Of course not. That would require REAL reporting skills.

That would be interesting to know AC. I'm sure someone will take the time to figure it out for us.

What I do know, is since we in Virginia have started electing more Republicans into office, our situation and ranking on this list has steadily improved. Things aren't "omg great" or anything, but it isn't too bad. I saw that we ended the year with a $311M surplus and we haven't had to sacrifice much of anything. Personnal and property taxes are a bit high, but that will be a slow correction over time.

Our new Governor has done a good job so far.

It should be discussed, but its most likely irrelevant. If you are a die hard republican, you would most likely point out that a state is 'the worst run' if a democrat is at the helm and vice versa.

United, I doubt you can blame Scott for it after the short time he has been in office. Not like you blame Obama for the situation this country as a whole is in even though he has been in office for a lot longer than Scott.

One thing is a fact, the poor run states are both Democrat states and Republican states. Not shocking at all, California, Michigan and Illinois are on the list of worst run states.

I think it would play out like this. The more democratic a state is the more money they are spending for thier liberalist socialist agenda's. Republicans being more conservative spend less although not by a wide margin. Take our state of Illinois Demo gov and Democratic state legeslators and our state is and has been in the toilet for many years. Infact next week we will send our 2nd govenor to prison in 8 years.

Why am I not surprised that New York State is the welfare capital of the country.

Who wants to bet that there is a high inverse correlation between a states ranking on the list and the number of illegal immigrants who reside in it? i.e.(fewer illegals = better rating, more illegals = worse rating)

In Texas it's the Republicans who spend all the money, much like the federal government under George Bush. There are spendthrifts and idiots in both parties.

^^ And doing pretty well. Bufallo drags the rest of our statistics downward. And Republicans have nearly bankrupted Nassau country...again, with Suffolk not far behind.

Should be interesting to see where NY lands in about 4 years, now that Cuomo is basically ramming reform down everyones [Republican, Democrat, Coorporation, AND Union] throats...Cuomo 2016 or bust!

Woo-hoo Nebraska comes in at 2nd! :)

Very first post and here come the politics. Well done. What I noticed first was not whether the state was red or blue, but how rural it was. The best states were all quite rural with low population densities. I used to drive across Wyoming and think, "What do these people do?" Apparently they do quite well.

No surprise seeing Illinois at the bottom. The land of Lincoln is now the land of the Link Card. Want to exist on the public dole ? Illinois welcomes you whether you are legal or not.

To take this measurement NOW and claim states are run better or poorer based on these measurements is downright idiocy.

The states were all hit unevenly by the simultaneous collapse of the economy and real estate. Those with the biggest real estate markets combined with vast amounts of business lost the most (i.e. California). Those with little real estate market value and fewer product-based businesses lost the least (i.e. Wyoming).

So, although calling California the worst run state and Wyoming the best run state may be politically satisfying, it is factual bunk. It may well be true, but not based on these "facts".

Wyoming is a very conservative state without any income tax. We moved here from Colorado where our income tax was very high. Our standard of living is much better in Wyoming then it was in Denver. We give VERY generously to charities and everyone I know does the same. When people have money to give, they will. Individuals are much better then government at determining which charities are worth giving to and which one aren't because they are not being swayed by lobbyists. California, probably the most liberal state, has the highest taxes in the country and is number 50 on the list. I don't think that's a coincidence. Theoritically, according to every liberal I know, all good people with good intentions, California should be the best state.

Wow uncommon sense, you must really dislike Obama and others like Maxine Waters, Bernie Sanders, Al franken, Barney Frank, John Conyers and so many more of the Dem progressive socialism bunch that want to buy your vote, make all your decisions, and turn you into a carrot stick. They will need all your money to do this so just drop it in the nearest mail box. They(the post office) know where to send it so they can stay open on Saturday. On second thought use fed ex or it might end up in China. Your Gov. at work????

People need to actually go look at the lists. California is #10 on the best-run list, so it's #10 overall. Arkansas is #1 on the worst-run list, so it's #50. The article goofed.

Wyoming being #1 has less to do with ideology or party than it does with the very last line in the list of WY attributes: "Wyoming has the smallest population of any state." This is also true of Montana. I'd have thought being the smallest state is RI, it would have had the smallest population.

What I'd like to see is how Wyoming would compare if it had the highest population. Would it still be able to balance its books then? You bet not.

The higher population numbers determine the states financial stability. A state with less than 1 million population is always going to have less expenses than a state like CA, NY or NJ, some of the most densely populated states in the union. Then, there's also the matter of industry in these states that are so stable. How many of their industries are tied to the federal government and receive federal funding? A state with a small population can have 2 industries to support its tax base. A state with 5 times Wyoming's population needs half a dozen industries to keep its tax rates low.

Increase Wyoming's population by triple and let's see those numbers then.

Minnesota is fourth on the list. Not quite a conservative stronghold. Taxes are very high. Lots of social services. Not a 'right to work' state. No oil or coal production. Lots of government workers and government services.

The big difference - Minnesota strives for balance in its economy with a broad mix of industries. Education is valued and Minnesota has one of the most highly educated populations in the US. People are valued as a resource - not as something that can be exploited.

An interesting observation is that most of the better run states are in 'fly over' country. Farm culture has a lot to do with how well the states are run, I think.

Your analogy is not even close. Larger population means different types of infrastructure sur but a well run state (the whole State government apparatus not just the state capital) will have many more ways to raise revenue to offset this. Unless they are out buying votes to maintain entrenched power. The biggest leftist progressive state with this issue are the 3 on the bottom.

I think it would play out like this. The more democratic a state is the more money they are spending for thier liberalist socialist agenda's. Republicans being more conservative spend less although not by a wide margin. Take our state of Illinois Demo gov and Democratic state legeslators and our state is and has been in the toilet for many years. Infact next week we will send our 2nd govenor to prison in 8 years.

