We should considerably expand the size of congress so that representatives can (again) actually talk to most of their constituents, and so that rural voters are not controlling the process, since they refuse to vote in their interests.

As Paul Krugman pointed out in his "wonking out" newsletter today:

"Less-urbanized states receive far more from the federal government than they pay in; highly urbanized states like New Jersey don’t get nearly as much. Indeed, in a normal, non-Covid year the most urbanized states are usually net contributors to the federal budget."

And yet rural voters are heading towards a 70-80% lean towards the far-right.

Personally? I think it's substance abuse that is wrecking their brains. Between booze , pills, and meth, rural voters are no longer capable of thinking clearly.