Economic freedom is the measure of the roadblocks governments put in place
that prevent their citizens from achieving success. Not surprisingly,
countries with the greatest economic freedom enjoy strong economic growth.
Unfree countries, conversely, do not.

Long a symbol of economic prosperity, America for the first time no longer
ranks among the top 10 free nations of the world, according to The 2005
Index of Economic Freedom, just released by the Heritage Foundation and the
Wall Street Journal.

Now in its 11th edition, the Index is the most up-to-date and comprehensive
source of data on taxes, tariffs, regulations, monetary policy, and the
burden of government around the world.

Out-of-control government spending is partly to blame for America's
standing, but so is competition, writes Heritage's Marc Miles in his
introduction. "The U.S. is resting on its laurels," he explains, "while
innovative countries around the world are changing their approaches and
reducing roadblocks."

The U.S. must make a choice, concludes Miles. "Is it to remain the symbol of
economic freedom in the world that was, or is it going to take the steps
needed to regain the leadership in the world that is and will be?"

http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/

All thanks to junior!

John Cairns