For the states, the academic achievement divide endures

Some become hysterical when empirical data informs on their dogma, but when the objective correlation is so strikingly significant and consistent, the ideologically-hidebound rage in vain.

When Fox Business presented it’s lists of Best-Educated States (Massachusetts, Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, new York, and Minnesota) and its Worst-Educated States (West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Nevada, Indiana, Tennessee, and Oklahoma,) many were struck by the alignment with their voting pattern in national elections.

Yet again, in 2016, the dramatic bifurcation is repeated: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...73R68EZx4SfCnP4IGQf8/htmlview?sle=true#gid=19

Out of the twenty states who are at the antipodes of academic achievement, we are presented with a 95% predictability as to their party preference.

For those who don’t consider it “PC” to respect the data, no value judgement is implied. Americans, regardless of their educational attainments, are equal in the voting booth, and equally entitled to decide how to vote based upon their personal criteria, acumen, and perceived self-interest.

It is what it is, and it reveals what it reveals - the former empirically indisputable and the latter inevitably subjective.

Neither anti-intellectualism, nor elitist snobbery should be provoked by the stark reality.

Patriotic egalitarianism does not traffic in either.

It can handle the truth.


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Given that Johnathan Gruber, a PhD from M.I.T. set up Obamacare and told the Democrats it was so bad that they would have to lie about it to get it passed, and the raving lunatics that inhabit all the colleges around the country, I wouldn't go around advertising an advanced education as some sort of indication of superior intellect.

 

Colorado is considered a swing state and does not always go to Democrats although they had an increase of voter registration but Donald still came close to claiming that state and he just barely lost in Minnesota too so your argument does not hold any water. The big cities vote for Democrats and i'm sure some of the schools in those cities are nice but not all of them have a lot of money. So how do we really know which schools in the states have good education? I could argue Des Moines schools here in Polk county, Iowa (largest city in Iowa) all have bad education and that county was heavily for Hillary. I don't really know how the education in Des Moines is and I was just using that as an example. You get my point.

 

I'm not impressed by high education ratings in Massachusetts.

Small minds prefer large government, and no state prefers big government like Massachusetts.

 

With all their supposed "smarts", they couldn't figure out how to win, could they? They were still losers, weren't they? Beaten by their "intellectual inferiors". LOL The shame of it all...BTW Nevada voted blue.

 

And yet I'd rather live in most of the uneducated states than the elite ones (with the exception of New Hampshire and maybe Colorado).

Additionally, correlation does not equal causation. There are significant demographic differences between these states. Eg:

 

Agrarian states have lower costs of living and therefore a college degree may not be as important, especially advanced degrees.

 

The striking correlation between academic achievement of the top ten states and the bottom ten states with party preference in national elections is what it is.

(Nevada is the sole aberration that make the correspondence 95% and not 100%, of course - same as in 2012.)

 

A discontented block I could say what they are,
voted basing upon what they wish for and what they do have prior to the polls.
I don't know why they become USA's majority?

 

pardon?

 

I mean in vote.

 

I had a good Chuck-le at this. I live in one of these 'high % degree qualified' areas, and virtually everyone I know past the age of 25 is degree or higher qualified. I know almost too many PhDs and MAs. Here's the thing .... we ain't that smart. Some of us are downright morons. I also know a few very smart people who didn't finish high school.

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Nope, still don't understand.

 

That is certainly one of many factors in the disparity in the percentage of college graduates.

 

It does not need for an individual to have a college degree to know and understand the situation around,
he simply could simply watch the neighbors and see himself as well and ponder their quality of living.
That is where they based their votes.

 

Of course, academic attainment has other correspondent implications besides political preference:

These are the 10 states with the worst quality of life.

10. Georgia

> Employment rate: 64.7% (10th lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $26,426 (13th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 5.7 per 100,000 (13th highest)
> Voter turnout: 61.9% (tied-22nd lowest)

Georgia residents have among the worst quality of life, based on the nine well-being factors measured. The state fared particularly poorly on the OECD’s jobs metric, as more than 9% of working-age adults were unemployed last year, among the highest rates nationwide. The high unemployment rate may be due, in part, to poor educational attainment rates -- as was the case with a majority of the states with the worst quality of life. Less than 85% of Georgia's workforce had at least a high school diploma in 2013, among the lowest rates in the country. Many Georgians also struggled with poverty, as 19% of the state’s population lived below the poverty line last year, versus 15.8% of all Americans.

9. New Mexico

> Employment rate: 63.8% (7th lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $25,183 (7th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 6.7 per 100,000 (4th highest)
> Voter turnout: 61.6% (19th lowest)

New Mexico is bigger than many European countries. Yet, its population hovers around just 2 million because it has large portions of virtually uninhabitable terrain. A low population density likely partly explains the state’s poor infrastructure. For example, only 54% of households had broadband Internet last year, less than in all but one other state. New Mexico residents were also not particularly wealthy, compared with other Americans. An average New Mexican had slightly more than $25,000 in disposable income in 2013, among the lowest in the country. And nearly 21% of the population lived in poverty that year, second only to Mississippi.

