OT: Mississippi population

[Hoover Dawg]

The other board has a couple of threads on Starkville and Columbus, and how to improve their plight. This got me thinking and I came across this article:

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/...pulation-dictates-mississippi-power/85952168/

As you can probably infer, I do not live in MS, but I am from there. Sort of a pervasive problem with the state essentially losing population as compared to neighboring states. Most people may not think or care about this, but you should, if you care about MSU.

I don't, however, know how to rectify the problem, short of convincing Chinese companies to build a bunch of factories here. We got 50% of the state that wants to keep it the way it is so they personally can profit. Not enough eyes for the big picture. MS taxes are fairly high too.

First thing to do seems to be to improve the few urban areas that we do have. I also think this isn't a town problem, it's a state problem.

 

[ShrubDog]

The only way Columbus can improve is for half the population to leave and then have it re-settled. We left years ago and the demographics are not changing for the better.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

Being in the Sun Belt, with ostensibly Conservative political leadership, Mississippi should be booming like Texas. However, the political "leadership" in Congress is more interested in bringing goodies home from Washington than improving the State. Because of this, Mississippi receives $4 for every $1 in taxes it sends back.

Also, the Ole Miss-dominated lawyer class has run off business and cost our State thousands of jobs with their unholy pursuit of Jackpot Justice. There has been some tort reforms, but the overall perception of Mississippi is that if you start a business here, you'll get sued and lose your life savings.

Finally, Mississippians look at the political class as their heroes, instead of free Enterprise entrepreneurs. Their heroes are John C. Stennis, Sonny Montgomery, James Eastland, Bennie Thompson, Trent Lott, Thad cochran, etc. instead of entrepreneurs. Even the Nissan plant in Madison and Toyota plant in North Mississippi got here because of politicians breaking every tax law so they could get in here, NOT because the State of Mississippi is conducive to business. The 1890 Constition was created to do two things- keep the black man down, and keep big business out. 200-300 amendments later, the blacks are now have equal rights. It may take another 400-500 amendments for business to want to come to the State.

Here in Texas, all we have to do so say, "Come on down", and we get multinational conglomerates to come here every day. In Mississippi, you have too many politicians who have their hands out.

 

[1msucub]

Well spoken, Mutt.
My family has been here for generations...I'm a native, white, "conservative" (since we have to choose), Christian gun owner, but it makes me so sad that all a politician down here has to do is yell Jesus or Washington outsider and they get elected. After that, it's 50 years of unopposed taxpayer leeching.
I love the South with all my heart, but our biggest enemy is us. The older I get, the more I believe the only thing that even has a CHANCE of turning things around is the passage of term limits.
I'll hold my breath.

 

[TNT.sixpack]

Look no further than ur governor and other elected officials in the legislature. I urge u to go to the capital some time. Just sit in on a meeting. You'll be depressed when u leave. They should at least be as bright as the people they represent. But in most cases, they aren't.

 

[Will James]

Well spoken, Mutt.
My family has been here for generations...I'm a native, white, "conservative" (since we have to choose), Christian gun owner, but it makes me so sad that all a politician down here has to do is yell Jesus or Washington outsider and they get elected. After that, it's 50 years of unopposed taxpayer leeching.
I love the South with all my heart, but our biggest enemy is us. The older I get, the more I believe the only thing that even has a CHANCE of turning things around is the passage of term limits.
I'll hold my breath.

In all fairness our delegation is the epitome of Washigton Insider establishment. It's just as Mutt says.

When the GOP splits on something and join with the Dems to pass something you can bet Harper, Cochran, Wicker, and Kelly will be with the left. Palazzo is only slightly better.

Heritage Foundation scores - All u need to know
Bennie Thompson - 20%
Thad Cochran - 30%

 

[vandaldawg]

Easy...

The other board has a couple of threads on Starkville and Columbus, and how to improve their plight. This got me thinking and I came across this article:

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/...pulation-dictates-mississippi-power/85952168/

As you can probably infer, I do not live in MS, but I am from there. Sort of a pervasive problem with the state essentially losing population as compared to neighboring states. Most people may not think or care about this, but you should, if you care about MSU.

I don't, however, know how to rectify the problem, short of convincing Chinese companies to build a bunch of factories here. We got 50% of the state that wants to keep it the way it is so they personally can profit. Not enough eyes for the big picture. MS taxes are fairly high too.

