Like I Said...South and West

As if we needed further evidence that the center of power, economically and politically, in this country is moving slowing south and west. I covered this before here, here and here. This leakage happens quietly every day as residents leave places like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania for places like Arizona and North Carolina, but once in awhile we get a more visible marker. Unfortunately for the City of Brotherly Love, it is the poster child for this trend. In 1985, Philadelphia was surpassed as the 4th largest city by Houston. Now Phoenix has edged Philly out for the 5th spot. Hmm, corrupt, union-run, over-regulating Philly with its schools in crisis is losing population? Go figure. By contrast, Phoenix is less union dominated and regulates business lightly. Expect more news like this, with the winners being cities like San Antonio, Jacksonville, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Raleigh, Boise, and Denver and the losers to be cities like Boston, Philly, New York, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh.