I'm Appalachian. Great video man, we are the most forgotten part of America. Such an important and beautiful place on earth, I've been all over Europe and still appalachia has beauty unlike any other.
I live up top Appalachia in PA now and have lived in west Virginia Appalachia and it's beautiful for sure, nothing better then waking up in Appalachia in the morning and having a cup of coffee with a smoke In the middle of nowhere.
It does. First time in WV and I was in awe the entire time but then again I never left new jersey either so everything was an adventure to me. Now living in Florida and it's hot as a mofo out here. Cheers to y'all
Originally from a Tiny town in West Virginia called Kimberly. No other place in the world so beautiful. Probably can’t find it if ya tried. But I’m so happy I grew up there
what's great about this video is how upgraded the overall production feels, 2022 still was good, but man 2024, your speaking skills, production, camera quality. Everything has improved. Good job!
Tommy I'm a 65-year-old man and most of your videos can hold my attention for a young man you can fit into any kind of crowd it seems. You can go from one extreme to the other and still let people feel comfortable talking to you. That is a rare talent. I see you growing.
It's funny they bitch about Biden but are asking for someone too turn their area into a socialist gift so they can afford to live without doing it for themselves ... Presidents don't control the price of groceries or milk .. this is all a byproduct of our of control capitalism these companies are making record profits and there isn't a reason for it .. oil costs the same now as when Trump was in office why does it cost twice as much at the pump ? Greed
At one moment he seems like he grasps how finance, economy, supply & demand, and just basic capitalism and consumerism works. Says life is what you make of it, and says it doesn't matter how much you make, it's how you live. But then he also thinks a president must snap their fingers and magically set gas & food prices, as well as tell corporations where to build and invest. And, somehow the immigrants are apparently "stealing" jobs and money from his pocket. At one point i'm like "He gets it. And he has a basic understanding of capitalism." Then at another point i'm like "Noooooo. No. No. No. That's not how that works., or why that happens, or how the cause & effect of that works.""
Society loves to label white people privileged and wealthy, never mentioning every color struggles. I love that this video finally shows that. Again, not being political, just being real. Everyone struggles, I hope more people start to see it.
I grew up in a similar place in Arkansas. I’m 35 and have lost more than 50 friends to drugs, gun violence and long term prison stints. I’m tired of losing my people. Fortunately I chose a higher road and have become a successful artist but it has left me dealing with guilt and imposter syndrome after losing so many. Eating dinner with art directors all over the country and photo shoots with mayors and public officials makes me feel out of place. I wish I could have done more to guide my friends and family but at the end of the day it’s your decision on the roads you take. Hints why I left home and have been gone since I was 17. If I hadn’t I’d be in the same place they are. I wish the best for all my people. And yalls!
Same, grew up and still live in saline county. Not as bad as somewhere like fort smith or just most of southwest arkansas but we got people living in the county who dont have AC or heating for the winters, meth capitol of arkansas it breaks my heart to see. Im only 19 and i have old friends who are strung out on crack. I dont blame you for moving away I just hope something happens soon to help our state.
They need to legalize cannabis and allow civilians in the area to distribute cannabis crops to different cannabis retailers so as to allow them a way to make enough money to get out of poverty
Growing weed isn't cheap. You need startup capital. They are better off growing outdoor in the woods illegally. Legalization will just bring taxes and fees and bullshit.
This is the Tommy G style I fell in love with some years ago! This is raw, talented journalism, amazing editing and storytelling, and most of all, taking risks in conflict areas to tell a powerful story. Keep up the amazing work, Tommy! 👏👏👏
Ive been clean 8 years. Im telling you i got drug induced psychosis after using meth and it was terrifying. I went to jail for grand theft auto bc i thought i was in a gang and they left the keys in the car for me 🙄 it embarrassing now but it got me to where i am now. Im a wife, mother, sister, daughter. Im dependable. I got back to work as an RN. I have a whole new life now and its only bc God got me thru it. Tommy i love your videos and the areas you highlight. Its much needed content to highlight on a lot of over looked populations.
