U.S. Economic Freedom is Sinking

The Economic Freedom Ranking as of September 2013, described as “Free” do not include the U.S,  

In first place is Hong Kong (Score 89.3), then Singapore (88), Australia (82.6), New Zealand (81.4), Switzerland (81). They all score in the 80 to 100 range.

Described as “Mostly Free”, Canada (79.4). Chile (79), Mauritius (76.9), Denmark (76.1), United States (76). Ireland (75.7), Bahrain (75.5), Estonia (75.3), United Kingdom (74.8), Luxembourg (74.2), Finland (74), Netherlands (73.5), Sweden (72.9), Germany (72.8), Taiwan (72.7), This rounds out the top 20 in the Mostly Free category.
Source: http://www.heritage.org/index/country/unitedstates

Heritage.org reports that:
“The United States, with an economic freedom score of 76, has lost ground again in the 2013 Index. Its score is 0.3 point lower than last year, with declines in monetary freedom, business freedom, labor freedom, and fiscal freedom. The U.S. is ranked 2nd out of three countries in the North America region, and its score remains well above the world and regional averages.

Registering a loss of economic freedom for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. has recorded its lowest Index score since 2000. Dynamic entrepreneurial growth is stifled by ever-more-bloated government and a trend toward cronyism that erodes the rule of law. More than three years after the end of recession in June 2009, the U.S. continues to suffer from policy choices that have led to the slowest recovery in 70 years. Businesses remain in a holding pattern, and unemployment is close to 8 percent. Prospects for greater fiscal freedom are uncertain due to the scheduled expiration of previous cuts in income and payroll taxes and the imposition of new taxes associated with the 2010 health care law.
Restoring the U.S. to a place among the world’s “free” economies will require significant policy reforms, particularly in reducing the size of government, overhauling the tax system, transforming costly entitlement programs, and streamlining regulations.”
Source:  2013 Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage.com

In their column, The Daily Caller reported that: “One of the report authors, Joshua Hall, associate professor of economics at West Virginia University explained to The Daily Caller that the annual report was inspired by an observation from economist Milton Friedman.”

“Friedman knew of no country that was economically free    that was not also politically free, and he realized we really don’t have good measures of economic freedom and maybe we should develop those,” Hall said.

“According to the report, the freest countries experienced the most economic growth with those living in the freest countries experiencing higher incomes and longer life expectancy.”

Source: Daily Caller: 09/17/2013  by Caroline May, Political Reporter

Comments:

The U.S scores low on freedom from corruption, high government spending, weak private investment and high government debt. We are on an unsustainable money printing path and looking for a soft landing, but Obama is pushing for a crash to occur after he leaves office, so he can blame it on the Republicans.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader