Perry's Texas miracle is a mirage

[randel]

Perry's Texas miracle is a mirage - CNN.com



Editor's note: Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a CNN.COM contributor, a nationally syndicated columnist and an NPR commentator.

San Diego (CNN) -- When it comes to jobs, the hypocrisy of Republicans is working overtime.

They don't think Barack Obama deserves any credit for creating even a sliver of new jobs, arguing that it's the private sector, not the president, who has power of the nation's economy.

But boy, are they giddy over Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who they say deserves all the credit in the world for singlehandedly creating new jobs in the Lone Star State. So, we are told, presidents don't create jobs but governors do -- especially if they're in your party and thinking about running for president.


snip
The jobs are real enough. The Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas recently estimated that, since June 2009, Texas has produced about 37% of the new jobs in the country. Perry claims the figure is closer to 48%. Either way, it's impressive

snip

For this, Republicans waste no time crediting their Holy Grail of lower taxes and less government regulation. Texas has both of those. There is no personal state income tax, and the sales tax -- 6.25% -- is lower than it is in many states.

If they were honest, Republicans would also credit immigration in the boom. Texas has a lot of that, too. An influx of immigrants -- both skilled and unskilled --allows companies to fill jobs Americans won't do. Then those companies hand out paychecks and pay taxes, all of which stimulates the economy.


snip
State Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, recently gave me a primer on "Tex-onomics."

"That jobs thing is a sleight of hand," Castro said. "More than half of those new jobs have been filed by non-Texans. So it's people moving here to take those jobs. It underscores this bipolar state that we live in. You have a population in Texas that is generally lower educated, poor, isn't covered by health insurance ... all of these things ... so you can recruit these companies to come here from out of state but your own people, often times, aren't qualified to fill these jobs."

 

[tessaesque]

"That jobs thing is a sleight of hand," Castro said. "More than half of those new jobs have been filed by non-Texans. So it's people moving here to take those jobs. It underscores this bipolar state that we live in. You have a population in Texas that is generally lower educated, poor, isn't covered by health insurance ... all of these things ... so you can recruit these companies to come here from out of state but your own people, often times, aren't qualified to fill these jobs."

That isn't exactly true. Actually, that's almost completely untrue.

 

[randel]

That isn't exactly true. Actually, that's almost completely untrue.

anything to back up your assertions?

 

[tessaesque]

anything to back up your assertions?

The fact that I live and work here. And the guy provides nothing to back up HIS assertions.

 

[randel]

The fact that I live and work here. And the guy provides nothing to back up HIS assertions.

that you live there offers nothing to refute what he is saying...

 

[tessaesque]

that you live there offers nothing to refute what he is saying...

Here's an article detailing the jobs created in Austin, the state's biggest gainer over the recession:
Austin, Texas Leads the Nation in Job Growth - CBS News

Here's the Census literature on poverty across the U.S., showing Texas in line with many other states:
http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/acsbr09-1.pdf

Minimum education level - Associates - job increase expectations in Texas:
Every Chance, Every Texan: Texas’ Projected Job Growth requiring Associate’s Degrees

Population percentage of those over 25 with a college degree (notice that the percentages run very, very close:
State Rankings--Statistical Abstract of the United States--Persons with a Bachelor's Degree or More

Number of illegal immigrants by state (does not break down by age, so cannot ascertain the # of those who are working):
Estimated number of Illegal Immigrants statistics - states compared - StateMaster

For the above link, the population of Texas is 24.7 million. Illegal immigrants make up an estimated 1.04 million. So that's a little less than 4.16% of the total population. By comparison, California has a population of 36.9 million and an estimated illegal immigrant population of 2.2 million, meaning a 5.9% segment of the population.

I found nothing to corroborate the gentleman's claims.

 

[randel]

Here's an article detailing the jobs created in Austin, the state's biggest gainer over the recession:
Austin, Texas Leads the Nation in Job Growth - CBS News

Here's the Census literature on poverty across the U.S., showing Texas in line with many other states:
http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/acsbr09-1.pdf

Minimum education level - Associates - job increase expectations in Texas:
Every Chance, Every Texan: Texas’ Projected Job Growth requiring Associate’s Degrees

Population percentage of those over 25 with a college degree (notice that the percentages run very, very close:
State Rankings--Statistical Abstract of the United States--Persons with a Bachelor's Degree or More

Number of illegal immigrants by state (does not break down by age, so cannot ascertain the # of those who are working):
Estimated number of Illegal Immigrants statistics - states compared - StateMaster

For the above link, the population of Texas is 24.7 million. Illegal immigrants make up an estimated 1.04 million. So that's a little less than 4.16% of the total population. By comparison, California has a population of 36.9 million and an estimated illegal immigrant population of 2.2 million, meaning a 5.9% segment of the population.

