Prosperity rankings an eye opener

I want it all; health, wealth, freedom of expression and prosperity.  I, as an American, always thought I lived in the greatest place for those things.  Recently I read a report in the Legatum Prosperity Index compiled by none other then the Legatum Institute, an independent policy, advocacy and advisory organization that ranked 104 countries that are home to 90% of the worlds population.  Much to my surprise the US was ranked ninth in this study!  Finland takes the number one spot followed by Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.  There must be something good in the water in those Nordic countries.

            In the top ten were also Western nations Australia (6) Canada (7).  It's an eye opener to be sure.  In this authors observation what I see happening is these countries have taken the US model and ran with it while the US has not realized someone has switched play books and we are going backwards.  Instituting higher taxes (the highest corporate tax in the world) increased regulations and no desperately needed tort reform just to name a few.

            In Asia, Japan ranked the highest at number 16 then there was Hong Kong (18) Singapore (23) and Taiwan (24).  The senior vice president of the Legatum Institute said "lower rankings for these Asian Nations were because of weak democracy and personal freedom scores.  They have good economic fundamentals but true prosperity takes more then just money."  China for example came in 75^th due to its tight political controls.

            There is a great lesson to be learned here for all and that is without freedom there is no prosperity.  I personally am a competitive individual.  To borrow a quote from General George S. Patton in his D-Day speech "The thought of loosing is hateful to Americans" and I must concur.  People scoff when others suggest that our freedoms are being eroded little by little and they ask for proof, well here it is.  I haven't packed my bags just yet but it is definitely time to get to work on these issues.