Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure to inform you that

A stupid person looking at the options before voting,
is a hundert times more valueable for democracy,
than smart people chosing without evaluation.

Than riddle me why the most impoverished states in America are all Republican?

Counter question: Are you saying stupid and poor are the same thing?

I am honestly unsure

Big respect that you admit to being unsure in this "always100%certain"-environment.

To your first question:
The main reason the rural areas vote republicans is that the democrats have abandoned non-cityfolk. Not just the redstates but also rural areas in blue states. Their issues go unadressed, ignored, mocked so in their own best interest they vote for the other party (does happen in nearly all western societies; this is not an american.only issue).
The logic is easy to understand: Why care for small towns and villages if you can just control the big cities and with that the whole state.
The voices of slums and ghettos in the cities of the USA are MORE heard than the voices of rural areas that provide food to the nation.

BUT

I must say you should REALLY think about how you feel about the stupid and poor question. It will greatly decide your view on; if and how ghettos and slums can be safed.

Your analysis is very interesting, and certainly worth considering. I live less than a mile from the Minnesota border, and having visited many small towns in the State I am always struck by how they can seem so right leaning when the Twin Cities are perennially Democratic.

Exactly why Kamala lost.

And why you voted Trump