And as your post proves, conservatives clearly spend less money on education. Keep cutting taxes. The US is only 50th in math.

It's good to see The Old Dominion ranking up there with the best!

Natural resources have a lot to do with it, Einstein... For example, unemployment is so low in ND because of the oil boom there, so don't get too carried away with your political buffoonery..

Dumb comment, first California was run by a republican for what 6 years, but it's a blue state. Texas has had 3 republican governors, the rest southern democrats, what column do they fall in.

And like many of these issues they aren't something created with one or two terms. Plus government is a direct reflection of it's citizens. If one state has a bunch of anti-tax people, then it's hardly fare to judge them on number of people insured.

But it doesn't take this report or a rocket scientist to know red states are always at the bottom. No offense but there is a reason Murdock bought the WSJ, and although they were pretty conservative, they have been slipping fast of late. Soon they will be right down there with Fox News claiming Alabama and Mississippi are beacons the rest of the states should aspire to be.

The study mentions but doesn't point out some fairly important factors like education, access to education, college rates, dropout rates, population growth, age, taxes, numbers of undocumented, green spaces, crime (violent and property), traffic, teenage pregnancy, divorce rates, abortion rates, and on and on.

Using debt per person is OK, but if those people have access to social programs or education, can they seriously be considered a well managed government ? And the argument here is how well government is run, not should they exist, OK.

MN is divided. The closer to the cities the more liberals which is typical of urban areas. Urban societies depend on government hand-outs and thus those receiving are always looking for more. The downside is that when government finally hits the wall and can't deliver they cut back on those that are dependent and then cities erode as we have seen in all of our major cities the past couple years.

What is fascinating is that the bulk of the super rich that the democrats loath but are happy to get their contributions, are found in about 10 big cities. So if they get taxed more they may choose to move elsewhere and then the remaining residents will be burdened with that tax. BTW, the super rich pay about 40 percent of the tax for these big cities. So a handful of people are doing the most lifting. True what is left over after being taxed is substantial which is why the dems want to get their hands on that cash. This is the redistribution agenda of the Obama administration. However, it is not limited to the US. Obama wants the US to limit their use of resources and thus allow other nations at the bottom to get lifted up by pushing down the top. Obama is funding the oil exploration of Brazil in the hope someday of buying energy from that country and lifting them up. The lifting of the bottom means transferring resources from those that have to those that do not have. That means the standard of living for the US must be reduced. That is the plan and it is working quite well.

I think that some states just do better when their government is dominated by a certain party, which most likely has to do with the main industry in that state. I also think, in general, Republicans are better in state government and Democrats are better in federal government.

Oh hell yes, Kenobi, the Democrats are doing a really great job of running the federal governmentright now....I mean, just look at the economy!

Haha, well spider, I tried to use the conditionals "I think" and "in general" to also illustrate that this is my general opinion, and there are certainly exceptions. Regarding this president, I believe that he has short-changed us with the "hope" he promised. However, you must also account for those events that he inherited from previous administrations. Consequently, I do not much blame him for most of the mess we are in today. Also, going into 2012, I see no better candidate. I would be willing to vote for someone like Huntsman, but let's not kid ourselves!

MarlonJacobs

"Natural resources have a lot to do with it, Einstein... For example, unemployment is so low in ND because of the oil boom there, so don't get too carried away with your political buffoonery.."

Unfortunately politics plays a part in that as well. Here in Colorado we had an "oil boom" here just a few years ago, until the governor decided to tax all the oil companies so they all left for North Dakota.

Also, the president does not run the entire government, and I believe that the Republicans control this 112 Congress. They have a firm hold on the House with 242 representatives (218 needed for cloture) and can stalemate the Senate with their 47 members (60 needed for cloture).

Funnily enough, the Red State/Blue State breakdown appears to be almost even. Almost.

Of the top 10 best run states, 7 are Red states. Of the bottom 10 worst-run states, 5 are Red and 5 are Blue.

Illinois is 49th and closing in on California as the worst in the nation! Every state office is controlled by democrats! Just like California, labor unions control this state.

We need to blow up the government in Washington DC, California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and start over. If it will make you guys happy, throw in Texas and Florida.

Government at all levels is bloated, inefficient, controlled by corrupt politicians controlled by unions. The current crisis demonstrates that the status quo just won't work.

@ewent

A state with less than 1 million population is always going to have less expenses than a state like CA, NY or NJ, some of the most densely populated states in the union.

Less expenses yes, duh, but also more revenue because there are more people and more large businesses to tax, double duh.

Your post almost makes sense if you only look at half of the picture. Of course the reason it makes no sense whatsoever is the fact that population was taken into consideration. Note the debt is tallied per capita and the other figures are percentages of the population.

I love this whole Wyoming has a smaller population idea/argument. As if they have a smaller population and yet the same total dollars that say California or New York has... Tax revenue and population run together... more population more tax dollars but also more expenditures... less population less tax dollars but less expenditures... that's why this was looked at per capita..

@spider-737231 -- Actually the Democrats have been doing a wonderful job.

- Taxes have gone down
- Corporate profits have increased
- The financial markets are doing well
- The GDP has been increasing
- The trade balance has been improving
- Military conflicts have been declining
- Foreign threats have declined
- Global democracy has increased
- Domestic civil rights have improved
- Social services have improved

The government has been doing its part - quite well, in fact. The government has done a lot to create conditions for 'peace and prosperity'. It is the private sector that has not met its responsibilities.

The politics of defeat used to support the culture of 'too big to fail' entitlement has been the biggest obstacle the government has faced.

You can see that in how the states are listed in this article. All the hard core Republican, right to work, business friendly states are in the bottom half - the 'worst' run states.