First thing to do seems to be to improve the few urban areas that we do have. I also think this isn't a town problem, it's a state problem.

Step 1: Double down on disgraceful racial history by passing thinly veiled, divisive legislation that stirs up your fanatical base that misuses their religion to justify their own prejudices, but keeps you firmly out of step with the majority of the world.

Step 2: Try and offset your own stupidity by offering insane tax credits to corporations that result in a net negative; loudly proclaim, "I'm a job creator!"

Step 3: Profit.

 

[o_fredgarvin]

I remember being interested in politics when I was at State so I got involved with Governmental Affairs. One weekend we hosted MS legislators at a reception at State. I could not believe the idiocy of the people that attended. They could barely speak the Queen's English. Really lowered my opinion and explained the reputation of MS state government.

Mutt hit the nail on the head that MS lawyers have scared off business (as well as doctors) in the state and his comments about the 1890 constitution are spot on. Who would want to start a business much less keep one in MS knowing the tort laws? Unfortunately, the one MS business hero I can remember (Bernie Ebbers) is now at Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution.

Institutionalizing the philosophies of the Barksdale literacy initiative for education and getting the legislature focused making MS a truly pro-business state (a la Texas and Georgia) is the only way for MS to stop the skid.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Oh no! Not compromise! The attitude you have that many others share is the reason why our government can't do a damn thing. Too scared to work with the other party to get something accomplished. The art of compromise in government is an alien concept.

 

[Will James]

Oh no! Not compromise! The attitude you have that many others share is the reason why our government can't do a damn thing. Too scared to work with the other party to get something accomplished. The art of compromise in government is an alien concept.

Two groups conspiring for their own special interests is the same as one group conspiring for their own special interests, mostly the same special interests. Laughable that in 2016 you think everyone is up there to be the best steward of their constituents.

 

[randystewart]

I work for a company based in MS but do business all over the U.S. The dumb *** "religious freedom" law is killing us. Every trade show we've been to since it was passed, we've had at least one prospect say "our company no longer does business with MS or NC companies".
We are in the process of taking our MS address off of everything we have (letterhead, business cards, website, etc..). Social/religious issues have no place in state politics. The sooner our idiots in Jackson learn that, the better for business growth in MS.

 

[patdog]

Typical Mississippi. Cut off our nose to spite our face. There are far too many of us who actually want to be last in everything and are terrified of any progress whatsoever.

 

[mcdawg22]

Two groups conspiring for their own special interests is the same as one group conspiring for their own special interests, mostly the same special interests. Laughable that in 2016 you think everyone is up there to be the best steward of their constituents.

Good lord I actually agree with you on something.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I'm not naive to special interests. It's been around for decades.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

Problem is, our special interests keep business out of Mississippi.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

The horrible tax code doesn't help matters.

 

[wpmusm]

Seriously. I was in Jackson for the day last year and sat in the House balcony and was stunned at how stupid the lawmakers in this state are.

 

[kired]

I stay out of political discussions just because I'll never have any impact on what happens, but I will say this. I've lived in MS my entire life - grew up middle of nowhere in NE MS, and other than years at MSU I've lived in Tupelo, Jackson, & Hattiesburg. I'm now in my mid-30s with kids. When I graduated college I couldn't imagine moving out of state. As I've gotten older, become more aware of how this state operates, and traveled practically all over the US - honestly the only thing keeping me here is so our kids can be close to their grandparents. I really don't plan on growing old here.

 

[11thEagleFan]

No simple answer, because there's more than one problem. But most of the problems that plague the state can be traced back to piss-poor state and local leadership.

1) Education- HUGE problem. Mississippi always ranks at or near the bottom in this category. Big companies need a qualified workforce, and that's hard to come by in most of Mississippi. Our state leaders continue to show that education is not a priority to them.

2) No appealing urban life- In the states that surround us, there is at least ONE urban setting that appeals to young people and professionals. Nashville, New Orleans, Huntsville... We have Jackson. A city that has been horribly mismanaged for decades. I'm sorry, people that love Jackson. Yes, I know there are pockets of good things there, but it just doesn't stack up well against other cities.