8. Louisiana

> Employment rate: 62.3% (3rd lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $28,418 (24th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 10.9 per 100,000 (the highest)
> Voter turnout: 66.3% (14th highest)

A typical Louisiana resident is expected to live less than 76 years, a lower life expectancy than in all but three other states. Many Louisiana communities are also quite dangerous. There were nearly 11 murders per 100,000 people in the state in 2013, the highest homicide rate nationwide and in the worst 10% of all OECD regions. Nearly 20% of the population lived in poverty in 2013, more than in all but two other states. Louisiana boasts a highly productive natural gas industry, with more than 3,000 trillion BTUs produced in 2012, more than any other state except for Texas. However, this also exposes the state’s economy to fluctuations in energy prices.

7. South Carolina

> Employment rate: 62.5% (4th lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $25,055 (6th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 6.5 per 100,000 (6th highest)
> Voter turnout: 64.7% (18th highest)

South Carolina residents earned considerably less than other Americans. Households had $25,055 in disposable income per capita last year, among the lowest income levels nationwide. It also tends to be more difficult to find a job in the state than elsewhere in the nation, as South Carolina was one of only a few states with an unemployment rate greater than 9% last year. And like all of the states with the worst quality of life, South Carolina residents were far more likely to live in poverty than most Americans. While 15.8% of Americans lived in poverty in 2013, 18.6% did so in South Carolina, more than in all but a handful of other states.

6. Oklahoma

> Employment rate: 67.9% (22nd lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $27,384 (19th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 5.5 per 100,000 (14th highest)
> Voter turnout: 62.4% (3rd lowest)

While some of the states with the worst quality of life reported exceptionally high voter turnout rates, Oklahoma residents were among the nation’s least likely to make it to the ballot box. Less than 53% of eligible Oklahomans voted last year, worse than in all but two other states. This also placed Oklahoma in the bottom 16% of OECD regions for civic engagement. It may be difficult for many residents to stay engaged with politics, as high-speed Internet access was somewhat of a luxury in the state. Less than 60% of households had broadband Internet access as of last year, among the lowest rates in the country.

5. Tennessee

> Employment rate: 66.5% (17th lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $27,734 (20th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 5.9 per 100,000 (10th highest)
> Voter turnout: 55.7% (6th lowest)

With a voter turnout rate of just 55.7%, Tennessee had among the lowest levels of political engagement in the country. Like most other states with low voter turnout, less than 60% of Tennessee’s population had access to broadband Internet. Such poor access to services was common among the states with the worst quality of life. Also, just 85% of Tennessee workers had completed at least high school as of last year, worse than in many states. However, Tennessee has made substantial efforts to improve statewide education levels. Most notably, state officials recently approved an initiative to make all Tennessee community colleges tuition free, the only state in the U.S. to do so.

4. West Virginia

> Employment rate: 60.5% (the lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $25,199 (8th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 3.9 per 100,000 (22nd lowest)
> Voter turnout: 47.8% (the lowest)

West Virginia received nearly the worst score in the U.S. for the health of its residents. The mortality rate was 10.5 deaths per 1,000 people, a higher rate than in all but two other state. Additionally, nearly 19% of the state’s population lived in poverty last year, well above a national poverty rate of 15.8%, and one of the highest rates nationwide. West Virginians were also the least likely to engage in politics, as less than 48% of eligible residents chose to vote last year, less than in any other state. While West Virginia’s homicide rate of 3.9 murders per 100,000 state residents was better than the homicide rate of many other states, it was still in the worst 20% of OECD regions.

3. Arkansas

> Employment rate: 65.1% (12th lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $24,150 (3rd lowest)
> Homicide rate: 5.3 per 100,000 (15th highest)
> Voter turnout: 53.3% (4th lowest)

Like a majority of the states with the worst quality of life, Arkansas residents were relatively poor compared to other Americans. Per capita household disposable income was less than $25,000 last year, nearly the lowest in the nation. Also, nearly one in five state residents lived below the poverty line in 2013, more than in all but three other states. Perhaps due in part to financial burdens, many residents did not participate in politics. Just 53.3% of eligible state residents chose to vote last year, nearly the lowest voter turnout rate nationwide. Arkansas voters may turn out in greater force this election season, as the state’s popular long-time Democratic governor is set to step down due to term limits.

2. Alabama

> Employment rate: 62.7% (5th lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $25,584 (10th lowest)
> Homicide rate: 6.4 per 100,000 (8th highest)
> Voter turnout: 61.9% (tied-22nd lowest)

Alabama was one of just a few states to adopt additional requirements for voter registration earlier this year, and these requirements' impact on voter turnout remains to be seen. With nearly 62% of eligible residents voting last year, Alabama's voter turnout was considerably better than several other states on this list. In terms of access to services, the state was rated nearly the worst, as just 56% of the population had access to broadband Internet last year, less than in all but two other states. Also, like many of the states with the worst quality of life, Alabama residents struggled with poverty. Nearly 19% of people lived in poverty in 2013, versus a national poverty rate of 15.8%.

