Georgia ranks #19

What makes the residents of a state happy? I have read the results of a survey published by LiveScience. com which revealed Georgia rated 19 in the happy states. This compares to our surrounding states all showing up in the top ten -Florida #3, Tennessee #4, South Carolina #8, and Alabama #9. Well, #19 isn't so bad out of 50 states. Georgians are in the top 50.

There is much discussion in the report and by the bloggers on what makes a state a happy state. Economics is probably the biggest deciding factor. People need money to live and Georgians do not have money. Atlantans (the conglomerate of people from all over the world) may have money, but the state overall does not have the resources for the people to make a living. Georgia is basically a rural state and the manufacturers have closed up and moved on.

Most of the rural Georgians do not want to see change in their communities, but how can industry expand, if there is no change? As late as last week a company wanting to establish a plant in our community received numerous questions and complaints about the odor that may be produced by the plant. Sometimes industry emits odors.

The mills that my grandparents worked in covered the area with cotton lint and dust, the dyes from the dye plant put out horrible smells, and nothing could smell worse than asphalt. That is jobs, that is progress. If factories open then the traffic will be heavier, the need for daycare increases, and yes, there will be odors, sounds, and sights that are not always pleasing to the senses. But industries provide jobs, may reduce taxes, and give the community something to build on.

The alternative, keep complaining, let the community waste away, and watch the children grow up and leave. Or better yet, move to Florida where people are happy.