From time to time I like to let others know the extreme conditions that exist in nthe South, especially in my state of Mississippi……

We hear all the hype about the business opportunities in the New South…..corporations are heading South and the commercials say it is all about the quality if the workers, the work ethic, yada yada…….but it is the business friendly state governments, the low wages, right to work and the tax incentives more than anything….my state has been selling the concept of business friendly to the voters for 30 years and what is really happened in the South?

The official US poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent, an increase of 0.8 percent from 2009 and the third consecutive increase since 2007 when the figure was 12.5 percent. Approximately 46.2 million Americans lived in poverty in 2010, while 49 million were without health insurance. Forty-six of the 50 US states saw an increase in the poverty rate from 2009 to 2010, and median household income fell in all regions.

The South witnessed an increase in both poverty rates and the total number of people in poverty, with a poverty rate of 16.9 percent and 19.1 million people in poverty in 2010, up from 15.7 percent and 17.6 million in 2009. Median household income in the region fell 1.9 percent, from $46,368 to $45,492 annually.

The latest data show that of the 10 states with the highest unemployment rates, 6 are in the South. The manufacturing and construction sectors—hard hit by the economic crisis—have led the drop in employment in the region.

Certain states in the South show particularly disturbing statistics. Mississippi had the highest official poverty rate, at 22.7 percent, followed by Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Georgia, and then two southwestern states, New Mexico and Arizona.

In North Carolina, the state poverty rate rose to 17.5 percent in 2010, a 22 percent increase since 2007, when the recession began. The median household income fell by 12.3 percent during the same time period. The number of Alabamians living in poverty rose from 16.6 percent in 2009 to 17.3 percent in 2010.

The United Way of Central Alabama has seen a 22 percent increase in the number of calls for assistance, its call center having received 27,570 calls since the beginning of the year, an increase of more than 5,000 compared to the same period last year. The most common needs were food, rent, and medical assistance.

In a recent campaign ad the woman, a conservative, states that she will cut taxes, find jobs and protect education with the tax funds…..but where will those education dollars come from while she cuts taxes?  The stupidity of the voters just amazes daily……

After all the years of business friendly policies and what does the South have?  Bad education, massive poverty, low wages, no benefits, poor health……..and yet the people still fall for the crap every election…and that is the truly sad part….the people screw themselves!  People voting against themselves…the height of stupidity!

And GOP policies will make the rest of the country as poor, uneducated and unhealthy as the South…..if that is what you want for this country then by all means vote your butts off….but if it happens….do not whine!