As the cliché goes, “don’t speak ill of the dead,” but I’ve always thought that was bullshit especially when the dead person was a monster (David Koch, Phyllis Schaffley, St. Reagan, etc.). Now Loretta wasn’t a monster or even close. However, as brought up by NPR, she was big on helping “legitimize” Republicans such as the inbred Bush Family and beyond inbred Trump clan as “country” to her fans. Loretta’s fans were adults and they can vote anyway they wish yet I find it pathetic and sad that these Northeastern shit bags needed cover in such a manner. If you’re going to back someone, you can point out the platform, issues, etc. Claiming, oh well, they may have been raised in obscene levels of comfort while you’ve struggled from paycheck to paycheck all your life, but vote for them since they’re going to continue the status quo! Meanwhile, they’re gonna’ fix the issue you think needs fixin’, bashing in the heads of those long-haired, disrespectful Hippies and uppity non-whites! Remember, vote against your economic interests because somebody you don’t like might be getting laid and having fun!
Sadly, this coincided when Country Music and elements of the American Working Class shifted their allegiance from the Democrats to the Republicans over the Vietnam War, The Civil Rights Movement and the many Inner-City Riots. Tricky Dick initiated the GOP’s transformation (more like a return to its original, racist roots) towards being the Redneck Grievance Party as the Democrats purged (rightfully) the Dixiecrat faction. Thus, Country Music had a hard time for decades being accepted as music by city dwellers since it came with rather hateful, jingoistic baggage. Remember all the crap Country Music cranked out after 9/11? No recollection of any pointing the finger of blame at their preferred POTUS who refused to have his month-long vacation interrupted to read the intelligence report which warned him.
Good thing Loretta died as the shift has begun. Many, younger Country artists are taking back the mantle of it being a genre for the oppressed and downtrodden. Not what it has become: loud, dumb anthems for frat boys and Susies wearing cowboy hats. Country has openly Gay and non-White performers in its ranks. Eventually those hiding behind the label of Americana for the Drive-By Truckers, Amanda Shires, Rosanne Cash and Lyle Lovett can rejoin the larger family without fear of being associated with Country’s ugly image since the Seventies…violent, ignorant Hillbilly Music. It never really was, hundreds of thoughtful songs have been written and performed but a loud element of the fan base sure made it look that way.
One day, this ugly chapter of Loretta’s legacy can be just an, oh well, she saw the social upheaval of the Sixties, got scared and threw her support behind those who amplified them instead of alleviating them.