Posted on 01/23/2014 2:29:49 PM PST by Kaslin
What’s the best state in America?
I’m not sure I can answer that broad question, but I can address the more narrow issue of which state has the most economic freedom. 
Last month, for instance, I shared some data from the Canada-based Fraser Institute which showed that South Dakota was America’s most laissez-faire state, followed by Tennessee, Delaware, Texas, and Virginia (though all of them trailed the Canadian province of Alberta).
And one year ago, I posted about a fascinating Mercatus study that ranked states based on total freedom (including, interestingly, a “bachelor party” variable). 
That research put North Dakota at the top, followed by South Dakota, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma.
Now we have another measure of overall economic liberty at the state level. The Texas Public Policy Foundation has put together a “soft tyranny” index that measures total economic oppression, both for the United States and for the 50 states.
As you would suspect, the ranking was constructed with various measures of spending, taxes, and regulation.
Since we’re focusing today on state competitiveness, let’s first look at that data. As you can see, Texas is in the top spot with the lowest burden of government, followed by South Dakota, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Tennessee.
Since South Dakota and Tennessee appear in the top 5 of all measures, I’m guessing that means they are the best states (and it’s presumably no coincidence that they don’t have broad-based income taxes).
Now let’s review the data for the United States.
Probably the most relevant thing to notice is that economic freedom improved during the Reagan and Clinton years, whereas it worsened under Carter, both Bush Administrations, and Obama.
And since America’s last two presidents have imposed a larger burden of government, it’s no surprise that the United States has fallen in both major global measures of economic freedom.
P.S. On a totally separate issue, I’m not surprised to learn that Republicans who are philosophically corrupt sometimes are personally corrupt as well.
Obviously it is the State of Denial..................
Republicans are corrupt?
Okay then. ...
The best state is Texas — obviously.
SoDak ping!
Confusion. At least that’s the state I find myself in the most.
Any measure that ranks Delaware anywhere in the top 10 for good qualities is worthless. Delaware is a Communist fiefdom. It is a one party state, with a RINO dominated subminority that openly hates Conservatives.
Arizona!!!!! Woo-Hoo!!!!, in the top 10 best States.
Yet, she remains in California because of the North Dakota winters. It would seem to me that the best state to live in is NOT North Dakota or IT would have the 40+ million folks, NOT California.
Doesn't climate have any influence on people's choice where to live? I know that I SURE wouldn't want to live through those North Dakota winters where one spends zillions on heating. AND I wouldn't want to live in the desert where I would have to spend zillions on cooling.
Hmmmm, now WHERE, o where, would there be a place that is NOT to hot and NOT too cold?
Why, CALIFORNIA's climate is pretty nice along the coast, as is Oregon's and Washington....the latter two ONLY if you like LOTS and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of rain.
Lol. Good one.
Where’s your Blue Hen pride?
...it’s futile.
Ha!
Barely below ya!
New Jersey! We have just about everything within 2 hours driving distance!
Now of course the politics...run while you can.
How much do you spend on A.C. from April-October? Probably about as much as the North Dakotans spend on heating during the winter.
I do love Arizona. My mother's family moved there in the last century (late 19th century) to get away from their Chicago roots. They didn't have A.C. in Phoenix but a water cooler. During the summer they just didn't move.
Also, the wealthy USED to flee the north and northeast and flock to Arizona for the winter. My grandmother used to be a dresser and packer for the 'nobs who wintered there.
I also had an uncle in Nogales, Arizona. He worked for the U.S. Customs. We used to visit both Phoenix and Nogales in the summer. Nogales was beautiful back then. We'd go across the line for dinner. It was nice.
But live there? No thanks. California is just right for me.
Then you knoe Cochise County, thats were I am, better temps year round.
Except for the damn Commies it is a fine State....
And I suppose a higher than normal infestation rate of sodomites and atheists ... but it is mostly the Commies...
You really can’t beat the fabulous California weather, but there are so many downsides to California, too. Illegal aliens aren’t stupid; they’re going to flood into the most beautiful, warm states.
“Bearded Marxist”, and Harry Reid’ pet coon. (Just one example)
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