Posted on 06/09/2014 6:23:21 PM PDT by amnestynone
Blue-state defenders say that progressive policies work. After all, liberal-leaning states boast some of the nations wealthiest and best-educated populations. But many are also reeling from problems ranging from high costs of living and widening income inequality to chronic fiscal crises. And leading blue states such as California, Massachusetts, and New York possess unique assetsrespectively, favorable climate, educational hubs, fortress industriesthat shelter them, at least for a time, from the full economic consequences of their public policies. What happens when you go blue in a more average, workaday place? Rhode Islanda blue state in its purest formprovides an answer.
Rhode Island is in the midst of an especially grim economic meltdown, a 2009 New York Times story began, and no one can pinpoint exactly why. Five years later, the state continues to suffer from most of the same problems the Times story described: high unemployment, a crippling tax structure, dangerously underfunded state pension systems. But contrary to the Timess claims, Rhode Islands predicament is easy to explain. With no special economic advantages, the state has maintained an entitlement mentality inherited from an age of colonial and industrial grandeur. Rhode Island was once one of Americas most prosperous states, and its rate of higher-education attainment remains better than the national average. But the states key industries collapsed long ago, and its political leadership has refused to make adjustments to its high-cost, high-regulation governance system.
Really, NYT... no one? And you call yourselves journalists? LOL
“Good! The Progressive Morons that live in RI are getting EXACTLY what they want. I hope they get 50 times more of it. In fact, I would argue that their taxes are WAY too low. They should triple the state income tax, sales tax and all property taxes. Its for The Chillren!
I have ZERO sympathy for these imbeciles. NONE.”
And the demographics in the attached article show you that RI is almost a carbon copy of the Soviet Union. Lots of old people “invested” in being cared for by a dwindling young population. The only problem will be when RI succeeds in collapsing, will anyone else notice, or care? It’s probably just the first of the New England Dominoes to fall. Maine may survive but the rest are circling the drain.
Excellent observation about the demographics!
85% percent of the money earners are state employees and have the most insane benefits post retirement of any State.
The really sad thing is that they think that they all “deserve it” and have no clue that they are paying for themselves in the form of taxes.
It is sad beyond repair comical in away for those of us trying for years to get them to “wake the eff up”.
At least Buddy had gang money propping him up most of the folks are insular ..literally have NO CLUE!
As I lived in RI for 35 years, now in Texas, I’ll read the
article about the most corrupt state, and comment tomorrow.
Wonderful Ocean State, corrupt as hell. Not just the
politicians, but the banks want to be sure that no local
company gets too big for it’s britches.
Gotta keep things in control, donchaknow!
Yep, Rhode Island is one great place.
I wonder how a young state government worker thinks his pension will be there when he doesn’t see a suitable tax base to support it?
It’s totally unsustainable.
decades of funneling democrat pork has its benefits
Rhodent Isle Blues... DemRat Blue...
As in “38 Studios” - what a deal for RI taxpayers!
Yep - 30 year veteran of the Ocean State - left in 2007 for the Bluegrass State and never looked back.
Liberal politicians and the clueless voters that keep electing them into office are the reason.
High taxes, high cost of living, rampant immigration, no industry, liberals, unions, impotent politicians, etc, etc - it’s a mess that won’t get any better. I saw the writing on the wall and hit the road - just in time, it seems.
State government workers have no idea what suitable tax base means, they can interpret Cape Verdian but not Economics. Capisce?
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