Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) http://freedominthe50states.org/overall Top 5: The Dakotas (S. Dakota #1) Tennessee New Hampshire Oklahoma Bottom 5: New York (50th) California New Jersey Hawaii Rhode Island They also have little articles on how they calculate everything, what it is they are trying to do, etc. Really thought Iowa would be higher, but in the Top half is pretty decent, IMO. You can also look at the map from an overall perspective, from a tax perspective, from an economic perspective, etc etc. using the tabs at the top of the page. Edited April 4, 2013 by Favre4Ever 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phailadelphia Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) Nice find. First observation: The states that are most free fiscally range from middle-of-the-pack to worst in personal freedom. New Hampshire is the only in the top 5 who has equal parts fiscal and personal freedom. Interesting! Edited April 4, 2013 by Phailadelphia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 4, 2013 The states that are most free fiscally range from middle-of-the-pack to worst in personal freedom. That's why the two main parties both suck. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted April 4, 2013 Hey, Bware, you looking for a roommate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted April 4, 2013 Ya, I was waiting for Bware to enter and talk about how awesome it is to marry your sister and that Norman Reedus is the greatest actor of all time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 4, 2013 I do think having north Dakota up so high is pretty dumb considering the news with them though... http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/03/22/1764141/north-dakota-passes-personhood/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) Our definition of freedom presents specific challenges on some high-profile issues. Abortion is a critical example. According to one view, a fetus is a rights bearing person, and abortion is therefore an aggressive violation of individual rights that ought to be punished by the government. According to another view, a fetus does not have rights, and abortion is a permissible exercise of an individual liberty, which entails that government regulation of abortion is an unjust violation of a woman’s rights. Rather than take a stand on one side or the other (or anywhere between), we have coded the data on state abortion restrictions and made them available online at www.statepolicyindex.com, but have not included the policy in the index of freedom. -- Study Introduction While it may seem like they are sitting on the fence, I do tend to agree. Trying their hardest, at least on this issue, to define which side of abortion is the "right" side. Study isn't about George Mason making a political stand or what have you. Edited April 4, 2013 by Favre4Ever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 4, 2013 Some people believe that right to work laws are an infringement on the negotiation rights of employers. They take a ton of political stands already. That really hurts this lists impact. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted April 4, 2013 Some people believe that right to work laws are an infringement on the negotiation rights of employers. They take a ton of political stands already. That really hurts this lists impact. You can go through and say that about every political issue in the history of the world. There are always two sides. But what you are getting at is just semantics... Sure, there are people against the minimum wage, workers comp, and other right-to-work policies. But none of those or many other issues so drastically split the constituency of the US like abortion does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 4, 2013 You can go through and say that about every political issue in the history of the world. There are always two sides. But what you are getting at is just semantics... Sure, there are people against the minimum wage, workers comp, and other right-to-work policies. But none of those or many other issues so drastically split the constituency of the US like abortion does. A lot of people are against gay marriage and they take a stance on that. Not including one of the biggest social issues of our time is a cowards way out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted April 4, 2013 I will flat out tell you that living in North Dakota is easy, even without a college degree. VERY easy. There is work all over the place and, if you're willing to travel, you can juggle 3-4 part time jobs that pay extremely well (what I'm doing right now). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted April 4, 2013 A lot of people are against gay marriage and they take a stance on that. Not including one of the biggest social issues of our time is a cowards way out. Not the same. Regardless of what they THINK, regardless of their OPINION on gay marriage. It is a FACT that not allowing gays to marry or enter some kind of union keeps them from the benefits (taxes, power of attorney, etc etc) of heterosexual "traditional marriages". That's fact. That's a blatant infraction on your rights. Regardless, they offer all of their raw data (which includes abortion) on their website. You are more than welcome to formulate your own rankings -- you can prove to use you aren't a coward if you so choose. lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.AirMcNair. 1,232 Posted April 4, 2013 Tennessee = greatest state ever, obviously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CARDINAL 205 Posted April 4, 2013 Arizona This Study just reaffirms that Arizona is the best state in America. Lots of Economic Freedom based on free market principles, great weather, very good food, Cardinals , and they have low income taxes because the state government is very fiscally responsible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omerta+ 1,206 Posted April 4, 2013 Arizona This Study just reaffirms that Arizona is the best state in America. Lots of Economic Freedom based on free market principles, great weather, very good food, Cardinals , and they have low income taxes because the state government is very fiscally responsible. I have to agree with this. My fiance and I are moving and she has two job offers now instead of one. One in AZ the other in KC. I am letting her decide but I secretly hope she chooses AZ, love the car scene down there. No real political reasons though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CARDINAL 205 Posted April 4, 2013 I have to agree with this. My fiance and I are moving and she has two job offers now instead of one. One in AZ the other in KC. I am letting her decide but I secretly hope she chooses AZ, love the car scene down there. No real political reasons though. If you moved to AZ with your fiance, do you guys have any idea where in the state you would move to? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 4, 2013 Just saying Ngata, Kansas City is really nice and has amazing bbq. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CARDINAL 205 Posted April 5, 2013 Sun City. I believe Sun City is close to Glendale, in the NorthEastern part of the Metro Phoenix area, but really anywhere in that area is really nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 5, 2013 Regardless, they offer all of their raw data (which includes abortion) on their website. You are more than welcome to formulate your own rankings -- you can prove to use you aren't a coward if you so choose. lol I'm not gonna create my own measurement system, but I can promise you that if I did, abortion rights would be factored in, and more free abortion rights makes it more free. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
