North Dakota tops analysis of corruption
full article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-10-corruptstates_N.htm?se=yahoorefer
Oh wow.
That is a textbook example of USA today's hilariously misguided graphics (much like the one that showed hurricanes were getting more destructive over the decades, based on the unadjusted dollar value of property damage!!)
So let's get this straight ... we're going to measure corruption, based on convictions. Great idea. :)
per capita... one or two convictions in a state like montana skews the corruption rate pretty quickly...
Indeed, there is a clear bias against smaller states and/or states that have more bureaucrasy per capita.
But more important that any of that, convictions aren't even a logical measure of corruption because we have no idea how many people haven't been caught! Consequently, the state with the most convictions could theoretically be the least corrupt, if they are catching everyone. Conversely, the state with the fewest convictions could be the most corrupt, if everyone is getting away with it.
Bad bad journalism. Just painful.
Hey we had the most overall convictions! Way to go stool-pigeon staffers of Florida!