Looking for "Recession-Proof" Towns? Know Your State Capitals

CNNMoney had an article this week listing Americas most recession-proof cities. The article quoted a list from MetroMonitor -- sent out by the Brookings Institute's Metropolitan Policy Program -- of 21 cities which were still thriving in the rough economy. Not one of them is in Florida.

There are some interesting cities on the list: Albany, N.Y.; Austin, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Columbia, S.C.; Baton Rouge, La.; Little Rock, Ark.; Jackson, Miss ... wait a moment, this sounds familiar. Reading the list, I had flashbacks of fourth grade, being forced to learn state capitals. I suppose it has paid off -- I still know Montpelier is the capital of Vermont and Pierre is the capital of South Dakota even though I have never had the pleasure of visiting either city.

I thought every kid had to suffer through being forced to learn that Dover is the capital of Delaware. Apparently not, since the article took no notice of the fact that 10 of the 21 recession-proof cities are state capitals, while Washington, D.C. also made the list. So 11 of the 21 recession-proof cities are full of government jobs. Im glad to see CNNMoney and Brookings are so fond of the free-market system.

Oh, and if youre playing trivia at the bar this weekend, Carson City is the capital of Nevada and Concord is the capital of New Hampshire.