In a delightful turn of irony, CNBC recently released its rankings for the best and worst states to live and work in, and they couldn’t have been more off-base. This amusing twist lies in the fact that CNBC’s “worst” states, primarily consisting of conservative states, have witnessed a significant influx of Americans fleeing oppressive “blue states,” effectively contradicting the media outlet’s assessment.
It’s worth noting how CNBC ranked the states with an unquestionable hint of bias. Primarily, the states were assessed on “inclusiveness” and “reproductive rights,” leaving out crucial parameters like economic conditions. Interestingly, these top ten “worst states,” including Texas, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee, were also the most popular destinations for Americans changing residences, according to Forbes rankings and Postal Service data.
"Last Friday, CNBC released a ranking of 'America’s 10 worst states to live and work in for 2023.'
It is just as out of touch as one may expect."
–@Jack_Elbaumhttps://t.co/3RxdZ4EG18— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 19, 2023
Consider this: in 2022 alone, Florida welcomed 318,000 more newcomers than it bid farewell, outshining all other states. Close on its heels was Texas, with a net influx of over 230,000 people. South Carolina and Tennessee were not far behind, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. And yet, CNBC listed these states as the worst places to live and work, sparking bemusement and disbelief.
Conversely, CNBC’s top ten states to live and work in are all stalwart blue states. These include Connecticut, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maine and Vermont, most of which have remained solidly blue since 1988. Three of those states – Massachusetts, Colorado and Washington – were among the top ten states people were eager to leave.
This contradiction begs the question: Why would people be so keen on moving to these “terrible” places? The answer is simple – the red states aren’t terrible at all. They offer an American appeal that CNBC’s report has missed, an allure that goes beyond the narrow political litmus test the media outlet used. Instead of considering a state’s stance on cultural matters, most people prioritize economic opportunity and community strength when deciding where to live.
What’s more, the very criteria CNBC used for its rankings are fraught with bias and manipulation. The media outlet blatantly declared that their rankings depended on “inclusive policies on discrimination and reproductive rights.” CNBC’s perspective is heavily influenced by a political agenda, favoring liberal values over a balanced, fair representation of states.
This all underscores a profound disconnect between these media ratings and the reality on the ground. While some states may boast of “inclusiveness” and “reproductive rights,” they also harbor far-left radicalism, which many Americans find unpalatable. CNBC’s ranking is thus more a reflection of their political ideology rather than an accurate representation of American sentiment.
And as things continue to worsen in some blue states like Illinois, California and New York, we can expect the trend of a population boom in red states to remain steady. Ultimately, it seems Americans are making decisions based on what is genuinely beneficial for them, not according to the dictates of liberal echo chambers like CNBC.