@Nerm_L

You can see that in how the states are listed in this article. All the hard core Republican, right to work, business friendly states are in the bottom half - the 'worst' run states

Uhhhhh, what friggin article are you reading???? The top three are conservative, right to work, business friendly states and the bottom three are the exact opposite, liberal, union and tax heavy. Talk about only seeing what you want to see. Polly want a cracker?

funny....Wyoming, the Dakotas.....most of the jobs there are gov't jobs. No wonder they have low employment.

@Backcountry164 -- I actually looked at the list of ALL the states. The link is in the article. Reading the article actually provides more information than the headline. Careful though, you might encounter big words.

Interesting that the article writer AND YOU only look at the top and bottom three - at least you do not need to take off your shoes to count to six. The facts be the facts - more of the Republican stronghold, right to work, business friendly states are in the bottom half of the list. Also interesting to see where the states with more financial service industries fall on the ranking, too.

Be careful trying to twist these facts to fit your politics of defeat - you might just be able to inspect your own tonsils ...

Nerm_L--wow--you are SURE a glass half full kind, huh? The STOCK market might be 'temporarily' up, but has not improved much since Obama took office, and much of the 'gains' have been speculators jumping in and out to take 'quick profits' rather than in investing in new jobs.

Taxes have gone down a TEENY amount (federally) but the main 'tax reduction' has been the BUSH tax breaks, which if the dems had their way, would die. (and I would have NO problem with that, IF and only IF the money gained from that went to pay down the debt, and not to increase spending even more!)

Military conflicts have NOT been decreasing--we are getting out of BOTH Iraq and Iran right on schedule (BUSH's, I might add) with NO consideration as to what will happen when we do, and meanwhile are launching attacks on Pakistan, and have provided military assistance to SEVERAL 'new' fronts in Africa/middle east. And I CHALLENGE you to name all the 'global democracies' that have been 'created' in the last 3 years?

As for domestic civil rights increasing? I haven't been this nervous about WOMEN's rights in decades. Obama sold us out to the bedroom watchers in his OWN party, and has basically done the same to the gays. The dems would LOVE to paint the anti gay/anti abortion logo ONLY on the pubs, but the year Obama won CA, CA also voted to TAKE AWAY gay rights to get married. It's the RELIGION, folks, not the party.

As for social services 'improving', if you call more and more people being on unemployment/welfare, medicaid an IMPROVEMENT, (and with many states going belly up paying for that, often at the cost of other vital services such as roads and schools!) I have to say, I do not.

PS--I VOTED for Obama. and looking at the majority of the pub candidates out there, might again. that does NOT mean he has been successful--just that he might be the lesser of two evils. Sigh. AGAIN.

Having lived in Iowa since the 60's I wouldn't even try going out on a limb to make Iowa a red or blue state. However I do credit our populace with their ability to use their brains when it comes to government policies. Can't say we always make the best policy decisions but we are correct more than 50% of the time.

If anything I would say that we Iowans (L or R) are more centrist regarding government policy than anything else. Even my democrat friends have echewed liberal values and having a more balanced or centrist approach in state government.

AC Robertson - I wonder how it breaks down when you compare Democrat to Republican controlled states??? But I'm sure that is not a question the PC or MSNBC is willing to discuss...

If you look at the bottom of the actual article (not the MSNBC one), some already made the comments about that.

http://247wallst.com/2011/11/28/best-and-worst-run-states-in-america-an-analysis-of-all-50/2/

pjam09 - Who wants to bet that there is a high inverse correlation between a states ranking on the list and the number of illegal immigrants who reside in it? i.e.(fewer illegals = better rating, more illegals = worse rating)

It is not inverse. California has the most Illegal Aliens, spent the most of the US Taxpayer money on Illegal Aliens (Education, Health Care, Imprisonment of Illegal Aliens), Public Assistance for Illegal Aliens, and cannot seem to understand that you spend that US Taxpayer money on Illegal Aliens then that money is gone and not available for US Citizens (Education, Health Care, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Irrigation, Public Buildings, Roads, Streets, Infrastructure, Courts, etc.).

In 2009, California spent $430 Billion, like I stated (posted on Newsvine) before a majority of that went to Illegal Aliens (Loyal Citizens of another Nation), not US Citizens (the one's paying the $430 Billion and getting almost nothing for paying.).

The State of California needs to be dragged thru a grinder for pulling the Democratic Party State of Hawaii (ranking #12, not top 10) down into the sh!tter (How they screw over the State of Hawaii, under the US Law, Jones Act), money that California takes from the State of Hawaii and spends on Illegal Aliens (Hawai'i hates Illegal Aliens and sent 200 Illegal Aliens back to California from the Island of Oahu). Hint: Hawai'i became a State in 1959, and is no longer the Territory of Hawai'i. So stop the nonsense of ships leaving California having to sail to a non US Port, then to Hawai'i, even if they are foreign Cruise Ships or Merchant Ships, as they only add the costs to do that on to the US Customers (making it unaffordable for US Citizens to take a Cruise Ship to vacation at Hawai'i.). Keep the part of the Jones Act that establishes the Merchant Marine (a USN Reserve Entity) and sh!t can the rest, no matter what the corrupt greedy of California say, especially their automatic price increases just because the merchandise is being shipped to Hawai'i (Greedy Mother F**kers at California making money, 20 to 50% price increases, sometimes doubling or tripling the prices), then adding on the shipping costs.

Fortunely, the State of Hawai'i has the steady annual income from all the US Military Installations and US Military Personnel on the Island of Oahu (many Hawai'i Civilians that work for the US Military, that shop in the PXs, NEXs, BXs, Commissaries on the Bases, know how much California is Price Gouging Hawai'i to pay for California's State Budget.).

"

Wyoming being #1 has less to do with ideology or party than it does with the very last line in the list of WY attributes: "Wyoming has the smallest population of any state."

