West Virginia

May 23, 2021

“Life is old there, older than the trees.” As part of his “Make America Great Again” campaign, Donald Trump said he was going to bring the coal industry back to West Virginia. West Virginians bought the story, and voted for him in overwhelming numbers. Now they are voting with their feet, and leaving the state in droves. It has lost 3.2% of its population since the last census the biggest out migration of any state in the country, and a Congressional seat. It has lost 59% of its mining jobs since 2009, and its teachers are some of the worst paid anywhere. West Virginia needs help.

Yet, with only 1.8 million residents, about twice the size of western Massachusetts, it has two Senators, and the ability to block Congressional action that a majority of Americans want. In a 50-50 Senate, Democrats are getting frustrated trying to figure out what Joe Manchin wants. He wants to get re-elected like every other politician so Democratic priorities may have to get pared back or shelved altogether.

To make the electoral map more representative, we don’t need a Virginia and a West Virginia. We certainly don’t need a North and South Dakota. I would be open to one Carolina. On the other hand, North and South New York, Florida, and California would make sense given the size of their populations. I am not sure I could stand two Texas’. West Virginia, like many states, has an outsized influence on American politics. Progressive policies might hurt them in the short run, but could be a major benefit in the long run. In the meantime, the last one out the door needs to turn off the lights to save energy.