Anniversary Post: State of Mississippi

Mississippi FlagOn this day in 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state in the union. And it’s pretty much stayed there. Oh, I know I should be nice. But I went to college with a guy from Alabama who told me the great pride of his state was that they could always count on Mississippi to be the 50th worst state in whatever was in question. The point was that Alabama was 49th. But that is probably being too harsh to Alabama. Not so much Mississippi.

Of course, there is an area where both states excel: in the amount of money they get from the federal government compared to how much they send. It changes year by year and analysis by analysis. But it’s always more or less the same: Mississippi gets roughly $3 for $1 it sends. In a lot of states, this is an indication of an old population (Social Security). But Mississippi is one of the younger states. It’s just that Mississippi is really poor.

So why is Mississippi a red state? Well, it isn’t because the poor are conservative. I guess it is because the poor don’t vote in high numbers. And knowing Mississippi, it probably isn’t really easy to vote in the state. But whatever. It does seem like it ought to be blue state, given it is almost 40% African American. Maybe liberals need to return another time and help the poor register and vote. There is little doubt the same stuff that was happening before is happening now, just in a less violent way.

Finally, I just want to mention that flag. Not only does it have the abhorrent Confederate battle flag in it, the thing is just poorly designed. I’m none too happy with the American flag. But the Mississippi flag makes our nation’s flag look like fine art. Why is it that bigotry so often comes with a total lack of taste?

4 thoughts on “Anniversary Post: State of Mississippi

  1. ” But I went to college with a guy from Alabama who told me the great pride of his state was that they could always count on Mississippi to be the 50th worst state in whatever was in question. The point was that Alabama was 49th. ”

    We said the same thing in South Carolina, especially in regards to education standards.

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