Texas is the ultimate model of a conservative state- which is why it is a total mess

[RyanPsych]

Conservative mythology now holds up Texas as a shining example of right-wing governance in action. Republicans would have us believe that gutting the state's social safety net, denying workers the right to bargain collectively and relentlessly cutting taxes unleashed a torrent of “job creation” and, ultimately, prosperity.

Under governor Rick “Goodhair” Perry's term in office, Texas has indeed been a model of conservative governance, but the truth is that it has resulted in anything but prosperity for the people of the Lone Star State. In fact, Texas is not only a complete basket-case, it would be faring far worse today without the help of policies enacted by Democrats at the federal level – policies Perry lambasted as “irresponsible spending that threatens our future.”

The kernel of truth on which the tale of the Texas Miracle is built is that the state has in fact added a lot of jobs over the past decade. In a gushing lead editorial, the Wall Street Journal noted that “37% of all net new American jobs since the recovery began were created in Texas.” The Journal then spun that fact like this: Capital—both human and investment—is highly mobile, and it migrates all the time to the places where the opportunities are larger and the burdens are lower. Texas has no state income tax. Its regulatory conditions are contained and flexible. It is fiscally responsible and government is small. Its right-to-work law doesn't impose unions on businesses or employees.

In the Journal's hyper-partisan view, the lesson to be learned is that “the core impulse of Obamanomics is to make America less like Texas and more like California, with more government, more unions, more central planning, higher taxes.” That spin was echoed during last week's GOP debate by none other than Newt Gingrich, who asked, “Why you want to be at California's unemployment level when you can be Texas's employment level?”

keep reading at: http://www.alternet.org/news/151325/texas_is_a_shining_example_of_right-wing_governance_in_action_and_that%27s_why_it%27s_a_complete_basket-case/?page=1

[OHdem10]

1. Largest NUMBER or LARGEST PERCENTAGE MINIMUM WAGE

Jobs are in Texas.

Some highest numbers without Health Care, the new low
wage jobs do not provide HC Benefit.

One of Highest Rates of Poverty in the Nation.

Ranks down at the bottom of scale on Education.

Right to work States are low wage states, therefore
lower standard of living.

Oh and they too have a deficit.

It is all what you define as a miracle.

[Skink]

2. consumer spending is way down now

[ThoughtCriminal]

3. Does the WSJ think the GOP put the oil there?

Texas without oil is Mississippi.

[provis99]

4. If I owned both Hell and Texas,

I'd live in Hell and rent out Texas.

[locahungaria]

6. Hell is a town in the Texas Panhandle. It's even been known to...

...freeze over.

[southernyankeebelle]

5. Why do people keep voting for these crazy people. This is what you get.