-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
According to a Wall Street Journal article, Richard Fisher, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, using Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, found that since June 2009 37% of all net new jobs in America were created in Texas. Even though Texas is an energy state benefitting from high oil and natural gas prices, Fisher touts Texas’ business friendly environment, its right-to-work laws, and its “tort reform”– a $250,000 cap on punitive damages.
The WSJ article even calls Texas “fiscally responsible.” That’s the same Texas with a $27 billion budget shortfall. The WSJ article also uncritically cites Texas’ statutory limits on mortgage borrowing, a regulation of the financial industry they would decry if Obama proposed it.
While the 37% figure is accurate, the details are what’s interesting. Texas has the highest percentage of minimum wage worker in the country. As the chart below shows, the level of minimum wage jobs has increased during Perry’s reign.
The median hourly earnings for all hourly-paid wage and salary workers in Texas stood at $11.20 per hour in 2010; nationally, the median was $12.50.
Texas also ranks number one in the percentage of residents without health insurance. Texas’ percentage is almost 28%. Massachusetts, with Romneycare, has the lowest at 4.7%.
According to The Economist, the state-level Gross Domestic Product of Texas grew by 2.6% last year, equal to the national average. New York grew by 5.1% and California by 1.8%.
Here is a listing of the Perry economic portfolio touted as a model for the whole country:
- Highest percentage of minimum wage jobs.
- Highest percentage of residents with no health insurance.
- A budget deficit of $27 billion.
- Lower than average wages.
- Average growth in GDP.
So, if you want a low paying job with no health insurance, Texas is your choice.
300! if *I’m quick about it
Elaine,
I liked your intermission!!
Doh! 298 and 299.
297
kderosa,
Yeah, you’re not going to let me have the final say, are you? You couldn’t posture about how victimized you are if you did that.
Wins what … and don’t say dinner with Rick Perry
kderosa,
You’re not going to let Gene H. have the final say, are you?
The one with the final comment wins.
AY,
So many, many ways … 🙂
How many more do you need nal…I am here to help….Oh in so many ways…
kderosa,
You may think you know what’s going on here, but you only think you do.
(That’s 293, Nal. Just doing my part. See you at 300. ;))
word
C’mon guys. You’re not going to let kderosa get the last word, are you?
Just a few more comments and my thread will break 300!
Roco,
Pursuant to JT’s request, I have been playing nice with everyone, especially Gene H.
Gene H is the one who appears incapable of playing nice. You simply cannot disagree with Gene H without Gene H becoming disagreeable. It is this personality defect that has no doubt caused at least some of the regulars to complain above regarding his behavior.
“kderosa, Gene H has disrupted every thread you have been on. Is he a stalker?”
That is the irony, as others have noted above. The ones who are complaining the most about the “disruptions” are the ones causing and prolonging the disruptions. In this respect, FFLEO hit the nail right on the head.
Elaine
lol … perfect grandma-daddio
And now for a musical intermission:
cant we all just get along?
kdersoa please play nice with GeneH.
Gene can you do the same thing?
the sand box is big enough for both of you, kderosa please quit kicking sand on Gene, he isnt able to handle it.
kderosa, Gene H has disrupted every thread you have been on. Is he a stalker?
@ Gene H
You are the only one doing the disruptive trolling here Gene H with your personal attacks.
You can mischaracterize my comments all you want; that is your specialty. Feel free to continue to mischaracterize and twist.
I’ve said my peace here, I see no need to continue further since we are so far off topic and no progress is being made.
You feel free to continue to disrupt the thread and commiserate with the others.
Toodles
Upset? Just goes to show how bad you are at reading people, kderosa. I’m just pointing out you’re all bluster and no balls when it comes to your spurious accusations. As to your disruptive trolling behavior? I think since you’ve demonstrated that you intend to persist with it that it will eventually become a topic of conversation with JT whether I bring it up or not.
@Gene H
You seem to be growing increasingly angry. I’m not sure why.
It appears you are upset because I am noting your constant stream of personal attacks. Yet I am not the one making the personal attacks, you are. It does not bother me in the least that you are making these personal attacks and coarsening the discourse here. So I have no desire to notify JT of your personal attacks as long as they remain of this weak ineffectual variety.
If you have a problem of my noting your personal attacks, as your increasing anger suggests, then you are free to bring your complaint to JT as you are no doubt well aware.
@Elaine,
I thought for sure the cry would have helped. I guess not.
Elaine,
Great clip. I’m going to save that one for future use.