The from the Washington Post: "... he was known as the 'king of pork' and was immensely proud of the way he used his long years on the Appropriations Committee to funnel billions in federal funds into his home state of West Virginia. It never occurred to him to apologize for looking out for the home folks."
Looking out for the home folks?
Judging by national statistics, it appears Sen. Byrd was more interested in looking at his name on as many inanimate objects in the state than looking at anything else.
So, as a senator since 1959 — 50 YEARS — what exactly did Robert C. Byrd do for the citizens of the Mountain State. If indeed he was the "king of pork" where did all that money go?
Well, if it was into education or health care it didn't do much good.
West Virginia ranks 49th in both median household income and per capita income. The state has the lowest percentage of people with a college degree in the country. The only state in worse shape is Mississippi and can anyone name either senator from that state?
In 2002 (43 years into Byrd's reign [and 25 years into Jay Rockefeller's reign as the state's other senator]) West Virginia had the third highest rate of obesity in the country; the second highest rate of cancer deaths; and the fifth highest death rate from cardiovascular complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Of course another stellar leader of the Mountain State, Gov. Joe Manchin, is figuring out what ropes he can pull to essentially fill the shoes of the late Mr. Byrd without making things look too inappropriate (but that's another story).
Mr. Manchin's contribution to the citizenry? Only presiding over multiple mining disasters that left 45 people dead during his five-year tenure. And the mines are no safer today since the last tragedy killed 29 men this year.
Yeah. He'd probably "look out for the home folks" just as well.
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