This is Progress?

Of California, New Jersey, and New York:

So goes the real-life experience of progressive governance, with heavy tax burdens financing huge welfare states, and state capitals dominated by public-employee unions. Formerly rich states, they are now known for job losses, booming deficits and debt, wage stagnation, out-migration and laughing-stock legislatures. At least Americans have the ability to flee these ill-governed states for places that still welcome wealth creators. The debate in Washington now is whether to spread this antigrowth model across the entire country.

We need look no further than CA, NJ, and NY for a foretelling of where our nation is headed economically. President Obama is pushing hard for a national welfare state. A dignity sapping nanny that will smile a wide, toothy grin, telling us in a syrupy, condescending voice that "it's for your good" that our freedoms are being limited, and choices being reduced and our money being stolen.

A decade ago all three states were among America's most prosperous. California was the unrivaled technology center of the globe. New York was its financial capital. New Jersey is the third wealthiest state in the nation after Connecticut and Massachusetts. All three are now suffering from devastating budget deficits as the bills for years of tax-and-spend governance come due.

What was it that destroyed the economies of these states?

These states have been models of "progressive" policies that are supposed to create wealth: high tax rates on the rich, lots of government "investments," heavy unionization and a large government role in health care.

Read the entire article. The specific numbers are devastating, and ought to put an end to the "more government is good" arguments. These three states, and you could really add Michigan into that camp, are extremely good examples of what has always been true: Liberal/Progressive economic and social policies will invariably lead to economic and social decline.

History is crystal clear on this matter.