The Legacy of Democratic Hegemony: Everyone Loses

The states with the most blue are losing more people than they are gaining. They are losing billions because of overwhelming pension obligations. The blue states have the highest taxes, the most taxing regulations, spending problems so overwhelming, one has to wonder why these states attract any business at all. Blue states are blue places, indeed, with depressed economies and depressing results all around.

Massachusetts has the mini-version of ObamaCare, with businesses fleeing, and residents fleeting for opportunities. Governor Deval Patrick has admitted that the state needs to ease the tax burden in the state.

Rhode Island has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, with taxes so crippling in comparison to neighboring states, that residents can simply cross the border into Massachusetts or Connecticut to avoid the high gas and sales taxes, which cripple consumers and cramp business development. Central Falls, Rhode Island, has already declared bankruptcy, and Woonsocket is close behind, with Providence, the capital of the Ocean State, set to file for bankruptcy protection. The largest building in Providence, 111 Westminster or "The Superman Building", has lost its last tenant, 17% of Rhode Islanders live on food stamps, and the hostile anti-business climate has scared away MetLife to North Carolina, while reducing the state's wealthy residents to one billionaire, along with the rich politicians.

Illinois has a standard reputation for corruption. The Security Exchange Commission is investigating whether the state engaged in fraud or a massive cover-up to hide the state's unsustainable pension problems. The last three governors have gone to prison of cronyism and corruption. Residents, activists, and legislators south of Chicago (everyone else in the state) have petitioned to jettison Chicago into a state on its own, while the rest of the state balances its budgets and provides the needs of the residents, not the politicians.

California has experienced an unprecedented flight of residents. With the passage of Prop 30, nineteen businesses prepared themselves to flee to Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Public sector unions intimidate legislators, while students still suffer in substandard schools. An influx of welfare recipients will find that whatever stipends they hoped to receive will not amount to much, as inflation will cripple their purchasing power, as businesses refuse to pay for the handouts of the crippled and unwilling, as our local schools continue to fail and not serve our students, whose voice and values are drowned out as Democratic votes in the legislature put the special interests ahead of the public interest. Stockton, Mammoth Lake, San Bernardino — bankrupted cities all, with more cities about to join their dissolute ranks.

In contrast to failing one-party Democratic rule, states with one-party Republican rule have given birth to voucher programs, school choice, low taxes (or no taxes, as in no income tax in Texas and Florida, with Kansas and Louisiana close behind). Wisconsin is expanding its voucher program. The collective bargaining reforms enacted by Governor Walker are working, and he survived a fierce recall during his second year in office. Ruby red North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate of the fifty (not fifty-seven) states, heavy oil production, and a legislature not afraid to defend the unborn.

Michigan passed right-to-work legislation, which has enhanced the state's once crippled business climate. State-wide union power has failed, and the demise and forced receivership of Detroit should put to death any assumptions that a municipality can survive (let along thrive) on the power of the welfare state. Indiana has right-to-work, right-to-life, right-to-learn, and this right-leaning state has balanced budgets with surpluses while privatizing roads and returning funds to the people. Even two-to-one Democratic New Jersey has a Republican governor who works with the opposition to craft teacher tenure reform, along with lowering property taxes.

While blue states push dependence, and grow dependent on deepening tax rates yet declining revenues, red states are red-hot and independent. Blue Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel threatens businesses in Illinois, while red Ted Cruz of Texas welcomes businesses to the Lone Star State, with its modest view of government (and part-time legislature). Dependence is a curse to be discouraged in Southern states (where Republicans are in power), while coastal states cannot make ends meet. Men and women prefer to stand on their feet and run, rather than let the government run their live for them. United States citizens are running to red states, while blue states are running out of money, resources, and sources of revenue.

California Democratic Party leaders celebrated when they gained the supermajority in Sacramento. Their rejoicing is premature. Even Rhode Island has discussed scrapping their sales tax, yet California just raises taxes, with nothing to show for the rising rates but diminishing returns, diminished public services, and a diminution in state power and prestige. The legacy of Democratic hegemony in key states exposes one clear truth: when Democrats win, everyone else loses, even the Democrats themselves. If the Democratic Party does not lose it's blue ways, then the voters need to lose them for good.