Charlie Pierce in Esquire: West Virginia Is Open For Business

[theHandpuppet]

9. Very astute observations

Thanks.

Until a few short decades ago, a large portion of WV was virtually inaccessible because they lacked a decent highway through the mountains. There are still places you can't get radio reception or even internet service.

The only way I see turning the economic base into one for the 21st Century is by top-notch education. Provide incentives for the best and brightest to teach WV's children and give them the opportunity for college without the prerequisite that they first carry a gun to war. If you have an educated base you can draw tech companies that need local talent.

This is what Appalchian folks are up against, getting screwed even by their own representatives:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023147631

There seems to be no desire from any quarter for Appalachia to succeed.