All in all, my pose was not meant to say that the South is a paradise, but saying “republicans make states bad” without comparing numerous factors and statistics across many states is not only misleading and ill informed but dishonest.

First of all I appreciate the research and links.

I don't think current republicans make states bad. I think states with poor education and prospects vote republican, and the gop that they elect don't do much to fix the issues.

I also don't think that voting in democrats in those states will make a huge difference in the short term. Current democratic policies aren't nearly progressive enough to solve the structural problems with the US federal and local governments.

You need to get more money to poor people so they can get educated. And you need less wealth concentrated with the wealthiest 100 people in the country as they control way too much infrastructure and information.