Posted on 01/23/2014 2:29:49 PM PST by Kaslin
Whats the best state in America?
Im 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 Americas 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 were focusing today on state competitiveness, lets 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, Im guessing that means they are the best states (and its presumably no coincidence that they dont have broad-based income taxes).
Now lets 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 Americas last two presidents have imposed a larger burden of government, its no surprise that the United States has fallen in both major global measures of economic freedom.
P.S. On a totally separate issue, Im not surprised to learn that Republicans who are philosophically corrupt sometimes are personally corrupt as well.
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
Just as I thought. You're a la-la-land country clubber who's too busy living the glitz life to take two minutes to get up to speed on what's happening in your own back yard.
I have to ask -- why are you a member of this forum, if you're not even slightly interested in the socio-political dynamics that affect your very existence? I mean, that is what this group is about.
Perhaps you should have a chat with another Freeper who lives in your state. Guy by the name of Jim Robinson who posts here from time to time. He's a long time resident, and knows a thing or two about matters that affect California which might be of interest to you.
Me? I'm just some guy who lived there for half a century. What do I know?
My husband and I lived in Barstow, California, for a year. It's out in the middle of NOWHERE, half way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Hot, hot, hot. The area was mostly military and truckers. We could drive to either of the big cities and we did a lot....just to be able to sit in a theater and eat popcorn. Whew! Hot, hot, hot. The 127 is just about normal for the middle of the desert.
Imagine the Bedouins living there in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula all those thousands of years...it made them what they are: knarly, frowning, abrupt and cranky as heck.
It was as hot as where I lived for FIVE years--Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. The hot weather started in mid-April and STARTED to cool down in mid-November. We had ONE day of rain in five years. ONE day.
Can it.
What you said was illegals are doing the work Americans won't do.
And that's a lie. Period.
Deal with what you said....
You know, I've been trying to keep it pretty mellow here, but you seem intent on making this into something personal. So be it.
I could make all kinds of fun out of your handle, given that you couldn't care less about being informed about circumstances in your state, but I'm not. You've pretty much taken care of that already.
Whatever. Say hi to all the groovy folks in heaven for me.
I apparently don't know anything either....
Ditto that!
Dang. One day of rain in five years. Wow. We get a bit more than that. And surprisingly a few days after a monsoon season thunder storm, the mosquitoes come out. Yes, in the desert, mosquitoes! And they will eat you alive. Living in the desert w/o AC is a really tough way to live. Gotta admire them.
Dang. One day of rain in five years. Wow. We get a bit more than that. And surprisingly a few days after a monsoon season thunder storm, the mosquitoes come out. Yes, in the desert, mosquitoes! And they will eat you alive. Living in the desert w/o AC is a really tough way to live. Gotta admire them. I do miss the rain and dare I say it the snow of New England. But I am happy enough here.
Dang...you too? If we only hadda known how stupid it was making us, we would'a left California decades ago!
Then, it's a WIN! :o)
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