Do you agree with this statement?

[MarkWarner08]

"The South has proven to be the natural home of American poverty. It continues to sustain the highest poverty rate and the lowest average income of any section of the country. Yet, ironically, we frequently elect public officials who pander to the wealthy and cripple the social structures of the poor. Southern leaders often seem to specialize in undermining democracy while giving the bank of their hands to meaningful equality. We produce more poverty and more politicians who are untroubled by it than the rest of the nation." -- Gene Nichol, former dean of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

[Verily]

The last sentence is certainly true. Other parts are more suspect. (Well, except the second sentence, which is factually true.)

[MarkWarner08]

The last sentence is certainly true. Other parts are more suspect. (Well, except the second sentence, which is factually true.)

I think he's off-base when he asserts that these politicians weakened "the social structures of the poor". Most conservatives support NGOs that help alleviate poverty. If his point is that some Southern pols will place tax breaks to lure foreign auto companies over Medicaid spending, then he has a point.

[7,052,770]

Agree, but I think we're about to start changing.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Yeah, I agree with it.  And it's a sad thing.

[Verily]

The last sentence is certainly true. Other parts are more suspect. (Well, except the second sentence, which is factually true.)

I think he's off-base when he asserts that these politicians weakened "the social structures of the poor". Most conservatives support NGOs that help alleviate poverty. If his point is that some Southern pols will place tax breaks to lure foreign auto companies over Medicaid spending, then he has a point.

I think that sort of was the point. Moreover, the number of Senators who genuinely don't care at all about poverty is rather small. (Senators being a reasonable way to measure such things.) Those few who don't that I can think of are probably more Southern (Dole, Chambliss, Cornyn) than the Senate as a whole.

[Flying Dog]

I agree with the statement, overall. It is, however, a little to sweeping in its assertions.

[Albus Dumbledore]

This applies to more or less the entire US outside of the blue coastal enclaves but Dixie does personify it.

[Ban my account ffs!]

This applies to more or less the entire US outside of the blue coastal enclaves but Dixie does personify it.

Not true.  The upper midwest is not a coastal enclave, but it is "blue" and poverty is pretty low here.

I do agree with the statement, though.

[AkSaber]

Yeah, I agree with it.  And it's a sad thing.

Same here.

Also, we seem to do that all over the country, elect those who cater to the wealthy. O_o

[Albus Dumbledore]

Yeah, I agree with it.  And it's a sad thing.

Same here.

Also, we seem to do that all over the country, elect those who cater to the wealthy. O_o

Using Guns, gods and the flag as justification will get anything passed no matter what it is. Even if it's reactionary beyond all belief.

[Хahar 🤔]

Agree.

[Franzl]

Yeah, I agree with it.  And it's a sad thing.

Same here.

Also, we seem to do that all over the country, elect those who cater to the wealthy. O_o

Using Guns, gods and the flag as justification will get anything passed no matter what it is. Even if it's reactionary beyond all belief.

you forgot apple pie.

[Albus Dumbledore]

Apple pie is fattening so the neo-puritan attitudes prevailing would make that a vote-loser these days.

[opebo]

Apple pie is fattening so the neo-puritan attitudes prevailing would make that a vote-loser these days.

Not in the South - everyone's fat there.  Of course I agree with the statement.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

There is some truth to it, but it misses the point in soooooooooo many different ways. It's worth remembering here what the real Republican strongholds in the South are like. And, of course, it's worth remembering that the record of Democrat politicians in the South on these issues is hardly worthy of praise (something that is unlikely to change soon).

[Sam Spade]

It's much more complicated than that (to put it mildly).  And Al's points are important to remember also.

[??????????]

True. As we know, the north is the bastion of intellect and wealth. New York, Boston and such other places eliminated poverty and homelessness over 100 years ago. Why is the South still so far behind?

[Sensei]

True. As we know, the north is the bastion of intellect and wealth. New York, Boston and such other places eliminated poverty and homelessness over 100 years ago. Why is the South still so far behind?

OMG STATES SAW THE LIGHT!

I agree with the statement, btw.

[Stranger in a strange land]

sadly, this statement is entirely correct.