U.S. State, Well Being poll

[messmaker]

I do not understand it. Why does it play out like it does. The mid-states seem to all struggle while the western states do much better. I was not thrilled to be #2 state in the bad column but even less happy to see that I was surrounded by others that struggle on every side. Here are the rankings if you have not seen them.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/116497/Ra...eaknesses.aspx

[shoottx]

Remember it is a "Gallop Poll" not scientific or economic data!

[Hoover]

So much for "Almost Heaven, West Virginia"

[germdoc]

Well I refuse to believe that Minnesotans are happier than we Wisconsites. We have great cheese, great beer, and never elected a professional wrestler as a governor. When we elect a senator, he gets seated right away. And we're warmer than Minnesota--they're farther up into the jet stream, and International Falls pulls the rest of the state down.

I would say it's bogus, but since my GF used to work at Gallup I think I'll say it's...interesting...

[Hoover]

Hey Germdoc!! isn't your job to keep Minnesotans on their side of the River. My paternal grandfather was born at Frontenac, Minnesota, but he grew up in Plum City, Wisc.

Nice area Red Wing to Frontenac, and over to LaCrosse. Take care.

[kirkroy]

The range from bottom state to top is 61.2 to 69.2, not really that much difference. Even in a little state like Maryland there are vastly different lifestyles, from fishermen to farmers to big city to suburban. How could a simple little poll like this hope to cover even one small state? Utterly meaningless.

[LCHIEN]

The range from bottom state to top is 61.2 to 69.2, not really that much difference. Even in a little state like Maryland there are vastly different lifestyles, from fishermen to farmers to big city to suburban. How could a simple little poll like this hope to cover even one small state? Utterly meaningless.

not only that the range is only 61.2 to 69.2, its a poll an they didn't even state their error for any one state which is probably +/-3 points each could vastly rerank any state on this chart. It also doesn't show the questions - those make the poll a personalized ranking of well being based upon the poll writer's factors of what well being is.

I wouldn't put that much stock in it except as a vague trend. Probably a tool for Chambers of Commerce to take to the legislature to ask for more funds.

[Ed62]

You'd think everyone would want to be at the bottom now. There's a good excuse to get billions!

Ed

[messmaker]

I like the way you think,Loring.
KY+3%
Hawaii-3%
I will give .8% to Hawaii since they do have somewhat better surfing and deep sea fishing.

[gerti]

Well I refuse to believe that Minnesotans are happier than we Wisconsites. We have great cheese, great beer

I am a German living in Minnesota, and I am here to tell you that you are wrong on both counts...

[shoottx]

I am a German living in Minnesota, and I am here to tell you that you are wrong on both counts...

It is in comparison to Minnesota not Germany or really anyplace else

[germdoc]

I am a German living in Minnesota, and I am here to tell you that you are wrong on both counts...

Well, we have great beer and cheese here--did I mention that?

And, our Oktoberfest is bigger than yours...

Anyway, it's the Germans that add the spice to our part of the country and liven up the bland Norwegian Lutherans (no offense to any NBF's who might be out there...).

[Mr__Bill]

Well I refuse to believe that Minnesotans are happier than we Wisconsites. We have great cheese, great beer, and never elected a professional wrestler as a governor. When we elect a senator, he gets seated right away. And we're warmer than Minnesota--they're farther up into the jet stream, and International Falls pulls the rest of the state down.

Hey! As a former Minnesotan who grew up in International Falls I have to say hearty folk are happy folk. Unlike those softies down in Wisconsin with their mild cheddar cheese when we had hearty Limburger cheese, not to mention great hockey teams. It also takes a state with lots of self confidence to elect a pro wrestler as governor. Minnesota is also a balanced state which is why the senatorial election was so close, either that or half the people thought it was a joke. Heck, Minnesota even had a movie about it - Fargo - and everyone in Minnesota knows the only nice place in Wisconsin is the St Croix river valley and that's really part of Minnesota, all the rest is just a suburb of Chicago; and all the good hunting and fishing in Wisconsin is in the UP and that's not even part of Wisconsin.

Minnesotans are a happy folk or maybe just a little bit Loony and that's why they are better off.

I now live in Oregon, at about the same latitude as Chicago and today it's sunny and about 60 out, and I am one happy Minnesotan!

Bill, on the Sunny Oregon Coast

[germdoc]

Hey! As a former Minnesotan who grew up in International Falls I have to say hearty folk are happy folk. Unlike those softies down in Wisconsin with their mild cheddar cheese when we had hearty Limburger cheese, not to mention great hockey teams. It also takes a state with lots of self confidence to elect a pro wrestler as governor. Minnesota is also a balanced state which is why the senatorial election was so close, either that or half the people thought it was a joke. Heck, Minnesota even had a movie about it - Fargo - and everyone in Minnesota knows the only nice place in Wisconsin is the St Croix river valley and that's really part of Minnesota, all the rest is just a suburb of Chicago; and all the good hunting and fishing in Wisconsin is in the UP and that's not even part of Wisconsin.

Minnesotans are a happy folk or maybe just a little bit Loony and that's why they are better off.

I now live in Oregon, at about the same latitude as Chicago and today it's sunny and about 60 out, and I am one happy Minnesotan!

Bill, on the Sunny Oregon Coast

And all the kids are above average...

[Mr__Bill]

And all the kids are above average...

and the girls are better looking!