What states allow for the most personal freedom, what states have the the least? (best, better)

[murof]

I am under the impression that Texas is a state that doesn't infringe on personal freedoms, not nearly as much as say California. What do you think?

[Lancealots]

Texas is probably the best place to be if you value personal freedom. Some areas in Texas are better than others. For instance, Abilene Texas, is not so good. On the other hand. Amarillo is very good. Compared to other states, anywhere in Texas is an improvement. I lived in California, and thought I had moved to Russia.

[happ]

Originally Posted by Lancealots

Texas is probably the best place to be if you value personal freedom. Some areas in Texas are better than others. For instance, Abilene Texas, is not so good. On the other hand. Amarillo is very good. Compared to other states, anywhere in Texas is an improvement. I lived in California, and thought I had moved to Russia.

If personal freedom means being allowed to smoke in restaurants\ carrying a gun & driving with an open container than you can keep Texas. I prefer California that allows marijuana use\ sex clubs\ gambling. To each his\her own. You can have the Bible-belt. California is more my style.

[pw72]

You've opened up a pandora's box here. What is your definition of personal freedoms?

Nevada comes to mind as to what is legal there, and illegal in most other states. But it really depends on how you frame the question.

Does personal freedom embody a conservative or liberal element? I'm just curious.

For example, conservatives encourage low government involvement, but seem to be quite sensitive toward certain freedoms. Liberals seem to encourage more governmental involvement, and also seem to be quite sensitive toward certain freedoms. I know this is a major philisophical debate, but how would you define personal freedom in this context?

[TXperson]

Any state that doesn't attach surveillance cameras to their stop lights...









But as a general rule, any state west of the Mississippi generally caries more of a 'free' feeling.

[Count David]

It seems like there is a law prohibiting most everything in Washington (state).

Colorado seems pretty 'live and let live', but it's losing that feeling.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by happ

If personal freedom means being allowed to smoke in restaurants\ carrying a gun & driving with an open container than you can keep Texas. I prefer California that allows marijuana use\ sex clubs\ gambling. To each his\her own. You can have the Bible-belt. California is more my style.

Oregon has a mixture of the personal freedoms allowed in Texas with the personal freedoms allowed in California, with fewer of the restrictions on freedom in either TX or CA.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

It seems like there is a law prohibiting most everything in Washington (state).

Colorado seems pretty 'live and let live', but it's losing that feeling.

Washington is definitely closer to California in its restrictions on freedom than OR or CO are.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by murof

I am under the impression that Texas is a state that doesn't infringe on personal freedoms, not nearly as much as say California. What do you think?

I think you have both right.

I would look for the state with the highest taxes/fees as the biggest infringer.

[Verseau]

I find it funny that people think a strongly conservative state like Texas really offers the most personal freedom.

There are few truly "libertarian" states, but New Hampshire certainly fits the bill.