JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. —As more and more states fight for their right to govern without less intrusion from Washington, DC, a new survey is out showing which states are most independent and what states rely on big government the most.
Americans value independence. We fought hard for it during the American Revolutionary War, and in the present day, we celebrate not only our freedom from the British crown but also our strong ability to rely upon ourselves as individuals. It is something cherished, especially in the Great American West.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an especially big test of our independence, as for large amounts of time Americans were forced to stay much more isolated from others than usual.
The pandemic didn’t just keep people physically apart, though. It has also caused lasting financial hardship, which has led some people to become at least temporarily more dependent on support from the federal government. Other people have become more dependent on personal vices, such as drinking and drugs, due to isolation and stress.
In order to find out where Americans are the most self-reliant despite COVID-19, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on five sources of dependency: consumer finances, the government, the job market, international trade and personal vices.
Wyoming finished a disappointing 34th overall, owed mainly to the Equality State’s dependence on the feds for jobs.
