West Virginia is a joke

[Anonymous]

Not the University, but the state itself. Did you know that 75% of the population is on welfare??? Jesus Christ, its like those people don't even try to get a damn job. If not for Mississippi, WV would be the worst and poorest state in the union.

[Anonymous]

Well, someone has to be last.

[Anonymous]

We drive through WV to go home about once a month. It seems like there aren't any jobs there. I definitely dress down when I'm travelling (jeans and a plain t shirt), but everyone in rest stops stares at me. It's pretty disconcerting. Lots of alcohol use and smoking too.

[Anonymous]

The war on coal.

[Anonymous]

My dad is a West Virginian. It's a beautiful state. I went to WVU and had the time of my life (and have a great career now).

But but but....for many years I've tried to defend it and have finally made peace with the fact that the stereotypes and negative impressions are mostly true. MTV's Buckwild was the last straw for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The war on coal.

They need to diversify, figure out some other way to create jobs, not just lament days gone by when coal was king. And the irony is that they mostly vote Republican, known for cutting welfare.

[Anonymous]

Gee, OP, so do you have any useful ideas for how to help WV citizens improve their lives or did you just come on here to blast a particular state?

Let's please keep in mind that this state has historically been basically run by the natural resource (read: coal) companies who employ a huge percentage of workers in the state. Literally, donations by the coal companies have governed elected officials' actions, while the state itself has been decimated by the environmental ramifications of mining coal. We're talking toxic water and groundwater, major flooding that occurs in valleys (where the population is) due to mountaintop removal coal mining, terrible air pollution due to emissions from coal burning (not to mention the enormous percentage of ex-miners who now have black lung) and companies seizing private land, all so you can keep your lights on at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The war on coal.

They need to diversify, figure out some other way to create jobs, not just lament days gone by when coal was king. And the irony is that they mostly vote Republican, known for cutting welfare.

For a looooooong time, Democrats ran the state. Joe Manchin, Earl Ray Tomblin, Jay Rockefeller aren't exactly Repubs, even though 2 of them sort of lean that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The war on coal.

right. It was so prosperous during the 80s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gee, OP, so do you have any useful ideas for how to help WV citizens improve their lives or did you just come on here to blast a particular state?

Let's please keep in mind that this state has historically been basically run by the natural resource (read: coal) companies who employ a huge percentage of workers in the state. Literally, donations by the coal companies have governed elected officials' actions, while the state itself has been decimated by the environmental ramifications of mining coal. We're talking toxic water and groundwater, major flooding that occurs in valleys (where the population is) due to mountaintop removal coal mining, terrible air pollution due to emissions from coal burning (not to mention the enormous percentage of ex-miners who now have black lung) and companies seizing private land, all so you can keep your lights on at night.

Here's a suggestion: DIVERSIFY YOUR ECONOMY and actually INVEST in your people. Something is wrong when 3/4 of your state cashes a check by the gov't every 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The war on coal.

They need to diversify, figure out some other way to create jobs, not just lament days gone by when coal was king. And the irony is that they mostly vote Republican, known for cutting welfare.

For a looooooong time, Democrats ran the state. Joe Manchin, Earl Ray Tomblin, Jay Rockefeller aren't exactly Repubs, even though 2 of them sort of lean that way.

But they usually vote Republican for President, and it's the Federal gov't that doles out a large chunk of the welfare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dad is a West Virginian. It's a beautiful state. I went to WVU and had the time of my life (and have a great career now).

But but but....for many years I've tried to defend it and have finally made peace with the fact that the stereotypes and negative impressions are mostly true. MTV's Buckwild was the last straw for me.

I'm in an interacial marriage. I would love to visit WV as I've heard some parts are truly beautiful, but I fear going there with my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dad is a West Virginian. It's a beautiful state. I went to WVU and had the time of my life (and have a great career now).

But but but....for many years I've tried to defend it and have finally made peace with the fact that the stereotypes and negative impressions are mostly true. MTV's Buckwild was the last straw for me.

I'm in an interacial marriage. I would love to visit WV as I've heard some parts are truly beautiful, but I fear going there with my family.

*sigh* WV is not a racist place. There are lots of AAs, Hispanics and even Asians in WV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gee, OP, so do you have any useful ideas for how to help WV citizens improve their lives or did you just come on here to blast a particular state?

Let's please keep in mind that this state has historically been basically run by the natural resource (read: coal) companies who employ a huge percentage of workers in the state. Literally, donations by the coal companies have governed elected officials' actions, while the state itself has been decimated by the environmental ramifications of mining coal. We're talking toxic water and groundwater, major flooding that occurs in valleys (where the population is) due to mountaintop removal coal mining, terrible air pollution due to emissions from coal burning (not to mention the enormous percentage of ex-miners who now have black lung) and companies seizing private land, all so you can keep your lights on at night.

Here's a suggestion: DIVERSIFY YOUR ECONOMY and actually INVEST in your people. Something is wrong when 3/4 of your state cashes a check by the gov't every 2 weeks.

Newsflash - One third of people nationwide are receiving some kind of government assistance. WV is not alone in having people reliant on the government.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/29/census-figures-show-more-than-one-third-americans-receiving-welfare-benefits/

Newly released Census data reveals nearly 110 million Americans – more than one-third of the country – are receiving government assistance of some kind.

The number counts people receiving what are known as “means-tested” federal benefits, or subsidies based on income. This includes welfare programs ranging from food stamps to subsidized housing to the program most commonly referred to as “welfare,” Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gee, OP, so do you have any useful ideas for how to help WV citizens improve their lives or did you just come on here to blast a particular state?

Let's please keep in mind that this state has historically been basically run by the natural resource (read: coal) companies who employ a huge percentage of workers in the state. Literally, donations by the coal companies have governed elected officials' actions, while the state itself has been decimated by the environmental ramifications of mining coal. We're talking toxic water and groundwater, major flooding that occurs in valleys (where the population is) due to mountaintop removal coal mining, terrible air pollution due to emissions from coal burning (not to mention the enormous percentage of ex-miners who now have black lung) and companies seizing private land, all so you can keep your lights on at night.

Here's a suggestion: DIVERSIFY YOUR ECONOMY and actually INVEST in your people. Something is wrong when 3/4 of your state cashes a check by the gov't every 2 weeks.

Newsflash - One third of people nationwide are receiving some kind of government assistance. WV is not alone in having people reliant on the government.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/29/census-figures-show-more-than-one-third-americans-receiving-welfare-benefits/

Newly released Census data reveals nearly 110 million Americans – more than one-third of the country – are receiving government assistance of some kind.

The number counts people receiving what are known as “means-tested” federal benefits, or subsidies based on income. This includes welfare programs ranging from food stamps to subsidized housing to the program most commonly referred to as “welfare,” Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

This is about WV not the USA. Try to stay on topic.