"

I was thinking the same thing ewent. If those states are so well run and great places to live and work then why don't they have more people? I work in high tech. The high tech jobs are not in those states.

@MOmaid -- Did you read what you wrote?

You admit that taxes have gone down. The last of the 'Bush' tax cuts went into effect 8 years ago. There were no new tax cuts until the Democrats came into power. Dems the facts.

You state that military conflicts have not decreased and then go on to state that withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan are proceeding on schedule. Plus you mimic the stance of ALL the Republican presidential candidates by saying that maintaining that schedule is a mistake. Under Democratic leadership, that schedule is being maintained and US military involvement in those conflicts are ending. Dems the facts.

Entrenched dictator style governments have been falling throughout the Middle East - at the insistance of their citizens. Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, - even Saudi Arabia has made some reforms - all supporting more democracy. Countries in the Far East have been adopting more democratic reforms. Now African states are entering a phase of unrest with demands for reform, too. Democracy is on the march. There have been more democratic reforms around the world under current Democratic leadership than took place in the previous 30 years. Dems the facts.

The United States government was openly and actively discriminating against a distinct segment of our population - gays. Gays were being punished by the government simply because they were gay. That discrimination has ended under Democratic leadership. Dems the facts.

What a crock. My state, Oklahoma is rated 27th on this phony list. The state of Oklahoma has NO DEBT! How many other states can say that? It is in our state constitution that the state cannot maintain any debt. We also have a rainy day fund for fiscal emergencies. How many other states can say the same? This list is deceiving and again, a crock!

Oklahoma Constitution

Article 10 - Revenue and Taxation

Public Indebtedness

Section Article 10 section 23 - Balanced Budget – Procedures

§ 23. Balanced budget - Procedures.

The state shall never create or authorize the creation of any debt or obligation, or fund or pay any deficit, against the state, or any department, institution or agency thereof, regardless of its form or the source of money from which it is to be paid, except as may be provided in this section and in Sections 24 and 25 of Article X of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma.

For additional information on the financial state of the state of Oklahoma:

http://www.oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?nid=348&commentary=1

Nerm_L - Dems the facts.

LOL.

President Obama's Extension of the President Bush Tax Cuts. DEMS THE NON FACTS.

You want to talk about why the "Rich" are not creating Jobs, instead of your Academic Idealistic No Real World Experience; how about the uncertainty created by President Obama (what anti Business Laws or Policies he will create) as well as chasing the "Rich" US and Foreign Business Investors out of the US with his "Tax the Rich", "Rich Pay Their Fair Share", so because of the loss of this Business Investment money many Corporations have created "Rainy Day Funds" to bail themselves out (what you Academics call "Hoarding"). Then there are those Businesses fleeing the US 35% Taxes one of the Highest in the World (CBS News) added on that are the Local, City, State Taxes, Business Licenses, Property Taxes that were increased to make up the Local, City, State Budget Shortfalls; with these US Businesses fleeing to Nations with 6-9% Business Taxes. DEMS THE NON FACTS.

Iraq and Afghanistan the situations on the ground changed yet the Democrats insist on maintaining the Bush Schedule. With the Result of the Allies of Fundamentalist Islamic Iran, the Chinese and Russian Federation getting the Northern and Southern Iraqis Oil Field Contracts. You know how the Demoncraps said Bush said all the Iraqis Oil would pay for the Wars for Decades, well according to US Ally, Saudi Arabia, King of Saudi Arabia, "President Obama gave Iraq as a gift to Iran on a Golden Platter". DEMS THE NON FACTS.

Sure those US Allies are "Dictators", "Tyrants", etc. especially after President Obama's 2009 Improved Relations with Iran Policy, so Fundamentalist Islamic Iran supported, made deals with, etc. all those Nations to overthrow their US Allies Established Governments. examples: Muslim Brotherhood (1933 Islamic World Alliance to Hitler as long as a descendant breaths (aka "Blood Oath"), signed by Amin Al-Husseini, also co founder of the Arab League of Nations that attacked Israel repeatedly and lost all the land of Gaza, Sinai, Palestine, West Bank, etc.) made deals with Fundamentalist Islamic Iran prior to the "Egyptian Revolution", so that Fundamentalist Islamic Iran gets access to the Strategic Suez Canal, Egyptian Ports, and closer to their sworn enemy US Ally Israel (a thorn in the side of Islamic Jihadists). Yemen US Ally President defeated, Al Quada Yemen and the Islamic Jihadist Training Camps at Yemen supported by Fundamentalist Islamic Iran take over. You want to talk about Libya, the 80% of the "Rebels" are: Al Quada Saudi Arabia (AQ), Al Quada Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al Quada Syria (AQS), Al Quada Yemen (AQY), Hezbollah, Al Quada Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), etc., that gathered at Libya before the Demonstrations to start a Civil War "Revolution" to overthrow Gaddaffi the Collaborator to the Christians, Jews, Unbelievers (a Death Penalty Crime per current Islamic Laws). You think Leon Penetta did not brief President Obama about the Islamic Jihadists sent to Gaddaffi for indefinite detention at Gaddaffi's Prisons. DEMS THE NON FACTS.

Your concept of "Democracy" as occurring at the Middle East, Islamic Africa, Islamic Asia fits the description of the United States Founding Fathers, "Democracy is Mob Rule". As to the argument why they established the US as a Constitutional Representative Republic and NOT a Democracy. As well as their Arguments about the establishment of the Elitist Electoral College, "The average Citizen is too ignorant to determine the Highest Offices of the Land, President and Vice President". DEMS THE NON FACTS.

