[ladylib]

A friend of mine's who grew up in W. VA said that his state was truly the armpit of the world. He now lives in NJ. That's supposed to be a step up?

[apillar]

I grew up in West Virgina and in some ways it is an armpit, but it does have a few good point too.

GOOD:

1. It really is a beautiful state, mostly rural, very mountainous, mild winters, warm summers etc.

2. Land is DIRT cheap, I recently purchased sixty acres of land with a hunting cabin for $54,000. Cost of living is low. Taxes are average for the region.

3. Even though the state is considered a democrat bastion, the people for the most part are very conservative. Very pro 2nd amendment, anti abortion (which is why Al Gore lost) Even the democrats tend to be more conservative -- the "liberal" democrats here could pass as conservative republicans in New York or Massachussets.

BAD:

1. The state is pretty much run by the coal/steel/teachers unions, most of the legislators owe their "soul" to the unions. Cronyism is rampant -- The moto of the state should be "It's not what you know it's who you know."

2. VERY anti-business / pro-organized labor climate -- high business taxes, high unemployment, high poverty, very little economic growth.

2. Schools range from average to abyssmal. Culturally not a lot of emphasis on education -- even if you do get a college degree (like I did) you almost always have to leave the state to use it.

[Doc On The Bay]

ALAS!!--

Arriving by Bus to Wheeling, W.VA, One Travels along a road between Mountains which Sorely resembles the "View" between "Buttocks!!"

Wheeling, WVA., resembles the "A-Hole" of America!

The Topography of the area, & the "Industrial Effluvium" of the city has created a "Scatological Image" of the City!

Doc

[FreedomFriend]

West Virginia is a beautiful state. I'd say that it is the most beautiful state east of the Mississippi in terms of whole-state beauty. A natural treasure.

[oiljake]

if kkt wins in md. we hold this honor hands down anywhere a kennedy is in charge will surely win hands down