God didn't get you through it, YOU got you through it - give YOURSELF some credit. Not that it matters, but, I'm 5 years clean and also had major drug induced psychosis, so, from one ex druggie to another - you survived when many didn't and you have every right to be proud of yourself for that 😊🎉
@@cassiehartford8997 that's a common misconception when I share my testimony. I tried every way I could think of to get clean and it never worked. When I found myself in jail and pregnant with nothing else to do but read the Bible and spent a lot of time alone in a cell, I was really desperate to get clean. I cried out to God to please help. I really meant it from the bottom of my heart. I asked to do things whatever way he thought was right. I promised once I got clean I would share my testimony and be his hands and feet. I fail daily and I'm not perfect by any means but I do always try my best to work for the Lord.
@@cassiehartford8997God did. Didnt you hear her? You think she was strong enough on her own to go from where she was to where she is now without God? Ill pray fro you.
i started to tear up when that older fella issac i think his name was, started talking about his wife and how it feels to lose the person you love the most. i pray for that man and anyone else who’s been through that or going through it. i cant imagine losing my woman it takes some serious strength to try every day for your life after something like that
That 75 yr old man talking about his wife was sad. It’s been 15 years but you can tell he still struggles. I learn more about what’s going on in the states with Tommy G than any other source
This is why I live in my car driving across the country. It breaks my heart life is this hard but I’m beyond happy you are making a video in my home Tommy. I really appreciate you.
I would suggest traveling to Harlan County, KY. It's a very beautiful county that is plagued by poverty and drugs, specifically fentanyl. You'd actually probably have a great time there, too.
@@dominickhollan8024 And one of the only ones who made sense. As he said (and I paraphrase), there's only so much the government; we have to do our part. 100% People are ignorant fools if they think Trump is any better than Biden. Put in the effort, dammit, and move if you have to. Stop making excuses.
I like that many of them are just fine with what they do have and make, they don’t need or want more. I used to have a shirt from the thrift store that read “live simply so others may simply live”. I think many are brainwashed by consumerism, sometimes those who are the poorest financially live the richest lives not saying it isn’t the opposite many times but it’s all personal perspective
We do what we got to to make by with what little we got but I tell you what it damn sure sucks sometimes when you have an administration in the White House that don't give a s*** about the working people of this country. They always trying to please the preppy college kids and the softest snowflakes. And that is why this country will always be the divided States of America. There is a definite clear divide between rural America and the cities.
i live here. and i lived up north. it all evens out in the end. the northerns have around as much expendable income as the southerns. the cost of living really evens out much more fair then you would think.
@@Weather_NerdLol I grew up poor in Appalachia PA, believe me most people wish they were rich, it's all pretty mixed in public schools so you'll have the dirt poor and then the rich from outside areas and they go to the public school just so the parents save money cause the generational rich families stay rich by saving and investing in the right things.
Thank you so much for doing what you do Tommy, I have grown up in Kentucky and experienced this first hand. Thankfully to the internet I was able to make my way out and become something. Keep doing what you do big dawg.
Been following these videos to help better gain perspective in many areas in life, thank you for keeping them true open and honest! True TopG content man!
Last clip spot on thanks Barry I was watching multiple RU-vidrs conspirarcy theroys by now pretty much narrowed to just you very grounded in your approach look forward to seeing you every weekday, keep up the great presentation!!
@johnnybronco9118 please research economics before you try to act like you know what your talking about like literally what I said you didn't even try to understand. You have to neglect the economy for YEARS. For inflation to build up and gain steam to take effect like it has it just doest happen in a couple of years. If you wanna blame anybody blame the orange diaper wearer.
This was an amazing story Tommy G. Im happy there's people like you putting out content like this, its very knowledgeable and you my help someone out. I salute 🫡 you brother
I've been watching Tommy G since the beginning, this is the first video that brought tears to a 31 one year old man. Keep up the good work, we gotta do better as a country. God Bless everyone struggling and I pray for better times to come for all these people.
thank you for uploading this man, just by the off chance you see this, i want you to know your videos get my mind off things. never stop. perfect timing.
