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The '''Commonwealth of Massachusetts''' is a state in the [[New England]] region of the northeastern [[United States]].  Its capital city is [[Boston]]. The name is derived from the Indian tribe that lived there, the "Massachusett".  It is one of four states officially known as "commonwealths"; there are no practical differences between a "commonwealth" and a "state". It is well known for being a bastion of American liberalism and is known, along with [[California]] and [[New York]], for being one of the "bluest" of [[blue state]]s.

The '''Commonwealth of Massachusetts''' is a state in the [[New England]] region of the northeastern [[United States]].  Its capital city is [[Boston]]. The name is derived from the Indian tribe that lived there, the "Massachusett".  It is one of four states officially known as "commonwealths". It is well known for being a bastion of American liberalism and is known, along with [[California]] and [[New York]], for being one of the "bluest" of [[blue state]]s.

In December, 2015, Massachusetts was ranked first in a survey of the best states to live in.<ref>http://247wallst.com/special-report/2015/11/23/most-livable-states/</ref> A survey in 2019 shows an 0.1% increase in population, for a ranking of about 37.<ref>[[State_population_changes,_2018_-_2019]]</ref>

Massachusetts has oppressive [[gun control]] laws which senselessly impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for peaceful possession of a firearm.  Travelers through the state can be ensnared with immediate imprisonment and later felony convictions merely for having a gun which is lawful which is lawful in their state of residence.

The state Constitution of Massachusetts, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''.  It says:

The state Constitution of Massachusetts, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''.  It says: