What's the Matter With Chicago?

and Seattle and New York and Boston...?

July 9, 2008

(Page 3 of 15)

Sex: 6 Tobacco: 31 Alcohol: 17 Guns: 26

Movement: 28 Drugs: 19 Gambling: 13 Food/Other: 34

32) SAN DIEGO

San Diego combines the progressive paternalism of more liberal California cities with a more strict social conservatism on drugs, sex, and even gambling. (With its recent proliferation of Indian casinos and card clubs, California has more access to gambling than any state except neighboring Nevada.) Worst of all, San Diego recently joined an unfortunate statewide trend by banning alcohol on public beaches under all circumstances.

—R.B.

Sex: 23 Tobacco: 24 Alcohol: 15 Guns: 29

Movement: 32 Drugs: 15 Gambling: 7 Food/Other: 29

31) BOSTON

This constricting, buzz-killing mix of nanny-state liberalism and Puritan morality ranked near the bottom in most categories. Boston’s one good number, for gambling freedom, is due mostly to the city’s proximity to casinos in neighboring states. Last spring it outlawed trans fats in restaurants and bottle service in bars.

—R.B.

Sex: 13 Tobacco: 28 Alcohol: 29 Guns: 28

Movement: 24 Drugs: 17 Gambling: 9 Food/Other: 25

30) EL PASO

In the bottom five for drugs, sex, and, somewhat surprisingly, tobacco (due to a stringent smoking ban and Texas’ relatively high excise tax on cigarettes).

—R.B.