I found nothing to corroborate the gentleman's claims.

your first links highlights a woman coming from the northeast to take a job, proves rep castro's point...texas is in the lower half of states (30th) in percentage of those with a bachelors degree...seems to jive with what rep. castro is saying, and texas is #2 in illegal immigrants....looks like the rep. is more right than wrong.

 

[tessaesque]

your first links highlights a woman coming from the northeast to take a job, proves rep castro's point...texas is in the lower half of states (30th) in percentage of those with a bachelors degree...seems to jive with what rep. castro is saying, and texas is #2 in illegal immigrants....looks like the rep. is more right than wrong.

You obviously didn't look at any of the comparisons posted. The guy's statement is a gross exaggeration of an existing system, if anything. Texas ranks 30th, but the percentages are within +/- 1 for most states. There isn't a dramatic gap between 20 and 30, for example. Of course, you can view it however you want, but the guy isn't right.

Also, that first post describes several local businesses that were hiring in Texas...there was one lady featured, but there is more information there.

 

[randel]

You obviously didn't look at any of the comparisons posted. The guy's statement is a gross exaggeration of an existing system, if anything. Texas ranks 30th, but the percentages are within +/- 1 for most states. There isn't a dramatic gap between 20 and 30, for example. Of course, you can view it however you want, but the guy isn't right.

Also, that first post describes several local businesses that were hiring in Texas...there was one lady featured, but there is more information there.

i seen nothing in your links that proved rep. castro wrong, sorry. texas is near the top in poverty, near the top in lack of education, and near the top in illegal immigrants. all prove the rep's points.

 

[Misterveritis]

snip
The jobs are real enough. The Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas recently estimated that, since June 2009, Texas has produced about 37% of the new jobs in the country. Perry claims the figure is closer to 48%. Either way, it's impressive
snip

Castro said. "More than half of those new jobs have been filed by non-Texans. So it's people moving here to take those jobs.... all of these things ... so you can recruit these companies to come here from out of state but your own people, often times, aren't qualified to fill these jobs."

Money goes to where it is wanted. Any company that can move out of California is heading anywhere else. Texas is one of those places. When a state has lower tax rates, and a business friendly environment with less regulation at the state level, you create the conditions for a thriving economy. Is there anything good in California? Sure. The weather is pretty nice.

I made the trip to Alabama from California. I am delighted that I did.

 

[tessaesque]

Blind bias is a dangerous thing, Randal. Castro provided no proof, and the data doesn't back up his outrageous claim. The facts may be Texas ranked low in college degrees per capita, but the facts also show that on a percentage basis that the numbers are very close to those ranked higher. The facts may be that Texas has a high illegal immigrant population, but the facts also show that Texas has the 2nd highest overall population, and the largest border with Mexico. What would you expect? Neither of those facts proves that we are only introducing no-skill jobs for illegals or high-skill jobs Texans can't fill. That was his primary claim, and it is wholly unsupported.

 

[randel]

Blind bias is a dangerous thing, Randal. Castro provided no proof, and the data doesn't back up his outrageous claim. The facts may be Texas ranked low in college degrees per capita, but the facts also show that on a percentage basis that the numbers are very close to those ranked higher. The facts may be that Texas has a high illegal immigrant population, but the facts also show that Texas has the 2nd highest overall population, and the largest border with Mexico. What would you expect? Neither of those facts proves that we are only introducing no-skill jobs for illegals or high-skill jobs Texans can't fill. That was his primary claim, and it is wholly unsupported.

i disagree...your own links don't prove your point, but do support the rep.

 

[PeteEU]

i disagree...your own links don't prove your point, but do support the rep.

careful Randel, dont try to burst the Texan bubble filled with delusions and wishful thinking.. Texans dont take kindly to such facts and will probably shoot first and never ask questions later (and yes the last bit is a JOKE!.. for those Texans who dont understand such things).

