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“Mostly” Free is Not An Option
Posted by Randy | January 13, 2011

The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation released the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom, which tracks economic freedom in countries around the world. The report rates countries' fiscal soundness and openness to trade and investment, government size, business and labor regulation, property rights, corruption, monetary stability and financial competition.

The news for the United States in the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom is not good. According to the report, the U.S. dropped to 9th place and its rating shifted from "free" to "mostly free" in terms of global economic freedom. The U.S. now ranks behind countries like Canada, Denmark, and first-place Hong Kong. When looking at government spending alone, the United States' rating has fallen from "moderately free" to "mostly unfree."

It is clear that huge increases in government spending have impacted our economic freedom as a nation and it shows us that reining in government spending must be a top priority for the 112th Congress. Our nation was built on the premise that we are the “land of the free,” and that includes economic freedom. “Mostly free” should not be an economic option for the United States.

I encourage you to follow my work in Congress as we take steps to address spending and maintain our economic freedom in the months ahead by signing up to receive updates on government spending and economic issues.

 
Comments
Users are solely responsible for the opinions they post here and their comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Congressman Forbes.
  • Linda Neely commented on 1/15/2011
    Mostly free is what we Americans have become. Real Id act, Homeland Security tageting grandmothers and babies as threats, unwarranted snooping by all our agencies, and a government who is just now responding to listening to us. The pudding will be if the act in accord with us instead of against us as they have become accustomed to doing. We have started the divide on tiers of citizenship. Our President and his wife spend like Marie Antoinette, our Congresses have not been much better. I believe that everyone should be safe, but they have a responsibility in that. The costs associated with the government making our decisions for us is unstainable (personally I have started to itch when I read or hear sustainablity). As we, the people, are the governance we need to scrutinize those that say they are listening, we need proof you hear us and are acting on what you hear. If you staff wants coffee and doughnuts, let them purchase them. You want flowers for your office, you buy them. Stop thinking that you are entitled. Remember the taxpayer buying those for you might be working two jobs. Our freedom has become an indebtured servant to the debt that you our representatives have authorized. Because at the end of the day it was your yes vote that has labeled our great country 9th on the globe. But you can learn no. One vowel, one consonant. But it is so hard to leave your lips, because whats a hundred million here or there? You need to rein in independent offices along with aid to foreign countries and your own unchecked spending, until then your not listening.
  • claim insurance claim insurance commented on 1/26/2011
    Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see how you work and learn so much!
  • Jean Clelland-Morin commented on 3/26/2011
    "Mostly free" is strongly connected to the fact that we have a convoluted, corrupt tax-economic system. Citizens of DENMARK pay high taxes and have a large welfare system. Acording to research, they are quite satisfied and, also according to research, they are the LEAST CORRUPT country. Too bad that Campaign Reform is dead (as I read John McCain conveniently said). Our country is run by those who benefit from Special Interest propaganda andwho buy our legislators. // Jean Clelland-Morin
  • Tim Graham commented on 3/26/2011
    I think too many of our representatives in both houses still don't get it. While there are real people (George Soros and Stephen Lerner) out there working a plan to destabilize our economy and cause a collapse of our system of government, the house and senate debate cuts in the budget amounting to peanuts. Mr. Forbes, the American people are losing patience and both parties have reached the point of NO CREDIBILITY. And I say that as one of your biggest fans, but am beginning to think that more incumbents need to be primaried in 2012. Every politician you see on TV (party affiliation doesn't matter) comes on with their talking points about how we NEED to grow jobs, we NEED to cut spending, we NEED to improve the education of our children, we NEED to reduce the size of government. Everybody already knows that. We elect people to fix the problems and turn the NEEDS into REALITIES. But the problems DON"T get fixed, they just keep getting WORSE. Ultimately, I guess the fault lies with all of us, WE THE PEOPLE, because our apathy and/or ignorance had us marching like sheep to the polls and for too long, just kept sending the same irresposible people back to Washington. But we are finally getting past the apathy and ignorance . 2010 was a turning point . 2012 will be even better. Hopefully, more people of your caliber will be sent to Washington to fix the mess. May God Bless you and the work you do on our behalf.
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