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.
I like my life a whole lot. I am only responsible for myself, family, friends and those who will accept help. I can't bleed for people just because.
Your assessment is your point of view. My opinion, after traveling THE WORLD OVER (except Australia and New Zealand) is that our own poorest of our poor are OODLES better of than the "middle class" of most second and third world countries.
But, don't take my word for it: GO SEE FOR YOURSELF.
Lol. So true.
The sweat dries off you IMMEDIATELY.
The biggest danger was not drinking enough water because one FORGETS that one is always on the brink of dehydration if one is outside for any length of time.
If you live in 100% A.C. you are living in a bubble. That's okay I guess; at least it's a comfortable bubble...using up POWER like nobody's business! And, I suppose one gets USED to the $400.00/month power bills for having the A.C. on ALL THE TIME.
I used to be amazed thinking of people who lived in deserts BEFORE A.C. They were tough cookies!
It was 78 degrees here in Pima County today. We used to “snow bird” at the Voyager RV Resort off I-10 in Tucson (great place and 200+ activities and rates are reasonable) before moving here permanently and we will never live anywhere else, we love it here. I call Tucson a “big small town”. I avoid Phoenix like the plague, hate the place.
I'm a VERY conservative Republican and have been on since I got married MANY years ago. There is NO REASON to be PISSED off all the time. Life is too short.
Why vent about things YOU CANNOT change? Or are you just annoyed because I'm not as PISSED OFF as you are?
Makes NO SENSE to carry around all that anger, annoyance, antagonism, apoplexy, belligerence, bellicosity, bitterness, bristling, caustic cholera, churlishness, rage, fuming, fury, hostility, indignation, fury, irritation, outrage, roiling, raving, smoldering, steaming, storming, wrathful vitriol. It will eat up your insides and your soul.
It's YOUR soul, though, and you can do what you want with it but I don't plan on sharing your feelings AT ALL.
Thanks for your opinion albeit negative to the nth degree. It's good for me to see that. I just count my lucky stars that my life is the way it is.
Okay. Whatever blows your skirt up.
You may want to post a pitcher ‘er two...
...too many immigrants from MA and NY who fled their oppressive states, only to demand and vote for the same crap here.
*************************
States should enact laws that prohibit such immigrants from voting in OTHER THAN Federal elections for two years.
That would provide the new residents enough time to understand just what the local/State politics and leanings really are, and I think it would lead to many more who would assimilate into their new locales and less of the crap of trying to change things to equal what they ‘escaped’ from.
I mostly agree with you...
The year round Mediterranean weather and things to do in CA is worth a fortune to us...More than we pay in taxes..It’s why were here.
But don’t buy ever buythat line the illegals will do the work Americans will not. They cross the border and instantly get massive pay raises while driving down our wages....And who do ya think were doing those jobs before they got here?
It's not a matter of viewpoint, friend. It's a matter of real cause and effect. California's dismal numbers aren't theoretical, and they're not anyone's opinion.
California is on a slide into the sewer drain of history. It's a state ruled by one party - a party that just happens to be strongly Socialist. Even radically so. There's no conservative counter-balance in the state assembly, or throughout the state government apparatus. At any level. They're running California into the ground, and have been for decades now. The truth of that isn't even up for debate any longer, as any number of thousands of reports will show - if you care to look.
I read what you said to another poster about illegals coming to pick crops, then going home to Mexico for the winter. Good grief.....what century are you living in? Are you not aware that the fastest growing segment of the population in California are illegal immigrants?
Hate to burst your bubble, but they're not going home. They're colonizing yours, and most every other state in America. Most especially the South-West.
I can tell by your descriptions of your life that you're comfortable and happy. You're one of a very small minority in California who are so situated. Most have to deal with illegals moving into their neighborhoods, destroying property values, over-burdening county budgets, spreading violent criminal gangs, overwhelming school systems and hospitals, and forcing lower class Americans and youngsters out of their jobs.
They're literally turning parts of our country into de facto states of Mexico. Obviously, you don't get out of your comfort zone long enough to ever see it firsthand. Try living in Los Angeles for a while, and see if that doesn't shift your opinions about the real conditions in California.
Oh, and for your information, I've traveled a fair bit of the world, and have seen real poverty firsthand. The only reason we don't see that sort of grinding poverty in this country, is because Uncle Sugar steals from the productive class at the point of gun to feed, house, and clothe our poor.
