If you were to get rid of one state in the US, which would it be and why?

Based on a highly sophisticated algorithm I concocted while you were asking the question, I would find the states who take in the most federal dollars and pay out the least federal tax in return. I would take the number of right wing radio stations in those states complaining about that self-same federal gummymint, and divide that by the literacy rate. Then I would choose Texas anyway.

The state of confussion!

The state of dependency because everyone needs to find a way to play it forward

I wouldn't get rid of any of the states because they all play a part in making this country great.

I'm used to people bringing me solutions, or in this case half a solution. What we need to understand is the problem. What do you desire to accomplish? Trying to reduce expenses? Need to raise cash for another acquisition? The answer might indeed be getting rid of several states that don't work. Or maybe instead of getting rid of a state we get rid of a protectorate. There should be a business reason behind a goal. For example in IT, automation for the sake of automation is not a goal. Trying to save resource hours or streamline time consuming processes might be the goal, and automation may be the solution.

Why would you want someone working here who had the arrogance to think that s/he alone should make that kind of decision? I would want a small team with relevant expertise, empowered by the highest authority possible, and with great relationships with those affected, to even define the criteria for making the decision before making it.

State of Franklin. It's already come and gone, and no one really misses it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Franklin

I'd let go of Hawaii, because it was unfairly and unjustly bullied into becoming a territory, and not much more than 100 years ago. I'd get rid of Florida just to raise the quality of the rest of the states.

Alaska & Hawaii because those states are off doing their own thing while the other states are connected and working together as a group. Teamwork is more important than working on a project alone.

The answer is still NONE. Everyone deserves the chance to be a part of a society, that makes us a great nation. To choose any state only shows the potential hatred/bias that haunts us all. We chose to be who we are, yet it is the unified nation that will survive long after we are gone. Chose a state and you don't get the job.

The interstates. Boring driving. We need to re-awaken our love of the tapestry of this nation on roads that actually go through towns.

Coming from a person who has met people from all states I say New Jersey. Meanest people I ever met.

The question is not saying you must get rid of a state. It is saying if you were to get rid of one then which and why. My response would be I would not get rid of any and cannot think of a good reason to do so.

Not at all., I love my country

California. I think my life would have liked there and work. I think that their life is dynamic, fast-paced, less pretentious, and impersonal commercial as well as in the northern states.

the state of depression

I would not get rid of any states but I would rather combine 2 states in one. NJ and NY for example.

"There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it……” Well, after perusing the majority of uncouth and acerbic replies, it is imperative for me to purchase a ticket to Venus (planet of love), ASAP!!! – Do I want the power “to destroy”? Absolutely NO! I shall stay and contribute my little grain of salt to keep every speck of Earth together (enough destruction already) and help “to build” again and again – Surely, I do not want to do it alone! – Shockingly, whilst glancing at the pond the inquiry below landed on my inquisitive mind: HAVE anyone thought for one brief moment that every single state of US ("United" States) have children, grandmas, grandpas, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers (alive humans, just like you and me.) I am quite aware that most of us have been challenge/tested to the core. However, you must strain your solidest effort to have compassion for humans and the planet Earth. My favourite reply was “The state of confusion” by Anonymous “The world is divided about people who likes the sunset and those who don't!” Please stop the “confusion” (destroying is not the solution) and let’s enjoy the sunset “together”

New York!

I would not get rid of any state because I do not make dictator-type decisions, but if I didn't not want one around, I would just try to avoid it at all costs.

Vermont. The whole state should just be made into a giant national park.

Texas. They want secession from the US.

Not the state the interviewer is from!

Kansas - It's in the middle of the country so we'd easily be able to get it back.

I would say Alaska sell it to Canada wipe of a bunch of debt the resources and land are still owned by American people and American companies just the taxes go to Canada and different laws take affect like gun control and health care and other regulations Canada takes good care of national parks we get a huge amount of money to pay off our deficit

No one ... I do not have a severe heart ...

No one ... I do not have a severe heart ...

Louisiana- they have HUGE cockroaches and other nasty critters!

I would rid Dell's state of current US revenue and would multiply the previously mentioned grossed US number earned infinitely to itself. Why? Wouldn't Dell desire a higher monetary state than they were in yesterday or even today?

