NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Although ObamaCare is a controversial achievement by President Obama and the Democrats, Republican opposition has been repeating the same complaints: it's bad for the economy and bad for Americans, it's an unwelcome expansion of government, it's not working, and it's socialism.

Socialism at its core is a political term applied to an economic system in which individual property, like money, is held and used in common, within a state or a country as an attempt to equalize the standard of living for the average citizen.

In a completely socialist society, there would be no money. Basic needs such as food, shelter, education and healthcare would be available and provided to everyone, so division of classes based on wealth would not exist.

But if America is really turning into a more socialist country, then where can we see evidence of this happening? Are any states becoming socialist before our eyes? And if so, how do we define the most socialist state, you ask?

In order to measure the degree to which different states reflect socialist principles, we determined state expenditures and state GDP as the best indicators because socialist states tax and spend a higher percentage of their GDP. We used data on the total state expenditures for fiscal year 2013 from the most recent National Association of State Budget Officers report and pulled 2013 gross domestic product by state data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The math? Simple. The FY2013 state expenditure divided by the state's 2013 GDP.

After all the number crunching, we have come up with the 10 least socialist states in America followed by the 10 most socialist...

#10 Least Socialist State - Illinois

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $66.4 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $671.4 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 9.90%

The state of Illinois is the 10th least socialist state in America with an economy driven by agriculture and manufacturing.

Republicans prevail in both Chicago's suburban "collar counties" and the rural northern and central Illinois, as well as in southern Illinois. In the most recent elections earlier this month, multimillionaire Bruce Rauner (R) proclaimed victory and "a new direction" as Illinois' next governor defeated Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn (D).





#9 Least Socialist State - Georgia

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $41.1 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $424.6 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 9.67%

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#8 Least Socialist State - Utah

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $12.6 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $131.0 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 9.62%

#7 Least Socialist State - Indiana

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $27.8 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $294.2 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 9.44%

#6 Least Socialist State - Florida

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $70.0 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $750.5 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 9.32%

#5 Least Socialist State - Missouri



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $22.9 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $258.1 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 8.89%

#4 Least Socialist State - Washington



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $33.2 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $381.0 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 8.71%

#3 Least Socialist State - New Hampshire

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $5.0 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $64.1 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 7.84%

#2 Least Socialist State - Nevada



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $8.9 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $123.9 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 7.18%

#1 Least Socialist State - Texas



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $96.9 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $1.39 Trillion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 6.99%

The vast state of Texas edged out Nevada on this list to earn the title of least socialist state in America.

The Lone Star State's economy thrives on its production of wool, as well as oil and other large industries, and is truly a culture unto itself.

Politically, Texas is known to be a conservative state. Republicans control all state-level offices and both houses of the state legislature. Republican Greg Abbott easily beat Democratic opponent Wendy Davis in the recent 2014 midterm elections, going into office after Governor Rick Perry's 14-year reign.

Back in 2010, mainstreet.com named Nevada (#2 on this list) as the least socialist state.

We've counted down the least socialist states in America. Now, let's take a look at the 10 most socialist states. Go on -- we know you're curious...

#10 Most Socialist State - Wisconsin

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $42.8 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $254.1 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 16.2%

"America's Dairyland" is the 10th most socialist state in America on this list with its economy largely driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. Wisconsin is known for high property taxes and ranks fourth nationally in this category.

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#9 Most Socialist State - Rhode Island



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $8.1 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $50.0 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 16.3%

#8 Most Socialist State - Hawaii

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $11.6 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $70.1 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 16.5%

#7 Most Socialist State - New Mexico

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $14.5 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $84.3 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 17.2%

#6 Most Socialist State - Vermont

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $5.0 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $27.7 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 17.9%





#5 Most Socialist State - Arkansas



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $21.6 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $115.8 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 18.6%

#4 Most Socialist State - Mississippi

Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $19.4 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $97.0 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 20.0%





#3 Most Socialist State - Wyoming



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $8.6 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $39.5 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 21.8%



#2 Most Socialist State - Alaska



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $12.1 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $51.5 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 23.6%

Finally, which state is 1st on the list of the most socialist states in America?





#1 Most Socialist State - West Virginia



Total State Expenditures (FY 2013): $23.4 Billion

Gross Domestic Product (2013): $68.5 Billion

Expenditures as Proportion of GDP: 34.1%

West Virginia beat out Alaska by more than 10% to claim the title of the most socialist state in the America.

It's considered the global hub for chemicals, a national hub for biotech industries and a leader in energy with its interstate electricity exports and underground coal production.

This isn't the first time West Virginia has been named the most socialist state in the U.S. -- mainstreet.com declared it number one in 2010, making it the back-to-back champion socialist state.

Did your state make it on the list? Are you surprised by this list? Let us know your feedback in the comments section below.

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