A stark spatial hierarchy is emerging in the United States. Big cities are ascendant, enjoying accelerated job growth in a knowledge-driven economy, while midsize cities, small metro areas and rural communities struggle to keep pace. These geographic fault lines have provoked a debate about how to revitalize rural America. What if the best way to rejuvenate small towns is to invest in cities? Proximity to cities does not solely explain rural prosperity. And some direct investments, such as broadband and rural entrepreneurship, can improve rural fortunes. Yet in an economy where private investment flows to places with dense clusters of prized assets, the best rural policy may be supporting the development of small and midsize cities across the country, improving rural residents’ access to jobs, customers, training programs and small-business financing.

[Amy Liu is vice president and director and Nathan Arnosti a policy analyst at the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution]

Rep Seth Moulton (D-MA), who became the 19th person (and third politician from Massachusetts) to enter the Democratic presidential primary race, has said he sees national security as a major presidential election issue — and he’s stressed that global conflict and subterfuge are increasingly taking the form of cyber attacks, a tech issue he could use to set himself apart from the already-packed primary roster. “Russia is trying to hack our elections. And Robert Mueller was clear about that. China is attacking us through the internet every single day and stealing our business ideas and our military — that's where a lot of American jobs are going,” Rep Moulton said. He called for a “cyber wall that will stop Russia and China from interfering in our business.” Moulton’s congressional track record suggests he’s also got some other tech issues on his radar. His CHANCE in Tech Act, H.R. 1733, would urge the Department of Labor to promote apprenticeships in the technology sector; he also joined many of his fellow Democrats in cosponsoring the Save the Internet Act of 2019, H.R. 1644 (116), a measure to revive Obama-era net neutrality rules that passed in the House this month. Moulton visits New Hampshire today.

President Donald Trump said Congress should "get involved" in a battle against "discriminatory" practices by Twitter that the President has alleged unfairly target conservatives. 'The best thing ever to happen to Twitter is Donald Trump,'" President Trump tweeted, quoting a guest on the Fox Business Network. "So true, but they don’t treat me well as a Republican. Very discriminatory, hard for people to sign on. Constantly taking people off list. Big complaints from many people. Different names—over 100 M. But should be much higher than that if Twitter wasn’t playing their political games." "No wonder Congress wants to get involved — and they should. Must be more, and fairer, companies to get out the WORD!" he added, referring to congressional Republicans' claims that tech companies including Twitter artificially suppress traffic on accounts owned by conservatives.