We could easily "get rid of one state" by merging the two most similar neighbouring states in terms of processes, governance, etc. Maybe Rhode Island and Connecticut. There are a number of implications to systems, structures, etc, but could be a decent cost cutting exercise if implemented properly. USA would then have 49 States and be more efficient. Also, in response to some of the answers above, Puerto Rico is not a state, Hawaii and Alaska have financial and strategic importance (oil, location, etc), and Texas is a very resource rich state.

Good Question and during an interview I would provide an answer to the question. Best part of my answer would be that whatever state I did choose it would be the correct one as there isn't a correct answer. The question (and most others) are intended to evaluate your thinking process, how one handles pressure and the unexpected, and as long as one has a logical thought out answer/explanation it will be the right one! One of my favorite questions was "Of a Penquin, Tiger and Lamb, which animal would you be and why?"

THANKS

Its florida.... you can find 'rid' embedded in 'florida'

states and country is just like fingers and palm

The one in the name. Because getting rid of 'state' gives you the united s of america or USA.

I would choose California based on their economy alone. Their budget deficit is larger than New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Minnesota, and North Carolina combined. One you add Hollywood to the mix, it's a no brainer!

nice

i think ALASKA & HAWAI cz they dn't depnd upon anthr state,,,,,,,,,,,,

al ans are only my thing.

florida.....too hot now, and in 300 years will be underwater anyway..long term planning is a strength

I'd choose to combine North Dakota and South Dakota, and re-name it after myself. Ha, j/k. Of course it can be named Dakota or whatever the people vote on.

California because it is a pest hole of everything that is wrong with the USA, or Texas, because I live in Texas, we can go alone, and I have had enough of California ruining everything that is decent.

I would pick Missouri.....I have nothing against Missouri mind you but I chose it for two reasons: 1. it is in the middle where we have so many other states so we should not miss it too much and 2. they call themselves the Show Me State....so they can "show me" how they are going to get back.

More than 1, as the question itself says that there are more than 1 (cows).

there is no state with the name 'ONE'

the UK - it is too far away and on a different continent

THANKS

How will the state be disposed of? By violent destruction, expulsion, or sale to a foreign power? Or am I to suppose it never existed? That is the correct answer, for you people that have to actually answer this question, you have to define "get rid of" which is ambiguous. Then if they say "never existed" or "violent destruction", the correct answer is, and I say this compassionately, New Jersey. It would eliminate untold environmental, fashion, and television pollution. Put it out of its misery. And yes, I've lived there.

I would propose merging North and South Dakota into a single state. The resulting state of Dakota would still be smaller in area than California, Texas, and Alaska, and smaller in population than about 30 other states.

Texas

Fusk you guys and your need to access all my info and my friends on fb. You must slide off your chairs because of all the slime.

Wyoming, because it actually doesn't exist. It was some kind of cartographer's joke that the name is there where it is. Think about it, do you actually know anyone or have you met anyone from Wyoming? Didn't think so.

New Jersey because they think they own the roads in Florida.

Any except the one I happen to be in at the time

OMG, what an anti-American question! This is something Osama bin Laden would have asked, geez. Where are we rolling.

yes

i want get some work as soon as posible...i have 2 children 20 and 18 years old...i need refugee...thx.....

Puerto Rico, is the only one that comes to mind. Nearly 2 billion dollars is sent to that island, yearly, to keep it afloat. A blight to our U.S. neighborhoods and schools, but a boon to our prison system. Cancel that commonwealth, and close the borders.

Alaska. I would give it back to Russia (I am from Russia :-))

any where in america south or north the important we have a job and i pursue my carrie as a butcher and meat cutter and contribute my knowlegde to company were hired me

Indiana - I hate having to program software for the way they do timezones

Arizona. It does not follow any of the standard US timezones (Mountain Standard Time, but no Mountain Daylight Time for most of the state; except the Navajo Nation, which DOES observe both MST/MDT). Very confusing when you are trying to deal with timezone-aware applications. Just get rid of it.

Obviously Vermont. It has the lowest GDP of all states at $25.91 billion/year.

Illinois.