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Yes, you are definitely on to something, and its a simple matter of Economics 101. I recently read an in-depth analysis comparing the economy of Ohio to that of Texas and it noted that the stronghold that unions have on most labor in heavily-Democratic states encourages businesses to relocate to more-business friendly states. For example, the 2008 Forbes "Best States for Business" study ranks:
as you can see, Delaware is the only heavily democratic state to have even made the top 10. Though it should also be noted that while New York, California, and Taxachusetts are 35-37, the bottom of the list is populated by the extremely Republican staes of Alaska, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Louisiana. So, its not something that is set in stone.
So, that gets businesses and jobs down South/out West. To top it off, the personal tax burden in most Republican-leaning states is much lower. For example, CNNMoney.com listed in 2007 the top 5 tax-friendly states (all red except for Delaware: Alaska, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Alabama) and the bottom five: Vermont, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and Ohio. Even the top 5/bottom 5 cities show this trend (Anchorage, Cheyenne, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Memphis vs. Bridgeport, Philly, Providence, NYC, and Des Moines). It really seems like a no-brainer.
One problem of all this, as previously mentioned, despite their prior experience, many blue-state ex-pats forget that these flawed economic policies are the reason they had to move in the first place. I am glad Obama is President, but still sad that VA and NC went blue (a strange position maybe). So, boom states in the South should maybe think about requiring all new residents to take an introductory economics class at any local college.
The good thing, however, is in our wonderful free-market system, blue states will learn by trial and error the errs of their ways and may one day change-- getting rid of union-friendly laws, decreasing the tax-burden, becoming less willing to hand out welfare.
Texas is far behind Northern states in population???
Umm...no. Hence my statement....the fast growing areas were areas that had a relatively small population back before AC and when the northern states were huge.
Fairly meaningless statistics here. The "blue" states listed here are generally Northern and home heating costs as well as generally higher costs of living mean that incomes are higher to compensate for that.
"Home heating costs".....huh??? What about home cooling costs?
The good thing, however, is in our wonderful free-market system, blue states will learn by trial and error the errs of their ways and may one day change-- getting rid of union-friendly laws, decreasing the tax-burden, becoming less willing to hand out welfare.
Not that I necessarily disagree with everything you said, but there is one point that is very important to this discussion -- and that is that in business, location means a lot. That means that regardless of the burdensome taxation in some states, that will never matter to many businesses. It's not a coincidence that some of the most Democratic cities in the country also have the highest office space rental rates. Businesses are simply more willing to pay really high taxes/costs (if they can afford it, of course) if it means that they have a presence in New York, as opposed to Charlotte. Rental rates only got that way because of demand.
Fairly meaningless statistics here. The "blue" states listed here are generally Northern and home heating costs as well as generally higher costs of living mean that incomes are higher to compensate for that.
Actually this has nothing to do with income but Economic Output. And as far economic output per capita blue states are above and beyond most red states.
For example, CNNMoney.com listed in 2007 the top 5 tax-friendly states (all red except for Delaware: Alaska, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Alabama) and the bottom five: Vermont, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and Ohio. Even the top 5/bottom 5 cities show this trend (Anchorage, Cheyenne, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Memphis vs. Bridgeport, Philly, Providence, NYC, and Des Moines). It really seems like a no-brainer.
Well, Virginia, North Carolina, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico are all "fast-growing" states and all voted Democratic/Blue in this past election. That throws a wrench in the theory, I suppose.
Fairly meaningless statistics here. The "blue" states listed here are generally Northern and home heating costs as well as generally higher costs of living mean that incomes are higher to compensate for that.
I agree cost of living is a major factor here. That to me, is very simple.
I think it would be pretty unreasonable to think a liberal would be more productive than a conservative.
Actually this has nothing to do with income but Economic Output. And as far economic output per capita blue states are above and beyond most red states.
Economic output directly relates to cost of living. It would cost me more money, to lets say, buy a truckload of commodities from CA than it would from TX. (Generally speaking) There are many variables though I'm sure
Northern states have several things going against them other than their governments.
Most important is that they tend to be wealthier and send far more of their money to the south in federal tax money. Just look at the federal spending per dollar paid by state (GA, TX, FL are the only southern states that pay their way). If you pay more that you get back you have to raise local taxes to make up for it.
Second, the weather plays a factor. Retirees help boost the economy of southern states big time.
Third, the Northeast is densely populated which drives up the cost of living/housing.
Having said that many voters in the NE tend to not think about their state's being competitive when they elect their officials. I feel in NY we have republicans that have ruined things on the national level and Dems that have ruined the state.
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