Do you live in an oppressed state or a free state?

[ScareCrow57]

An article recently ran in a local newspaper ranking which people have the most freedom. New Hampshire ranks as the state with the most freedom. NY is on the bottom. Interesting would be to see how the Blue states and red states line up. I do notice that the ones at the bottom seem to be more blue than red.

Freedom in the 50 States

Table V: Overall Freedom Ranking
State Overall Freedom

1. New Hampshire 0.432
2. Colorado 0.421
3. South Dakota 0.392
4. Idaho 0.356
5. Texas 0.346
6. Missouri 0.320
7. Tennessee 0.284
8. Arizona 0.279
9. Virginia 0.275
10. North Dakota 0.268
11. Utah 0.250
12. Kansas 0.210
13. Indiana 0.208
14. Michigan 0.206
15. Wyoming 0.193
16. Iowa 0.183
17. Georgia 0.146
18. Oklahoma 0.143
19. Montana 0.125
20. Pennsylvania 0.102
21. Alabama 0.092
22. Florida 0.068
23. North Carolina 0.019
24. Nevada 0.013
25. Mississippi -0.004
26. Delaware -0.008
27. Oregon -0.009
28. Nebraska -0.018
29. Arkansas -0.023
30. South Carolina -0.040
31. Alaska -0.071
32. Kentucky -0.082
33. West Virginia -0.097
34. Louisiana -0.110
35. Minnesota -0.111
36. New Mexico -0.150
37. Wisconsin -0.199
38. Ohio -0.205
39. Maine -0.214
40. Vermont -0.217
41. Connecticut -0.225
42. Illinois -0.238
43. Massachusetts -0.242
44. Washington -0.275
45. Hawaii -0.304
46. Maryland -0.405
47. California -0.413
48. Rhode Island -0.430
49. New Jersey -0.457
50. New York -0.784

[ffmedcbk1]

My gut is wrenched seeing that Texas is 5th!!!!!!!!!!!!

then I realized that the fear that Walker, Texas Ranger creates is likely the reason people would feel repressed there.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

New Hampshire a "free" state?

HA!

My sister lives in a small town north of Keene. Her real estate taxes are much higher than mine, and she is living in an old home built in 1865.

Her small town has no police department (they are patrolled by the New Hampshire State Police) a small volunteer FD, their highway department is a small operation and she pays $365 for her transfer station sticker and pays per bag for trash disposal, mandatory recycling and they have to separate everything.

Their school is grade 1 to 8, the high school is in Keene.

[gamewell35]

An article recently ran in a local newspaper ranking which people have the most freedom. New Hampshire ranks as the state with the most freedom. NY is on the bottom. Interesting would be to see how the Blue states and red states line up. I do notice that the ones at the bottom seem to be more blue than red.

Freedom in the 50 States

Table V: Overall Freedom Ranking
State Overall Freedom

1. New Hampshire 0.432
2. Colorado 0.421
3. South Dakota 0.392
4. Idaho 0.356
5. Texas 0.346
6. Missouri 0.320
7. Tennessee 0.284
8. Arizona 0.279
9. Virginia 0.275
10. North Dakota 0.268
11. Utah 0.250
12. Kansas 0.210
13. Indiana 0.208
14. Michigan 0.206
15. Wyoming 0.193
16. Iowa 0.183
17. Georgia 0.146
18. Oklahoma 0.143
19. Montana 0.125
20. Pennsylvania 0.102
21. Alabama 0.092
22. Florida 0.068
23. North Carolina 0.019
24. Nevada 0.013
25. Mississippi -0.004
26. Delaware -0.008
27. Oregon -0.009
28. Nebraska -0.018
29. Arkansas -0.023
30. South Carolina -0.040
31. Alaska -0.071
32. Kentucky -0.082
33. West Virginia -0.097
34. Louisiana -0.110
35. Minnesota -0.111
36. New Mexico -0.150
37. Wisconsin -0.199
38. Ohio -0.205
39. Maine -0.214
40. Vermont -0.217
41. Connecticut -0.225
42. Illinois -0.238
43. Massachusetts -0.242
44. Washington -0.275
45. Hawaii -0.304
46. Maryland -0.405
47. California -0.413
48. Rhode Island -0.430
49. New Jersey -0.457
50. New York -0.784

Crow, Dr. Jason Sorens, in my opinion is a secessionist who believes deeply in the balkanization of America. Dr. William P. Ruger is a virtual unknown, who is currently serving in the military and as such, on leave from his career job as an Assistant Professor at a university.

