I really don't think that article makes the point you want it to. I don't think the person who wrote it understood that it doesn't make the point he or she wants it to.

That you think conservative ideas - conservative ideas - were the bane of those small town values is, frankly, a bit bizarre.

You prefer the "small town" values of today, where the objective is looting the state funds, and the state's objective is looting the only entity that can print money from nothing?

You think it would be better if small towns handled their own needs, citizens, and taxes whenever possible? Throw me in that briar patch.

The bit with Lincoln is cute, too. What does it mean? Who knows? It makes the simple mental connection of "Lincoln says corporations BAD" in the smooth brain, and I suppose that's all it needs to do.