Got sent a really fun article by an old Boston buddy, just a little something that shoots down the common conservative distain for the lack of family values among "Massachusetts liberals."

According to the US census Bureau, Massachusetts has the lowest divorce rate of any state in the union, 2.4 per 1,000 population. Texas has a rate of 4.1. Don't feel like trusting the government stats? Well, even a company run by a born-again Christian couldn't get different results; the George Barna Research Group found that not only do the infamous baby-eating liberals of Massachusetts have the lowest rate of divorce, but also that born-again Christians have one of the highest divorce rates of any demographic. The Associated Press also found that Bible Belt states have the highest divorce rates, with the average rate being roughly 50% above the national average. 10 out of the 10 highest divorce rates are found in Red states, as a matter of fact.

These results are unsurprising, especially in view of statistics showing that education level and marital stability are related. Bible Belt states have significantly lower high school graduation and college attendence rates than the national averages, while states like Massachusetts are above the average. Per capita income is also higher in states like Massachusetts, even adjusting for regional differences in prices and cost of living, and studies have repeatedly indicated that financial concerns are among the most common causes of marital problems.

So the next time some cowboy tries to smear your values by comparing you to a Massachusetts liberal, remind him that he is "insulting" you by telling you that you have better education, higher income, and a more stable marriage.

UPDATE: Special thanks to Jay, for sending me an article that also points out how the highest murder rates in the country are also found in Bible Belt states. Great American family values they have down there, what with all the murder, divorce, third-world literacy rates, and Communistic draining of the Federal economy.