It's really too bad its not a neutral report as it is rather extensive, but its extremely biased-hard right leaning-and as such I doubt the veracity of the report. I plan on investigating further to see where the funding came for this project. It wouldn't surprise me if much of the funding came from the NRA, Heritage Foundation and John Birch Society, but that remains to be seen.

As far as the so-called "freedoms" in the report; it focuses mainly on gun control/ownership; home schooling, eminent domain and taxes. There is virtually nothing in the report that addresses any of the freedom's expressed in the US Constitution other then the right to bear arms, eminent domain and taxation.

So the report is not what it seems at first look, rather its a written screed of complaints on very narrow subjects that are primarily of concern to conservatives.

[ScareCrow57]

I was hoping someone would come up with an opposing view to the report. It is a published by George Mason University so I would believe there some sort of peer review that went on. They also site references at the bottom of the pages.

[ScareCrow57]

New Hampshire a "free" state?

HA!

My sister lives in a small town north of Keene. Her real estate taxes are much higher than mine, and she is living in an old home built in 1865.

Her small town has no police department (they are patrolled by the New Hampshire State Police) a small volunteer FD, their highway department is a small operation and she pays $365 for her transfer station sticker and pays per bag for trash disposal, mandatory recycling and they have to separate everything.

Their school is grade 1 to 8, the high school is in Keene.

You are only looking at a small piece of the picture. An old home can still be valued at a million dollars or more, hence the high taxes. I also believe that New Hampshire has no income tax. Our trash pick up is the same way. Except ours is included n the taxes and is done by the highway department. recyclables have to be separated. That is life in rural America, which unfortunately has to live by some oft the laws created to address problmes in the big overcrowded cities.

I would expect SC and the liberals to look at tiny details and not the entire picture, I expect more from you as you are far more credible.

[NewHampshireFF]

New Hampshire a "free" state?

HA!

My sister lives in a small town north of Keene. Her real estate taxes are much higher than mine, and she is living in an old home built in 1865.

Her small town has no police department (they are patrolled by the New Hampshire State Police) a small volunteer FD, their highway department is a small operation and she pays $365 for her transfer station sticker and pays per bag for trash disposal, mandatory recycling and they have to separate everything.

Their school is grade 1 to 8, the high school is in Keene.

How are the examples you cite indicative of a lack of freedom?

New Hampshire has the lowest overall tax burden in the lower 48. That is a fact. Whether taxes take the form of taxes on income, consumer sales, or property value is actually not especially relevent. We pay lower taxes here, period.

Therefore, there are fewer government services provided. But I'd love to know how government services equal freedom.

As a general rule, I approve of user fees rather than general taxation. If person A is careful to purchase goods with less packaging, consumes less, and therefore creates less trash, why should he pay as much as someone who creates more trash? So I don't have an issue with the pay-to-throw or sticker fee. Although my sticker fee is $10, so her transfer station doesn't sound to me like it is a very tightly-run operation.

New Hampshire has robust protections for civil liberties. It has a meaningful tradition of direct democracy. It has a post-Kelo ban on eminent domain except for actual public purposes. It has a low tax burden, laws that respect the Second Amendment, a business climate that is open to new enterprises, and a lot of ornery people trying to make sure things stay free.

I think our ranking is about right.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Be careful.. Scarecrow just might move the New Hampshire!

[ActionGoose]

Calling any state (or jurisdiction, governing body, etc.) "oppressed" is hilariously subjective, and is only relevant in the one topic you're discussing.

