debate/poll of the day : America's richest state ? (prices, wealthiest)

[gildossantos]

In your opinion and/or according to your own experience and knowledge :

what is the richest state in the US? By richest I don't necessary mean with the highest fortunes of the country I mean with the lowest poverty rate and few people below the poverty line.

what might explain this position? High governement regulation and welfare programs? Low governement regulation and free-market? "Mechanical and vicious circle" reasons such has : attraction of the wealthiest for any reason (what reason?), therefore, rise in prices etc. forcing the poor to leave? Combination? Other reasons?

I'd like to collect your opinions but please no fruitless fights between so called "anti-communists" and "anti-fascits". Thanks for contribution.

[pinetar10]

massachusetts

[downtownnola]

California... I have heard before that if California were to declare independence tomorrow, they would be the 7th richest nation in the world.

[john_starks]

mass or connecticut

[Fishhead]

With the rapid increase in farmland value..........IOWA

[Steve-o]

Im gonna guess Minnesota?

[GraniteStater]

Actually, I thought it was Maryland.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by downtownnola

California... I have heard before that if California were to declare independence tomorrow, they would be the 7th richest nation in the world.

CA has a lot of poverty stricken areas that many people don't realize, probably some of the poorest areas in this nation. The Central Valley and desert regions are filled with poor migrant workers and just depressing, poor towns.

I would think a small mostly suburban state like New Jersey or Connecticut would be the richest and have the least poverty overall.

[compelled to reply]

Isn't it New Jersey? It sure seems like it. There are places like Camden, Newark and Paterson that are very poor but the rest of the state...

[JoshB]

I'd say Connecticut and maybe New York? I mean New York has the Catskills and the Hamptons.