24/7 Wall Street, that research outfit that reports on vehicle resale values, education, oil, infrastructure, state rankings in poverty, wealth, health, obesity, taxes, crime, and anything else that might possibly be of interest, has come up with a survey with a twist: the worst statistic for each state.
Readers of LouisianaVoice are aware that Louisiana has a lot of negatives—and positives—because we’ve been reporting 24/7 Wall Street’s findings for years now.
But to list the single worst negative for each state tells us a lot about not only Louisiana, but our neighbors as well.
Sadly, for Louisiana, it’s our murder rate: 11.4 murders per 100,000 residents, the highest in the nation and in fact, more than double the national homicide rate of 5.0 murders per 100,000, according to FBI figures.
That pretty much goes hand in glove with another statistic that was not mentioned in the latest survey: Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the nation, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world, making Louisiana the prison capital of the world.
In fact, a story in the BATON ROUGE ADVOCATE just last week noted that the number of people serving life sentences in Louisiana today—nearly 5,000—is almost three times the total prison population in Louisiana in 1970.
It should come as no surprise that Louisiana imposes life sentences at the highest rate in the nation—another harsh statistic you won’t find on tourist brochures.
But lest one get the impression the grass is always greener, here’s a peek at the most negative factoids about our neighbors:
Mississippi: Highest poverty rate in the nation (a staggering 19.7 percent, 50 percent higher than the national rate of 13.1 percent).
Alabama: The lowest concentration of mental health professionals of any state (91 for every 100,000 people, far behind Massachusetts which ranks first with more than six times that ratio).
Florida: Hit with more tropical storms and hurricanes (229) than another other state since 1851.
Georgia: the lowest immunization rate (65.6 percent) of young children than any other state for diseases like mumps, measles, and tetanus.
Kentucky: The smallest pension funding ratio of any state (33.9 percent).
Missouri: More drug labs (3,022) over the past 20 years than any other state—far exceeding number 2 Oklahoma with 2,357.
North Carolina: “The highest amount spent on out-of-pocket medical expenses (14% of median income) by residents under age 65.”
Oklahoma: Highest uninsured rate among adults age 19 to 64 (20 percent compared to the national uninsured rate of 12 percent).
South Carolina: More driving deaths per capita (20.4 per 100,000 population) than every other state except Mississippi. The national per capita figure is 11.5 per 100,000.
Tennessee: A larger percentage of adults (5.4 percent) have suffered a stroke than in any other state. Nationally, 3.4 percent of American adults have had a stroke.
Texas: A larger share of the Texas population (18.6 percent) lacks health insurance than any other state. Nationally, the uninsured rate is 10 percent.
Virginia: The worst ratio of minimum wage to what is needed to sustain a family of any state (26 percent). The state also has no mandatory paid sick leave or guarantee for paid time off for a pregnancy and child birth.
West Virginia: Perhaps saddest of all, West Virginia has the highest drug overdose death rate in the nation (48.3 per 100,000 population—far more than double the national rate of 19.2 per 100,000.)
It’s worth noting that even Louisiana’s high murder rate is still less than one-fourth West Virginia’s drug overdose death rate.
Apples and oranges? Yes, of course.
But as I wrote in an earlier post, I love our people, our food, our music and our culture.
I’m still stayin’.
Louisiana Voice 
As the old saying goes, “Put your heart in Dixie…or get your ass out”. As folks know who have spent their lives here…statistics don’t reflect the nature of our culture. Of course, one could move up north in Bernie or Bloomberg country where the optics look better to the national magazines, or you can simply invest in the culture you have and give it your best. Socialism won’t cure what ails Louisiana, but perhaps giving back may help. Help your neighbor, clean up your area, and support the fire and police departments when you can.
Outlaw, why would you single out “Bernie and Bloomberg country” when Trump comes from the same geographical area? Do you think he’s immune to greed and corruption? And why would you bitch about socialism and ignore the runaway corporate socialism which is a much, much, much, MUCH bigger drain on the economy than some single mom on food stamps? I’ll tell you why. It’s because you and the rest of the 40% have been brainwashed to believe that there is only socialism for deadbeats and illegal immigrants. But look around you and you can see all kinds of socialism that I would bet my paycheck you’ve participated in. Do you have life or health or auto or home insurance? That’s when the many pool their money to provide benefits to the few – including yourself should the need arise. That’s a form of socialism. Of course, the insurance companies get rich off investing the premiums and that’s pure capitalism. Isn’t it amazing how the two work together for the benefit of everyone? Bet you never gave a thought to that kind of pinko-commie socialism, did you?
Taxpayer funded public schools with no tuition, public roadways, highways, bridges, etc., with no tolls, police and fire protection, etc., etc. – all forms of socialism. Truth to tell, no society can survive without some form of socialism.
Had that conversation with gentleman who was watching his four children play for free in a public park. He wanted no government services or intervention in anything. I asked if he paid $40,000 a year in state, local and federal taxes and of course, he did not. I said, start with $10,000 per year tuition for child in a good non public in Louisiana, or even half that, add in tolls every time he drove on roads, fees to call for fire protection or police, extra fees for safety inspections in restaurants and grocery stores…he said, okay, I get it. And we hadn’t even started on Social Security and Medicare for his parents, and himself when he reaches that age.
Who says socialism won’t help? Republicans called Social Security & Medicare socialism when they were first implemented. Imagine America or Louisiana without them! Please stop demonizing the “S” word. I’ll take even-handed socialism over the current epidemic of corporate socialism that is literally killing us with poverty & pollution.
LA Educator: I agree!!