If you’ve tuned in to any news channel in the past 8 years, you may have heard the phrase ‘drain the swamp.’ The phrase is interesting, because it has roots in the fine landscape of Louisiana and the swamps which help define its geography. ‘Drain the swamp’ has been tossed and kicked around like a hacky sack, becoming somewhat of a household phrase. But, what does it really mean?
In this article, we’re going to look at the phrase and break down its origins as well as its application in Louisiana. By the end, you’ll understand where it came from and why it’s significant in pop culture. If you roll your eyes, it’s not because of anything we did–we’re just giving you the facts. Let’s take a look!
What is a swamp?
Swamps are a type of a wetland found in various locations across the US. In Louisiana, swamps are home to many cypress trees and creepy crawlies that will literally make your skin crawl. They’re home to the likes of snakes, alligators, and nutria rats, all of which people hate to encounter (unless your goal is to hunt them). You can take swamp tours if that’s your kind of thing, but honestly, we’ve never been on one. They’re a major tourist attraction, and many visitors maneuver through them when they visit the state. The reality is we live in Ruston, and it’s a far cry from the deep southern landscapes which many have come to associate the Deep South with.
Can you drain the swamp?
Well, you can try. Just like any lake, you could try to drain it, but it wouldn’t be easy. The swamps are much larger than lakes, and it really doesn’t seem feasible. And besides, it doesn’t make much sense to drain a swamp. Are there dead bodies in there? Okay, maybe you could ‘drain the swamp’ in search for them, but it would probably be more trouble than it’s worth.
This begs the question: what does it mean to ‘drain the swamp?’ The truth is most people don’t use it in a literal sense. It’s a political phrase which came from Donald Trump’s original run for presidency.
Drain the swamp
‘Drain the swamp’ has no ties to Louisiana or its unique wetlands; it was popularized by Donald J. Trump when he ran for president in 2016. Many Americans, fed up with the political system, used the phrase to insinuate we should fight against the top 1% of Americans and drain the wealth. Despite its Republican roots, even Green Party member Bernie Sanders argued this same point, claiming the wealth in American should be more evenly distributed. So, draining the swamp has nothing to do with actual swamps, but rather, a Robin Hood approach of taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
Conclusion
So, should we ‘drain the swamp?’ While PeachTown presents the facts, we don’t partake in politics or have any political agenda. Part of what we do is use popular keywords as the basis for our articles, and considering people want to know about the idea of draining the swamp, we decided to talk about it. The question now is–do you think we should ‘drain the swamp?’ Is it a justifiable cause? Jump down in the comments below and let us know your thoughts.