(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Independence Day is fast-approaching. Here in the Mountain State, we like to think of ourselves as being a fairly independent bunch. According to WalletHub’s “Most and Least Independent States (2024),” the data does not support that self-image.

“Americans value independence,” the report’s authors write. “We fought hard for it during the Revolutionary War, and in the present day, we celebrate not only our freedom from the British crown but also our strong ability to rely upon ourselves as individuals. Now, with inflation affecting people across the country, many Americans are struggling to maintain financial independence. Some have become at least temporarily more dependent on support from the federal government. Other people have become more dependent on personal vices, such as drinking and drugs, due to stress and depression.”

West Virginia is a disappointing 46th on the list. (Utah is at the top). The Mountain State is 43rd for financial dependency, 49th for government dependency, 44th for job-market dependency, 15th for international trade dependency and 46th for vice dependency. We are 50th for the number of households with rainy-day and emergency funds, 50th for household income, 47th for dependence on the federal government and 46th for the percentage of households receiving public assistance and SNAP/food stamps.

“As we celebrate America’s independence day,” said WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe, “it’s also worth taking time to recognize the individual states that have the most independent qualities as well. Utah and Colorado are the most independent in 2024, according to our analysis, and residents display their independence in a variety of ways, from not being reliant on state- or federally-provided benefits to saving money for the future and not being addicted to gambling, alcohol or drugs.”

It’s also worth asking ourselves, here in West Virginia, how we’ve fooled ourselves for so long into ignoring the degree to which we ARE dependent. Where’s our fighting spirit when it comes to seeking improvement on those fronts? And who has benefitted (some for generations) from us accepting — even being convinced we should be proud of — our fate?

We must demand better, folks — of ourselves and of our public officials. We’ve got it in us to be more independent … if we’re honest with ourselves AND if we decide that’s what we really want.