Unless you live or have lived in the south, you really have no idea how bizzare it can get.
A prime example is North Carolina. No state lottery. Schools massively underfunded. Recently our Governor, Mike Easley, was out trying to drum up support for a State Lotto. While visiting a church a member of the congregation approached the governor stating he and the rest of the church felt that gambling was a sin and would never vote for or take part in the devils work.
The really funny part of the story, he was trying to sell the governor a raffle ticket at the time.