Why are Democrat-run states so poorly managed?

Science shows that Democrats tend to run their states into the ground. Is there a psychological reason behind it?

Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2018 Edition (most unstable / nearing insolvency #50; least unstable / most solvent #1)

For the fifth and final year, a new study from George Mason University ranks the 50 states according to their financial condition. The study measures how well states can meet short-term and long-term bills by examining their financial statements.

www.mercatus.org...

#50 - Illinois ... Democrat governor
#49 - Connecticut ... Democrat governor
#48 - New Jersey ... Democrat governor
#47 - Massachusetts ... Republican governor
#46 - Kentucky ... Democrat governor
......
#5 - Oklahoma ... Republican governor
#4 - Florida ... Republican governor
#3 - Tennessee ... Republican governor
#2 - South Dakota ... Republican governor
#1 - Nebraska ... Republican governor

a reply to: WildBillX

I'm not sure it's because of right and left politics.
I blame the unions.

The pension plans from decades ago are not financially sustainable.
That and many other reason that are not in the parties control like manufacturing and tourism.

I can't answer for all the states, but some jump right out, let me show you why you need to get out of your left/right paradigm.

originally posted by: WildBillX
Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2018 Edition

...

#48 - New Jersey ... Democrat governor

Guess who wrapped up being Governor for two terms in 2018? That's right, Republican Chris Christie.

It's a two party issue.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
I'm not sure it's because of right and left politics.
I blame the unions.

I think you are 100% correct.

Public unions are the bane of the taxpayer's existence and should be drowned in a bathtub.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: Bluntone22
I'm not sure it's because of right and left politics.
I blame the unions.

I think you are 100% correct.


Public unions are the bane of the taxpayer's existence and should be drowned in a bathtub.

Absolutely! Just look at Illinois. The major reason for this state's fiscal troubles is almost entirely due to public pensions. Of course there is the over the top corruption too.
The last governor of Illinois was Republican too. At least he called himself a Republican.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: WildBillX

I'm not sure it's because of right and left politics.
I blame the unions.

The pension plans from decades ago are not financially sustainable.
That and many other reason that are not in the parties control like manufacturing and tourism.

Meh ... unconvincing. The last governor of Massachusetts before Charlie Barker was a Democrat. We can find exceptions both ways. The general trend line, however, shows that - consistently - Democrats run their states into economic ruin .

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
I can't answer for all the states, but some jump right out, let me show you why you need to get out of your left/right paradigm.

originally posted by: WildBillX
Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2018 Edition

...

#48 - New Jersey ... Democrat governor

Guess who wrapped up being Governor for two terms in 2018? That's right, Republican Chris Christie.

It's a two party issue.

Governors aren't really the best proxy. You really have to look at who runs the state legislature historically. In an Hellinois and even when we get a Republican governor, the state legislature is solidly Democrat.

Union leadership primarily supports Democrat politicians. So yes, you can make it political (to some degree).

Here in IL, our fiscal woes are due to over spending but primarily trying to keep up with lavish pension plans that are unsustainable. We need a constitutional amendment to change the pensions. Of course, our Democrat legislature can never seem to get it put up for a vote.... yet they can get a constitutional amendment up for vote to raise income taxes! Fortunately, that one failed this year.

Our property taxes in IL are the highest in the nation. I'd be lucky to sell my house for what I paid for it 15 years ago, yet in that time my property taxes have almost tripled. My house is worth maybe $500k. I pay about $15k/yr in property taxes. In most other states, that would be the tax rate on a house worth at least $1-$1.5 million for perspective.

The bulk of the tax bill is paying for pensions...

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
Public unions are the bane of the taxpayer's existence and should be drowned in a bathtub.

You know how we should get back at them?

Force the union head to be a board member...and when there is disputes, the board doesn't get paid until the dispute is settled.

a reply to: americanbuffalo1

Its isn't a D or R problem its a political class problem. R or D there is a tendency by the elected to hold themselves higher than their constituents.
Its the root of many bad policies put forth for longer than we realize.

originally posted by: americanbuffalo1
a reply to: americanbuffalo1

Its isn't a D or R problem its a political class problem. R or D there is a tendency by the elected to hold themselves higher than their constituents.
Its the root of many bad policies put forth for longer than we realize.

No, it's definitely a D problem.

originally posted by: WildBillX

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: WildBillX

I'm not sure it's because of right and left politics.
I blame the unions.

The pension plans from decades ago are not financially sustainable.
That and many other reason that are not in the parties control like manufacturing and tourism.

Meh ... unconvincing. The last governor of Massachusetts before Charlie Barker was a Democrat. We can find exceptions both ways. The general trend line, however, shows that - consistently - Democrats run their states into economic ruin .

