The Democrats, it seems, are looking abroad for models for an American future. Democratic Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders seems fixated on Denmark, with its more-than-generous welfare offerings (though someone should mention to Sanders that its corporate tax rate is about half the U.S. rate).

Meanwhile Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton actually cited China as a model for its paid leave policies for new mothers. She didn’t mention its draconian one-child policy.

But a far better model exists closer to home. Texas is more and more the model for opportunity, entrepreneurship and economic freedom.

“At a time when election season is picking up at the presidential, state, and local levels, the question politicians and voters are asking: what model provides the most prosperity?” asks the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Vance Ginn. “After comparing economic and labor market measures among California, Texas, Florida, and New York – the largest four states – and U.S. averages during the last 15 years, the evidence is clear: the Texas model of limited government best supports prosperity.”

The non-partisan Frasier Institute ranks nations by economic freedom indicators, and the U.S. has been in a steep decline.

“The dwindling economic freedom of the U.S. from third in 2000 to 16th according to the Fraser Institute has contributed to lackluster economic growth and job creation,” Ginn said. “Texas, however, has seen its economic freedom increase from third to first among the 50 states. This improvement was not an accident as Texas kept taxes low, never enacted a personal income tax, and passed sensible regulations, which collectively let individuals best decide their future instead of the government.”

That state-by-state ranking was done by the TPPF. It shows Texas in first place, with Florida in 21st place, California in 43rd place and New York in 47th place.

Florida’s relative high ranking comes from the fact that it doesn’t have a state income tax either; but its years of governance by Democrats and moderate Republicans (or whatever Charlie Crist is these days) have resulted in burdensome, heavy-handed regulations.

California is California, and it would be unkind to dwell on that state’s unfortunate business climate, with its regulations, taxes, minimum wage rules and man-made water crisis.

New York, on the other hand, is starting to get the idea. Its “New New York” ad campaign touting that state’s new tax breaks and increasingly business-friendly environment shows the state realizes these things matter. The ads are running on most cable news channels.

One ad features Robert De Niro – who played the young Vito Corleone in “The Godfather Part II.”

“Some said we lost our edge,” De Niro says. “Well today, there’s a new New York State, one that’s working to attract businesses and create jobs.”

There’s still much going against it – state and local income taxes, unionization, regulations and since we’ve already mentioned the Mafia, some endemic corruption.

Texas outstrips those states in freedom, job creation and a business-friendly environment.

The GOP presidential candidates, at least, should take a closer look. Texas is a model for what American can be again.