Blue State Blues

Some of the biggest states in our union -- all politically left -- are the ones that are in the most serious financial trouble. These include California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan. Each and every one of these states are heavily influenced by labor unions; and, each is being burdened by social programs that they can't pay for. Each of them has unemployment rates that are higher than the national average; with Michigan leading the pack at an astounding 14.3 percent. California, our most populous state, isn't too far behind that with a 12.5% rate. Every one of these states has some of the highest taxes in the country; and, each has lost population and businesses over the years due to those taxes and heavy handed government regulations.

These states are warnings for us all. They are telling us that big governments with big social programs and with heavy union influence don't make for a better life. Yet, we have a Democratic Congress and a Democratic President who are hell-bent on taking us down the very path that has put these States on the brink of ruination.