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Most free states run by Republicans. Least free states run by Democrats.

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
It all depends on what freedoms you want, because they both want different freedoms. It's a false dichotomy
It's based on economic freedom and personal freedom.

Sure lists can vary based on on perception, but there are hardcore facts as well that cannot be brushed off as false dichotomy.
 

Ella S.

*temp banned*
I don't think this is a huge surprise. Both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are AuthRight, but the Democrats tend to be more authoritarian and the Republicans tend to be more capitalist.

In reality, they're both figureheads for megacorporations so both of their policies push for more corporate control. Whether it's giving more power to the government or giving more power to the corporations, the end result seems essentially the same to me since the government is essentially a shell for big business, anyway.
 

amorphous_constellation

Well-Known Member
I thought I read that you can't hitchhike in Nevada, if so, that seems pretty junky. Also they got area 51, you can't exactly go where you want. Do they also have water usage controls?
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
You know, I’m curious.
Since my country (Australia) is frequently decried by the American right wing as being socialist and authoritarian, why does it consistently rank above the US in terms of freedom index like literally all the time?
For years now it’s ranked in the top ten. The US not so much. Is it due to the state laws or something. Also the CATO institute is a little questionable, right? I mean a libertarian think tank is going to bring in its own political views.
@Twilight Hue Perhaps you can help me.
I’m not versed on US politics by state. Is Florida considered Blue or Red? Just asking for clarification

For reference the 2021 freedom index
Freedom Index by Country 2021
 
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exchemist

Veteran Member
All it takes is to look at the lists.

https://www.freedominthe50states.org/
A tendentious list, from a libertarian think tank. It's quite ridiculous to suggest that people are not "free" in any state of the USA. It's not the USSR or N. Korea. It really just isn't.

What these people need to do is make a cogent case for why more "freedom" - in the way they define it - benefits all citizens. I'm not convinced that is an easy task.

It is obvious that the less government you have, the more "free" you can be said to be, in a superficial sense. But that may include the "freedom" to lynch your neighbour, or to stand aside while he or she starves, or dies from inability to afford medical care. Furthermore it may include the "freedom" for your local industry to pollute the water supply, or to throw employees out of work for no reason.

It's all too easy to shout "freedom", without thinking through what is needed to maintain a civilised society for the benefit of its citizens. There is always a trade-off between rights and responsibilities.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
All it takes is to look at the lists.

https://www.freedominthe50states.org/
I think what happens now, has not much to do with left or right anymore

The rich and powerful impose their will on us, censoring more and more each day

Soon unvacced people are not allowed anything anymore, worse scenario than the worst dictator ever did, as it will be globally implemented. "Killing" people mentally and emionally

In Greece all above 60, must have been vaccinated, otherwise they get fined thousands of dollars

The worst dictatorship ever. Covid is monitored and controlled globally, so this is the destiny for all of us.

Now it's covid. Knowing psychopaths and narcissists, who rule us, this will soon be applied to many other things too. Don't be too gullible to believe this stops here. Greedy people never stop
People above 60 in the southern European country face fines of up to 100 euros a month if they refuse COVID jabs.
 
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anna.

but mostly it's the same
How the index is calculated

https://www.freedominthe50states.org/how-its-calculated

Interesting reading, I've not seen an index with a raw milk variable and a fireworks variable, let alone how they weight in relation to an equal rights amendment.


Mala prohibita and civil liberties: 1.2%

Affirmative action ban: 0.7%
Prostitution legal: 0.2%
Trans-fat bans: 0.1%
Raw milk legal: 0.1%
Mixed martial arts legal: 0.05%
Fireworks laws: 0.04%
Equal Rights Amendment: 0.03%
Physician-assisted suicide legal: 0.03%
DNA database index: 0.01%
Religious Freedom Restoration Act: 0.01%
 

Koldo

Outstanding Member
How the index is calculated

https://www.freedominthe50states.org/how-its-calculated

Interesting reading, I've not seen an index with a raw milk variable and a fireworks variable, let alone how they weight in relation to an equal rights amendment.


Mala prohibita and civil liberties: 1.2%

Affirmative action ban: 0.7%
Prostitution legal: 0.2%
Trans-fat bans: 0.1%
Raw milk legal: 0.1%
Mixed martial arts legal: 0.05%
Fireworks laws: 0.04%
Equal Rights Amendment: 0.03%
Physician-assisted suicide legal: 0.03%
DNA database index: 0.01%
Religious Freedom Restoration Act: 0.01%

The whole thing is a joke.
Same-sex marriage laws are worth less than being able to gamble?
Rofl
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
Economic freedom being the freedom of the rich to exploit the poor, and the strong to abuse the weak?
Hmm. I see the Cato Institute was founded, in 1977, by three people, one of whom was a certain Charles Koch.

Now where have I come across that name before.............;)
 

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
It all depends on what freedoms you want, because they both want different freedoms. It's a false dichotomy
“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.”

Anatole France
Which both lead me to note that there is nothing in all of the measures used that assesses outcomes -- desirable or undesirable. Fiscal policy may result in lower taxes, for example, but lower taxes can mean less means to provide assistance for those in dire need. Fact is, absent such means, sleeping under bridges, begging in the streets and stealing bread become last but necessary resorts.

Freedom, while important, is not the only measure of general quality of human life.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
From the CATO institute. Do you suppose there may be some political bias?
I think the problem here is with the thread's title.
MI is one of the top states, but we have a
Democrat governor. The OP's making it very
partisan will cause some to circle the wagons.

What would you change in Cato's criteria?
https://www.freedominthe50states.org/how-its-calculated
I'd like to see police misconduct be a factor.
I wonder how much it varies state-to-state?

Woohoo! Michiganistan is near (not in) the top!
 
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