1. Mississippi

> Employment rate: 61.6% (2nd lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $23,957 (2nd lowest)
> Homicide rate: 7.3 per 100,000 (2nd highest)
> Voter turnout: 74.5% (the highest)

Mississippi had the worst quality of life in the nation. With the exception of civic engagement -- nearly three-quarters of eligible residents voted during the last general election, by far the highest rate nationwide -- the state fared very poorly in nearly every OECD measure. Less than 82% of Mississippi’s workforce had completed at least high school as of 2013, lower than in every state except for Texas. Low educational attainment rates likely make it more difficult for unemployed residents to find a job. Nearly 9.5% of workers in the state were unemployed last year, among the highest rates in the country. Residents also struggled with poverty as 24% of Mississippians lived in poverty in 2013, the highest rate nationwide. Similarly, crime was a problem as there were 7.3 murders per 100,000 residents, the second-highest homicide rate in the country.​

 

Its.

Speaking of education...

 

Thank you. My orthography is even more egregious that my punctuation.

The correlation encompasses several factors besides academic achievement that significantly align with political party preference in national elections. Health, income, longevity, etc.

The poorest states: 1) Mississippi, 2) Arkansas, 3) West Virginia, 4) Alabama, 5) Kentucky, 6) New Mexico, 7) South Carolina, 8 ) Louisiana, 9) Tennessee, 10) Oklahma

 

Much of this stuff depends on what motivates you. Talking about saving the world, or actively helping your neighbour. Education might lead you to thinking about the needs of the world, but it won't compel you to get your hands dirty helping your neighbour.

 

There are lots of way to look at these numbers though. One is that California has more people on Welfare than some states have people period. Likewise, people from say West Virginia who actually do get college degrees might very well move to Pittsburgh, Ohio, or Northern Virginia. There just isn't a lot going on in that state. Its largest city barely crosses 50K people and most of its cities/towns have falling populations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_West_Virginia Even if you gave everybody a JD/MBA for free, not many of them would be able to make a JD/MBA income in the state.

 

That would be the most ideal way, but in reality it's really not what's unfolding,
ordinary thinking equates to ordinary lives, but we could always anticipate protest when even an ordinary way is somehow deteriorated.

 

I merely note the significant correspondence between the ten best-educated states and their electoral college allocations, and the ten worst-educated states and their contrasting electoral college allocations. Nineteen-of-twenty following a predictable course is an undeniable, strong correlation and indicator of their political preference.

 

Does it still sting?

 

It'll be interesting to see what happens. Can the reality tv performer conjure up those long-gone, high-paying manufacturing jobs that have been decimated, largely by automation, and can he bring back the glory days of coal? I'd love to see that happen, but don't have much confidence that it will.

The striking bifurcation between the best and worst educated states is supported by this analysis of 2016 voting patterns:

 

Let us also consider the fact that the primarily Democratic states are higher in population, often with more white collar work available in more developed urban settings. These are states that will be preferred by college educated professionals, as the jobs they qualify to take on will tend to be located in those states. This will skew their statistics relative to other, more rural states. You would have us leap to and accept the conclusion that more educated people vote Democrat, while less educated people vote Republican, based on these statistics. I am sure that, on the whole, if broken down along those lines, the Democrats are indeed favored by those attending higher education as well as graduates of same, with those presently attending likely being the group to favor the Democrats in greater proportion for various reasons, such as the naivety of youth and peer pressure associated with liberal values being taught and otherwise disseminated on college and university campuses.

At the same, however, the blue states also tend to be more urban. This means many differences in demographics, including having more colleges and universities, in addition to the aforementioned greater number of businesses employing white collar professionals. At the same time, however, these states will also tend to have greater minority populations, who tend to be concentrated in larger metropolises, and these groups have long been targeted by Democratic campaigning. No matter their education level, they will tend to favor Democrats because they believe that the Democrats care more about them and better represent them.

If we break down how each of these two parties addresses the US population as a whole and all of their needs, then I think it becomes clear that the Democrats appeal more to urban voters while the Republicans appeal more to rural voters. There are major cultural differences between these areas that contribute to this, attitudes about work and self-reliance, about small business and agriculture, and about the role of government in all of this. Democrats are pro big-government in terms of welfare programs, education and even job creation. Democrats seem to feel that it is government's job to create jobs. On the whole, I suspect that Democratic voters feel more dependent upon the government. Republican voters, on the other hand, emphasise self-reliance and independence, entrepreneurship and private industry. That is the attitude that dominates rural America, not stupidity or racism, and it is why Republicans are favored rurally, i.e. in the red states. People outside of urban centers prefer to be left alone to work and succeed on their own, with as little interference from government as possible, and why shouldn't they? They're taxed to support government dependants in far-away places. They don't make a fortune doing the things they do - there is no Wall Street and no Silicone Valley or Hollywood in rural America!

 

^ Still another white supremacist racist message as the statistical only counts whites because many white so-called progressives see non-whites as subhuman who desperately need white people to control and protect them for their inferiority.