[g8oz]

When I see these GDP comparisons between Mississippi and Europe or Canada I have to ask does anyone honestly believe that life in Mississippi is better than in any of those other two places? Especially if you have any knowledge of Mississippi. If anything this example shows us the limitations of using this statistic.

[bluGill]

It always depends. You get people in Mississippi who don't have electric, pump water by hand and use an outhouse. (They are not Amish or otherwise religiously against technology they just can't afford it) you also find engineers and doctors making as much as anywhere else in the US.

Mississippi has great weather year round. Canada gets really cold (most of those I know in Canada live in Manitoba). Your standard of living without electric is higher in Mississippi than in Canada in winter. If you are the typical person in Mississippi with electric service you have a nice life. Sure it is a little better elsewhere but not by much. You likely have more toys than someone in Europe.

[zuzululu]

Most Canadians and Americans I'm guessing takes their cues from movies like My Cousin Vinny when they think Mississippi and probably have never ventured through it. I have. It is a very safe and clean city. There are ton of engineers and professionals out there making equal or more than what creme of the creme in Canada take home after taxes (another major point besides the exchange rate that puts Canadians behind America).

This is downtown Jackson, it looks to be in far better shape than many Canadian cities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQkKjiYu-qU

[bluGill]

I haven't seen that movie, but I suspect I know the stereotypes. There are people like that, but the majority are just normal people like anywhere else in the world.

[g8oz]

Jackson Mississippi has the highest per capita murder rate of any city in the United States. More than double that of Mexico.