Heritage Foundation: 2013 Index of Economic Freedom

[rdean]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Guess which one has the world's #1 economy?

 

[Mad Scientist]

I thought ObamaCare was passed?

 

[bripat9643]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

 

[rdean]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

 

[Toro]

Wait, what?

rdean is pimping libertarianism?

Did the sun rise in the west this morning?

 

[bripat9643]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

Working with Obama would mean the deficit would be even bigger and the economy would be even worse. You don't improve the economy by spending like there's no tomorrow.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

Revising history so soon?

 

[dblack]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

I've imagined that. Had nightmares actually. If and and when the statist, authoritarian Republicans begin openly cooperating with the statist, authoritarian Democrats, we are all truly fucked.

(which is not to deny they aren't already "on the same team")

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Guess which one has the world's #1 economy?

Correction:

OBAMACONOMY!!!!




. . . . . . ​

 

[Mad Scientist]

Wait, what?

rdean is pimping libertarianism?

Did the sun rise in the west this morning?

Where in his post did he pimp Libertarianism? rDean is an Authoritarian/Communist. He's just using Heritage Foundation links to get our attention.

rDean has NO IDEA why the Economy is in the shape it's in today. All he knows how to do is "blame the other team".

 

[dblack]

Wait, what?

rdean is pimping libertarianism?

Did the sun rise in the west this morning?

Where in his post did he pimp Libertarianism? rDean is an Authoritarian/Communist. He's just using Heritage Foundation links to get our attention.

rDean has NO IDEA why the Economy is in the shape it's in today.

Nor why economic freedom is fundamental to all other kinds of freedom.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

Working with Obama would mean the deficit would be even bigger and the economy would be even worse. You don't improve the economy by spending like there's no tomorrow.

Yeah....sure.....and, that alcoholic-madman (Andrew Breitbart) would have quit drinking, too.

 

[BillyV]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

Geez, did you even read what it said?

Registering a loss of economic freedom for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. has recorded its lowest Index score since 2000. Dynamic entrepreneurial growth is stifled by ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism that erodes the rule of law. More than three years after the end of recession in June 2009, the U.S. continues to suffer from policy choices that have led to the slowest recovery in 70 years. Businesses remain in a holding pattern, and unemployment is close to 8 percent. Prospects for greater fiscal freedom are uncertain due to the scheduled expiration of previous cuts in income and payroll taxes and the imposition of new taxes associated with the 2010 health care law.

Restoring the U.S. to a place among the world’s “free” economies will require significant policy reforms, particularly in reducing the size of government, overhauling the tax system, transforming costly entitlement programs, and streamlining regulations.

"ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism" - things the Republicans should continue to work against.

 

[RDD_1210]

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

Geez, did you even read what it said?

Registering a loss of economic freedom for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. has recorded its lowest Index score since 2000. Dynamic entrepreneurial growth is stifled by ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism that erodes the rule of law. More than three years after the end of recession in June 2009, the U.S. continues to suffer from policy choices that have led to the slowest recovery in 70 years. Businesses remain in a holding pattern, and unemployment is close to 8 percent. Prospects for greater fiscal freedom are uncertain due to the scheduled expiration of previous cuts in income and payroll taxes and the imposition of new taxes associated with the 2010 health care law.

Restoring the U.S. to a place among the world’s “free” economies will require significant policy reforms, particularly in reducing the size of government, overhauling the tax system, transforming costly entitlement programs, and streamlining regulations.

"ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism" - things the Republicans should continue to work against.

And not one specific is given. Shocking.

 

[eflatminor]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

In Obama's first two years, he had both Houses of Congress and the White House. He got EVERYTHING he wanted passed. He still has the House and White House. He got his bail outs and "stimulus", he got the debt ceiling raised with no spending cuts yet to take place, he got his tax hikes, he signed the Patriot Act and the NDAA, and he used signing statements and executive orders freely (despite promising not to do so).

How exactly were the Rs able to "ruin the economy"?

 

[DiamondDave]

elf (left) arguing with rdummy (right)

 

[BillyV]

Imagine if Republicans actually worked with him instead of ruining the economy so they could bring him down. It didn't work, they ruined the economy for nothing.

Geez, did you even read what it said?

Registering a loss of economic freedom for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. has recorded its lowest Index score since 2000. Dynamic entrepreneurial growth is stifled by ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism that erodes the rule of law. More than three years after the end of recession in June 2009, the U.S. continues to suffer from policy choices that have led to the slowest recovery in 70 years. Businesses remain in a holding pattern, and unemployment is close to 8 percent. Prospects for greater fiscal freedom are uncertain due to the scheduled expiration of previous cuts in income and payroll taxes and the imposition of new taxes associated with the 2010 health care law.
Restoring the U.S. to a place among the world’s “free” economies will require significant policy reforms, particularly in reducing the size of government, overhauling the tax system, transforming costly entitlement programs, and streamlining regulations.

"ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism" - things the Republicans should continue to work against.

And not one specific is given. Shocking.

Well, actually, no, that was just the summary. It went on to say, in part:

Under Democratic President Barack Obama, the federal system of government, designed to reserve significant powers to the state and local levels, has been strained by the national government’s rapid expansion. Spending at the national level rose to over 25 percent of GDP in 2010, and gross public debt surpassed 100 percent of GDP in 2011. A 2010 health care bill greatly expanded the central government’s regulatory role, and the Dodd–Frank financial overhaul bill roiled credit markets. The election of a Republican Party majority in the House of Representatives in late 2010 slowed spending growth, but the divided government that has left economic policy in flux seemed likely to continue following the reelection of President Obama in 2012.

It just strikes me as ludicrous that someone on the left should use the results of the “Economic Freedom” survey to support any of their positions, which seem to me to be diametrically opposed. The definition given in the report is as follows:

Economic freedom is the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property. In an economically free society, individuals are free to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please, with that freedom both protected by the state and unconstrained by the state. In economically free societies, governments allow labor, capital and goods to move freely, and refrain from coercion or constraint of liberty beyond the extent necessary to protect and maintain liberty itself.

Which side is more interested in government control and oversight to ensure proper outcomes? The left’s entire agenda is that the above freedoms create “unfairness” and “inequality”, is it not? You should be citing this report as a sign that you’re winning the battle for less economic freedom.

 

[onecut39]

Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom

Why Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Economic freedom is a crucial component of liberty. It empowers people to work, produce, consume, own, trade, and invest according to their personal choices.

– from The Heritage Foundation's Understanding America series – explores the framework America's Founders established for an economically free nation, and what economic freedom means for the United States and the rest of the world.

----------------------------------------

9 of 10 have government "socialist" health care. Guess which one doesn't?

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

Who would rely on the heritage foundation for a definition of economic freedom?

 

[RoadVirus]

Notice that the USA is #10 on the list. Before Obama it was #6.

By the end of Obongo's second term, we won't even be in the top 20.