Freedom in the 50 States (1 Viewer)

[Celebrity]

You know what? Being smack dab between the 'least free' and 'most free' states, New York and New Hampshire respectively, is really awkward. Can you guys just chill out?

This study released by the Cato Institute ranks each of the 50 states according to how 'free' they are, with the overall rankings based on "a combination of personal and economic freedoms."

From Wikipedia:

The Cato Institute is an American libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded as the Charles Koch Foundation in 1974 by Ed Crane, Murray Rothbard, and Charles Koch,[SUP][6][/SUP] chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries. In July 1976, the name was changed to the Cato Institute.[SUP][6][/SUP][SUP][7][/SUP] Cato was established to have a focus on public advocacy, media exposure and societal influence.

 

[Deuce]

Isn't this kind of ranking inherently subjective?

 

[PeteEU]

I trust Putins media more than I trust CATO. They are known hacks. I remember during the crisis a CATO guy went on CNBC, and said that at least it was not as bad in the US as it was in Europe. As an example he said that France had an insane unemployment. Problem was, at the time, the US unemployment rate was higher than that in France. The CNBC "yes sir" crew of course did not confront him on his lies.

 

[dimensionallava]

Its the cato institute so the "freest states" are ranked by freest for big business. Not best for business mind you.... but "freest" as in no taxes, environmental regulations or labor laws, basically which states adhere the most to the cult of trickle down economics

 

[ttwtt78640]

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

The fact that we have such variation in levels of (individual?) freedom by state is of great concern to me.

 

[Celebrity]

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

The fact that we have such variation in levels of (individual?) freedom by state is of great concern to me.

Why do you say that? This is the USA, the "United States." Not all of the states have to be the same, though we should agree on some basic axioms.

 

[dimensionallava]

Why do you say that? This is the USA, the "United States." Not all of the states have to be the same, though we should agree on some basic axioms.

axioms?

 

[ttwtt78640]

Why do you say that? This is the USA, the "United States." Not all of the states have to be the same, though we should agree on some basic axioms.

The law of the land should protect individual freedom and there should be equal protection of the law. For example, the 2A gives me the right to keep and bear arms - that which is legal in state A should not become a crime when traveling through state B.

 

[Celebrity]

The law of the land should protect individual freedom and there should be equal protection of the law. For example, the 2A gives me the right to keep and bear arms - that which is legal in state A should not become a crime when traveling through state B.

Agree, but keeping and bearing an RPG in Kansas doesn't allow you to walk down the yellow brick road to Oz with open carry.

 

[Beaudreaux]

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

The fact that we have such variation in levels of (individual?) freedom by state is of great concern to me.

You know feeling good was good enough for me.

 

[Celebrity]

Guys and dolls, please note that the source marked 7 has been removed from the DBA Press website. I was able to reference an archived version.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Agree, but keeping and bearing an RPG in Kansas doesn't allow you to walk down the yellow brick road to Oz with open carry.

An RPG is not what I choose to carry.

 

[Beaudreaux]

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

The fact that we have such variation in levels of (individual?) freedom by state is of great concern to me.

That's good and bad. The 14th Amendment and Incorporation of the Bill of Rights was supposed to take care of that. However, a Supreme Court that over the decades has ignored on one hand the powers reserved to the states while on the other hand allowing them to encroach and infringe upon the natural and fundamental rights of citizens has done nothing but create an environment where such a variance in the levels of freedom and liberty can not only exist, but expand, and thrive, at the cost of losing freedoms and liberty.

EDIT: BTW, which states are the least in regard to person freedom and liberty in this study and what political ideology (not party, ideology) is prevalent in those state's government and laws?

 

[dimensionallava]

Guys and dolls, please note that the source marked 7 has been removed from the DBA Press website. I was able to reference an archived version.

the overwhelmingly majority of people here have heard of the CATO institute before, we did not need a wikipedia link.

 

[apdst]

Why do you say that? This is the USA, the "United States." Not all of the states have to be the same, though we should agree on some basic axioms.

The Constitution spells out the liberties that all Americans have, no matter which state they live in.

 

[dimensionallava]

EDIT: BTW, which states are the least in regard to person freedom and liberty in this study and what political ideology (not party, ideology) is prevalent in those state's government and laws?

take a wild shot in the dark guess

 

[Henrin]

The Constitution spells out the liberties that all Americans have, no matter which state they live in.

Yeah, and where your second amendment protections vary state to state. How ****ing stupid is that? The ****ing thing says can not be infringed and everyone infringes it to different degrees. The courts has done an amazing job of upholding the Constitution. Absolutely ****ing amazing.

 

[Casper]

You know what? Being smack dab between the 'least free' and 'most free' states, New York and New Hampshire respectively, is really awkward. Can you guys just chill out?

This study released by the Cato Institute ranks each of the 50 states according to how 'free' they are, with the overall rankings based on "a combination of personal and economic freedoms."

From Wikipedia:

Once I looked at the map on their site and saw how they ranked Oklahoma and Texas I knew the study was bogus.

 

[countryboy]

The law of the land should protect individual freedom and there should be equal protection of the law. For example, the 2A gives me the right to keep and bear arms - that which is legal in state A should not become a crime when traveling through state B.

Sorry, that only applies to important freedoms, like gay marriage.

 

[Port & Starboard]

An RPG is not what I choose to carry.

View attachment 67205838

I'm still a wheel gun guy myself. I never leave home without it, and it has saved me from harm a few times.

 

[Deuce]

Yeah, and where your second amendment protections vary state to state. How ****ing stupid is that? The ****ing thing says can not be infringed and everyone infringes it to different degrees. The courts has done an amazing job of upholding the Constitution. Absolutely ****ing amazing.

Yes yes, plasma laser cannon 5000's for all.

 

[Henrin]

Yes yes, plasma laser cannon 5000's for all.

The only two questions I have is how much and how many do they have in stock.

 

[Crovax]

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.

The fact that we have such variation in levels of (individual?) freedom by state is of great concern to me.

Actually it's should be a source of pride if you care anything about the constitution and what the founding fathers stood for.

 

[tres borrachos]

You know what? Being smack dab between the 'least free' and 'most free' states, New York and New Hampshire respectively, is really awkward. Can you guys just chill out?

This study released by the Cato Institute ranks each of the 50 states according to how 'free' they are, with the overall rankings based on "a combination of personal and economic freedoms."

From Wikipedia:

You're just jealous of those of us in the Live Free or Die state. :mrgreen:

Are you a Vermonster or a resident of the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts?

 

[ttwtt78640]

Actually it's should be a source of pride if you care anything about the constitution and what the founding fathers stood for.

I care plenty about the constitution, not so much about those long dead legends, and wish that we could get rid of much of what the federal government has assigned itself outside of its constitutional authority. First to go would be the entire department of education, all "private" loan guarnatees, PPACA, the TSA and most of the department of agriculture and energy.