The People’s Republik of New Jersey.
Jason Sorens of the University of Buffalo and William P. Ruger of Texas State conducted a study to determine how the fifty states ranked in terms of their overall respect for individual freedom:
We rank all fifty states on overall respect for individual freedom and on components of freedom: “Fiscal Policy,†“Regulatory Policy,†and “Paternalism.†Our approach in this report is to weight policies according to the number of people affected by the policy, the intensity of preferences on the issue, and the importance of state policy variation.
I felt for absolutely farookin’ sure that New Jersey would be ranked number 50. After seeing the rankings, I feel much, much better now.
I am proud as a Texan to be #5
Comment by Kimela — August 9, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
I’d move to NH if it weren’t so daggum cold. Cripes! Luckily, FL is in the positive end, which makes me understand moreso why when you post on NJ politics I am so horrified and feel blessed… even with our gator and python issues.
Comment by Bou — August 9, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
Shuck. I kinda figured Montana would do better.
Sucks to be you, though. 😛
Comment by Dave Merriman — August 10, 2009 @ 12:29 am
Yes! New York takes the lead, yet again, in the never-ending pissing contest with the GAH!-den State. We rule.
Comment by Erica — August 10, 2009 @ 5:42 am
Okay Texas, here we come!
Comment by Michele — August 10, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Dave,
I haven’t looked at the raw data on Montana, but at a guess you lost points on the paternalism quotient due to the heavy Union influence in Butte. I was up there for the 4th and I swear to God the parade was sponsored by the Wobblies. I especially enjoyed the squad dressed like the Statue of Liberty demanding that all profits be eliminated from the health care industry.
Comment by Mark Reardon — August 10, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
… good to see that Tennessee is number 7…. makes me want to go to the garage and clean my AR-15……
Comment by Eric — August 11, 2009 @ 7:44 am
The ranking for AK kinda surprises me. I thought they were more a frontier still. Guess not.
Comment by dogette — August 11, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
How could the evil, maniacal, fascist George Bush and his band of Texans be so much free-er than us enlightened “better than youse guys” citizens of the Northeast. This is another plot by the failed policies of Dubya!!!!!
Hee hee…it was utterly amazing how many of those bottom states were solid blue states. Vote Democrat-it’s easier than thinking.
Comment by RobbieRob — August 12, 2009 @ 8:44 am