HuffPo hates the South (with maps)

[Franknburger]

Yet we keep electing the same right-wing governments we've been electing since Reconstruction ended. We do it to ourselves. Very frustrating.

I doubt that's the cause. My part of the country is an underdeveloped craphole with many of the same problems as the South (except race). We keep electing governments significantly to the left of the Democrats... yet somehow, we're still an underdeveloped craphole.

Can't judge on the craphole part, but geographical conditions and situation seem less conducive to development than across many Southern states.

[Franknburger]

OK, fair enough about the obesity rate.

I'm skeptical, though, of the idea that incomes need to be adjusted for "cost of living" to the advantage of the US. Sure, consumer goods tend to be more expensive (though your two examples are outliers due to supply management and gas taxes). But health care, education, etc., are much more expensive in the States.

If people are getting a good deal from a high-tax, high-service government, then they are likely to continue to want such. If they are getting a good deal from a low-tax, low-service government, then they will want such to continue. Low-tax, high-service governments are impossible not sustainable, and high-tax, low-service governments tend to undergo revolutionary upheavals.

In general the low-tax, low-service governments worldwide are to be found in Third World hell-holes. Such places generally have a few very rich people with others destitute. 

Minor correction to the otherwise good post (check out Cyprus for the attempt to run a low-tax high-service government).