Posted on 05/06/2009 10:00:40 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
'FREEDOM in the 50 States" is the most comprehensive ef fort to date to rank states by how their public policies influence "individual freedom in the economic, social and personal spheres."
New York state is dead last in the freedom index "by a wide margin," the new study by George Mason University's Mercatus Center reports.
The study includes dozens of variables, from social and personal freedoms (such as parents' rights to educate their children) to regulatory freedom (such as the degree of occupational- licensing requirements) to fiscal liberty (as measured, for instance, by states' debt burdens, which represent a constraint on future generations).
That New York's economic freedom is poor won't astonish businesses operating here, which must deal with an octopus-like regulatory regime, a civil-justice system that favors plaintiffs over defendants, high taxes and crushing per-capita government debt. But New Yorkers, who like to consider themselves enlightened and socially permissive, might be surprised at where their state ranks on the study's personal-freedom index -- third from the bottom.
Why? Because in New York, personal freedoms are often narrowly defined as liberties that Albany politicians deem suitable. Otherwise, state policy is extremely restrictive. While New York has liberal gambling laws, it regulates home schooling extensively, seizes property often through eminent-domain laws and imposes health-insurance mandates that limit choices.
What are the consequences of this lack of freedom? The best way to judge is to look at the collective condition of the states with the worst rankings. (New Jersey is in 49th place, following California and Rhode Island.)
Together, New York, New Jersey and California face some $65 billion in budget deficits in 2009, amounting to more than two-thirds of the budget gaps faced by all 50 states. These states' stratospheric spending and taxes have stifled economic growth
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Also note these from the article :
Together, New York, New Jersey and California face some $65 billion in budget deficits in 2009, amounting to more than two-thirds of the budget gaps faced by all 50 states. These states’ stratospheric spending and taxes have stifled economic growth and left them scarily unprepared for the economic downturn.
Job growth has lagged, too. New Jersey in the last decade saw virtually no private-sector job gains, even counting the boom years before this steep recession. California’s unemployment rate is the country’s fourth highest, and Rhode Island’s is sixth. The bottom-rankers also have reputations as the places that citizens most want to flee for other states.
What a contrast with the study’s freest states: New Hampshire, Colorado, South Dakota, Idaho and Texas. They all have unemployment rates at or below the national average. (New Hampshire’s is 6.2 percent, or two full points below the nation’s, according to recent Labor Department statistics.) Every one is also a net winner in terms of domestic migration, with far more citizens entering than leaving.
Sad to see what is happening to the state where I was born and grew up. Unfortunately, the NY Republicans are no better. They’re Rockefeller Republicans to this day. The state needs a real conservative.
But, but, but, we had the 2 best Senators, Schumer and Clinton, how could this be possible? s/
“New York, New Jersey and California face some $65 billion in budget deficits in 2009, amounting to more than two-thirds of the budget gaps faced by all 50 states.”
The Democrats in these pathetic failed states think they are “progressive” when they are worse than broke. The bill collectors are at the door and they are still paying off voting blocs, leveraging shrinking tax revenues in a way that would make Wall St. blush. If the USA were a business, we would simply liquidate them and close their doors.
What’s scary is NY Gov Paterson’s 2009 budget. Spending increased, taxes increased, and it has been shored up with about $2bil in federal stimulus funds. What happens when you have to reconcile your new higher budget without the extra income?
I feel bad for the people left behind after the people who can move, will (except those who vote these morons into office).
The Vampire State
Rudy would be better than most people available in New York, which is a sad commentary. He was a GREAT Mayor. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’d be a great governor, senator, or president.
Yes, yes and yes. She's at least NRA approved and pro gun (or has been when she represented NY's 20th). But who knows which way she'll vote now that she represents the whole state.
NYS is a wretched hellhole because its Third World-derived population now outnumbers the useful, productive citizenry. I.E., Those who produce the income that provides the goods and services the Third Worlders need to survive.
BFD, welcome to the New World.
NY State, along with MI and CA and a handful of other blue states, are in decline because the majorities of their voters choose it. Why else would they elect socialists into office?
NY and Caleyfornia, Conn,Mass,NJ are near communist states this is why they fail.
I think this article hits the nail on the head...
What ails New York can’t be boiled down to any one of its curbs on freedom — whether it’s a high in- come-tax rate, restrictions on development or a bureaucratic licensing regime.
