We're 43!

Maryland ranks 43 among states for freedom

An amusing ranking of the states based on personal, social and economic freedom.  New Hamphire, South Dakota, Indiana, Idaho and Missouri lead the list, while, not surprisingly, New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii and Taxa Massachusetts come in last.

A few surprises for me.  Alaska was near the bottom, #44, one step less free than Maryland.  I'm guessing that the fact that it is mostly owned by the government, has a large native American population still largely under the Feds thumbs, and essentially pays it's inhabitants out of the money it collects in oil revenue out weigh the "rugged individualism" aspects.  Similarly, I was surprised to see Oregon so high on the list (#8).  My memory of Oregon is a pretty paternalistic urban spine down the Willamette Valley, with much more individualism outside the more populated areas.