“West Virginia, traditionally a very Democratic stronghold. While the folks I know and love there aren’t fiscal conservatives, on social issues they are fairly conservative.”
West Virginia is fiscally irresponsible. Its major industry (as far as “employment”) is Workers Compensation claims and filing lawsuits.
“is Workers Compensation claims and ....”
You aren’t far off base. In some parts of Appalachia, we have a culture of “disability”. It’s really sad - in my life I have seen a proud and independent people reduced to accepting the crumbs of welfare. The grinding poverty I saw in my childhood may be gone, but it has been replaced by a poverty of pride and self reliance. In many ways, we are now much poorer.-—JM