Re: OT more political fun I'm not even going to look it up, but I would be certain neither state [MA, CA] came close to the US on debt/GDB. slice and dice as desired <a href="http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/grossstatedebthousehold-20080124.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/grossstatedebthousehold-20080124.pdf</a> 2006 data - govt debt/household US: $7767 AL: $3548 CA: $9005 MA: $26696 another interesting source of data <a href="http://www.statemaster.com/cat/eco-economy&all=1" target="_blank">http://www.statemaster.com/cat/eco-economy&all=1</a> <a href="http://www.statemaster.com/graph/eco_tol_tax_bur_pergdp-total-tax-burden-per-gdp" target="_blank">http://www.statemaster.com/graph/eco_tol_tax_bur_pergdp-total-tax-burden-per-gdp</a> I wouldn't say there is any clear cut distinction between state tax as % of GSP, political leanings, and spending on health and education or quality thereof.