A Vermonter would probably find New York's handgun laws oppressive. I don't own or desire to own a handgun, so it matters none to me. This example can be changed to anything from motorcycle helmets to corporate charters.

The GMU chart ranking states uses such a limited set of criteria it's absolutely worthless.

And while we're on the subject, have you ever noticed how conservatives and libertarians champion state's rights only when it benefits their cause?

[NewHampshireFF]

Be careful.. Scarecrow just might move the New Hampshire!

A fair point.

[NewHampshireFF]

And while we're on the subject, have you ever noticed how conservatives and libertarians champion state's rights only when it benefits their cause?

No. Elaborate.

[scfire86]

I live in a free state and a free country. I have the ability to influence government at the ballot box every two years.

I also have the ability to emigrate to a country I believe has a better quality of life and lower taxes if they'll take me.

Sorry to hear some of you live in oppressed state.

[ScareCrow57]

I live in a free state and a free country. I have the ability to influence government at the ballot box every two years.

I also have the ability to emigrate to a country I believe has a better quality of life and lower taxes if they'll take me.

Sorry to hear some of you live in oppressed state.

Not when King Obama gets through with you.
Is a Political-Economic Distinction Between Socialism and Communism Necessary?

...We face a situation today similar to that confronted by Marx and Engels, with movements or persons that call themselves socialist. The US press often refers to some Scandinavian countries as socialist because of their developed social-welfare systems. Many progressives who work for the extension of basic human rights to include jobs at a livable wage, unionization, education, health care, decent housing, adequate pensions, and access to recreation and culture also consider themselves socialists. They cannot be called socialists if they limit their sight to capitalist society. Occasionally one even encounters the call for “overcoming capitalism” without any implication that this includes the elimination of capitalist relations of production. Communists also work to institutionalize these human rights under conditions of capitalism, but we continue to work toward a socialist transformation of society. There can be no meaningful call for socialism that abandons the goal of communism.

Communists, of course, will cooperate with all progressives, including those who consider themselves socialists without sharing political-economic understanding. In working for the extension of human rights under conditions of capitalism as outlined above, we are contributing to the development of the class consciousness and empowerment of the working class, so that with its allies, it can become a political force capable of ascending to state power.

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

My dentist pointed something out to me yesterday as well. We now live in a monarchy. King Obama asks, Queen Pelosi delivers, and there is no debate, no checks and balances, nothing. Given the *** kicking the Dems are taking in the 20th congressional district (one that Gillbrand won by 62%), it is safe to say will have all kinds of garbage shoved down our throats in the next two years.

[scfire86]

Not when King Obama gets through with you.
Is a Political-Economic Distinction Between Socialism and Communism Necessary?



My dentist pointed something out to me yesterday as well. We now live in a monarchy. King Obama asks, Queen Pelosi delivers, and there is no debate, no checks and balances, nothing. Given the *** kicking the Dems are taking in the 20th congressional district (one that Gillbrand won by 62%), it is safe to say will have all kinds of garbage shoved down our throats in the next two years.

I see the NY-20 race differently. The GOP hold a HUGE advantage in voter registration. A vitual unknown is doing well just in sending this one into overtime.

You and your dentist have the freedom to leave any time they like. There is nothing holding you as subjects to King Obama and Queen Pelosi.

[ActionGoose]

My dentist pointed something out to me yesterday as well. We now live in a monarchy. King Obama asks, Queen Pelosi delivers, and there is no debate, no checks and balances, nothing.

You're right, nothing like this has ever happened before!

Oh wait... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108th_U...tates_Congress

[gamewell35]

Not when King Obama gets through with you.
Is a Political-Economic Distinction Between Socialism and Communism Necessary?



My dentist pointed something out to me yesterday as well. We now live in a monarchy. King Obama asks, Queen Pelosi delivers, and there is no debate, no checks and balances, nothing. Given the *** kicking the Dems are taking in the 20th congressional district (one that Gillbrand won by 62%), it is safe to say will have all kinds of garbage shoved down our throats in the next two years.

