New York the "Least Free" State: New Hampshire the "Most Free": Where Does Your State Rank?

mercatus.org...

Out of the 50 states, New York is considered the "least free state in the Union" according to research done at George Mason University's Mercatus Center.

This study comprehensively ranks the American states on their public policies that affect individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres.

This project develops an index of economic and personal freedom in the American states. Specifically, it examines state and local government intervention across a wide range of public policies, from income taxation to gun control, from homeschooling regulation to drug policy.

Interesting. The GMU site also has an interactive map of all 50 states (well, 46 states and 4 commonwealths) so all of us can click on our own state to see where it ranks and why. Do you find this list accurate? Why or why not? How does your state rank in the scheme of things and do you agree with it's placement?

Your thoughts?

freestateproject.org...

www.syracuse.com...

www.huffingtonpost.com...|aim|dl1|sec1_lnk2|70681
abcnews.go.com...

edit on 15-6-2011 by METACOMET because: links

NH is always at the top.

And it's sad really. Considering how many backwards puritan types still occupy this state.

On one side we've got tyrannical bleeding-hearts who are always pushing for more gun control and taxes and on the other you have these "moral" police expanding the death penalty and killing marijuana decriminalization.

Dont get me wrong. I love it here and it certainly does feel like the freest state Ive ever lived in.

It's just terribly sad that the "freest" state is still basically a tyrant state. Just not as tyrannical as others.

As a New Yorker, I can attest to the disgusting anti-smoking policies.

Somehow, second hand cigarette smoke has magically become more harmful than auto emissions, and the local government is mandating that people cannot smoke wherever they want. Even outside. It's mind boggling.

Other than that though, I would say I have the exact same freedoms as someone in Fla. or Oregon.

Interesting topic.

While certain aspects seem to make this so, I kinda disagree. As long as we keep allowing the feds to create these blanket laws and forcing each state to acquiesce then we are ultimately all in the same boat with the same, very limited rights. Until the states step up and take back the power and rights we are supposed to have status quo will remain.

and that translate to cost of living in those states.

there is no way i could ever live in new york or nh.

it amazes me how people just simply buy into the "its good for you" line.

more control equates to less individual freedoms doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that.

i live in indiana which is ranked number 3.

pretty free here and the cost of lving is managable

Originally posted by neo96
and that translate to cost of living in those states.

there is no way i could ever live in new york or nh.

COL is pretty cheap here.

My salary got cut in half when I moved here yet I live much better than I did making twice as much in one of those high cost states.

Varies substantially by the town your in though.

If you go to some urban cesspool like Manchester or Nashua expect to get raped in expenses just like if you were in MA or NY.

I'd say they got Oregon about right. #1 in personal freedoms, but a bit lower in other areas. I do love my state.

Nevada is pretty good on many things. Gun control is virtually non-existent(except Vegas where one must register handguns). It's business friendly, we aren't taxed to death...So forth and so on.

HA HA HA1 funny how the least free states ALSO happen to be blue states, boy did they pick the right color for this map
Serves you dems right, keep voting for those a-holes. Queen Nancy needs mo money!!! And Queen Barney needs a new boy toy!!

Originally posted by Skewed
As long as we keep allowing the feds to create these blanket laws and forcing each state to acquiesce then we are ultimately all in the same boat with the same, very limited rights. Until the states step up and take back the power and rights we are supposed to have status quo will remain.

Good point. The federal yoke hangs equally upon us all. The amount of power the federal government wields over the states is a bit disconcerting. Even more frustrating is the prevailing notion that it has the legal right to do so. The general government was not even a party to the constitutional compact. The States formed the compact, acting as sovereign and independent communities.

Although extremely funny- everything he says is true......

(Warning: Some Mild Adult Language)

Originally posted by METACOMET
mercatus.org...

Out of the 50 states, New York is considered the "least free state in the Union" according to research done at George Mason University's Mercatus Center.

This study comprehensively ranks the American states on their public policies that affect individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres.

This project develops an index of economic and personal freedom in the American states. Specifically, it examines state and local government intervention across a wide range of public policies, from income taxation to gun control, from homeschooling regulation to drug policy.

Interesting. The GMU site also has an interactive map of all 50 states (well, 46 states and 4 commonwealths) so all of us can click on our own state to see where it ranks and why. Do you find this list accurate? Why or why not? How does your state rank in the scheme of things and do you agree with it's placement?

Your thoughts?

freestateproject.org...

www.syracuse.com...

www.huffingtonpost.com...|aim|dl1|sec1_lnk2|70681
abcnews.go.com...

edit on 15-6-2011 by METACOMET because: links

I call BS on that link. That organization is obviously biased in Texas's favor rendering the whole study garbage.
It is judging how free the states and commonwealths are through Texan eyes, not unbiased eyes.

It is like taking a studying on the top 100 greatest nations in the world from North Korea seriously. Texas has some of the singular most repressive law's in the country and has executed many innocent people with glee.

Texas isn't free! It has more in common with Iran or the Taliban then the Constitution or Deceleration of Independence.

how many of you can grow pot in your backyard... Many of the freer states do not afford this to citzens.
I think that should be a huge factor... What about pornography, sex toys or Blue Laws (TEXAS)

Originally posted by Scoriada
HA HA HA1 funny how the least free states ALSO happen to be blue states, boy did they pick the right color for this map

Funny how I can do a whole lot more in my blue state that in some of those red states.
This map is a bit full of crap, in fact... enjoy it.