Here is a chart which tabulates the poverty levels by state and the 2008 election result. Undoubtedly the GFC had brought calamity to many and Obama romped home. This is what it looked like in 2016.

When put side by side the evidence is clearer. The rise in inequality switched states won by the Dems in 2008 back to Republican in 2016. While much noise is made about the ‘economic legacy’ of the past 8 years marking a sub 5% unemployment rate the sad reality is that only three states saw a decline in poverty as a % of population since 2009 – Colorado, South Dakota and North Dakota.

Rising inequality is an inescapable feature. All the states that swung from Democrat in 2008 to Republican in 2016 experienced increased poverty, both in percentage of population terms and absolute numbers. As we can clearly see, the Republican states have been some of the worst in terms of poverty levels. In asbsolute numbers we see the state of impoverishment as follows in 2014 (note these stats were published by the Census Bureau in late 2016.

Whitelash? While Democrat heartlands California & NY have higher populations, we note the growth rate in poverty between 2000 and 2014 weighs in Republican heartlands.

Looking at the % growth since Obama took office and the rates kept climbing in absolute numbers. although ironically at higher rates in Democrat states such as Nevada, Delaware, Rhode Island, California, New Jersey and Hawaii.

Is it any wonder Americans want their country back before it is too late. Sure Trump has a lot of undesirable traits but these results show how 16 years of establishment rule failed the people and something that is out of the box is welcomed much more than many in the mainstream media are prepared to admit.