Hi There !

I live in the Bay Area of California.  This morning, I read about a
junk yard owner who was arrested and jailed for keeping a pet sheep in
his junk yard.   I have no idea why the guy had a sheep.  That's not
the gist of my
question, and I probably don't want to know.  :)

There must be states where government plays a smaller role in the
lives of the citizenry.  For lack of a better term, let's call them
Libertarian states.

The first two that come to mind would be Texas and Alaska, though I
have no idea if the data would support this view.  My views of "high
liberty, low interference, more freedom" in those states may be based upon old
stereotypes.

A 5-star answer would be a list of Top 10 states (of 50) which stay
out of the lives of their citizens.

You can use any metric you prefer (e.g., amount of regulation,
activist law enforcement, skepticism of government, most people minding their
own business, speed limits, motorcycle helmet laws, etc.).  

An ideal metric would be omnibus.  That is to say, a great Top 10
ranking would have many different factors "baked into" the High
Freedom rating.

All comments greatly appreciated...even from you big-government-is-good folks !

:-)

Thanks.
ron

Dear Ron,

Thank you for accepting my comments as the answer to your question.

Economic Freedom of North America
2004 Annual Report

?Economic Freedom of North America presents the
first comprehensive economic freedom ratings for
US states and Canadian provinces. The study rates
economic freedom on a 10-point scale for two indexes.
An all-government index captures the impact of
restrictions on freedom by all levels of government.
A subnational index captures the impact of restrictions
by state or provincial and local governments.
Economic Freedom of North America employs 10 variables
in three areas: 1. Size of Government; 2. Takings
and Discriminatory Taxation; and 3. Labor Market
Freedom. This year?s report adds a new variable to
Area 3: Labor Market Freedom that is designed to
measure how much policy affects workers? freedom to
join, or not to join, unions.?

Top 10 Freest States

Delaware
Colorado
Georgia
Nevada
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Louisiana
Tennessee
Texas
Arizona


Download full report here:
http://www.freetheworld.com/efna2004/EFNA2004.pdf

Download parts of the report here:
http://www.freetheworld.com/efna.html

Read the Media Release
http://www.freetheworld.com/press012704.html

From Catallarchy.net:
http://www.catallarchy.net/blog/cgi-bin/archives/001093.html

Delaware - First in Freedom
http://www.professorbainbridge.com/2004/03/delaware_first_.html


Search criteria:
Freest States
top 10 Freest States


Best regards,
Bobbie7

Thanks a million, bobbie7 !

ron

Hi Ron!

Would the ranking from the following report meet your needs?

Economic Freedom of North America
2004 Annual Report

?Economic Freedom of North America presents the
first comprehensive economic freedom ratings for
US states and Canadian provinces. The study rates
economic freedom on a 10-point scale for two indexes.
An all-government index captures the impact of
restrictions on freedom by all levels of government.
A subnational index captures the impact of restrictions
by state or provincial and local governments.
Economic Freedom of North America employs 10 variables
in three areas: 1. Size of Government; 2. Takings
and Discriminatory Taxation; and 3. Labor Market
Freedom. This year?s report adds a new variable to
Area 3: Labor Market Freedom that is designed to
measure how much policy affects workers? freedom to
join, or not to join, unions.?

Top 10 Freest States

Delaware
Colorado
Georgia
Nevada
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Louisiana
Tennessee
Texas
Arizona


Download full report here:
http://www.freetheworld.com/efna2004/EFNA2004.pdf

Download parts of the report here:
http://www.freetheworld.com/efna.html

Read the Media Release
http://www.freetheworld.com/press012704.html

From Catallarchy.net:
http://www.catallarchy.net/blog/cgi-bin/archives/001093.html


Regards,
Bobbie7

Delaware - First in Freedom
http://www.professorbainbridge.com/2004/03/delaware_first_.html

I'm very much in favor of low-interference government, but I can
understand why an urban area would forbid the keeping of sheep. If
you've ever been around adult sheep, you'll know what I mean. They can
be incredibly smelly, for one thing. And their dispositions aren't as
sweet and cuddly as most folks expect; mature rams tend to attack
people, butt them to the ground, and trample on them. Maybe this meant
to be the woolly equivalent of a junkyard dog.

Hi bobbie7 !

Terrific work, as always.  You are also speedier than Wyle E. Coyote !
Please post as an answer so I can pay you.

Thanks !
ron

Thanks for your comments, Pink.  I would never tangle on the subject
of sheep with someone named Freud.

heh  heh  heh

Thanks again.
ron

I hope some one can find an analysis of the non-ecconomic freedom.
Since most of this is forced on us by the federal government and
perhaps soon internatanal tribunals, perhaps the frequency of
inforcement is more important than the laws that are rarely enforced,
which varies even by village and neighborhood. I feel this is an
important matter that needs multiple sourses. I will be voting for
Harry Browne or whoever the Libertarians choose. I may leave my ballot
blank where my only choice is a Republican or Democrat for some
offices.   Neil

Neil,

I believe your notion of non-economic freedom is exactly right.  The
number of regulations and amount of taxation is probably less
important than the "attitude" and "cultural norms" of a state. 
Personally, I would rather reside in a mind-your-own-business state
than a we-know-what's-best-for-you state.

How should I phrase a new question for the researchers?  The goal is
to explore non-economic freedom (laissez-faire culture) instead of
economic (by the numbers) freedom.

All comments appreciated !

ron

Here is suggested wording: This is a follow up of my question of
16May04@16:45 PDT. Getto dwellers typically have less government in
their face, but excessive violence from the local people. Can you find
some low violence communities in the USA that offer citizens maximum
free agency = self determination = freedom  in non-economic matters?
Villages in the mountains of Utah perhaps, except the Mormons don't
mind their own business? Bobbie7-ga found Delaware best for ecconomic
freedom.

Neil,

Your comments are always intriguing.
Thanks a million !

ron