What States are the Freest? This Map Shows Americans Where to Go If They Crave Liberty

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/02/254129-state-rank-first-freedom-index/

The North Carolina-based think tank says it has an institutional commitment to "individual liberty and limited, constitutional government," weighed four different variables to compile the rankings.

The most significant consideration was fiscal policy, which measures taxes and budgetary measures. This aspect generated 50 percent of each state's score, with 20 percent given each to education and regulatory policies, and the final 10 percent to health care policy.

Here's a graphic representation of the country:

The overall results from the report show:

1. The 'freest' state is Florida, followed by Arizona, Indiana, South Dakota, and Georgia.
2. The 'least free' state is New York, followed by New Jersey, California, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

These are the state rankings based solely on fiscal policy:

#1 is South Dakota and #50 is New Jersey.

These are the educational freedom rankings:

#1 is Florida and #50 is North Dakota.

Here are the states' rankings based upon regulatory freedom:

#1 is Iowa and #50 is California.

And lastly, here are the rankings for health care freedom:

#1 is Idaho and #50 is Vermont.

George Mason University's Mercatus Center also released a "Freedom in the 50 States" map, that includes more than 200 economic and personal variables in their calculations.

http://freedominthe50states.org/overall

Rankings - Overall

1.North Dakota+42.South Dakota-13.Tennessee=4.New Hampshire-25.Oklahoma-16.Idaho+117.Missouri-18.Virginia+19.Georgia+1110.Utah+611.Arizona+1212.Montana-213.Alaska+914.Texas-615.South Carolina+316.Indiana-517.Delaware+9

18.Alabama+319.Colorado-1220.Nevada-721.New Mexico+922.Nebraska-723.Florida+524.North Carolina=25.Iowa-626.Kansas-1227.Kentucky=28.Oregon-1629.Washington=30.Massachusetts+431.Pennsylvania+232.Arkansas-733.Ohio+434.Minnesota-2

35.Michigan=36.Wyoming-537.Louisiana+838.Wisconsin-239.Maine=40.Connecticut+441.Mississippi=42.West Virginia-443.Vermont-344.Maryland-245.Illinois-246.Rhode Island=47.Hawaii=48.New Jersey=49.California=50.New York=

The results from George Mason University on the 'least free' state agree with the John Locke Foundation, placing New York at the bottom. But the two lists differ on the 'most free' state, with Mercatus Center putting North Dakota first.

http://www.johnlocke.org/acrobat/policyReports/FFI.pdf

Meet the new face of baseball - Buster Posey

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/giant-in-the-making-buster-posey-on-becoming-the-new-face-of-baseball

My only concern is that it was only a couple of years ago that Joe Mauer seemingly held the title, and he not only doesn't catch much anymore, he doesn't hit as well lately. As long as he doesn't start giving swag-bags ( rumored, not confirmed  http://www.yourtango.com/2011121654/what-does-derek-jeter-give-his-one-night-stands ) I guess he's gonna be all right.


from McCovey Chronicles:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/giants-viral-content-the-answer-might-surprise-you/2015/3/3/8143205/buster-posey-on-cbs-this-morning

The important takeaways:

• Buster Posey met his wife in high school, studying for the SATs
• Posey was quick to point out that he scored higher
• The Posey family lives on the old turkey farm he grew up in
• Posey's daughter walks around the house saying "Aye, que lindo!"
• Posey corrects his wife's grammar
• Posey is better than you
• Posey is better than most people
• Look into Posey's eyes

Just skip the part where they talk about his already-creaky catcher's knees, and you'll enjoy this greatly.

Where do they come up with these catch phrases nowadays?

• "hit-it-and-quit-it" routine from the Jeter story
• Ronda Rousey talking about her "cash and prizes"

from mmafighting.com
http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/2/22/8080065/ronda-rousey-cool-with-swimsuit-pics-if-they-cant-see-your-cash-and

from Urban Dictionary:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cash%20and%20prizes

I guess I need to update my subscription to the Urban Dictionary so I can stay current. I don't even want to know what "milk and cookies" means nowadays.