North Dakota #1 In Freedom Among The 57 US States -- February 19, 2015

There are two "grading" agencies at this link: John Mason and Mercator Center.

Most of the article covers the John Locke data. North Dakota scores well but not at the top of the list.

In the George Mason University's Mercator Center list, the #1 state... in "freedom" .... drum roll ... North Dakota. South Dakota is ranked #2. California, #49, and New Yor State, #50.

There must be something inherently wrong in the scoring system when the John Locke data scores North Dakota dead last in educational freedom. My hunch is it may have to do with the Law of Small Numbers: simply not that many independent school districts with a strong central state government.

Whatever.

But look at the rankings of California, New York state, and Massachusetts -- the big three when it comes to liberalism. One of the most conservative states ranks #1 in the John Locke list.

Huge, huge "thank you" to a reader for sending me this link; there's no way I would have come across this on my own.