While reading about the apparent pending passage of the bankruptcy “reform” bill (you can get a cheapseats description of it here), I came across these charts which includes a table showing bankruptcy filings by state for the period October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003. Looking over the data, I noticed something interesting: the “red” states - those that voted for Bush and are considered safely in his corner - had a disproportionate number of personal bankruptcy filings. For example, if you look at Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas you will find that those three states accounted for 137,485 personal bankruptcies. Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee racked up 242,539 personal bankruptcies. Compare those numbers to the total for the entire Northeast (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Rhode Island and, incongruously, Puerto Rico). All of those states together accounted for only 132,259 personal bankruptcies. Clearly times are hard, and just as clearly, Bush’s economic policies are hurting his supporters a lot more than they’re hurting those who voted against him. The question is: will all those “red state” voters realize how much they have suffered under his leadership? And if they do, will they vote against their own economic interests this November? :m: Peace.
No, the red state voters will not so realize. They will vote against their interests like they usually do. Gluttons for punishment they are. Bush has character (he must, he’s a Republican) and that’s all that matters to them. Integrity, honesty, patriotism. Isn’t the power of marketing amazing?
