The title has absolutely nothing to do with the War between the States and secession. The divine inspiration and wisdom is gleaned from a much earlier time, around 2,000 years ago. Please read and meditate on this here. More comfort and awareness is found from this than any punditry by Michael Barone, Jay Cost, Sean Trende, and definitely Dick Morris. It’s not clear what happens with the eventual fall, but we have the time now to reflect on where we choose to live before the collapse occurs.
Below are a collection of data in table form that show where the divisions and cracks exist between different states. The final table reflects the pluses and minuses from the previous tables to rank the top 12 and the bottom 12 States to live in for those of us who believe moral and religious people are essential for a constitutional republic. Conversely, for those people who put their faith in a big government to keep religious faith hidden from view, and to provide benefits and decision making for them, then the bottom 12 States are for them.
This first table ranks the States on church attendance. Being ranked a Top State is a plus and being ranked a Bottom State is a minus.
| Rank | Top 10 States Church Attendance | Bottom 10 States Church Attendance |
| 1 | Mississippi | Vermont |
| 2 | Alabama | New Hampshire |
| 3 | South Carolina | Maine |
| 4 | Louisiana | Massachusetts |
| 5 | Utah | Nevada |
| 6 | Tennessee | Hawaii |
| 7 | Arkansas | Oregon |
| 8 | North Carolina | Alaska |
| 9 | Georgia | Rhode Island |
| 10 | Texas | Connecticut |
Being a State in the list below is a minus.
- Connecticut
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Vermont
- Washington
Weighing people down with a burden of high taxes is a minus.
| Rank | Top 8 States Low Taxes | Bottom 8 states Low Taxes |
| 1 | Alaska | New York |
| 2 | South Dakota | New Jersey |
| 3 | Tennessee | Connecticut |
| 4 | Louisiana | California |
| 5 | Wyoming | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Texas | Rhode Island |
| 7 | New Hampshire | Minnesota |
| 8 | Alabama | Massachusetts |
Weighing people down with the burden of high utility bills is a minus.
| Rank | Top 8 States Low Utility Rates | Bottom 8 States Low Utility Rates |
| 1 | Wyoming | Hawaii |
| 2 | Idaho | Connecticut |
| 3 | Washington | New York |
| 4 | Kentucky | New Hampshire |
| 5 | Utah | Alaska |
| 6 | North Dakota | New Jersey |
| 7 | Arkansas | Massachusetts |
| 8 | West Virginia | Rhode Island |
Weighing people down with high prices for necessary goods and services is a minus.
| Rank | Top 8 Most Affordable States to Live in | Bottom 8 Most Affordable States to Live in |
| 1 | Tennessee | Hawaii |
| 2 | Alabama | Alaska |
| 3 | Louisiana | Connecticut |
| 4 | Oklahoma | New York |
| 5 | Arkansas | California |
| 6 | Mississippi | New Jersey |
| 7 | Texas | Rhode Island |
| 8 | Florida | Maryland |
Having high unemployment rate is a minus.
| Rank | Top 8 States Low Unemployment Rate | Bottom 8 States Low Unemployment Rate |
| 1 | North Dakota | Nevada |
| 2 | Nebraska | Rhode Island |
| 3 | South Dakota | California |
| 4 | Iowa | New Jersey |
| 5 | Utah | North Carolina |
| 6 | Wyoming | Michigan |
| 7 | Oklahoma | Connecticut |
| 8 | Hawaii | Mississippi |
Having a high debt burden is a especially a minus if the reasons for the debt are over promising on pensions.
| Rank | Top 8 States with Lowest Debt | Bottom 8 States with Lowest Debt |
| 1 | Wyoming | California |
| 2 | Nebraska | New York |
| 3 | Montana | Texas |
| 4 | South Dakota | New Jersey |
| 5 | Vermont | Illinois |
| 6 | Maine | Florida |
| 7 | Indiana | Massachusetts |
| 8 | Idaho | Connecticut |
It’s a minus to be a State in the list below that adds extra debt burden to the state with subsidizing health insurance and expanding medicaid coverage.
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
It’s a plus to be a State in the list below to save your State from additional debt burden and forestall the full implementation of Obamacare™
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The Top 9 and Bottom 9 are self-evident, and the other 6 States listed are line up closely with some of the other 26 States. Every individual needs to make his own decision, and there are obviously personal concerns which affect any decision. The future is a lot more than about a political party getting the right candidates who have the right messaging, use the right political consultants, or use the right GOTV software. History reminds us of times of Great Awakenings, we are in dire need of another one soon.
| Rank | Top 12 States to Live in | Bottom 12 States to Live in |
| 1 | Texas | Connecticut |
| 2 | North Dakota | New York |
| 3 | Oklahoma | Massachusetts |
| 4 | Wyoming | Rhode Island |
| 5 | Nebraska | California |
| 6 | South Dakota | New Jersey |
| 7 | Alabama | Maryland |
| 8 | Louisiana | Hawaii |
| 9 | Indiana | Vermont |
| 10 | South Carolina | Minnesota |
| 11 | Georgia | Washington |
| 12 | Utah | Oregon |
Preacher Pilgrim, amen. While the failed federal economic policies hurt us in every state, there are stark differences between the states in terms of quality of life, and your tables are invaluable in judging those differences. God bless.
I’m bookmarking this for when I need to consider another place to live.
Having lived in South Dakota my entire 48 years, with the exception of the 6 I spent in the military, I can honestly say I would never live anywhere else. Common sense is a prevalent condition in my wonderful state!
Ok Pilgrim. Now that you have the best states listed, I just need to know which one has the lowest tornado risk. I’m guessing SC or UT. No way will I move to OK or NE. The things scare the pants off me.