Patrick Crowley - 'The Flight of The Earls'

'The Flight of The Earls'

As a union organizer and agitator Crowley is credited with coining the phrase the "flight of the earls myth" to describe the idea that a state's tax policies drive residents, particularly rich residents, out of the state. Crowley took the phrase "flight of the earls" from a period in Irish history, when Irish leaders were driven into exile by English conquerors. Crowley's writings, blogging and organizing on the subject made use of the phrase common place in Rhode Island liberal circles. It also drew the ire of right wing critics, although several national studies supported Crowley's overall point that simply raising taxes on rich people do not drive people out of any particular state.