OPINION:
Narrowly focused insights can sometimes spur wider-reaching ones. Recently, for instance, I was studying my home state’s depopulation crisis. Current U.S. Census figures place Illinois among the top five states for population loss.
It’s a distinction we deserve, judging by related online findings. According to the Mercatus Center we’re in fourth place for most state regulations, which act as an expensive irritant in business. We present the eighth heaviest income/property/sales tax burden, according toCPA Practice Advisor, evidencing a notoriously bloated bureaucracy. Understandably, we’re developing a significant shortage of physicians, too, being a no-cap liability state in medical malpractice lawsuits. That drives up judgement amounts and insurance premiums, so doctors are Illinois exiting as well.
More than likely, readers weren’t considering moving here against the trend, but it’s of wider interest to note the high correlation of state drawbacks with leftist policy. Illinois is an inveterately blue state. So are seven of the 10 most heavily regulated states and all 10 of the most heavily taxed. Further, nine of 10 states with the highest insurance premiums on physicians practice websites are no-cap and blue. Ditto for all five bottom-tier growth pattern states.
Altogether, that’s 89% of 35 entries arguing for going red. That’s not a total indictment of blue, but it’s headed that way. It’s clear in general who’s failing the competency test among state governments.
TOM GREGG
Niles, Illinois
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