Politics

Rick Perry’s Job Creation Miracle

-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.

H/T: The American Independent, AlterNet, Swamlalnd.

366 thoughts on “Rick Perry’s Job Creation Miracle”

  1. Blouise, you are correct, the voice is not mature. She has, IIRC, recorded this again since she is a grown up woman and back taking opera lessons again. She now has two kids. I was just impressed that a young teen could do as well as she did. The later version with the mature voice is not available on-line.

    It is a good thing no one wants to hear me sing. Sharp and flat notes are the least of my sins.

  2. OS,

    I hate to say this, but she’s off-key ,,, she sharps, then flats … probably nerves … her voice hasn’t matured yet which is why she’s punching the high notes on a piece that should float out over the heads of her audience and swirl softly like a mist.

  3. Have you guys heard Charlotte Church sing Ave Maria? I think she was about 14 or 15 when this was recorded. Like Jackie Evancho and Haley Westenra, she was a child prodigy.

  4. Gene,

    I understand what you’re saying but that particular performance was flawless … ask Gyges how many times he has heard or given a flawless performance … I think he’ll back me up.

  5. Blouise,

    Normally I’m not a huge fan of a libretto in German, but that was quite pleasant. Thanks!

  7. Here it is from youtube … please don’t pat any attention the the “Christian Europe” pictures … just close your eyes and listen

  8. SwM,

    Jennifer Rubin is not a hack … the article you linked should be taken seriously

  9. Blouise,

    Listening to it now. I do know that piece, I just didn’t realize it was Schubert. Lovely.

  10. @Mike Spindell, it’s a shame you weren’t around 15 minutes earlier when Nal chummed the water for you.

  12. Blouise,

    I’ll have to look into Schubert’s Ava Maria. I’ve not heard it, but I’m a big fan of Bach’s Ava Maria.

  13. Blouise,

    Beautiful song. I could download it from iTunes but I couldn’t post it. Copyright and all that. 🙁

  14. rafflaw,

    Sounds like black magic but why not!

    There you go … Black Magic Woman … that’s a great song

  16. Blouise,
    I will take you up on that lottery ticket idea. I will purchase a Powerball ticket and say some Rick Perry prayers over it!

  18. Nal,

    At the risk of being boo’d , could you find Schubert’s Ave Maria sung by Barbara Bonney (in german) … it is, perhaps, the best recording of this classic I have ever heard

  20. Mike,

    Some have it and some don’t.

    I’m thinking Raff may need some suggestions. Can anyone help him out?

Comments are closed.