A LESSON FOR THE NATION - AT 11:22 P.M. ET:  Some New Yorkers like to think of themselves as quite superior to mere humans.  You may have seen the old New Yorker cartoon depicting a map of the U.S. - New York on the right, a thin strip to the west, and then the huge Pacific Ocean.

Uh, that was then.  This is now.  New York is in pathetic shape, and the reasons should be a warning to the rest of the country.  New York is what happens when the left takes over, when small business is treated with contempt, and taxes are collected to benefit "the people," without regard to the effect on those same people five years down the road.  The New York Post, in an excellent analysis piece, has the sad story:

IT'S no secret what drives innovation, economic growth and job creation forward: It's entrepreneurs and investors taking risks and starting up, investing in and building businesses.
New York policymakers often talk a good game about all this -- but over the years they've worked hard to make the state one of the most inhospitable places in the nation to invest and do business.
Just consider what state lawmakers did this year. Facing huge budget deficits and a grim economy, they recklessly jacked up government spending and imposed big tax hikes -- including higher tax rates on upper-income individuals who tend to be business owners and investors and a new payroll tax on businesses to feed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

And...

In fact, according to the just-published 2009 "Small Business Survival Index," New York has the fourth-worst public-policy climate for entrepreneurship among the 50 states and District of Columbia. Only California, New Jersey and DC rank worse.

And look at the shape they're in.  Do I see D.C. listed there?

And what is the result of New York's policies?

As it turns out, New York's biggest export in recent decades has been people. In terms of net domestic migration (that is, movement of people between the states, excluding births, deaths and international migration), from 2000 to 2008, New York ranked as the nation's top exporter of people, registering a loss of 1.6 million.

People both follow and create economic opportunity. It should be no surprise, given New York's dismal business climate, that so many are seeking and creating opportunities elsewhere.

COMMENT:  Will others learn from our mistakes?  I certainly hope so.  Will New York learn?  Possibly.  New York City hasn't elected a Democratic mayor in 20 years because of the damage the Dems did.  But there are still powerful interests who believe the state should just be a cash machine for special interests and "oppressed" communities.  The result has been that the oppression is worse, and other states gain from our losses.  Those leaving New York tend to be the most productive citizens. 

So, enjoy our exports.  They're excellent.  And they'll appreciate you.

December 11, 2009