But ranchers are not free-spirited vaqueros , like the one Lee Marvin played in Monte Walsh . Who Shot Liberty Valance , rural J.P. Morgans who hired thugs like Valance to protect their interests. These days, many are rich city guys indulging their cowboy fantasies. That Marlboro man hokum is just a smokescreen. My money is on Scarlett O'Hara.
Land still means something.
That's why they have clout. Please note that I didn't say they owned the land. Mostly, they don't. But they think they do. The Chiltons only own about 2,000 acres.