You sound just like the US Politicians (ALL PARTIES) that refuse to listen to us (involved with the Middle East, Africa, Asia, South and Central Americas, etc. ever since the 1980s, living with the locals for consecutive years, language, education and experience in their cultures, etc.). DEMONCRAPS, REPUGNANTS, INDEPENDS (ADULT DIAPERS), SCROTUMS (TEA BAGGERS) THE NON FACTS.

And by the way. Do not even attempt that blame game stuff that you have no firsthand experience with like Iraq, as US Law 1998 H.R.4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act", justification Weapons of Mass Destruction; 1998 Operation Desert Fox. US Congress Declares War With Iraq with US Law and Congressional Appropriations, 2002 Iraqi War Resolution, the US Military used as the Final Option after the lesser means of US Law 1998 H.R.4655 Failed. Same thing with the US Laws with Afghanistan after the 9/11 2001 Attacks.

The only Unfunded (a US Congress Job to find the funds), Illegal (no US Laws), War Criminal (no US Laws to cover arse) was Libya.

ding, ding, ding, ding, BUY A CLUE Nerm_L

So f**king happy, less than 8 months, and no more involuntary Recalls to Active Duty as most of us will be "Too Old", since we have been involved with the Middle East, Africa, Asia, etc. ever since the 1980s. No more involuntary recalls f**king up our Civilian Careers and Lives. All of you do not listen to us, so it will be your turn to do what we did and learned the hard way (small percentage of us surviving the life or death School of Hard Knocks). By the way more of you will not survive because unlike you not listening to experience and only listening to Idealistic Academics, they listen to their survivors as how they successfully killed some of us; so when you repeat the mistakes we made they will kill even more of you, if not all of you.

Realist, Wy has no debt, Utah has no debt, etc. Having no debt doesn't mean your state is well run. While I do agree that CA is by far the worst run state in the Union - and it has the highest debt - I don't think these number tell the whole picture. What should be the standard is how much money is spent per resident. If a government is run efficiently, they should actually be able to spend less per person the larger the population without reducing services. The problem isthat states like CA spend way too much on services per person. This could be reduced by having a more efficiently run government. The problem with CA is much like it is with the federal government. If you have to much bureaucracy, it actually costs you more per person. By trimming the redundancies from the books, and rewarding employees for merit instead of time, they would probably do a much better job.

I actually looked at the list of ALL the states. The link is in the article. Reading the article actually provides more information than the headline.

And you think I didn't know that? How exactly did you think I knew what the bottom three states were genuis? If YOU had actually read the article you'd have known they weren't all mentioned.

Interesting that the article writer AND YOU only look at the top and bottom three

Interesting how you assume things that allow you to support your BS argument. You clearly stated-"All the hard core Republican, right to work, business friendly states are in the bottom half- the 'worst' run states." I merely pointed out that the top three are "hard core Republican" and the bottom three were not. That was all I needed to prove you are full of shti. I didn't need to break them down onany further so why should I?

You want more figures? Let's go top and bottom 10 then. Top 10- 7 are red states and 8 are right to work states. Bottom 10- 5 are red states and 4 are right to work states.

Be careful trying to twist these facts to fit your politics of defeat - you might just be able to inspect your own tonsils ...

I'll just go ahead and assume you speak from experience.

Actually AC Robertson : I'm surprised you didn't mention the difference. If you look at the states on the bottom, Red or Blue , two things stand out.

1. They had a huge housing bubble that collapsed.

OR

2.They lost thousands of manufacturing jobs to China and India.

Both of which cause foreclosures , which bring down taxable home value. Which injures the economy, so less jobs are available ....to pay a mortgage ..........to buy a home.....to pay a tax.

"Less expenses yes, duh, but also more revenue because there are more people and more large businesses to tax, double duh."

For the past 25+ years, CA has had Republicans as governors, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson, and Arnold Schwarznegger. Prop 13, passed 30 years ago, and severely impacted tax bearing revenue at the local level. The greedy, wealthy land-owners successfully sold this bill of goods to the prople of CA by touting the unfairness of the tax code for older people who had lived in their homes for years and due to excalating property values were paying more in property taxes than what they paid for their homes. However, it was commercial property owners who reaped the real benefit of Prop 13.

What a joke. I'de rather deal with the drug cartels in Mexico than Obama. People don't want to admit it but was his color that was elected. Being from Chgo. we saw how he was curried and 'brought up thru the system. If he wins again guess who the next President will be? Try Rahm Emanuel.

Or maybe because they are the least populated states.

Figures don't lie but Liars figure!

You can make a study point to anything you want

@ Steve

Or maybe because they are the least populated states.

... they have a smaller tax-base and must be run more efficiently.

Or they have a smaller Tax base and therefore are heavily subsidized by the federal government. Earmarks are the only way these states can survive fiscally.

That's a completely false statement. Wyoming's surplus comes from industry, not government. Also, when the economy went south, Wyoming cut costs 10% across the board, so they wouldn't go into debt. That's what any responsible person, entity, business, or government should do. Wyoming was forced to take money from Obama's spending bill despite the fact that every Wyo rep. voted against it. They spent $150,000 of that money for a museum in Cody Wyoming and to make improvements to Yellowstone NATIONAL Park. That doesn't add up to their huge multi-million dollar surplus. Having money has less to do about how much you make and more to do about how little you spend. It was true in my highschool economics 101 class and it is true today.

There are two versions of "government intervention". One is limited federal government regulations on pollution control, health of the population and educational advantages. The other version is when states dip into the federal kitty at ten times the rate of other states and get more ROI for the $1 they pay into the federal revenues than a lot of other states.

Some of these states have low tax rates because they are handed funding from other states for their prison industries, energy industries and any other industry where taxpayers from other states fund their R&D.

Well tewt... you make the perfect argument to not send all that wasted money to DC. Because you know your federal Gov is gona do stupid stuff with all your money. Funny how you progressives will use anything to up sale your ideology even shoot your own foot off.