After all Texas has a "balanced" budget based on massive cuts on the poor and especially education and borrowed money... but dont tell them that!

 

[danarhea]

Where it comes to jobs, Texas is hurting too. Last year, the company I worked at for more than 18 years went out of business. Took me 7 months to find another one.

NOTE: Retirement is not all it's cracked up to be. After having had a taste of it, I have decided it sucks. Let me work until they plant me in the ground. LOL.

 

[randel]

Where it comes to jobs, Texas is hurting too. Last year, the company I worked at for more than 18 years went out of business. Took me 7 months to find another one.

NOTE: Retirement is not all it's cracked up to be. After having had a taste of it, I have decided it sucks. Let me work until they plant me in the ground. LOL.

WHAT? A COMPANY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN TEXAS? in texas? come on now, this is texas we are talking about, that bastion of economic growth and job creation.....

 

[Misterveritis]

Where it comes to jobs, Texas is hurting too. Last year, the company I worked at for more than 18 years went out of business. Took me 7 months to find another one.

NOTE: Retirement is not all it's cracked up to be. After having had a taste of it, I have decided it sucks. Let me work until they plant me in the ground. LOL.

It is good to see that businesses can still fail. Creative destruction occurs everywhere. Even where the economy is robust.

Look around and see what skills are selling. Then go get those skills.

 

[haymarket]

I made the trip to Alabama from California. I am delighted that I did.

Water seeks its own level. Basic rule of life. You found a place that meets your belief system... good for you. Do you think the State of California suffers with your loss?

 

[Misterveritis]

Water seeks its own level. Basic rule of life. You found a place that meets your belief system... good for you. Do you think the State of California suffers with your loss?

Yes. I make a low six-figure income. They were eager to suck the life out of me. I escaped.
The place I am now has one of the highest education levels per capita of any in the US. So yes, I managed to find my level.

 

[winston53660]

Yes. I make a low six-figure income. They were eager to suck the life out of me. I escaped.
The place I am now has one of the highest education levels per capita of any in the US. So yes, I managed to find my level.

Rocket city owes a debt o gratitude the federal government.

 

[Misterveritis]

Rocket city owes a debt o gratitude the federal government.

It is true that NASA and the Department of Defense play a major role here. Every top tier defense contractor is here. In addition there are several hundred second and third tier contractors. The one term president Obama has cut in only one area. He has demolished NASA and our future defense capabilities.

 

[haymarket]

Yes. I make a low six-figure income. They were eager to suck the life out of me. I escaped.
The place I am now has one of the highest education levels per capita of any in the US. So yes, I managed to find my level.

Do you have any idea how the population of California has grown since WW2? I am sure you consider yourself an important person, and perhaps in your own way you are, but I suspect the State of California will find a way to continue and have to make due with all the new folks flooding in. They added some five million folks in the last decade. They can afford to lose one to Dixie.

 

[Misterveritis]

Do you have any idea how the population of California has grown since WW2? I am sure you consider yourself an important person, and perhaps in your own way you are, but I suspect the State of California will find a way to continue and have to make due with all the new folks flooding in. They added some five million folks in the last decade. They can afford to lose one to Dixie.

LOL. I don't really care what California thinks of me. California is a failed state akin to Greece just waiting for those bailout dollars. I am not the only one who left. Nor was I the last to leave. And I am perfectly happy for the people of California to have several million poor, uneducated, sick illegal aliens in their state instead of mine. And the state is losing its best and brightest to other states. People can still vote with their feet. And often do.

 

[cpwill]

Do you have any idea how the population of California has grown since WW2? I am sure you consider yourself an important person, and perhaps in your own way you are, but I suspect the State of California will find a way to continue and have to make due with all the new folks flooding in. They added some five million folks in the last decade. They can afford to lose one to Dixie.

the people who have been flooding in to California are not the same people as those flooding out. California is giving us all an education in how generous welfare states and open borders don't mix.

 

[cpwill]

so in general, if Perry runs, is this going to be the line against him? that he was such an awful governor that Americans fled their own states to live and work in his?

 

[Wiggen]

Nah, I'm gonna use the line that he thinks secession is a great idea. It's kind of the right wing philosophy when they don't get their own way - just declare your independence and form your own country. Maybe he and Todd Palin could run as a team!

Frankly, I'm fine with Texas or anybody else seceding just as long as they don't reinstitute slavery. I draw the line there.