Personal, but mostly political

So, the title of this blog would make you believe that this is a political blog.  It is.  But, voting with my feet has been a life altering process; one that is teaching me an awful lot about myself and even more about my family and friends.  As a result, this blog will reveal some personal, as well as political reflections.  After all, voting is a very personal choice.

I hope that you will comment on my posts.  I also hope that we can all avoid name calling and negativity.  There is just too much nastiness in politics.  I hope to learn from your views.  I can't learn if you don't share them.  

I’ll get to a political reflection first.  As you read this, understand that my overall philosophy is that government should leave me alone and refrain from forcing me to pay for other people’s mistakes.

I really could not stomach spending any more of my life in the State of New York because of the immense waste created by government inefficiencies.    There are 690+ school districts in New York while there are only 67 (that’s right – SIXTY-SEVEN) in the entire state of Florida.  The immense size of NY government -  the Triborough Amendment, Wick’s law, property taxes and the associated “cap,” trans fats bans, property taxes, proposed super size soft drink bans, salt shaker bans, the abysmal condition of state and local Republican Committees, property taxes, the appalling apathy of many public employees, property taxes, and the exceedingly liberal ideology of the overwhelming majority of residents - are just a few of the reasons I voted with my feet.  New York is a Nanny State.  Oh, did I mention property taxes?

We moved to Florida at the end of July.  The kids started in their new school on August 8^th.  While Florida certainly is not perfect, my research and experiences in the State convince me that it is a hell of a lot better than NY!  When ranking states by Fiscal Policy, New York is 50^th while Florida is ranked 15^th.  For Regulatory Policy Rankings, New York is 40^th, Florida is 21^st.  For Economic Freedom Rankings, New York is 50^th, Florida is 14^th.  For overall Personal Freedom Rankings, New York is 48^th, Florida is 14^th.  These facts are all according to the Mercatus Center.

It is not our lot in life to live in NY.  We have choices.  While the decision-making process has been excruciatingly difficult at times, we have decided that we want our children raised in an environment that encourages personal accountability, rather than reliance on government.  We believe that Florida offers more opportunity in this regard. 

Stay tuned for more on those darned property taxes and a bit on the size of government, as well!