Posted on 03/29/2013 8:52:07 AM PDT by JustSayNoToNannies
Sometimes I myopically focus on fiscal policy, implying that the key to prosperity is small government.
But I’ll freely admit that growth if maximized when you have small government AND free markets.
That being said, our goal should be to expand freedom, not merely to have the largest possible GDP.
Which is why the Freedom Index is a good complement to Economic Freedom of the World.
It shows, for instance, that Singapore may be ranked #2 for economic freedom, but it is only #39 when you look at all freedoms.
We also have a comprehensive ranking of economic and personal freedom for the 50 states.
Here are the full rankings from the newly released Freedom in the 50 States from the Mercatus Center, showing North Dakota as the state with the most freedom, with South Dakota (#2), Tennessee (#3), New Hampshire (#4), and Oklahoma (#5) also deserving praise for high scores.
What makes Freedom in the 50 States so interesting is that you can mix and match variables based on your own preferences.
I checked the “fiscal” and “tax burden” categories, and South Dakota (no state income tax!) jumped to #1 for both of those measures.
You won’t be surprised to learn that New York is the worst state, not only overall, but also for various fiscal policy measures.
Who would have guessed, by the way, that there’s a “bachelor party” category based on laws governing alcohol, marijuana, prostitution, and fireworks. Interesting, Massachusetts is ranked #1, though I suspect most guys will still opt for #3-ranked Nevada.
P.S. I must be learning. I grew up in New York, which is #50 in the rankings of freedom in the states, and then in Connecticut, which ranks only #40. But I went to college in Georgia, which is #9 in the rankings, and I now live in the Virginia, which is #8. But I somehow doubt that I’ll ever wind up in North Dakota.
I don't drink or take drugs but pretty much every post I've ever seen by you is about drugs. It's called logical inference. Sober people can do it.
That was last year - now CO is #19: http://freedominthe50states.org/overall/colorado
Do you see anything there about drugs? Has boozing made you paranoid or hallucinatory?
I don't drink or take drugs but pretty much every post I've ever seen by you is about drugs. It's called logical inference.
And you do it very poorly, since there's nothing about drugs in this post.
So you didn't read the article you posted?
Having moved from MN to WY, all I have to say is if MN isn't in the last 5 (perhaps just a notch or two above CA, NY or IL), then this whole entire article is just BS.
Their cite the decrease in personal income in WY (due to energy issues) as one of the main reasons, plus a surplus of govt employees..
Well if the decrease is because of energy, you can blame zero on that one ---- he is definitely trying to kill coal and WY is the largest producer or coal in the US. -- ok -- it may not be the largest, but it one of them, that's for sure.
Huge # of govt employees --- well I suppose in comparison to the population # of WY as a whole, the percentage could be slightly out of whack, but seriously --- what a dumb reason to cut WY down.
Here is a state that really believes in personal freedom -- # 36 (and lower than socialist MN) ?? I just have to laugh.
I am sure before too long the Massholes in NH will drag us down to the bottom.
If you had read it before your first few posts, you wouldn't have gassed on about "inference." If you want to suppose that a single passing reference to marijuana makes this post "about drugs" and explains my reason for posting it, you have fun with that. I can't help but wonder why you find that worth posting about - but I won't lose any sleep over it.
My apologies. It was completely unfair of me to bait you like that.
Apology gratefully accepted.
Thanks for the list. Proud to be a Hoosier! :o)
I often said, “Indiana is one of the best kept secrets in the country.”
I think our low profile keeps us free.... Except there are more Michiganders and Illini showing up on a regular basis to settle here. Ohioans are too proud to soil themselves in Hoosier territory and Kentuckians can’t find Indiana or won’t cross the bridge. :o)
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