Two political science professors of a libertarian bent -- one of whom teaches at my alma mater -- ranked the 50 states on their economic and personal freedom. Economic freedom encompassed a number of issues including health insurance mandates, eminent domain laws, labor laws, regulatory policy, etc. Personal freedom was ranked by gambling regulations, alcohol and drug laws, gun control, home-schooling regulations, etc.
Here are the top ten and bottom ten:
1. New Hampshire
2. Colorado
3. South Dakota
4. Idaho
5. Texas
6. Missouri
7. Tennessee
8. Arizona
9. Virginia
10. North Dakota
40. Vermont
41. Connecticut
42. Illinois
43. Massachusetts
44. Washington
45. Hawaii
46. Maryland
47. California
48. Rhode Island
49. New Jersey
50. New York
Excelsior! As a 20+ year (former) resident of New York and current resident of Maryland, I am not shocked by their inclusion at the bottom of the list. One would be hard pressed to identify the most liberal states and not include the ones found in the bottom ten. I'm surprised Virginia is in the Top 10. The personal property tax alone should drop them down into the 20s.
To residents of New York, I offer the sage advice Denethor, steward of Gondor, gave to his troops after seeing Sauron's armies massed outside the White City: "FLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!" It's an interesting study and worth a read.
Michael Lucinski
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