In 1950 West Virginia made up 1.3% of the US Population, now 0.6%. If we had kept pace with the US growth there would be about 2.1 million more West Virginians than their are now. We are half the state we were just 58 years ago. In a generation we have been cut completely in half.
The poor economic conditions of the state are to blame. Of my graduating class of over 200, there might be 50 left in the area. Many of those drive to Winchester for work everyday. I have family that now lives in Northern Virginia instead of West Virginia. I have class mates that are scattered around the US. If you do a search on Myspace for people that went to Keyser High School, you find a large portion live outside the Keyser area.
I do not know of any family that has not been touched by having loved ones move from the area. In in most cases it is not because they wanted to move, but because they were unable to find suitable work.
John Barnett pointed out in his recent editorial that Change is what is needed. If we continue down the same path, then we will continue to get the same results. We must change the economic policies that keep businesses (and their jobs) out of our state. Our friends and family should not have to loose loved ones for economic reasons.
No comments:
Post a Comment