You know, the south's wages might be lower, but the cost of living is also lower. Our power, gasoline, natural gas, and other utilities are lower. Our homes cost less. Land costs less to buy. I have a 2,800 sq ft home with swimming pool that cost me $225,000. Can't buy that up north. My property taxes are about the same as my stepson in Illinois, and he only has 1,500 sq ft. My state taxes are lower. Food costs are lower since we have a longer growing season. We have peaches, watermellons, pecans, peanuts, grapes, apples, plums, pears, all grown here so prices on a lot fo produce is less. We grow green veggies like trunips, collards, spinich, broccoli, in the winter. We have southern pine trees for lumber. I've lived up north. My wife is from Wisconsin. She never wants to go back. Prices are much higher on a lot of goods up there. Don't condem lower wages, when to maintain a good standard of living, you can get by with less. That is why we see so much corruption in the welfare system here. If people here get the same amount as people up north, they are much better off here, the money goes further. That is why you see people well dressed, driving nice cars buy their food with food stamps or a food stamp card.
