Why does Madison keep making Best of Lists? Fewest Conservatives.

The horrors of liberalism in socialist Madison has frightened conservatives for years. This odd place promoting progress, equality, creativity, research, food, culture and education just isn't the free market paradise envisioned by conservatives and fiction writers like Ayn Rand.

 Behold, what Rand, Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan warned us about:

Cap Times: The website for Livability — America's Best Places to Live and Visit recently named Madison as the fifth-best foodie city in America.

"Chefs like Tory Miller, who was named best of the Midwest in 2012 by the James Beard Foundation, Daniel Bonanno and John Gadau established the city's innovative approach to food," the site says in its description of Madison's food scene. The site lists the Dane County Farmers Market, Willy Street Co-op, Bratfest, Beer and Cheese Fest as top events, along with a number of  restaurants that make Madison a great place if you like food.   

Over the years Madison has made dozens of "best of" lists, and it seems lately that Livability likes Madison as much as Madisonians. Its rankings over the past few years have included our fair city in several of its top 10 lists.

-In 2010, Livability rated Madison as the No. 4 college town. 

-It was rated fifth-best city for veterans.

-military.com rated Madison as a top 10 city for military retirements.

-Madison comes in 8th as one of the best places for music (outside Nashville, LA and New York).

-The city was ranked No. 7 as a place to keep a New Year's resolution.