And, as I looked at the map, it occured to me that the heavy areas of poverty were pretty much along the "Red State/Blue Lines" of recent presidential elections. But I wasn't sure, so I searched the web for a map of the last presidential election, and found this one on NPR.org:
Okay, so, looking back and forth at the two, there did seem to be some kind of correlation... so I overlaid the poverty map onto the elections map and got this:
What does this tell me and/or anyone? You notice where the really dark sections denoting poverty are? With the exception of the poverty noted in New Mexico, the darkest sections are in solidly "Red" states. One stand out, to me, anyway, was the more than 25% poverty rate among children age 5 and younger in the state of Texas. Also notable, to me, again, anyway, is John McCain's home state of Arizona, which has put the whole "illegal immigration" thing as their #1 priority... um... maybe it ought to be the poverty rate of kids 5 and younger that is nearing 25%, as well? I know, I know. Some people would argue that it is illegal immigration and those darned immigrants that are causing the poverty rate. Uh huh. I have a bridge to sell you. It's located in Brooklyn. Look for my ad on Craigslist.
Maybe it means nothing, but I get the sneaking suspicion that conservative politics lead to conservative social programs that don't really help anyone. Not like that's some big revelation or anything, though.
