite a debatable topic, but the employment of free-market principles certainly seems to be part of the equation.

In any case, while your professed concern for the American poor might be genuine, you bring nothing to the table in terms of new ideas on how to achieve solutions without resorting to the exploitative practices of the welfare state. Your assumption that the welfare state is superior fundamentally speaks of European arrogance, since Europeans continuously fail to acknowledge the full significance of America’s continuing trade deficit vis-a-vis Europe.

My apologies, though, for descending to name-calling. I actually come in constant contact with western Europeans here in New York, and their continual arrogance, - and ignorance of economic realities - is just astounding (in fact, Eurotrash is a word I think New Yorkers invented). And I do see the word “redneck” thrown about, not just by them, but also by European media, especially in Scandinavia, where they seem to employ it with glee.

The one exception seems to be Eastern Europeans, especially Poles. As it happens, I live in a neighborhood where there are a lot of Polish immigrants. Never have I met a more likable bunch of Europeans, all of whom are actually grateful for being in America, rather than glomming off of America as much as they can. Perhaps their experience with hard living and working conditions makes them less susceptible to passing judgment on the American people in a manner all so easy for western Europeans.

The remaining ‘Red Necks’ tend to be the most conservative and stubborn. True Red Neck ‘family’ farmers have to work like slaves for not much economic reward. The farm is typically the second job, nowadays. And in their dwindling, moribund towns, there’s not much else to do besides drinking.
I seem to recall that Red Necks whose farms have failed have been a major source of ‘white’ Urban Poverty. Yes, they have pickups, but a lot of them are functional antiques held together with bail wire.

Nonetheless, a lot of non-Red Necks identify themselves as Red Necks, because it’s a vicarious link to a more romantic (as long as you don’t have to live it) cultural identity more appealing than that available in suburban bedroom communities. For an example of this, see the resurgent popularity of country music, or listen to early John (Cougar) Mellencamp songs. (’I was born in a small town, and I’ll die in a small town…’ likely not).

When did “redneck” become a term for designating the American working class? “Redneck” used to mean semi-agrarian and ignorant. I know lots of Americans who work very hard for very little money and except for the ones who actually work in agriculture, very few of them have pick-up trucks. They cost too much unless you actually need them for something. Frankly, all the drunk pick-up truck driving rednecks that I know don’t work much at all.

Markku, I’ve never heard a European use the word “redneck” - even the ones who are genuinely anti-American. Maybe the Brits are different, but I don’t think most people on the continent even know the word. I grew up in the States. I’ve spent more than half of my life in the USA, so calling me “Eurotrash” is about as on target as calling George Bush a “spic” just because he’s from Texas. I’ll respond to “honky”, “gringo”, “iceback”, “wasp”, “mallrat”… heck, be creative. But when you do ethnic slurs, it helps to at least aim accurately.

But let me ask you this: why is it alright for Europeans to use a denigrating term for American laborers? I rarely hear Americans use the same kind of language for, say, French farmers or German construction workers.

Let me put it this way: for a European to use the word “redneck” in describing an American - even though Americans use the word amongst themselves - is akin to white Americans using the word “nigger”, even though that is quite popular now with young African-Americans. Yet I see “redneck” being used all the time in European media to describe Americans en masse.

Patrick: I actually have some American-born relatives living in “Redneck Territory” who work as laborers, and yes, one of them does drive a pick-up truck (though I certainly hope not while drunk).

But you should be careful in understanding European attitudes towards America. Things will not change even if we have a Democratic president in the White House, or a drastic change in American foreign policy to your liking. European anti-American bigotry will still be there, simply because Europeans cannot countenance American success in fields they’ve been told they naturally excel in.

Zizka,
Markku is a New Jersey denizen, I believe, and thus very far from RedNeck Territory. He is not so much standing up to ‘Eurosnobs’ on behalf of RedNecks as grousing about anyone poaching on his turf.