3) The Delta- ever wonder why Mississippi ranks so low in so many categories? Visit the Delta. Culturally rich, socially and economically poor. I don't know what could be done to help the plight of the Delta, but there's a huge swath of land smack dab in the middle of the state where no outsider would ever want to live.

Lastly, tort reform is NOT a problem anymore. Mississippi went from one of the least friendly states to big business, to one of the most favorable overnight. Most legal experts agree that the pendulum has actually swung too far in the opposite direction. Remember state leaders promising more jobs with tort reform? Well where are they?

 

[rugbdawg]

Yes. Tort reform is not a problem at all. I don't know why people seem to think it's an issue. Govt. corruption is the number one problem in Mississippi followed closely by idiots in government.

 

[Dogariffic]

Why are things the way they are?
Because that's the way they want them!!!
Power held by a small few ..... The big fish, small pond philosophy. On a smaller scale look at Meridian. In 1977 or so it had 40,000 or so population. Basically the same now... How is that possible? Because that is the way they want it..... And the "They" are those in charge who have the most to gain by things remaining the same.
Mississippians are not stupid.... The leadership is not stupid..... They are actually very smart.....We are at this point because there are those in charge who want us in this position.
Rant over!
Jmho

 

[Sutterkane]

Shouldn't have a tax code. No such thing as a state with no income tax that isn't doing well.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Why are things the way they are?
Because that's the way they want them!!!
Power held by a small few ..... The big fish, small pond philosophy. On a smaller scale look at Meridian. In 1977 or so it had 40,000 or so population. Basically the same now... How is that possible? Because that is the way they want it..... And the "They" are those in charge who have the most to gain by things remaining the same.
Mississippians are not stupid.... The leadership is not stupid..... They are actually very smart.....We are at this point because there are those in charge who want us in this position.
Rant over!
Jmho

Like i said earlier, none of the elite have MS first and foremost on their minds. I'm sure they'd like for us to do better, if they themselves benefitted from it. But maybe they've also seen the odds we are up against and decided the hell with it, they'll just get theirs'.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Super majorities are never a good thing.

 

[615dawg]

Another thing that hurts Mississippi is how a lot of people treat "outsiders."

I I was talking with a friend that moved to Mississippi with his wife after growing up and attending college in the Midwest. This was in 1993. He has raised his kids here, established his long term roots here and he is still treated as an outsider.

 

[57stratdawg]

I work for a company based in MS but do business all over the U.S. The dumb *** "religious freedom" law is killing us. Every trade show we've been to since it was passed, we've had at least one prospect say "our company no longer does business with MS or NC companies".
We are in the process of taking our MS address off of everything we have (letterhead, business cards, website, etc..). Social/religious issues have no place in state politics. The sooner our idiots in Jackson learn that, the better for business growth in MS.

Unfortunately, I believe this speaks to the larger issue. MS problem isn't tax code or the constitution; it's the people.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

That's not true for the whole state but it totally happens in other parts. In Desoto County, just about everyone is an outsider. In my part of the neighborhood I live in, I'm the only person that's a true native of the county and many are from out of state.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

The Delta is losing population at an alarming rate. For years the Delta has a large workforce and plenty of farm jobs and many towns had other factories/industry jobs. Most towns now have a few abandoned and closed up factories and the mechanization of farming has cut farm labor by at least two thirds. There's no jobs and no tax base. Towns and cities are broke or are so corrupt that the money isn't used properly and crime is rampant. A great example is Clarksdale. That city is a war zone now.

I honestly don't know what the solution is for the Delta but it's pretty sad and doesn't look to get any better.

 

[ronpolk]

Another thing that hurts Mississippi is how a lot of people treat "outsiders."

I I was talking with a friend that moved to Mississippi with his wife after growing up and attending college in the Midwest. This was in 1993. He has raised his kids here, established his long term roots here and he is still treated as an outsider.

I grew up in Florida and can relate to this a little bit. I think the culture of MS is almost like a cult but about weird stuff, like sweet tea or "soul" food. Everyone has always been super nice to me but I get told once a week I wouldn't know about something cause I didn't grow up around here. Which I get when someone is referring to the metrocenter not being in awful part of town but not about cornbread at a restaurant.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

That's not true for the whole state but it totally happens in other parts. In Desoto County, just about everyone is an outsider. In my part of the neighborhood I live in, I'm the only person that's a true native of the county and many are from out of state.

