US DROPS AGAIN ON WORLD COMPETITIVENESS INDEX

The drop began in the Bush administration but it has escalated under Obama.  The US dropped 2 points in the last year to 7th.  But some of the other statistics are alarming.  These statistics are compiled by the World Economic Forum -- it is not a branch of the Republican Party or the vast right-wing conspiracy.

• The U.S. scores 42nd in property rights, behind Namibia and Uruguay.
• The U.S. ranks 59th in government favoritism, behind Guinea and Bolivia.
• The U.S. scores 76th in wastefulness in government spending, behind Mali and Nicaragua.
• The U.S. also is 76th in the burden of government regulation, behind Kenya and Thailand.
• The U.S. scores 69th in extent of taxation, behind Gambia and Ethiopia.
• The U.S. ranks 103rd for total tax rate, behind Greece (!) and Philippines.