Death to all trolls!

M.J. :

@ Steve

Or maybe because they are the least populated states.

... they have a smaller tax-base and must be run more efficiently.

=======

..........If any of you have time, check out:

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/11/fed-tax-sentspent-by-state/

WY gets back 1.11 of Fed money for each dollar sent in, NE gets 1.10, and ND gets a whopping 1.68, that's got to help folks. I don't know if this includes Farm Subsidies, but they go heavily to the "Red" Farm Belt states, obviously. As per Wikipedia, Iowa is the largest recipient of the subsides. Many of the southern "Red" states are getting generous handouts from DC as well, e.g., KY, home of Slick McConnell, gets 1.51 back, and not all these are dong so well either. There are a lot of apples and oranges being mixed in these arguments here, and I doubt any one clearly explains the difference between the good and the bad (or ugly). I agree that low population plays into making running the state easier, but I also think that poorly thought out spending programs/pension systems are hurting many states as well. Gov Quinn recently signed a law that gives free social, medical and educational benefits to children of illegals, while many US citizens in IL are struggling (and paying a higher income tax to boot). By the way, my highest taxes come from local and county government entites, both heavily GOP, so it's not all the DEMs. Just by coincidence, my wife and I have retirement property....................in Wisconsin. Have a very good day.

Your theory that they have the least population being the reason is easily debunked by looking no further than the #4 ranked state; there are 26 states with smaller populations than MN that are ranked as being worse run; including 6 of the bottom 10.

I'd like to know where the states where Democrat vs. Republican has gone out the window and politicians actively work together to do what's best for the people rank.

/!\ SPOILER ALERT /!\

Haha who cares about the people? I need another term in office!

I don't know if this includes Farm Subsidies,

Most of it is farm subsidies and also tallied in that amount is money held in trust for Indianreservations. Liberals love to point to this info as proof that "red states" are hypocrites for taking so much Federal money but the reality is that while the subsidies are paid to the farmers in these states the overall effect is to lower the price of food across the country. Which means that states with more consumers benefit more from the subsidies even though the government isn't putting that money directly into their pockets.

@Roadhouse Blues -- Many of those high 'allotment' states have large military installations and government contractors, too. The allotment distribution is not just about subsidies and welfare, you know.

Nerm_L - @Roadhouse Blues -- Many of those high 'allotment' states have large military installations and government contractors, too. The allotment distribution is not just about subsidies and welfare, you know.

DEMS THE NON FACTS. California the worst, yet, has the most large Military Installations, Government Contractors, and US Military Equipment Manufacturing (at Government Owned Government Operated (GOGO) and Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) Plants and Factories).

workingpoor-2370498,

Not quite true look at #50 California, their problem is the large numbers of Illegal Aliens that do not pay Taxes (Income).

In 2004 California spent over $10 Billion on Illegal Aliens ($7.7 Billion Education Illegal Aliens, $1.4 Billion Health Care (that the California legal residents could not afford for themselves), $1.4 Billion Imprisonment of violent crimes (murder, rape, armed assault, etc.), and NOT including even more in Public Assistance; while collecting Taxes of $17 Million. To those that cannot add or subtract, $17 Million does not pay for over $10 Billion.

The Illegal Aliens do not pay Taxes since they have been advised by US Taxpayer Funded Illegal Alien Advocacy Group, La Raza to Work for Cash Only, and NEVER fill out Employer Paperwork (Income Tax Withholding, deductions for Social Security, deductions for Medical Dental Vision, etc.). As Employer Paperwork is used by ICE to obtain Search Warrants. By not paying Income Taxes the Illegal Aliens are committing Felony Criminal Tax Evasion. And before you say the lame excuse of "Sales Taxes", the Sales Taxes (7.25%) is very small compared to State plus Federal Income Taxes. You can ask Nancy Pelosi about how she paid the Illegal Alien Housekeepers at her residence at San Francisco and if they were required to fill out Employer Paperwork, and how she had to fire them when people started to find out (Felony Criminal Tax Evasion, State of California and Federal Illegal Alien Laws.).

So just like before I kept telling the Newsvine Posters from California fix your Illegal Alien Epidemic, as they would be too busy fixing their Illegal Alien Epidemic and not have time to be on Newsvine (takes a long time to unf**k something from since the 1990s (California Proposition 187, attempt to fix the California Illegal Alien Epidemic problem)). I tell the same thing to my relatives, and friends at California.

Oh, yes, those at California or any other State that are anti US Military, I do believe that the State of Hawai'i will gladly accept the US Military that you do not want, and will build new US Military Installations if necessary, while California wants to close the US Military Installations they have. The idea of building a Deep Water Port, Dry Docks, Airfields, US Military Installations at the Island of Hawai'i (aka "Big Island"), to accomodate USN Aircraft Carrier Groups, USN Air Wing, US Army, USMC, USAF, their Dependents, etc. would sure boost the State of Hawaii (Island of Hawai'i) Economy, just like Joint Base USN Pearl Harbor/USAF Hickam does for the Island of Oahu. Just the USN Pearl Harbor side, US Civilian Jobs (thousands), Longshoremen's Union, Dockworkers' Union, Machinists Union, Welders, Electricians, Transportation, Maintenance (Ships, Aircraft, Weapons Systems, Facilities, etc.), etc.. Of course there is the matter of all of them having spending money to put into the local Hawai'i Economy.