I owned a farm there before moving away after raising three girls in Berea. When I bought the farm in 2018, i loved it. The people are nice and very poor. I had 20 acres of quietness and peace. Lost a job and sold it to move and work in Arizona. I spent 30 years in wonderful Kentucky, and I may return there someday! That gas station is right below my house/farm up on the hill. My neighbor overdosed. Drugs are rampant, but thats everywhere. My teo bedroom home/3 car garage and 20 acres was $595 mortgage payment including taxes and insurance. They have a famous NY yankee that cane from Owsley. I miss these folks. Really good people
It's always amazing to me the marginalized people whom America has tossed to the fringes still wear patriotic clothing and fly flags of the country that impoverished them.
Sad how many of these people think a billionaire like Trump would be any better for the people. Especially when he largely contributed to the inflation were all dealing with
Remember yall, according to our own government, make sure yall paying your taxes so we can help these poor places like ukriane and Israel because they are more important than any ameircans. Shoutout TommyG
Back when i was in the military i met allot of folks from these kinds of towns. It was theyre best option. Learn a good trade, free school, see the world and many more benefits.
My lil brother just moved from Seattle to Mt Sterling for a welding job with a tech school certificate, for a significant pay raise. I’ve lived in Ky for 54 years.
Salute to that deputy! One of the most articulate interviews with an officer I have seen to date. He seems very fair and justice, the internet could truly benefit from seeing more of that level-headed style of interviews with police officers.
@@GenGenChilling then move out there genius. they literally said theres no jobs like how have you actually never interacted with poor people they make less 😮
From there , people do stuff other than drugs but no one seemed to wanna say that lol there’s trail rides, people ride horses, four wheelers, shoot guns , there’s a gun range here, and a lot of Appalachian heritage. People grow their own food in gardens so we don’t all rely on overpriced stores. And there’s people who choose to live in the mountains but yes have to find work in nearby counties. that’s why no one else was out to interview, the ones who wanna work and would’ve told you good things about our area aswell were all at work. Don’t get me wrong, drugs are awful here, but they are lots of other places too. There’s just fewer people here.
You sir are inspiring, being slightly younger than you and seeing how you took the risk to be a RU-vidr and have been going HARD ever since. It’s great to see you succeeding!
Ive been an addict before. I no longer have a heart for addicts. I came out of that shit because I WANTED IT BAD ENOUGH! You cant help anyone that doesn't want to do better. Period.
@@Skateandcreate9 I see your on the side of enabling and giving people more needles to be left on playgrounds. And I'm NOT a hypocrite. I'm a success story. I made it out because I WANTED to. They have to do the same.
Wait.. how does the president just lower the price of food? It’s an honest question. Those food companies are private not government. Don’t worry vote for a billionaire. He will save you
Me being from KY I can say that a lot of people may be poor in some counties but we have to be some of the most self reliant nicest people I have ever met. This is coming from someone who has been all through America and multiple countries in Europe.
Current Canada prices in RURAL areas: $6 for 12 eggs, $5.50 for bread, $14.99 for bacon (10 pieces), $6.99 for 7 SMALL avocados, $5.99 for a small brick of cheese, $8.99 for a small 2 portion thing of beef, $2.00 per apple, $17-$20 per pack of 20 cigarettes, $4.50 for a Mcdonalds double cheeseburger, $3.00 for large Mcdonalds fries, $13 for a 12inch footlong Subway, $5.50 for a small package of Dill, 7$ for 3 bell peppers
Fentanyl hit small counties in 2016, heroin 2013. I live in fluvanna county Virginia, about 50 classmates i graduated with in 09 are dead. Im lucky, 1 year sober now.
I live in west Ireland and I’ve had this Blue T-shirt for around a year now I picked up at a second hand event , it’s blue with UK wrote on it , today I realised it’s University Kentucky , thought that was cool 👌
