Who really ran Mississippi into last place? The same conservatives who run it today.

Who really ran Mississippi into last place? The same conservatives who run it today.

One of the most common comments we receive is that "Democrats ran the state for 100 years, Republicans just got started." But if you know your history, and you have a little common sense, you know not to fall for that trick.

Let's talk about who REALLY controlled Mississippi for the past century.

The politicians who ran Mississippi from 1900-1970 and created the policies that put us in last place—what did they believe?

• No programs that would benefit Black Mississippians equally

• No programs they couldn't control to maintain segregation

• Protect "our way of life" from outside interference

• States' rights over everything

• Keep the federal government out

• Traditional values, period

• Opposed integration and equal rights

• Fought against voting rights protections

• Defended segregation in schools and public spaces

• Resisted federal civil rights enforcement
  

Those weren't progressive/liberal policies. Those were CONSERVATIVE policies.

Take Governor Ross Barnett, for example. He called himself a Democrat, but what did he stand for? He physically tried to block James Meredith from attending Ole Miss. He defied federal court orders. He campaigned on "states' rights" and keeping the federal government out of Mississippi's business.

Ask yourself: What party talks like that today?

Now look at who's been in the driver's seat:

• Since 1992: Republicans have been Governor for 28 of 33 years

• Since 2012: Republicans have had COMPLETE control of the legislature, 13 straight years

• Every major policy decision? Made by Republican leadership.

  
  

So when you see Mississippi ranked 50th in maternal health, 50th in wages, 50th in healthcare, 50th in childhood poverty—who made those decisions?

The same conservative politicians and the same conservative policies that have guided this state for 100 years. They just changed their party label in the 1960s.

Still think today's Democrats are the same as those old "Democrats"?

Then answer these questions:

• Would those old Democrats be fighting to fully fund our public schools?

• Would they be trying to expand Medicaid to cover 200,000 working Mississippians?

• Would they be protecting voting rights instead of restricting them?

• Would they be fighting for equal pay and workplace protections?

• Would they be working to remove Confederate monuments?

• Would they be asking to take Ross Barnett's name off the Reservoir?

You know the answer. And so does everyone who's paying attention.

Today's Mississippi Democrats fight for healthcare access, fully funded schools, workers' rights, and equal opportunity for ALL Mississippians. That's the complete opposite of what those old conservative "Dixiecrats" stood for.

The party that defended segregation, fought integration, and put Mississippi in last place is the same party defending "traditional values" and fighting change today.

The same party sitting in the governor's mansion today, dreaming up new ways to keep YOU from making your voice heard. The same party restricting voting, preventing us from having the ballot initiative returned, and keeping voter registration in the 20th century.

They just changed their name from Democrat to Republican.

Don't let them fool you with the name change. Look at the policies they promote.

If Mississippi is in last place, it's because of 100 years of conservative leadership, no matter what jersey they were wearing.