Democracy in small-town america (or my weekend in Nebraska)

I spent the weekend on a retreat with a group of Unitarian Universalists.  Prior to this weekend, I've never spent time in Nebraska and I thought of Northfield as a small town.  Needless to say, I was wrong!

Fun fact, one of world's smallest towns is Monowi, Nebraska.  It's sole resident is Elsie Eiler who continued to reside there after her husband's death.  She runs a tavern and a library by herself (source here).  Talk about shocking!

Aside from lengthy discussions about religion and our ability to affect the world, we served a dinner to local volunteer first responders.  We set up shop in an old two room school house that had served as the local K-12 school up until a few years ago.  Nebraska's population is so rural, they rely on volunteer responders instead of traditional paid firefighters and paramedics.  I was absolutely amazed by the sense of community these people had.  Even though they didn't have much, their bonds with each other were so strong.  It was a stark contrast to the suburban area where I'm from, where people disappear into their houses after work and don't even try to get to know their neighbors. 

I went with Alex, and we talked a bit about how population affects the lifestyle of the inhabitants.  Because residents are so separated by physical distance, it's hard for school districts to be formed and for election districts to be set.  Nebraska is also unique because it is the only state with a unicameral legislature.  This has hampered Nebraska's progress both economically, and in issues of social justice. 

I know that Tocqueville has set his focus on New England townships and the east coast, but I wonder what he would think of rural Nebraska. 

An example of a small town in Nebraska.