A Fun [Non-] Report From South Of France… Riviera Edition

Almost on a weekly basis, Hinderaker writes a story about how “red state” economies are doing “so much better” than blue state ones.

These are actually non-stories — based on statistics of who moves where year to year, or which states provide the lowest level of public service, due to not collecting any income tax — at the state level. That in John’s addled mind is his “progress.” Hilarious.

In fact, it more reliably offers us a “Misery Map” — of where federal aid is most overwhelmingly consumed — because the states do not do their duties to citizens of limited means, when they have “a red monopoly.” [So, in fact it’s just a shifting of the burden — from the state level, to the federal government.]

Well, okay — here in the early morning in France, I have an equally silly non-story for John.

It seems now (via August ’26 data) the areas of the US where home prices are falling most precipitously… are almost all red.

And also amusingly, home prices in Chicago rose by 3.6% last year, putting that deep blue city near the top of the list of “great real estate investments for homeowners”.

Like I say, these are non-stories because they don’t necessarily reflect quality of life or fulfilling jobs at living wages… but I will take it just the same.

Here is that — from the Faux non-news outlet:

…The report found that the median list price per square foot fell in 36 of the top 50 metro areas in the U.S. in August compared with a year ago.

The largest declines were in Austin (-8.1%); Tampa (-5.6%); and Memphis (-4.1%). Metros that saw the largest gains were Providence, R.I., (+9.3%); Indianapolis (+4.4%); and Chicago (+3.6%).…

So real estate prices declined significantly in Texas, Florida, and Tennessee — all largely red states… Though to be fair, the price declines were in the blue islands inside those states.

So — if I were as dishonest as John, I would spin the “story” to say that “life is becoming more affordable” on the blue islands inside red states (while obviously the point is that no conclusion — about politics, at least — can be drawn).

Even so, it always sells papers and draws eyeballs.

Here endeth the lesson.