If the state ever does reverse this trend, Desoto County will be one of the leading areas. There, the Coast obviously (because it has to be), and possibly one other place. Probably the Tupelo-GTR corridor, but those 2 areas compete more than they compliment.

Jackson is obvious, we all need Jackson to thrive.

 

[maroonmadman]

Most people in the US have a not so favorable opinion of Mississippi. Most folks outside of the US don't even give much of a **** but those who do know something of the US generally, once again, have a poor opinion of our state. We have for decades managed to elect mostly incompetents to govern us. On the rare occasions when we have elected politicians with a modicum of intelligence whatever intelligent, progressive, good-for-the-state-and-it's-people type of legislation they have managed to succeed in passing has usually been gutted by the next group on incompetents. Yet we keep on electing morons. All you have to do is be a pro-family, gun toting, Christian and oppose Obamacare and you'll get elected in this day regardless of whether you are qualified for the post or not. And it's been like this for decades, just change the causes. Democrat, Republican, Independent, we don't care. As long as you are and idiot you have a place in Mississippi politics.

 

[wpmusm]

The Delta is pretty much dead. Cleveland and maybe Greenwood are the only respectable towns left.

 

[mount lefroy]

The horrible tax code doesn't help matters.

We cant have the lottery because its too much like gambling. At least thats what a blackjack dealer told me in tunica.

 

[GOOD_DAWG2.0]

Shouldn't have a tax code. No such thing as a state with no income tax that isn't doing well.

Lol this is so silly. These states aren't giving up tax revenue to help their economy. They're just disguising how they take your money.

How do the states with no income tax still get their share? High sales taxes (TN. has the highest national average at like 9.5%), SUPER high property taxes (nearly 1% of fair market value in FL), higher in state tuition for colleges and universities (one thing MS schools have going for them), higher gasoline taxes, etc.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

If the state ever does reverse this trend, Desoto County will be one of the leading areas. There, the Coast obviously (because it has to be), and possibly one other place. Probably the Tupelo-GTR corridor, but those 2 areas compete more than they compliment.

Jackson is obvious, we all need Jackson to thrive.

Jackson cannot thrive. It's run like a banana republic.

 

[mcdawg22]

Florida's sales tax is lower than Mississippi. Our property taxes are higher than Mississippi. My property tax where I live is @ 3,000, because they appraise fairly low and we get a 50,000 exemption for primary residence. If I lived in Mississippi I would pay @ 1300 in my hometown. The difference of 1700 is waaaaay less than what me and my wife would pay in income taxes in The 'Sip.

 

[drt7891]

50-75 years ago, Meridian could have easily been a Birmingham, or even Atlanta type city. Fairly progressive and thriving with industry. After the railroads started consolidating and moving operations out, Meridian could never recover. Add to that, The Hartley Peaveys and Paul Broadheads did their absolute damndest to starve meridian of any additional job growth, and they succeeded (Peavey has since moved the majority of what he has left overseas).

There also used to be a thriving Jewish presence that has all but disappeared and left Meridian to perish.

 

[GOOD_DAWG2.0]

Well yeah that's good for you. A place like MS would be hard pressed to make up tax revenue that a place like Florida can make up with tourism sales taxes (e.g. Hotel rooms, etc.) I'm thinking MS would not fare so well if we had to make up for lost tax revenue with tourism taxes

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Jackson cannot thrive. It's run like a banana republic.

Thanks for speaking the obvious, Sherlock. The problem is still there....it needs to change.

Your line of thinking is hurting the state too. So a place sucks, well f*ck it, give up. Jackson may suck, but the metro area can't afford to suck long term. We have to be responsible for stopping the suckitude.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Well yeah that's good for you. A place like MS would be hard pressed to make up tax revenue that a place like Florida can make up with tourism sales taxes (e.g. Hotel rooms, etc.) I'm thinking MS would not fare so well if we had to make up for lost tax revenue with tourism taxes

Yes, the poster above (mcdawg22) doesn't seem to be able to acknowledge the natural differences in Florida and Mississippi.

But what he fails to mention is that the standard of living is lower in Florida for a certain income than in Mississippi. I know this to be fact. I cannot explain exactly where the discrepancy is but it is there. And, Florida is not very business friendly.