On the other hand, virtually everyone living in a rural area is going to be an independent businessperson, in some sense, thus establishing a minimum baseline r

On the other hand, virtually everyone living in a rural area is going to be an independent businessperson, in some sense, thus establishing a minimum baseline requirement for literacy. As someone who grew up in a rural area, I can assure you that this is false. As in urban areas, most people in rural areas work for someone else.