It suffers from the vise grip such Albany politicians as Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver have put on life in general. Reform won’t be as simple as cutting a tax or eliminating a regulation. New York needs fundamental change to make the state democratic again, and it needs reform candidates willing to push for that change.
Such candidates would fight to take away legislative redistricting power from state lawmakers — who protect themselves when they draw voting districts to the point that 98 percent get re-elected — and give it to a nonpartisan commission charged with redrawing districts to make them competitive again, as states like Iowa and Arizona have done.
What I need to do is LEAVE. Conservatives have left in droves over the past few years....I would like to do the same. it is gonna be tough to find many real conservatives here.
The fiscal policies of the above states make the ChiComs and the Russians look like Barry Goldwater Conservatives.
We need Guiliani to run for Governor! Let him do for NY state what he did for NY City.
You’ll run out of conservatives before you run out of fingers to count them on.
ping
One idea that MIGHT help NY State........separate NYC,Long Island, Rockland County and Orange County from the rest of the state......
I agree about Giuliani for Governor...or Senator..
....but he is in no uncertain terms, NOT a conservative.
He is the best NY can expect...but he is no conservative....and I would never vote for him in a presidential primary.....
....but for NY????...he can only make things better.
The majority of NY residents receive some form of city, state or federal largesse . . . and they are very protective about them goodies. They have chosen “safety” over liberty. Remember what Franklin said about those who made such a choise.
I had a great uncle who lived in NY State. He was a Catholic priest. I used to kid him that he was the only person I knew who could afford to live in NY State, as he had taken a vow of poverty...
>>>Here’s the full list.
The funniest (saddest?) part is on page 23 which shows the inverse correlation that the increasing number of Democrats have on a states freedom scores. The more Democrats, the lower your states freedom.
Ha Ha Ha! I knew it, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen it graphed.
The details are most interesting.
Rudy is a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal. Which is exactly what the State of NY needs! Someone who can be voted into office on the social issues but fix the budgetary problems!
I am not a huge Rudy fan, because he is RINO flavored, but for the State of NY - he is their ONLY hope!!
Permission to engage in hedonistic, and often unconventional expression, is used as a substitute for tangible liberty in liberal run cities and states. It is a poor substitute.
Nothing new here. I’m a lifelong NYer & I can’t wait to move my family out of here. The cost of living is obscene, the government is extremely overbearing (especially for small businesses) & the populous is becoming more and more liberal by the day. My family & my business will be in Texas in the next 2 to 3 years.
[RE: separate NYC,Long Island, Rockland County and Orange County from the rest of the state......]
The only part of NYC that isn’t liberal is Staten Island. The other borroaghs are as liberal as they come.
As for Long Island, yeah it used to be conservative, but with the recent election results, I’m not sure anymore.
bump
btt
taxes
government spending and handouts
regulation
litigation
unions
liberals
democrats
Once you leave New York city and gowest and north, you will see how bad things are. The southern tier of New York is dying.
I used to practice law in New York. I now practice in California. New York's civil justice system is actually not bad for defendants, at least in commercial cases (I can't really speak to personal injury lawsuits, because that's never been my field). California's civil justice syatem, in contrast, is horrendous for defendants.
You forgot th emedia, liberals, non-profits, unassimilated immigrants...
this is the name of the game........provide and protect the govt workers, get their money in Pacs....and screw the rest of the citizens....
The main difference between a New York Lefty and the average Nazi is that the Nazis weren't as pig ignorant as New Yorkers.
don't equate the stupidity and crookedness of its political establishment with the good, fine people who otherwise have no voice in state politics....its the city, the city, the city.....they run the show....
NYS has wonderful forests, orchards, lakes, rivers, farmlands,wineries,first rate colleges both public and private, a rich heritage of Poles,Irish,Germans,Russians, etc...
I just feel bad for the state...it was my place of birth also, and I still go back there.....
it has been ruined like lots of states....the state workers obscene pensions and benefits.....
remember the difference between fiscal conservative and social conservative.....Rudy would run a clean state IMO with budget restraint.....
and he would be tough on crime....which is a social conservative thing. He has a little of both...
I reject his anti gun policies.....his pro-gay thing, not the best with illegals and his poor pro-life policies...
but he would be a breath of fresh air from the Spitzers, Cuomos, Patersons and Shelly Silvers of NY.
Well, maybe once you leave Westchester. Westchester County seems to be OK. The other counties, however, is in trouble.
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