The White Ghettos (Appalachian Hillbillies)

The highest wage of a coal miner ranges anywhere from 25-75 dollars an hour.  Coal mining jobs aren’t just limited to “Grunts” some are Foreman- making around 45-50/hour, Electricians- making around 30-37/hour, Operators- Making anywhere from 20-35/hour.  The people range anywhere from Respectable, hard workers to sunken faced crack heads.  The drug users were often the ones who did crimes like: theft, extortion, Food Stamp fraud, etc.  The Author refers to the Appalachians as a “Big White Ghetto” because that is exactly what it is, the Slums of American with drug use, and crime, committed by hillbilly white people.  I have absolutely no clue where the Pepsi plays any part in this unless it was intended to be a slang term for Black Tar Heroin.  Assuming it is the drink, people where I am from drink more Beer, Mtn. Dew, and Dr. Pepper.  Most of the cops in Nicholas County were crooked, and paid off by drug dealers to turn a blind eye towards their illegal lifestyle.  Nearly every store you stop at there is a brand new Cadillac Escalade parked in a handicapped space, and the owner of this vehicle inside buying food with food stamps.  These individuals are completely healthy, but draw welfare and disability because they are lazy.  This article was a surprisingly accurate description of the Appalachian Hillbillies.