When I was in b-school in NC in 1987–89 I read an interview with a local sheriff who also owned a textile mill in eastern NC. His response to criticism of the deficiencies in local schools starved for funds was, “why do my people need so much ed-u-ca-tion? Workin’ fuh me my people make $8/hour.” (drawl at will to evoke the spirit of the sheriff’s view of spending on ed-u-ca-tion). You’re right about the neo-confederate regions, but not nationally.