Hmm, all my years living in Mass and my multiple visits a year have not shown me a poorly run state. My father in law is a conservative and aside from the taxes, loves it there. I’m actually moving back to Mass from Florida within the next couple of years as I really love that state. Especially now that the winters aren’t anything like they were 10 years ago.

Sure, South Shore has a massive opiate problem (half my wife’s graduating class is dead), but those exists all over the country.

I’ve never been in a state where the residents have been more proud of their state and it’s more than just the sports teams. Right or left, you tell a Bostonian that their city or state sucks and you better hope you can run faster than they can.

originally posted by: WildBillX

originally posted by: americanbuffalo1
a reply to: americanbuffalo1

Its isn't a D or R problem its a political class problem. R or D there is a tendency by the elected to hold themselves higher than their constituents.
Its the root of many bad policies put forth for longer than we realize.

No, it's definitely a D problem.

Sorry I have to disagree with that. I stand by my assertion.

originally posted by: Drucifer

originally posted by: WildBillX

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: WildBillX

I'm not sure it's because of right and left politics.
I blame the unions.

The pension plans from decades ago are not financially sustainable.
That and many other reason that are not in the parties control like manufacturing and tourism.

Meh ... unconvincing. The last governor of Massachusetts before Charlie Barker was a Democrat. We can find exceptions both ways. The general trend line, however, shows that - consistently - Democrats run their states into economic ruin .

Hmm, all my years living in Mass and my multiple visits a year have not shown me a poorly run state. My father in law is a conservative and aside from the taxes, loves it there. I’m actually moving back to Mass from Florida within the next couple of years as I really love that state. Especially now that the winters aren’t anything like they were 10 years ago.

Sure, South Shore has a massive opiate problem (half my wife’s graduating class is dead), but those exists all over the country.

I’ve never been in a state where the residents have been more proud of their state and it’s more than just the sports teams. Right or left, you tell a Bostonian that their city or state sucks and you better hope you can run faster than they can.

MA is a nice state. My family has a home on Martha's Vineyard. However, the issue is fiscal management.

Heck, I love Chicago as a city. I think it is a nicest major city in the country. However, that doesn't change Democrats have run it into a ditch fiscally and in some ways socially.

I think GDP and allowable debt matter.

Nebraska ranked #1 for example; not allowed to borrow money towards the annual budget and a GDP of $13 billion.
Illinois ranked #50; allowed to borrow money but a GDP of $782 billion.

It's a willingness of the state to go into debt and just how large that debt is, also where that money goes. Nebraska is not well run because the state hardly ever has money while being one of the highest taxed states in America.

a reply to: Bluntone22

The problem with Illinois certainly includes terrible leadership, but also the fact that state employees have unions that petition constantly for bigger and bigger pensions and perks -- and they almost always succeed!

Why would you allow your public employees to unionize? I think it was a big mistake for Illinois to allow this situation.

It sure has not worked very well for Illinois' taxpayers, AND state services overcharge fees for sketchy service, adding even more insult to injury!

originally posted by: Edumakated
Governors aren't really the best proxy.

I agree but that is the one the Original Poster used to make their over simplistic argument.

The issue for me in New Jersey isn't even the legislature, it's how our Supreme Court ruled ack in the 1970's that a good portion of our property taxes can do to 'underfunded' districts in your county. My property tax, which is even more obscene than yours, is 75% going to school budgets.

originally posted by: peck420
You know how we should get back at them?

Force the union head to be a board member...and when there is disputes, the board doesn't get paid until the dispute is settled.

I'd rather just get rid of them but your suggestion is a good start.

I still find it interesting that Democrats in these cities continue to vote for Democrats.

It is quite interesting to see Democrats here in Chicago complain and blame Republicans for everything under the sun. I don't get it.

Then the Democrats finally get fed up with taxes, crime, homelessness, etc and move. At no point do they ever self-reflect and think maybe their policies are the problem. They move to another city and then start voting Democrat / progressive policies again to turn the new city into the same sh*t hole they just left...

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
I can't answer for all the states, but some jump right out, let me show you why you need to get out of your left/right paradigm.

originally posted by: WildBillX
Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2018 Edition

...

#48 - New Jersey ... Democrat governor

Guess who wrapped up being Governor for two terms in 2018? That's right, Republican Chris Christie.

It's a two party issue.

Blame the fat guy!
I guess being a decent attorney doesn't always translate into being a good politician.

originally posted by: peter_kandra
Blame the fat guy!
I guess being a decent attorney doesn't always translate into being a good politician.

No, I didn't blame Fatty Boombah, I merely made the point that using the Original Poster's methodology it's actually Christie he should be blaming.