America no longer land of the free economy?

Mike.Redd · Sep 18, 2013

The 2013 annual Economic Freedom of the World Index by the Frasier Institute is out and once again the United States has little to brag about.
That’s because — for a nation that boasts in the ideals freedom and liberty — the U.S. ranks 17th on the list of most economically free countries in the world, behind countries like Estonia, Denmark and Chile.

Source: Rare.us | America no longer land of the free?

Really? We are behind Estonia? But can anyone point at Estonia on a globe with out having to look it up on google or having to search for it?

The USA is supposed to be the best nation in the World and yet we still come behind Estonia when it comes to economy.

In 2000 we were ranked 2nd most economically free country in the world. What has happened since then? oh that is right, a few wars, some mortgage problems, and a collapse. Hopefully we can get back on track some time soom.

ecofarm · Sep 18, 2013

Subjective measurements, probably that include socialism as economic freedom.

ttwtt78640 · Sep 18, 2013

I would imagine a that gov't policy that says either buy this "private" good/service or pay a fine did not help much.

The average houshold's share of the national debt may come into play as well.

haymarket · Sep 18, 2013

Mike.Redd said:
Source: Rare.us | America no longer land of the free?

Really? We are behind Estonia? But can anyone point at Estonia on a globe with out having to look it up on google or having to search for it?

The USA is supposed to be the best nation in the World and yet we still come behind Estonia when it comes to economy.

In 2000 we were ranked 2nd most economically free country in the world. What has happened since then? oh that is right, a few wars, some mortgage problems, and a collapse. Hopefully we can get back on track some time soom.

The Fraser Insitutute is hardly the objective and unbiased judge of anything. This is from the Wikipedia article on the Fraser Institute
Political stance[edit source]

The Fraser Institute describes itself as "an independent international research and educational organization",[10] and envisions "a free and prosperous world where individuals benefit from greater choice, competitive markets, and personal responsibility".[6]

Forbes has referred to the think tank as libertarian.[11] The New York Times has described the Institute as libertarian[12] and conservative.[2] The Calgary Herald called it conservative,[3] the Langley Times classified it as right-of-center libertarian,[5] while humanist philosopher Kai Nielsen[13] referred to the Fraser Institute as an "extreme right-wing libertarian think tank."[4]

Consider the source.

Deuce · Sep 18, 2013

"More economic freedom." What does that mean? Like, the freedom to skip basic product safety testing? I'll take an FDA over that "freedom," thanks.

How about freedom to start my own business without losing my current employer-based health plan? That sounds like something we should work on...

Mach · Sep 18, 2013

Deuce said:
How about freedom to start my own business without losing my current employer-based health plan? That sounds like something we should work on...

Makes no sense Deuce. First, there is Cobra that ensures you don't lose it if you want to keep paying it. Second, your job provided that plan, you did not then, and do not once you leave, need to rely on your employer to purchasing decisions for you. Some may argue that's part of the problem in the first place. I was unemployed and I got a cheaper plan (united healthcare if I recall), it wasn't very hard. No way I'd pay those rates my employer was paying, it was way too much insurance anyway. Having individuals and small business of any income level able to group together to get better rates..now why can't we do that? Exchanges as currently provided for will exclude them...

Mach · Sep 18, 2013

From the ratings report:

...the reductions have been largest in Legal System and Property Rights (Area 2), Freedom to Trade Internationally (Area 4), and Regulation (Area 5). The plunge in Area 2 has been huge. In 2000, the 9.23 rating of the United States was the ninth highest in the world. But by 2011, the area rating had slid to 6.93, placing the United States 38th worldwide. The 2.30-point reduction in the Area 2 rating of the United States was tied with Venezuela as the largest reduction among the
countries rated.

While it is difficult to pinpoint the precise reason for this decline, the increased use of eminent domain to transfer property to powerful political interests, the ramifications of the wars on terrorism and drugs, and the violation of the property rights of bondholders in the auto-bailout case have all weakened the tradition of strong
adherence to the rule of law in the United States and we believe have contributed to the sharp decline in the rating for Area 2. Expanded use of regulation has been an important contributing factor to the declining ratings of the United States. During the past decade, non-tariff trade barriers, restrictions on foreign investment, and business regulation have all grown extensively. Michael Walker, who along with Milton and Rose Friedman, was the central figure in the development of this project, often stated: “Regulation is the raw material of corruption”. Thus, he would not be surprised that the expanded use of regulation in the United States was accompanied with sharp reductions in ratings for components such as independence of the judiciary, impartiality of the courts, and regulatory favoritism. To a large degree, the United States has experienced a significant move away from rule of law and toward a highly regulated, politicized state.

Take that for what you will.

Hong Kong followed by Singapore lead the pack. Those Asians just do it better don't they

PeteEU · Sep 18, 2013

Mike.Redd said:
The USA is supposed to be the best nation in the World and yet we still come behind Estonia when it comes to economy.

Only in the eyes of Americans. Basically Americans have grown to believe their own propaganda. People outside the US have known about issues with the "free economy" in the US for decades.. everything from cartels, oligopolies and lack of access to the US market for foreign competition. Add to that local and regional even national legislative barriers.. well it is a slippery slope that many countries have gone down.. and up and out off.. The key is not to fall into complacency and believe in the usual bull**** propaganda coming from politicians about "we are the best at everything", and look critically at everything.

zimmer · Sep 18, 2013

Mike.Redd said:
Source: Rare.us | America no longer land of the free?

Really? We are behind Estonia? But can anyone point at Estonia on a globe with out having to look it up on google or having to search for it?

The USA is supposed to be the best nation in the World and yet we still come behind Estonia when it comes to economy.

In 2000 we were ranked 2nd most economically free country in the world. What has happened since then? oh that is right, a few wars, some mortgage problems, and a collapse. Hopefully we can get back on track some time soom.

It's a short ferry ride from Helsinki to Tallin.
Estonia really went free market after the fall of the Iron Curtain. They have a flat tax if I recall.

America no longer land of the free economy?

Mike.Redd

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America no longer land of the free economy?

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