NORTHERN NASTY AND NICE (United Way ranks quality of life: Southern states are the worst)

Providence Journal ^ | 11/22/01 | Robert Whitcomb

[LarryLied]

Despite the "friendly" Sunbelt's purported ease and opportunity, the "unfriendly" North continues by far to have the best quality of life.

The United Way now reports that Minnesota (of which I am genetically half a native, which may undermine the good data here) is the best state, in economic well-being, education, health, civic engagement, safety and the environment. Having visited this Midwest Finland, I am not surprised. And I find New Hampshire's Number 2 rating apt, too, having inhabited that rocky realm of rectitude, responsibility and (usually) reasonableness for four years.

Ditto the others in the top 10: Connecticut (even with Hartford!); Massachusetts; Vermont; Maine; Wisconsin; Iowa; New Jersey, and, yes, even Rhode Island, hardly a state at all!

Meanwhile, the bottom 10 are all in the Sunbelt, the worst New Mexico, and then Louisiana.

Maybe it's mostly the weather. The North's bracing and wildly variable climate energizes people and encourages planning and careful citizenship. And it's probably better for you, because cold is bad for bugs. Even the post-war wave of air-conditioning hasn't let previously soporific Southern schools, offices and factories overcome the North's paradoxical climatic advantage.

And Northerners tend to be less mobile, and so less likely to slide into that appalling anomie in which the American Dream is pursued by folks wandering the roads in search of pots of gold that turn out to be tin, and leaving no forwarding address. But then, it is easier to wander about where the weather is warm. Thus the pervasive trailer parks in the Sunbelt, and enough social problems to make you ask if the Sunbelt's growing national power is a good thing. (Don't show this to my Tennessee relatives.)

[Whilom]

It's obvious. The fix is in. New Mexico paid United Way dearly for that ranking. And rightly so. Whoever heard of anyone in New Mexico retiring and moving to Vermont?

[Amelia]

Case closed.

What, because I haven't found & read 50 years worth of records - that Llan could have linked himself if he really wanted to prove his point - in less than an hour?

Please understand, Llan was the one trying to prove a point, not me. Looks as if he's resorted to name-calling & left the board, which tells me he doesn't have a case.

[Amelia]

Actually, I was thinking that my #405 was the prophetic one...I still haven't seen a link.

[JD86]

For a year I was Mr Nice

member since July 25th, 2001

[JD86]

#425 by LLAN-DDEUSANT Tell me why it is you think that in all the years since the war of 1812, the southern states have never paid their own way once?
#427 by LLAN-DDEUSANT Tell me why it is you think that in all the years since the war of 1812, the southern states have never paid their own way once?

LOL....only now in #427, you respond to your own question!!! What's the matter? No one else will respond to your rants anymore?
Or do you even know you are talking to yourself? Perhaps you should check your medication...:)

[Amelia]

I think you're correct about the medication. I'm still trying to figure out this sentence:

Why is it such a cottage industry of the south, other than one can make money at to get by on from hand to hand instead of having the productive life that goes with honest work?

[JD86]

I'm still trying to figure out this sentence: Why is it such a cottage industry of the south, other than one can make money at to get by on from hand to hand instead of having the productive life that goes with honest work?

ROFLOL I don't waste my time reading his drivel anymore. I see the screen name and go Next!

[LarryLied]

QED