Empiricism

I regret that noted journalist and cynic H. L. Mencken may have been quite right when he wrote, "In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."

However, I am a Republican, so it is with some regret that I share with you the following, compiled by joelgp over at DailyKos:

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The empirical evidence below shows just how deeply republican states have damaged this great country. Check it out and let me know what you think:

Conservatism is bad for middle-class income

10 poorest states with the lowest median household income

State Income
Montana $40,627
Tennessee $40,315
Kentucky $39,372
Louisiana $39,337
Alabama $38,783
Oklahoma $38,770
Arkansas $36,599
West Virginia $35,059
Mississippi $34,473

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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Conservatism is bad for your health:

States with worst health-care systems:

39 Texas
40 Arkansas
41 Kentucky
42 West Virginia
43 Georgia
44 Tennessee
45 Nevada
46 South Carolina
47 Louisiana
48 Alabama
49 Oklahoma
50 Mississippi

Source: Forbes

Republicans don't care about improving the lives of average Americans.

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Conservatism is bad for your marriages.

States with the highest divorce rates:

1. Nevada
2. Arkansas
3. Wyoming
4. Idaho
5. West Virgina
6. Kentucky
7. Oklahoma
8. Alaska
9. Florida
10. Maine

Source: HuffPo

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Conservatism is bad for teenage pregnancy rates:

States ranked by rates of live births among women age 15-19 (births per thousand):

1. Mississippi (71)
2. Texas (69)
3. Arizona (67)
4. Arkansas (66)
5. New Mexico (66)
6. Georgia (63)
7. Louisiana (62)
8. Nevada (61)
9. Alabama (61)
10. Oklahoma (60

Source: Women's Issues

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Conservatism is bad for education

States with the fewest college graduates:

1. Arkansas
2. West Virginia
3. Nevada
4. New Mexico
5. Oklahoma
6. Alaska
7. Arizona
8. Texas
9. Tennessee
10. Mississippi

Source: HuffPo

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Conservatism is bad for news information:
TV outlet with the most ignorant viewers.

"Study: Fox News Viewers “Most Misinformed” Of All News Consumers

"Researchers at the University of Maryland have released a study of news viewers entitled, “Misinformation and the 2010 Election” (.pdf) and found news viewers often get the wrong idea on major stories, and–according to the study–Fox News viewers are the “most misinformed” of them all."

Source: Mediaite (although I can draw this conclusion solely from observing those around me).

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So there you have it; Hypotheses, evidence with sources.

The conclusion?

Mencken was unfortunately/sadly/horrifically ... right.