Maui
Well-Known Member
TN as a whole isn't living off the work of other states. TN happens to be surprisingly advanced in many areas. A visit to Nashville would soon convince you. You have said nothing that isn't based on facts, just old stereotypes about hillbillies, rednecks, and the Delta. And while there is some of that in rural backwaters, you won't let the facts get in the way, such as TN having the 9th best economy of all the States. And by the way, if you are familiar with the work being done at Oak Ridge then you already know where a large percentage of Federal money flowing into Tennessee is going.
Of course I know ORNL. I am a Tennessean. Born in the area Sniper lives. I've been all over the state. You are correct that what I have said about the economy there is based on fact. The amount of money paid in taxes vs. the amount of money received is an indisputable fact and for some reason you believe that saying it isn't so can change that fact.
9th best economy? Based on what criteria? According to whom? You want facts? How about these? Tennessee ranks 45th in median income and 39th on income per capita, at 8.5% the unemployment rank is 41, TN punches slightly below its weight class with the 17th ranked population and 21st ranked GDP (41st per capita) and ranks 40th for the percentage of residents living in poverty. How did you determine this was the "9th best economy"? Oh, TN had 3.3% GDP growth in 2012? CA and TX both have much much larger GDP and both grew faster in goal dollars and percentage.
That may be enough for you and Sniper's echo chamber, but hardly makes for one of the best economies by objective, fact-based data.