To get away from California's price gouging and California imposed on Hawai'i "Paradise Tax" , many of the previously closed Hawai'i family farms have reopened (fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, chicken, etc.). And many residents are going completely off the grid, with solar voltaic (electricity) and battery systems (for emergencies their own generator (biodiesel)), so that less oil from California (previously Standard Oil of California, now Exxon) needed for electricity, the State also is investing in wind turbines and wind turbine farms. One company has reopened a Sugar Mill to produce from sugarcane Ethanol Fuel and Biodiesel, as the proven Brazil vehicle fuel solution and also the clean burning Sugarcane Biogasse and Biomasse used to create electricity (a previous Hawai'i 1911 solution to generate electricity.)). Many at Hawai'i were waiting for the US to finally allow the European Diesel Vehicles into the US, as easily capable of using Biodiesel (even homemade, so what if your exhaust smells like french fries (used vegetable oil) or burnt sugar (materials after extraction of sugar), still less pollution).

Come on you don't really believe that running a small business is as difficult as running a large, or gigantic business do you? My county, San Diego, has more population than 24 states (San Diego county pop. 3,095,313)! Our state equals 12% of the entire country's population and the federal taxes paid by Californians support those states with small populations. There are 10 states with less than a million people. Do you really believe that small tax base can build the roads, bridges and dams they need?

You may have been here and seen something "firsthand", though you didn't say what that might be, but I have lived here almost my entire life and I can tell you that I travel extensively for business and see many places around the country and there is no place I would rather live.

Granted politics played a role in the current economic failure of our state. But the "governator" is gone and after 8 years of his "leadership", each of which was worse than the last, we are recovering.

I too live in San DIego, and I have lived abroad and in other states, and although this is the best place to live for climate, outdoor activities, the beach and craft beer :), it is one of the worst states to live in for taxes and a horribly run state govt. We have a massive immigration problem, our schools are failing, gas is thru the roof and homeprices or rent is outlandish. I am putting my child in private school because the public schools are broke, we pay out more in welfare than we take in in revenue and the morons who live here keep re-electing Pelosi, Feinstein, Boxer and Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown...the problem in this state is the voters.

Do you really believe that small tax base can build the roads, bridges and dams they need?

States with small populations don't need to constantly upgrade their infrastructure. We don't need new roads, bridges and dams. All we need to do is maintain the ones we have, which takes less money because there is less wear and tear.

See posts#3.1 and 1.41.

Fire Congress....fact of the matter is...we had Arnold..or did you forget? I would live in California over any other state. I have lived abroad as well, what does that have to do with California? Many states have higher taxes and my house taxes are very reasonable compared to other states. Schools bad? Gee, how come so many young people I know go to public schools and on to be doctors, computer scientists, researchers and other high paying professional jobs.

Broke or not, we are the 7th biggest economy in the world. Would I trade armpit states such as Texas, Wyoming, the Dakota's over this paradise? You got to be kidding.

Broke or not, we are the 7th biggest economy in the world. Would I trade armpit states such as Texas, Wyoming, the Dakota's over this paradise? You got to be kidding.

Broke or not? LOL You sound like the guy living it up in a house full of all of the latest and greatest stuff, all bought at Rent-a-Center. Who cares if you'll end up paying 10 times the value of your awesome stuff as long as you're living in "paradise" now, right?

Personally I'd rather live in an "armpit state" than one that's dangling off of someone @ss on the verge of dropping into the toilet.

We have a federal government? I assumed that was a child's squabble over the teeter-totter.

It fell down before it made to the line to get on the list.

Yes... not as many liberal cry babies and whiners to deal with. You don't have 1 person changing 6 poopy dipers. Don't need a government nipple for every mouth

If you actually chart the states by best run and population you will see that total population has very little correlation, with the exception of #1 and #50. Texas is the second most populous state, but ranks 25 on the list of the best/worst run; while Rhode Island is the 7th least populated state and 7th from the bottom (43) of the best/worst run states.

I've lived in North Dakota and it's ok. Good schools, low crime, good people for the most part. It's just too flat and too cold for my taste.

North Dakota and Wyoming...they do well since most of them work for the gov't.

flag waver

"North Dakota and Wyoming...they do well since most of them work for the gov't."

In North Dakota most jobs are in the oilfield, in Wyoming many are in the mines.

Not sure what list you are referring to but CA is the worse run state. SD was 10th.

My bad. I'm looking at the list referenced in the article. 24/7's The States Doing the Most (and Least) to Spread the Wealth (Nov. 11, 2011). Which actually says more about a state than this one.

Yes because spreading the wealth is contributing to the problem, Jaimie.

No, it isn't. When you have a state with mostly ultra-rich and ultra-poor people, with no in-between, there's something fundamentally wrong with what you're doing.

Looking over the lists on 24/7, I've come to the conclusion that they are just messing around with different data sets to see what outcomes they get. I think you'd have to look through several of their lists to find the truth. I'm not surprised that my own state (Oklahoma) is consistently at the bottom, but a lot of states bounce around from best to worst depending on the data set, which probably means that those lists aren't a good overall picture of how U.S. states are doing.

Jaimie L,

Think about this, what does your own State of Oklahoma produce other than Dust Storms, Tornadoes and US Military Field Artillery.

Just joking (after having been stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma).

Yeah, that Yellowstone place is sooooo unappealing.

You've obviously never spent much time here. That's probably why they are such good places to live. We don't need narrow minded, ignorant people here. Stay away!

Yeah why would people want to go to Wyoming. Its not like Yellowstone and the Tetons are the most beautiful spot on earth, or the largest game preserve on earth. Who cares if the largest petrified forest is there, or Wyoming has more than half of all the geothermal features on the planet. Who would want to ski Jackson Hole or Grand Targhee. Go hunting or fishing or hiking. Typical left wing bs, the places sucks because I have to get out of bed to get a latte. Before you call me some hick, I live in Boston, where you'd love the cultural ameneties, the smog, horrifying traffic, lazy unionized state workers, Government corruption (last 3 speakers of the house all convicted., all liberal Democrats), the high taxes, the lousy services. Yeah, nothing in Wyoming except nice people, jobs and scenery.