TLI, your posting #35 is great!
As a native Texan, I concur and say that you did little exaggeration. Texas is only an immigrant’s target if they want to work and contribute their skills in a Conservative environment. No loafers accepted.
I belonged to a country club just South of Denton in Argyle for many years. There were coyotes with dens along the creek banks and armadillos that were tearing up the course.
The former-NTSU/now-UNT college students who worked at the club were allowed to bring their long guns to the course and stake out positions after dark to shoot the critters.
Connecticut is better than Wisconsin? If I read it correctly, I say BS.
If California fails, it being the 3rd largest economy in the world, then the rest of the country will feel the repercussions. There is no reason for California's "dismal numbers," whatever that means, and the state won't go belly up, unless you KNOW something no one else knows.
I suppose you rely on statistics. The remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." I think you believe in ALL of them.
Change WILL happen but DOOMSDAY? No. You are an alarmist who is afraid and angry...and there is NOTHING you can do about it. You won't change either. In fact you will probably get worse, more paranoid and angrier.
Time for my seven calories of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. MMMMmmmmmm.
Well you know, you are right, I plum forgot about the little devels! And some of the scorpions here in Texas ARE kinda tall and wide...
.
Never had any. I;m a FL Gator through and through. The only reason I’m here is because I worked for DuPont. Been trying to get out of pothole for about 10 years.
Are you seriously so blinkered and ill-informed that you're completely unaware of the awful state California's in?
Perhaps you're among that segment of Californians who can afford to shut out reality, and go on living the high life like nothing's changed over the last few decades. Dunno, but you talk like a person of means who has the ability to keep the real world at bay.
There is no reason for California's "dismal numbers," whatever that means, and the state won't go belly up, unless you KNOW something no one else knows. I suppose you rely on statistics.
Uh.....yeah. I do. And so do most intelligent business people, including hundreds who've relocated to friendlier states in the last few years. Apparently, you're ignoring the negative stats of your state, just like the Commies in Sacramento who believe there's no end to the gravy train of other people's money.
As I said before, you ought to do a search on the keyword, 'California', on FR and read up on how out-of-control things really are there. You might actually come to the conclusion that something really is desperately wrong, once you honestly inform yourself.
You might even start with the article at the top of this thread.
Now, that's not to say that all the other states are in tip-top shape, and that only California is in trouble. Certainly not - but any astute observer can't help but conclude that California's got some sort of death wish, compared to how most other states operate.
I call BS on this “Tyranny index”, Illinois is not ranked badly enough.
The State Soft Tyranny Index was developed from federal data on the per capita number of state regulators, state and local spending as a share of the private economy, the highest income tax rate and state and local taxes as a percentage of income. The numbers are what they are. That said, Illinois is likely on a downhill slide.
LOL!
True about those folks being tough. I crossed the country from Vermont to Arizoina. And I have always been conservative so don’t worry Az. But thinking about folks that crossed the country on foot, horse back, or in wagons...wow. Those folks were tough. From personal experience I have aclomated to the climate of the areas I have lived in. So the heat isn’t too bad. As long as one stays out of direct sunlight. One late July or early august day some years back, I left work from a location in the desert and the vehicle ambient temperature (outside air) indicated 127F. Now that was hot. But most summer days are less than 110F. And you are so right about dehydration. Bad and it will sneak up on you.
1. I don't believe that we are in such an "awful state";
2. there's not a darn thing I can do about it;
3. although you say I'm "blinkered" about it, I say you are obsessed about something TOTALLY out of your control.
4. WHY get your shorts in a bunch about something like that? WHAT can you do about it except blather, moan, groan, whine, winge and bellyache?
5. You can, uh, prose on all you want and uh, no amount of scolding ME is going to change the fact that California is the 3rd largest economy in the world (google, and no, they aren't the end-all of all information) and whining about it makes you sound like you haven't a clue.
You can't change a THING about this great state, so why whine on and on and on about it? Don't you have ANYthing better to do or say? (Rhetorical. PLEASE don't tell me.)
You, sir, are blinkered and misinformed as far as I am concerned, but GO ON and scold some more. You do it VERY well. But then, you do best what you do most.
Bye.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.