Crow; I think your dentist ought to stick to repairing teeth and not serving as a court jester. He's sadly misinformed.

[SavingHawaii]

Shoot, if "oppression" means I get to go fishing for salmon, hunting for deer, swimming in the ocean, hiking up peaks 10,000 feet high, riding snowmobiles in the winter, throwing a little bonfire on the beach, going out to watch a band in the evening, riding my bike through the Sierra front country. I mean, shoot, if that's "oppression", count me in.

I've been to Idaho before. Boring.

[ScareCrow57]

Crow; I think your dentist ought to stick to repairing teeth and not serving as a court jester. He's sadly misinformed.

I know you have trouble with educated people. But let me relay something else. He went to the University of Buffalo and has a good friend from Toronto. He said to Pete one day, Pete, are you really going back to Canada to practice when you are done? Pete replied of course he was. He then said to Pete, Why, In our country a person comes in for a root canal and you charge $500. In your country they come in, give the card and you get $250. Pete told him he was looking at it all wrong. Patient comes in with the card and needs a root canal. It’s April, so you give him the drugs and tell them you have an opening in September. If they ask what if I pay cash, you get them in next week. And this is the truth and fact. So if you want socialized medicine might I recommend you move were they already have it, and let the rest of us keep our preferred and superior system.

[ScareCrow57]

Shoot, if "oppression" means I get to go fishing for salmon, hunting for deer, swimming in the ocean, hiking up peaks 10,000 feet high, riding snowmobiles in the winter, throwing a little bonfire on the beach, going out to watch a band in the evening, riding my bike through the Sierra front country. I mean, shoot, if that's "oppression", count me in.

I've been to Idaho before. Boring.

Shoot, if "oppression" means

I get to go fishing for salmon - At a cost of $20 (soon to go up), between April and October, and I can only keep a a couple of them, and at times it is catch and release.

hunting for deer - Cost is $20, only for a month or so, and I can only take certain ones

swimming in the ocean - There are no oceans in most of the states, however if you can get to the beach you can swim in the lakes, although it will cost you on a per person basis.

hiking up peaks 10,000 feet high - But stay on the trail and don't pick the flowers!
riding snowmobiles in the winter - Limited to a couple hundred a day in Yellowstone. Annual cost for the privilege $100, and oh by the way, many of the trails get closed or cut off. Trail maintenance is done by private clubs. The state takes away and give nothing!

throwing a little bonfire on the beach - Assuming you have beach rights

going out to watch a band in the evening- ????? Are you F**** Crazy. This is part of your freedom. Even the communist have bands!!!!

riding my bike through the Sierra front country - But don't go to the back country and stay on the trail. Oh yea, no motors on those bikes either

How about this, around here we need to have 8 acres of land to build a home, and by the way, you can't cut down the trees and don't harm the wetlands.

That isn't freedom.

[BryanLoader]

I know you have trouble with educated people. But let me relay something else. He went to the University of Buffalo and has a good friend from Toronto. He said to Pete one day, Pete, are you really going back to Canada to practice when you are done? Pete replied of course he was. He then said to Pete, Why, In our country a person comes in for a root canal and you charge $500. In your country they come in, give the card and you get $250. Pete told him he was looking at it all wrong. Patient comes in with the card and needs a root canal. It’s April, so you give him the drugs and tell them you have an opening in September. If they ask what if I pay cash, you get them in next week. And this is the truth and fact. So if you want socialized medicine might I recommend you move were they already have it, and let the rest of us keep our preferred and superior system.

Actually Scarecrow you are wrong about Canada. Dentistry is not covered under the Health Act in Canada. Every dentist, peridonist or oral surgeon is paid by person receiving the work or by Blue Cross or private supplemental health insurance. Jumping the line for medical help by offreing more money could easily result in the Dr being stripped of his credentials. I would imagine it happens, but not on a regular basis.