THis is begging for Rubato's blue state/red state chart

[Crackpot]

http://247wallst.com/2012/11/27/the-bes ... -all-50/2/

[oldr_n_wsr]

7. South Dakota
> Debt per capita: $4,291 (14th highest)
> Budget deficit: 8.8% (41st largest)
> Unemployment: 4.7% (3rd lowest)
> Median household income: $48,321 (23rd lowest)
> Pct. below poverty line: 13.9% (tied-21st lowest)

Unlike North Dakota, South Dakota is not a large producer of fossil fuels. Agriculture contributes roughly the same amount to both economies. Last year, no state in the country derived a larger percentage of its GDP from agriculture than North Dakota’s 8.4% and South Dakota’s 10.9%. South Dakota has very low taxes and is considered to have one of the nation’s most business-friendly tax climates. In fiscal 2010 it had the second-lowest state and local tax burden, at 7.6% of income. Also in fiscal 2010, the state funded 96% of pension obligations to its employees. Although the state’s governor, Dennis Daugaard, proposed to eliminate tenure for teachers, voters rejected the measure in November. More than 90% of South Dakota adults are at least high school graduates, the tenth-highest percentage in the country.

When I was unemployed and job hunting I was offered a position in South Dakota. Had I been single or if the wife would have moved, I would have gone. Sturgis bike rally in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter, a paradise as far as I am concerned.

[Sue U]

I have to question the rating system. My state is supposedly ranked 46th, yet we have the third-highest per capita income and the third-lowest poverty rate. Now, there is certainly no shortage of things to criticize in state government, but by my reckoning that's a pretty good result. And there are precious few other places in the US where I'd prefer to live.

[Crackpot]

I'm surprised Michigan was so high. (in terms of governance)While we do seem to be picking good leaders we are a complete mess when it comes to down ticket politicians.

[dgs49]

Methodology is everything.

It appears there is something to be said for lousy weather - maybe lazy people stay away.

[rubato]

To echo other's comments I would say that "well run" should be measured by outcomes which include public health, education, human development, poverty rates &c.

But that's just my liberal bias showing; I think less poverty is good and more poverty is bad, fewer people dying of treatable conditions is good &c..



yrs,
rubato

[Jarlaxle]

I have to question the rating system. My state is supposedly ranked 46th, yet we have the third-highest per capita income and the third-lowest poverty rate. Now, there is certainly no shortage of things to criticize in state government, but by my reckoning that's a pretty good result. And there are precious few other places in the US where I'd prefer to live.

The income and poverty rates are a bit skewed...simply because it is such an expensive place to live!