-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.
Roco,
You are entitled to all the (mistaken) opinions you’d like to have.
Talking heads are saying Perry is the frontrunner.
GeneH:
probably the increase was because people were telling other people that kderosa was having you and others for lunch. They wanted to watch the spectacle of the progressives being fed to a rational animal.
Roco,
I stated a fact. Make of it what you will.
GeneH:
“Also, in the absence of his disruptive behavior there have been quite a few new commentators.”
now that is a logical fallacy. But I will do what Otteray Scribe does and not tell you which one. And when asked I will ignore you.
Professor Turley,
I did not want to mar the fine French thread, but your blawg in your absence was not brilliant and because of the excessive moderation it was not “fully active”. Please confer with others because something is very wrong here.
“Mike Appleton, David Drumm, Mark Esposito, Gene Howington, Elaine Magliaro, Lawrence Rafferty, and Mike Spindell are a brilliant team. They made it possible for me to enjoy this trip with the family while keeping the blog *fully active.* I will be forever in their debt.”
Roco/FFLEO,
The final decision is not mine to make. As I said when I put kderosa in moderation, I would wait for our host to sort him out. Moderation is not the most severe step that could have been taken. You gentlemen may think what you will of what happened, but know that given the circumstances it would have happened exactly the same way were I presented the choices again. I will, however, point out that all four of kderosa’s post-disruptive posts have been on topic and approved. Also, in the absence of his disruptive behavior there have been quite a few new commentators.
HenMan,
next time you are driving in Illinois, just bring an empty coffee can! 🙂
Professor Turley,
I emphatically disagree with the current moderation and/or banning of certain individuals. Somehow, you missed what occurred when you were on vacation–or you are ignoring facts. I asked at least one person to wait for your return–out of respect for you–to discuss a resolution to the near chaos that occurred in your absence.
Since extreme moderation occurred in your absence, you need to request Nal’s view on what happened so you are not blind-sided and then continue to think that all was well—it certainly was not. Please inform all of us what your moderation policy will be henceforth.
Respectfully…
GeneH:
your new persona as master of the universe fits you. 🙂
Ben D-
Answer: The Wisconsin- Illinois State Line.
(It’s only a joke- I love Illinois.) My only beef with Illinois is that driving from South Beloit to the Quad Cities on I-39 and I-88 there are ZERO rest stops! Do you people in Illinois have giant bladders or what!!! On I-80 in Iowa there are spotlessly clean rest stops every 30 miles. Get with the program, Illinois, I can’t hold it forever!!!
puzzling,
Sequence written and your criticism has been noted.
Will kderosa’s posts appear in the comment sequence at the time they were written, or the time they were approved?
I would repeat my original criticism of this ban. I believe that Nal and FFLEO share similar concerns. In my view kderosa’s comments were well within the bounds tolerated on this blog.
HenMan said, “Please! No Teabaggers in Illinois! They will all take their vacations in Wisconsin. We are already up to our necks in home grown Fascists. And really, aren’t there already enough Bears fans?”
What separates cheeseheads from dickheads?
Henman:
by the way who is kderhoid? I havent seen them post yet.
HenMan:
oh well.
Roco and Kderrhoid-
Sorry, boys. I don’t have time to play “Refute the Koch Brothers” with you today. I have already answered your questions. Look for the key word: Irrelevant.
Roco,
kderosa is still in moderation which requires editor approval of his comments. His last two comments have been on topic and non-disruptive, so I approved them both.
eniobob,
Thank you