re: Dear Kentucky: Thank you for your bourbon

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Not sure that it is entirely a political thing.In some cases it is just geographical luck.

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I disagree. In this Information Age businesses are looking for socially liberal areas where diversity is promoted. What you're speaking to is heavy industry and, yes, geography can be an advantage.

Regarding diversity, perception is the key. The South is still battling the view that we are prejudiced and intolerant. There is every bit as much bigotry in other parts of the US but it doesn't have the same effect as it does in southern states.

Let's use Kansas as an example. That state is home to the Westboro Baptist Church, passed a law against teaching evolution in public schools (overturned), considered a law to allow businesses to discriminate against gays (died in session) and recently experienced the killing of three Jews by a Ku Klux Klan member.

Is Kansas considered to be a bigoted state? Can you imagine the perception of a southern state with Kansas' recent record?

My point is that businesses look to a state's elected government for a feel about what the populace is like. Kansas has a government that is thought of, true or not, as being inclusive. Kentucky, and the other five states I listed, do not.

In these states, social issues are more important than economic concerns. At least that's the perception, IMO.