I guess for me the "off the beaten path" isn't a bad thing, it's a good thing. I love the fact that I don't have to see/smell/taste the smog others live with every day. I love looking at open skies, mountain ranges, and grassy plains, then coming over the rise and seeing the next town spread out beneath me. Even in the cities people don't have to live on top of each other. As far as "cultural amenities" go, apparently you don't have much respect for our Native populations or their history. And rodeos are a part of the American West, our history and our present. (I find it ironic that people can be offended by horses being used as food because they symbolize the West, yet look down their noses at everything else associated with it). Every town I lived in had a library, rec center, museum (even if only local) and plenty of access to outside events. It's not like the internet hasn't made it's way to Wyoming. Sure there's no Met, but you'd be surprised at all the stuff that is there and you can take advantage of, both natural recreational opportunities and "cultural amenities." As far as "frigid" goes, sure Cheyenne is windy and we only have a 4 month growing season (ish), but we get less snow than most of the NE, and if you tell me that Chicago isn't "frigid" I'll laugh in your face. We have movie festivals and craft beer and mountains, and I'm happy.

P.S. I-80 is situated across the most barren part of southern Wyoming. We did it on purpose, so shallow people who couldn't see the beauty of it would just keep driving through.

Liam,

Yes, it is frigid but if you can put your long handles on and button your own coat, you too could handle it. By all means though, don't feel obligated to stop by and see any of our National Landmarks, they're off the beaten path. Yellowstone, the Tetons, Devil's Tower, museums and many other things to do. Try not to be so narrow-minded. Funny though, most of our entertainment is quite reasonably priced compared to the more populated. Maybe that's why we're doing okay over here in the FRIGID cold and out in the sticks. We'll stay. You're welcome to visit but you're welcome to go home as well. :)

Is that adjusted for cost of living? No. Of course not.

Yes it is!

I'm glad I don't live in any of those Faux News lovin', backwards, poor, hog-callin' Red states.

oh here we go... blah blah faux news....blah blah Haliberton...blah blah... Obama is God...blah blah... Greed... blah blah blah for crying out loud... 20 lbs of ugly fat....Look between your shoulders. I mean say something not pitifuly self righteous or like you know a little besides what Al Gore or Lawrence O'Donnell tell you you can say.

They're huge?

Flugelhorn - Interesting. Texas and California both tied for worst percentage of High school grads under 25. I wonder what these states have in common?

The largest populations of Illegal Aliens after the surrounding States passed and are enforcing harsh Illegal Alien Laws. These large Illegal Alien populations then demanding US Citizen's Rights (including Public Assistance, to minimize their Cost of Living) as a cohesive Force organized and assisted by Illegal Alien Advocacy Groups like La Raza, M.E.Ch.A. (overthrow of States to form Aztlan), etc.

Come on now, he was just trying to help it over the fence....HAHA

Thats why button fly jeans sell so good there, sheep can hear a zipper from 100 yards. :)

Azrancher - Thats why button fly jeans sell so good there, sheep can hear a zipper from 100 yards. :)

LOL, caught you. And you know this how?

Actually Professsor1010 and Azrancher, the State motto of Wyoming is "Equal Rights"

However, I will defer to your obviously extensive knowledge in human-sheep relations.

Thank you for your thorough and incisive analysis. And you drew this conclusion by consulting with your Tickle Me Elmo, I assume.

Regardless of what you may think, if you do a little research you will find my comment to be accurate. It's one of the reasons our country is run so inefficiently.

brewzky.....I would take a guess and say that Windy is a liberal.

Pew windy....Yes he is a stinky little liberal. How many are sucking from your nipple windy? You have enough for everyone not making their own then? Hell I'm not gona work if I can have yours.

Food prices in the USA have INCREASED due to cost of fuel and the DEMOCRATS pushing corn-ethanol...

When you are using a food product to make energy, EVERYONE involved get higher bills..

Even Al Gore is saying that corn based ethanol is a bad idea...

Not sure where you looked that those numbers but by my count it's Democrats 5, Republicans 4 and 1 split in the bottom ten and Republicans 8, Democrats 1 and 1 split in the top ten.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_state_legislatures

50 CA - Both houses controlled by Democrats

49 IL - Both houses controlled by Democrats

48 MI - Both houses controlled by Republicans

47 AZ - Both houses controlled by Republicans

46 NV - Both houses controlled by Democrats

45 SC - Both houses controlled by Republicans

44 KY - Lower house Democrat, Upper house Republicans

43 RI - Both houses controlled by Democrats

42 LA - Both houses controlled by Republicans

41 NM - Both houses controlled by Democrats

The top ten

1 WY - Both houses controlled by Republicans

2 NE - Unicameral (Republicans hold majority 34-15)

3 ND - Both houses controlled by Republicans

4 MN - Both houses controlled by Republicans

5 IA - Lower house Republicans, Upper house Democrats

6 UT - Both houses controlled by Republicans

7 VT - Both houses controlled by Democrats

8 VA - Both houses controlled by Republicans

9 KS - Both houses controlled by Republicans

10 SD - Both houses controlled by Republicans

I guess it's those numbers tha show what side of thew ilse will manage my money better. I may still and want a 'None of the Above' option on my voting ballot, well enough said....

Just use the governor of the state 7 r on top 6 bottom 1 ind

Bingo.....you hit the nail squarely on the head.......Cal is the exact opposite.

What are you going to do if there are no jobs Ride around on your horse with a pink scarf and hope someone hires you as a interior designer

Should not be surprised. The second to last ranked #49 is none other than Illinois, the liberal bastion of Obama himself. What is amazing is the very same fools that put him in office will turn right around and do it again after what he has done to that state.

Yes we will he has more brains in the tip of his finger than all the Republicans running and including brain dead bush